If you take a visit to any major live sports venue, the chances are you’ll find fans on their smartphones browsing the latest previews, insights and tips on the action that’s about to unfold. The consumption of sports content is now at unprecedented levels, reaching even greater heights than the ‘Murdoch Era’ of Sky Sports’ arrival. Sports content is proving particularly beneficial in the betting space, where punters endeavour to gain an edge over the markets. When we say an edge, we don’t just mean the free bets offers that give users free money to bet with, we mean finding genuine value in the odds.
Sports analysis and data is now engrained in the minds of hardcore sports fans and bettors. With more information at our fingertips than ever before, it’s easier to use big data to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your favourite teams and players.
According to Spotlight Sports Group’s BetTech Ecosystem 2022, there was a significant rise in providers of sports betting content. What do mobile developers have to consider if they wish to design and build a successful native sports app that works in tandem with regulated betting markets and tech landscapes?
Real-time odds comparisons
Casual sports bettors and indeed those who take their sports betting with the utmost seriousness, will value a sports app that can provide real-time updates of the available odds on betting markets that interest them. Providing users have reliable 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity, it should be possible for a native sports app to include dynamic odds pricing which moves in tandem with the real odds available with the leading sportsbooks.
This can be achieved through an API, unlocking the latest odds on offer from certain sports betting platforms. The real benefit of real-time odds data is that bettors can bide their time and find a value price from a bookmaker they know and trust.
In-depth previews and predictions
Ahead of the biggest matches, tournaments and events, sports fans want the low-down on all the major competitors. In big-match previews in football, fans will want to know the danger men within the opposing team, including the leading goal scorers and creators. In cricket, fans are keen to know which bowlers and batters are likely to be most fruitful on certain types of wickets.
The best sports apps will also have exclusive insights and analysis from former sports professionals as well as respected sports journalists, giving users the inside track from a competitive perspective.
Live streams or real-time in-play statistics
The increasing speed and reliability of 4G and 5G mobile connectivity, along with super-fast fibre broadband in the home, means that sports fans are more readily able to live stream sporting events that matter to them. Sports apps that partner with leading broadcast networks and stream providers are most likely to garner interest from around the globe. The leading online sportsbook apps increasingly offer live streams for sports fans, providing they have active betting balances. The games available to users are still geographically restricted on occasion, depending on existing licensing laws.
Even if sports fans don’t have the mobile data or connectivity to live stream HD-quality broadcasts of their favourite games, they will value in-play statistics just as much. There are sports data providers out there with “scouts” worldwide that report real-time in-game data that fans can digest to see whether their favourite team is on top.
Discussion boards or forums
Sports fans thrive off the ability to debate and interact with like-minded fans. Whether it’s supporters of the same team or fans of rival teams, healthy engagement on a sports app is what helps fill the time from one game to the next for the most ardent fans. Mobile apps can easily integrate discussion board or forum functionality today, with dedicated sub-forums for users to discuss certain aspects of their sport or team without disrupting the flow of the general forum.
In summary, sports apps increasingly need to deliver all things to all fans. They need to be dynamic and reactive, helping fans to keep their fingers firmly on the pulse – wherever they are in the world.