## Exercise Caution with Unverified Information
The impact and magnitude of the sports wagering sector at ICE gatherings appear to expand annually. 2016 was no exception. Prominent entities were ubiquitous – significant business-to-business vendors, media titans, and more. However, a curious trend emerged in the South Hall of ExCel. A plethora of novel data suppliers had materialized, all seemingly proffering vast amounts of live information. The surprising part? Their rates were remarkably low in contrast to the established competitors. What, then, was the hidden drawback?
Observe, the sports gambling realm depends on a handful of major players for its data: firms such as Perform (RunningBall), IMG, Betradar, SIS, InPlay Sports Data, and SportingPulse. They are renowned for delivering dependable, authorized, and rapid data streams to betting platforms. These companies, particularly Perform, utilized their pre-existing connections within the athletic sphere to cultivate trust and demonstrate the merits of collaborating with the betting industry. This paved the way for betting operators to obtain a wealth of real-time data, resulting in advancement and financial gain. Naturally, this access came with a cost, especially in an era where broadcasting permissions are a highly sought-after asset.
The Global Tennis Association (GTA) just signed a huge, half-decade agreement with a sports analytics firm, Sportradar, valued at a hefty $70 million. Collaborations like this are typically a guaranteed win for athletic associations aiming to boost their presence in the sports wagering arena. However, there’s a snag: a questionable practice has been emerging, threatening to ruin the fun.
You see, acquiring official, trustworthy information, whether from the athletes themselves or knowledgeable talent scouts, can be quite expensive. It represents a significant portion of a business-to-business (B2B) venture’s earnings. Consequently, some unscrupulous actors are taking shortcuts and peddling data obtained through illicit means.
This entire issue was brought into stark focus at the 2016 ICE expo. It resembled a gold rush, with over three-quarters of the new B2B sports gambling companies offering data without bothering to secure proper authorization or even generate their own. As it happens, they were primarily employing web scraping software to steal real-time information from legitimate betting platforms – the kind intended for promotional purposes – and then selling it under the table.
And here’s the kicker: locating these data-stealing programs is as simple as a quick internet search. We’re talking about software that costs next to nothing – roughly $1,000 – and provides access to a treasure trove of live data on a staggering 30,000 events monthly, all pilfered from the rightful data owners.
Its an unspoken truth within the B2B sports wagering industry that certain firms take shortcuts regarding information. We’re discussing extracting data from competing websites or even establishing phony “information suppliers” as a facade. Regrettably, it has become a somewhat prevalent practice.
The issue is, this constructs a precarious structure. Wagering enterprises depending on these dubious information streams are susceptible to numerous difficulties. They’re frequently assured the information is authentic, perhaps even directly from the venue, when it’s actually just repurposed from elsewhere. This implies they possess no authority over the swiftness or precision of the information, leaving them exposed to inaccuracies that could prove very costly. And if the origin ceases operation? Their entire business could vanish overnight.
This entire scenario also generates unjust competition for ethical B2B suppliers who adhere to regulations and collaborate with official information sources. It diminishes the worth of instantaneous, reliable information and ultimately harms everyone involved, including the sports organizations themselves.
Upon returning to your workspace post-ICE London, prioritize those connections! Prior to reaching out, inquire: “From where does this organization source its athletic information? Is it reliable?”
Stephen Taylor-Matthews possesses significant expertise. With more than ten years in the Asian gaming sector, he’s encountered it all – from his tenure as a vital member at Perform Group to spearheading efforts as Commercial Director at Pinnacle. Currently at the helm of Onnisoft, his personal software and advisory firm, Stephen is a respected figure in the field.
This piece was highlighted in Casino Inside Magazine’s March/April edition – undoubtedly worth perusing for further perspectives!
