The competitive landscape of sports betting and online gaming is increasingly defined by the speed at which operators can launch new services. With online gaming projected to grow globally by 11% in 2026, the demand for quick market entry has never been more pressing. However, as operators hasten to launch, many risk compromising reliability and user experience due to rushed processes.
Eugene Ocheredko, the head of integrations at DATA.BET, cautions that while speed is critical, it should not come at the cost of quality. He asserts, "A fast launch is valuable, but if you’re trying to rush every stage without a solid plan and skilled team, the risk of mistakes inevitably increases."
Ocheredko highlights that an integration might be completed swiftly, yet other crucial components, such as payment systems, may not undergo adequate testing, potentially leading to significant issues. He emphasizes the feasibility of achieving a balance between quick integration and maintaining quality standards.
DATA.BET facilitates Single Page Application (iFrame) integrations within one to two weeks, while API integrations, encompassing odds feeds and risk management systems, generally take around a month. Their clientele includes sportsbooks seeking iFrame solutions, casino operators looking to expand into sports betting, and large platform providers interested in enhancing their content portfolios.
For smaller operators, rapid integration is beneficial but they face additional challenges that may hinder their launch timeline. Ocheredko states, "A fast sportsbook integration doesn’t automatically mean a fast launch. If you’re a small operator without an established audience, rapid integration is an advantage but likely not the decisive factor. For larger operators with considerable traffic, timely integration is critical because delays translate to lost revenue."
Having executed over 15 integrations in 2023, many preceding the FIFA World Cup, DATA.BET’s experience spans a variety of operators, including partnerships with major firms like Altenar. Successful rapid launches, according to Ocheredko, rely strongly on trust and collaboration between the provider and the operator.
He points out, "Sometimes suppliers follow a ‘fire and forget’ model, providing documentation but leaving operators to manage everything solo. Our approach is different. A significant mistake comes from having someone who lacks technical knowledge lead an integration."
Prior to contractual agreements, Ocheredko prioritizes meeting potential clients at industry events to establish rapport. This proactive engagement aids in aligning on the client's goals and challenges. Once an integration is established, DATA.BET creates a dedicated communication channel—often via Slack or Microsoft Teams—to facilitate ongoing interaction throughout the integration phase.
A single point of contact is designated to oversee the integration, ensuring they possess the requisite technical expertise to diagnose issues and propose solutions. Ocheredko explains that understanding client requests within context is vital, as the underlying needs may sometimes indicate that existing solutions could suffice without building new features.
Ocheredko cites their innovative approach to product evolution, exemplified by their Pitch Tracker—a 2D map designed for tracking player activity in esports, initially created for a specific client but later adapted due to broader market demand.
For the integration process, DATA.BET provides comprehensive documentation, alongside Figma files for customizing iFrames. Changes post-launch are common, with many clients initially restricting their offerings and expanding gradually.
Robust testing standards are essential for rapid integrations. Ocheredko asserts that no client is allowed to go live until the quality assurance team completes thorough end-to-end testing, which has become increasingly automated to fit tighter deadlines. Automation has drastically improved efficiency, shrinking tasks from hours to a matter of seconds.
With advancements in AI, Ocheredko notes significant productivity increases. "A good engineer employing AI can boost their output five to tenfold," he states, adding that AI helps managers track progress and key performance indicators effectively.
Ocheredko anticipates further improvements that may reduce API integration timelines to approximately two weeks, stating that swift integrations also support DATA.BET's ability to maintain high-quality assistance while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
While expanding staff is a potential solution, Ocheredko emphasizes that efficiency in processes is more crucial, explaining that teams growing larger than eight members per manager complicate communication and quality control.
Successful integration is merely the beginning of a partnership, according to Ocheredko. DATA.BET prides itself on providing post-integration support, with an impressive average customer issue response time of 105 seconds, and resolutions generally achieved within two hours and 16 minutes. This ongoing support fosters trust, a vital currency in the online gaming sector.
Ocheredko advises caution with providers boasting about rapid integration capabilities, advocating for a critical approach until they can substantiate their claims. He concludes, "The more successful integrations you deliver, the easier it becomes to win new clients. Trust and reputation are foundational in this industry."
