How was 2024 for BETBY?

▫️ CEO Leonid Pertsovskiy reflects on BETBY’s exponential growth and how the sports betting industry is shaping up.

2024 was a year of affirmation for BETBY, marked by significant growth and key achievements. We understood the challenge of sustaining the remarkable pace of success we’ve achieved over the past four years, but the results speak for themselves.

As of November, we recorded an increase of almost 270% in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) compared to the same period in 2023, alongside more than 200% growth in active players globally and a 190% rise in the number of bets placed. This robust performance was driven by the successful launch of new projects, the strong contributions of both established and new key clients, and a significant expansion of our market presence on a global scale.

But this growth wasn’t just about numbers—it reflected our dedication to delivering real value to operators and players. By focusing on personalized, data-driven innovations, we aim to enhance the betting experience for players while strengthening the competitive edge of our partners. Every solution we developed—from expanding BETBY Games to advancing AI-driven tools—was guided by our overarching goal of creating more engaging, flexible, and rewarding experiences for all stakeholders in the sports betting ecosystem.

We were also very active working on the brand, and we recently announced a landmark long-term collaboration with Magnus Carlsen, the chess Grandmaster and five-time World Champion, who became BETBY’s global brand ambassador. His unparalleled strategic thinking and decisive moves align seamlessly with BETBY’s mission to deliver transformative, game-changing solutions to our partners. Like Magnus, we strive to remain at the forefront of our domain, delivering excellence and innovation.

▫️What were the main challenges BETBY faced in 2024?

One of the most significant challenges BETBY faced in 2024 was managing rapid organizational growth. Over the past year, some departments grew significantly, almost doubling in terms of team size to accommodate increased demand, necessitating the recruitment of talent across multiple disciplines. While this expansion reflects our success, it also underscored the somewhat limited pool of talented professionals within the relatively young sports betting industry.

To address this, we bolstered our internal recruitment efforts with strategic partnerships, which proved highly effective. Moreover, our emphasis on creating exceptional workplace conditions enabled us to retain top talent. This dedication was recognized with BETBY’s workplace experience awarded at one of the industry’s awards, an acknowledgment of our commitment to fostering a motivated and engaged workforce.

▫️What trends do you see emerging in the short term?

The sports betting landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by increasingly discerning and data-savvy players. A notable trend is the growing reliance on detailed statistics and real-time information to inform betting decisions. In both traditional sports and esports, users demand granular data—such as player performance metrics during the FIFA World Cup or real-time stats in a Counter-Strike tournament. This data-centric approach not only boosts player confidence but also drives higher engagement and increases bet values.

Then we are also seeing a marked shift from club-focused betting to player-centric markets. A prime example is Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami CF in the MLS–previously an underexplored market. Since Messi’s arrival in June 2023, sportsbooks have reported a 480% increase in bets on Inter Miami CF, with overall MLS betting rising by 98% year-over-year, according to Oddschecker. This is something corroborated as well by DraftKings, which revealed that MLS has doubled its betting handle and more than doubled its total bets compared to the previous year. Inter Miami CF has become the most-bet MLS team and the seventh most-bet team across all soccer on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Messi is the most-bet player by handle and the second-most bet player overall, trailing only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. This underscores the growing popularity of player-specific markets and the expanding influence of marquee athletes in shaping betting behavior.

Furthermore, as global consumption patterns evolve, one clear trend is the declining appetite for traditional, long-duration sports formats. Audiences increasingly prefer dynamic, short-form experiences that deliver instant gratification, somewhat similar to the experience provided by slots. This shift is reshaping the betting landscape, with micro-markets and rapid-play formats gaining prominence. BETBY is leading this transformation by providing a broad array of these fast markets for both traditional sports and esports. I would dare say that our e-sim games integrate these formats into our offerings, including fast markets in our sportsbook and e-sim games which are designed from the ground up to cater to this demand for speed and excitement.

Additionally, the rise of cryptocurrency as an alternative to traditional banking is expected to drive the proliferation of crypto sportsbooks. While this presents immense opportunities, it also necessitates robust risk management frameworks to navigate the regulatory complexities and ensure player safety.

Moreover, in what might sound as a cliché, the role of personalisation in acquisition and retention, as well as how the industry can combat rising costs, are increasingly put under the microscope. And whilst personalisation is regrettably an overused term nowadays, one must separate the wheat from the chaff and understand the true capabilities that a sportsbook solution is able to deliver from this point of view.

▫️How has BETBY adapted to these trends?

BETBY has responded adeptly to these shifts, leveraging three of its key assets: our in-house trading team, a strong focus on esports innovation, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence.

Our in-house trading team enables us to add more depth to the content provided by the external feeds. This agility allows us to create bespoke odds for niche markets—be it esports or traditional sports—and to respond swiftly to client requests for specialized offerings in any part of the globe. For example, our eSoccer FIFA title within BETBY Games offers more player-specific markets than even traditional UEFA Champions League matches, highlighting our capacity to deliver unique and innovative content.

Esports has also become a cornerstone of our strategy, reflecting its growing influence in the sports betting landscape, especially within the younger demographics. We have significantly expanded our esports portfolio, adding unique and previously unavailable markets and introducing live betting for official tournaments of games such as Escape from Tarkov: Arena and Stormgate. This allows us to tap into the younger, data-savvy audience while also providing operators with a competitive edge in an ever-evolving market.

Meanwhile, AI Labs has been transformative for BETBY, driving innovation across various domains. For instance, it enables the delivery of personalized betting content and tailored tips to players based on their unique betting patterns—a capability that significantly boosts engagement and retention. Our experience shows that approximately 10% of our users are already actively utilizing betting tips for soccer, underscoring how the new generation of players want a personalized entertainment experience.

AI is no longer just a supplementary tool; it has become integral to our strategy. In this regard, I am thrilled to announce that in January at ICE Barcelona, we will unveil an AI-driven feed for special markets—a groundbreaking solution poised to reshape the future of sports betting.

▫️How will BETBY maintain its path of success in 2025?

Building on the achievements of 2024, BETBY aims to sustain its momentum through strategic market expansion and continuous innovation. We will deepen our presence in key regions such as Brazil, where a newly regulated market and our GLI certification position us for success, as well as expand our reach in Asia and North America, with a particular focus on Ontario, Canada. Recent partnerships with industry leaders such as Pixbet and CSGO Empire are testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality, localized solutions.

Simultaneously, we will continue enhancing our product offerings, staying true to our mission of delivering unparalleled betting technologies and services. As I stated at the start of 2024, “We will only maintain our upward trajectory if we are able to keep on providing a superior portfolio of betting products.”

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