Traditional uptime metrics for sportsbooks focus on how much of a match they are operational, failing to address crucial moments of high betting activity. Bettormetrics has developed a more insightful analysis called wagering-weighted uptime, which highlights whether sportsbooks are available during peak betting times, specifically aimed at maximizing commercial significance.
The recent US Open analysis by Bettormetrics examines operator performance through wagering data, allowing for a nuanced view across various sports and markets. Adding prediction market data enhances this perspective by revealing when sportsbooks are most accessible when bettors are most active.
Conventional uptime measures report availability as a percentage of match duration, overlooking the uneven distribution of betting activity throughout the event. A sportsbook could easily claim high uptime while being unavailable during critical moments, such as a deciding point, which greatly impacts revenue potential. This inefficiency in measurement could mislead operators into believing they perform better than they actually do against competitors who manage their uptime during busy periods effectively.
To provide clarity, Bettormetrics analyzed the pricing and availability of 18 operators during 39 in-play men’s singles matches at the US Open. They compared two metrics: duration-based uptime, which assesses how long the sportsbook was live during the entire match, and wagering-based uptime, which evaluates the proportion of exchange betting activity during times when the sportsbooks were operational. Wagering-weighted uptime reflects the share of exchange wagering that occurred while a sportsbook’s markets were available, giving a clearer picture of operational efficiency.
However, it's essential to note that the data originated from exchange pricing and wagering information, not directly from sportsbook operations, meaning it cannot calculate exact revenue loss but serves as an independent indicator of peak betting times.
A standout example of this metric in practice was LeoVegas, which achieved a duration-weighted uptime of 97.8%, indicating it was live for most of the match. Yet, its wagering-weighted uptime fell to 88.3%, revealing it dropped below the crucial 90% threshold during peak wagering moments—a difference of 9.5%. This discrepancy illustrates how traditional uptime data can obscure a sportsbook's availability during high-stakes betting phases.
The analysis also pointed out noticeable patterns in operator performance. Pinnacle, for instance, maintained a tight average overround at 3.7%—the lowest in the study—while also exhibiting low theoretical arbitrage exposure, a combination rarely seen in the market. In contrast, companies like DraftKings and FanDuel were identified as performing well in both uptime and wagering metrics, showcasing their operational strengths in providing timely and competitive wagering opportunities without significant downside risk.
Bettormetrics emphasizes the importance of this analysis, with CEO Sabin Brooks stating that conventional uptime measures are becoming obsolete. He indicated that focusing solely on availability does not provide operators with insights into their effectiveness during peak betting moments, which can lead to missed opportunities for maximizing engagement and revenue. The integration of prediction-market data allows for an expanded understanding of how sportsbooks can enhance performance across various sports, including the NFL and NBA, ultimately influencing how operators optimize their strategies for better commercial outcomes.
