Launching an Online Bookmaker Business: from Theory to Practice

The betting industry is constantly developing. The report by analysts from Data Bridge Market Research reveals that by 2031, the sector’s volume will exceed $325 billion, and the average annual growth will exceed 9%.

A significant share of the niche is occupied by online wagering. According to research conducted by Mordor Intelligence, this segment already accounted for almost $54 billion in 2024. In the next 5 years, the average annual gain will fluctuate within 11–12%.

These data eloquently testify to the prospects of the sphere. It is not surprising that many entrepreneurs want to launch betting platforms.

Experts from the Rosloto company have prepared detailed instructions for implementing such projects. We will focus on the importance of theory and tell you what practical steps need to be taken.

Statistics as the Basis of the Bookmaker Business

When forming event lines, operators use large amounts of information. Analytical research is carried out in real-time to change quotations in due course.

Data Sources

The profitability of platform owners directly depends on the accuracy of the assessment.

Detailed statistical information is required to create the line. BC analysts learn the necessary details from official leagues and teams.

Besides, there are specialised companies in the market from which it is possible to get the figures. Geniussports and BetRadar stand out among other suppliers. In-depth study and instant reactions to events (for example, a leading player’s injury or a large number of bets on the victory of one of the teams) are extremely important for wagering sites.

Experienced bookmakers develop unique algorithms for collecting and analysing data. A powerful module for calculating odds uses the following information:

• the current form of athletes;
• percentage of wins in previous matches;
• rosters, the presence of injured sportsmen, etc.

Modern software tools save entrepreneurs a lot of time. Thanks to digital products, it is also possible to reduce the number of employees in the research department.

Analysis for Gamblers

Experienced users place bids, taking into account statistical data. For example, in football, the main indicators are:

• preliminary results of teams;
• disciplinary offenses (free-kicks, as well as yellow or red cards);
• percentage of ball possession during the match;
• number of accurate passes;
• tackles, etc.

When it comes to the preferences of customers, it is worth noting that their activity increases significantly during top-level tournaments:

• World and European Championships in football, hockey, basketball, etc.;
• Champions League matches;
• Grand Slam competitions — the 4 highest-rated tennis tournaments (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open).

To engage a broad audience and constantly maintain the level of the bookmaker office’s attendance, it is necessary to add regional contests and socio-political activities to the event line.

Betting Systems

There are 3 main methods for calculating odds. Each option is popular in a certain state:

1. Fractional. It is relevant for the United Kingdom and Ireland. An example of a coefficient is 7/3. To define the payout, it is necessary to multiply the bid by the fraction and add the amount to the pair.
2. Decimal. The scheme is preferred in Europe and many countries in other regions. For example, the likelihood ratio of an event can be represented as 4.5 (payoff = bet × decimal odds).
3. American. The method is used in the United States and Canada. Its peculiarity is positive or negative numbers. The first ones show what the user’s profit will be based on a bet of $100, and the second option shows what sum must be deposited to win $100.

Types of Bids in the Online Bookmaking Business

The industry uses several types of wagers, and each of them has its characteristics and advantages. Let us consider the most common types:

Bet on the Victory (Money Line)

It is the most understandable and simple category. In this case, gamblers choose which team or individual athlete will win. The odds are changed depending on statistical data, the number of deposits made, injuries of leading players, etc.

The outsiders have higher coefficients, so there is a chance to win an impressive sum but the probability of such a result is low.

Handicap

People need to not only guess the winner but also how far ahead from competitors they will finish the competition. For example, Manchester City will beat Real Madrid by 3 goals. In this case, the line indicates a handicap of -2.5.

Such a spread of goals or points is most often used in the following team sports:

• football;
• hockey;
• volleyball;
• basketball.

The odds in such a category are much higher than for a simple victory.

Bets on Total (More or Less)

Operators note the total number of goals scored, and clients need to guess whether the teams will cross this mark or not. There is no need to name the exact figure — only an increase or decrease in the initial indicator.

Prop Bids (Special Ones)

They are not related to the final result of a match or tournament. Gamblers need to guess not the winner but the following specific events:

• how many goals a certain player scores;
• whether a red card is shown;
• how many corners both teams get during the match;
• what percentage of accurate passes a particular athlete is going to make;
• which team scores the last goal, etc.

Such a set of events makes the line more diverse and increases the level of excitement.

Futures

Pairs are placed long before the start of the match. This type of betting is typical for large-scale rating tournaments. They require foresight and genuine analytical research from customers. However, the odds are also quite high.

For example, at the beginning of autumn, users are offered to guess who will win the Champions League, the final of which usually takes place at the end of May.

Expresses

It is a relatively complex type of wagering. People make several forecasts at the same time, the coefficients of which are multiplied. The more events added to the pair, the higher the payout, but even one mistake can lead to a loss.

We would also like to mention progressive expresses. They assume the possibility of one or more errors among all the contests, but in this case, the final ratio is lower.

How to Launch a Digital Betting Business: Practical Steps

We learned about the theory of the bookmaker industry. Let us consider the main stages of developing an online platform.

Acquisition of Licence

First of all, entrepreneurs need to register and legalise their projects. Gambling permits are issued in several countries.

The most popular jurisdictions for receiving a licence are the following:

1. United Kingdom. British certificates are recognised worldwide, but obtaining them requires meeting strict requirements.
2. Gibraltar. One of the most respected commissions has an important advantage: under its licence, it is possible to work in the territory of the European Union.
3. Ukraine. The country has been issuing betting permits for only a few years. These documents allow operators to open both online and land-based establishments.
4. Malta. The local commission has been issuing licences since 2001. The regulator pays special attention to the protection of vulnerable groups of the population and people who suffer from ludomania. Several thousand iGaming sites provide services under the Maltese certificates.
5. Alderney. It is a well-known jurisdiction that has a strong influence on the entertainment industry. The commission strictly monitors the honesty of the bookmaker's work.
6. Kahnawake (Canada). Documents of this kind have been issued for more than a quarter of a century since 1999.

Each region has its requirements for the applicants. The tax system is also different. To choose the best option, it is necessary to study all possible options in detail.

Among the most important selection criteria, we can name:

• reputation and credibility of the jurisdiction in the international market;
• features of tax legislation;
• requirements for the authorised capital;
• cost of the licence and annual deductions;
• restrictions on the type of activity.

To obtain a certificate, it is necessary to correctly prepare a package of documents and pay all fees. Without the appropriate experience, it is easy to make mistakes. The commission will refuse to grant a permit, and business owners will lose time and money.

The best way to avoid useless financial risks is to seek support from an experienced intermediary. Rosloto specialists know the specifics of licensing in various states and will help operators choose the best region for legalising their projects.

Software for Bookmakers’ Offices

The key element is high-quality software. Program components are conventionally divided into 2 groups:

1. Backend — digital solutions are available only to platform administrators. Such products are necessary for full-fledged management of Internet resources, action tracking, data collection, compilation of reports, and guaranteeing the security of the website.
2. Frontend — the external part of the software. Bettors directly interact with it. Thanks to this tool, gamblers register on the portal, deposit funds, withdraw prizes, etc. It is important that the interface is intuitive.

The platform’s stability depends on program components. Entrepreneurs should buy it only from experienced developers. In no case should they save on this aspect. A reliable solution meets the following criteria:

• security;
• reliable protection from hackers;
• the ability to work under load.

Payment Systems

Such services allow users to replenish their accounts on the betting site and withdraw winnings.

Basic requirements for financial gateways:

• clear interface;
• simplicity of transactions;
• speed of transfers;
• high level of protection;
• low commission fees (or none at all).

The most important factor is multi-currency. Customers should be able to choose which currency to use:

• dollars;
• euros;
• pounds sterling, etc.

It is necessary to add electronic and crypto wallets, which will help increase the audience coverage.

Besides, project owners should take into account the region of operation and add payment systems that are relevant for specific parts of the world. Thus, Europeans trust:

• Mastercard;
• Visa;
• Skrill;
• Neteller;
• PayPal;
• Google Pay;
• Apple Pay;
• EcoPayz, and other services.

Users from the United States and Canada prefer American Express bank cards.

Gamblers from Asia normally choose local options:

• AliPay;
• WeChat Pay;
• Wire Transfer, etc.

The more financial tools are connected to the online club, the more clients will be attracted to the digital platform.

Organisation of an Event Line

Previously, we considered the relevance of data selection and research.

If a bookmaker strives to succeed in the profile market, it should have an analytical department. However, this is a serious investment.

With a limited budget, it is possible to buy lines from suppliers that offer relevant services. Of course, the list of events will be similar to the offers of many other brands, but this approach will help save money during the first months of work.

Marketing Promotion

After the launch of the website, operators need to express themselves and start competing with market leaders. There are several effective customer engagement strategies:

1. SEO optimisation. The online resource must meet the requirements of web crawlers. This will help to take leading positions in the search results. Such a process does not give instant results — it usually takes several months to feel the effect of the tool. In the future, it will bring consistent traffic.
2. SMM. This is attracting players using social networks. There is an interested audience on Facebook and Instagram that can be easily motivated to switch to an entertainment platform. However, it is necessary to take into account the internal rules and restrictions.
3. Affiliate programs. This method involves advertising on partner sites. Webmasters create thematic portals with relevant content and publish a link to betting projects. It is one of the most effective ways since those who visit such resources are already looking for interesting entertainment.

Along with promotion, entrepreneurs need to work on retaining gamblers so that they come back again. Various bonuses, cashback, promotions, etc., will help to achieve this goal. It has been proven that it is cheaper to retain a user than to attract a new one. Each of the regular players is capable of bringing profit to the project for a long time.

The Main Things about Launching an Online Betting Site

Opening a virtual bookmaker platform is a difficult task that requires time, effort, and significant investment.

To achieve success, several important conditions must be fulfilled:

• Licence registration. To legalise the business, one of the regulators must be contacted. The most famous are the following jurisdictions: the United Kingdom, Malta, Alderney, and others.
• Formation of the event line. The creation of an analytical department requires large sums. To save money, it is recommended to buy coefficients from data providers.
• Development of the platform and software acquisition. The betting site must be functional for operators and convenient for users. The main requirements for program components are reliability, a high level of security, and the ability to work under load.
• Marketing promotion. The advertising concept should include all possible ways to attract customers — SEO, SMM, affiliate networks, etc. An integrated approach makes it possible to reach a wide audience.

Rosloto specialists will help you open a successful and profitable bookmaker's office. We have great experience in creating modern betting projects that attract visitors from all over the world.

From us, it is also possible to order the following useful solutions:

• turnkey sportsbook platform;
• high-quality software;
• event lines;
• reliable payment services;
• marketing programs, etc.