What opportunities does the upcoming World Cup present the sports betting industry?


Te World Cup is by far the most anticipated event in soccer and because it only happens once every four years, each tournament is a milestone in the industry. Te fact that it will take place during winter and not during summer raises some questions, but new operators are rushing to be ready until the first kick off and existing operators are preparing their strategies. It is a Christmas before Christmas for the industry.


Does the tournament have the potential to still be an engaging and entertaining betting experience despite the context?


Te World Cup is a party. Tere has been no World Cup in the history of soccer without background voices and without issues. Nonetheless, we are talking about the most anticipated sport event of the year and as a betting experience it will be the most attractive and popular choice among operator’s users.


Do you anticipate greater betting engagement rates than Russia four years ago?


History has proved that every new tournament is better than the previous ones. Enhanced offering, more markets, more selections are the facts that makes us believe that history will be repeated, and we will have once again better rates.


How will overall betting spend on the tournament be impacted by the cost-of-living crisis?


It’s a fact that the overall raise of life cost has a great impact on every single person’s budget, but never forget that people are always looking for a ‘way out’ when they must deal with difficult situations. Also, the hope that fun can be combined with profit always creates an optimistic perspective from the user’s side.


How have operator partners approached the winter tournament differently to a traditional summer event? What have been the biggest hurdles with the different timing?


Te main difference between a winter and summer tournament is that the World Cup won’t be the ONLY major ongoing tournament. Operators know that they will have this time to keep one eye on the World Cup and the other on the rest of the operation. For sure this is something new, but again there is no operator that won’t focus on the World Cup.


Te biggest issue will be the interruption of ongoing soccer championships, all over the world, and the transition to a tournament that originally is being held during summertime.


What betting trends are you anticipating for this World Cup? Are we likely to see a greater focus on outright betting or bet builders?


Outrights have been a traditional betting pattern in the past World Cup tournaments. Te early prediction of the winner, the top goalscorer, etc always had value and great supporters. Tis year’s tournament will have


Vasilis Betzelos Commercial Account Manager Altenar


History has proved that every new tournament is better than the previous ones. Enhanced offering, more markets, more selections are the facts that makes us believe that history will be repeated, and we will have once again better rates.


enhanced offering in outrights, with markets and selections that will cover even the most demanding user.


On the other hand, Bet Builder is something new and a game changer. Everybody loves it and the ability to combine different markets from the same World Cup event it’s by far the most attractive feature of the upcoming tournament.


What features, products and innovations have you lined up to coincide with the World Cup?


Enhanced offering in markets and selections, Prelive Bet Builder with Player Specials addition, Manual outrights, Boosted Odds promotions.


Are promotions top of mind for operators?


Promotions have always been the key feature from the operators’ side to attract the users for daily interaction. New features like Bet Builder and of course the great and enhanced offering must be also considered as something very important.


Major US sports will be in full swing during the tournament. How will this affect betting on the tournament?


Traditional US sports players will continue to play in those tournaments, no matter what. Te fact that those sports will take place mainly in hours and that there will be no World Cup live action, will help the betting flow for all operators.


Finally, your pick of this year's winner… It’s about time for Argentina and Messi.


WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P27


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