What are the components of a sports betting software?

Every service is available on mobile phones, including a sports betting service. This facility becomes possible due to a software that has all the features needed for making the process of betting on sports easy and seamless for the bettors. Thanks to the software that the bettors can log on to the online sportsbook anywhere, anytime and bet on the sport of their choice. Whether you are on the move or are operating from the comforts of your home, you have access to the sports betting software anytime.

So, the betting software has disrupted the way the punters used to bet and has made it accessible for all. It is the right product at right time as more and more countries are adopting betting as a legal activity. The things were not like this before 2021. Previously, only a handful of states in the United States rendered the betting on games legal. Also, betting on only a few sports were allowed. In January 2023, a total of 36 states have legalized the sports betting. Accordingly, the sports betting software providers have to tighten their game and come up with relevant features that can help a bookie meet the demands of changing landscape.

Listed here are the components or functionalities a sports betting software is expected to have if the ultimate customer experience is to be achieved.

1.     Complete library of sports: The bettors will love to be associated with that sportsbook that offers numerous betting opportunities. A plethora of betting opportunities becomes possible to deliver when the software has an exhaustive library of sports. The online sportsbook does not restrict its operations to sports bets only. They can also deal in casino games, esports, lottery, etc. Thus, the sports betting software providers need to have an expandable menu comprising of all sorts of betting avenues or games. It is the primary requirement for an online sportsbook to become the first choice of bettors.

2.     Rewards system: The environment at the sportsbook has to be as lively as possible. It can be achieved with rewards systems that becomes operational on a trigger. By using this feature, the sportsbook developers can enable the bookies to come up with different attractive offers. The rewards should be activated and made available when certain number of points are earned or certain number of bets have been placed. Welcome bonuses, weekly rescue bonus, reload bonus, etc. are some of the options that make any sportsbook software complete.

3.     Payment gateways: The bettors have access to unending ways of making deposits and withdrawals. In a sports betting software, there has to be arrangement for including as many payment methods as possible. It equips the sportsbook to cater to a wider audience and have localized features in their interface. With the inclusion of multiple payment gateways, the sportsbook can allow transactions using cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, local bank transfer, debit/credit cards, etc.

4.     Cash out feature: Sometimes, bettors get the idea before the conclusion of the game that they won’t win the bet. In such situations, they look for the ways to settle the bet and save themselves from losing all the money staked on it. Thus, cash out feature enables the bettors to maximize their wins and limit the losses before the game concludes. It is, therefore, a good feature to ask for from the sports betting software providers.

5.     Building the bet with betting slip: A betting slip is the main instrument using which the bettors convey the intention of betting to the sportsbook owner. The betting slip should have the option of adding one to multiple bets as per their preference. This feature should enable picking bets from casino games and sports simultaneously to meet the requirements of some enthusiastic bettors. Flexibility of use is the core of this feature and the software providers have to use their brains to achieve this virtue in the betting slip.

6.     Safety features: The software should have ample safety features in place. SSL encryption with sufficient bits should be adopted to ensure that the customer information is stored in a leak-proof environment. It also ensures safety of financial information that bettors share while completing transactions at the sportsbook.

7.     Customer support: Right from onboarding to providing information about the completion of transaction, the bettors depend on the customer support in every step. The sportsbook software may have online contact form, automated email responder, live chat feature, ‘Call me Back’ functionality, etc. to give desirable comfort to the bettors. Such features make the customers comfortable with the sportsbook and prefer it over others. The smarter the customer support feature, the more likely the online sportsbook is to become the bettors’ favorite.

8.     Communication feature: Automated alerts and emails are used to keep the bettors updated about the activities happening at the sportsbook. The details of the promotional campaigns or information about the transaction status can be communicated via email, SMS or other pop-up messages that can be tailored into the interface. The software providers work on this front to deliver a seamless a smooth experience to the sports bettors.

9.     Promotional campaigns creation: The interface for sports betting needs to have features that support campaign creation. The developers set the trigger conditions, and fix the free bet amount while designing the campaign feature. They can also fix the promotion duration and display information regarding the same through tailored messages.

10.  License and regulations: The sportsbook software providers need to provide the owner with a valid license. Without this, the credibility of the sportsbook becomes questionable and people refrain from using such platform. According to the area where the sportsbook plans to deliver the service, the license is to be obtained. There can be variations in requirements of license depending upon the region of operation. Thus, the developers research on those and provide all the features that helps meet the requirement of licenses.

11.  Live streaming service: The sportsbook software should provide support for live streaming. This feature is meaningful for bettors who want to try live betting. The streaming of all ongoing matches is available at appropriate places and the pop-up for the same is also provided for easier and quick access.

12.  User registration and login page: It is an important user side feature. The relevant fields are to be included in this page and the process should not be made lengthy at the same time. A feature of user profile is added, too, where the users can access their past bets, payment records, etc.

The sportsbook app developer has to conform to the publishing regulations. The regulations differ from area to area. Thus, before committing to the development, the experts find about the regulation requirements to publish the iOS or Android app at Playstore or App Store respectively.

Common steps involved in sportsbook software development

The steps involved in sportsbook software development determine the development time. Depending upon the complexity of the app, the development time varies. Some of the common steps involved in sportsbook development are:

a.     License and regulations: The sportsbook developer starts with providing information on license and regulation requirements to the business owner. Depending upon the area of operation, the license and regulation requirements to run a bookie business vary.

b.     Need analysis: The developers sit with the sportsbook owner to understand the scale and size of business. They usually suggest flexible and scalable solutions so that the sportsbook owners can meet the varying demands without incorporating many changes in the software.

c.      Tech stack selection: Depending upon the functionalities desired, the developers pool in the tech stack that helps achieve the objectives.

d.     UI/UX development: Several themes and templates are pondered over to zero in on the UI/UX that voices the business model and personality the best. On selection of correct template, the UI/UX development process starts. It is followed by testing the site on several parameters and incorporating changes, if required.

e.     Integrate sportsbook provider: When developing a sportsbook app, the readymade solutions like sportsbook software are to be incorporated. During UI/UX development, the integration of sportsbook provider is done to complete the process. The sportsbook providers offer secure and updated data about the sports events and other statistics, such as results, to help the bettors get all information needed for placing the bet.

f.       Release and monitor: Once all the functionalities and features are incorporated, the developers release the application. The association does not end here. In fact, it is the start. The developers and business owners monitor how the app features are perceived and used by the users. Based on the user feedback and app statistics, the developers incorporate changes in the app to make it more user-friendly.

To conclude,

Online sportsbook software should have features that make the process of betting easy and seamless. The success of the software depends upon the user response. That is why, the user feedback is taken from time to time to understand the expectations. Developers take help of software providers to complete the app development process fast and work in close coordination with the owners to ensure working within the desired budget and at scale.