Operators in the sports betting and casino sectors are increasingly recognizing speed to market as a significant competitive edge. The online gaming industry is projected to grow by 11% by 2026, and businesses must demonstrate agility to capitalize on this growth.
In the rush to launch quickly, many operators often face challenges, with some cutting corners that compromise reliability and user experience. Eugene Ocheredko, head of integrations at DATA.BET, highlights the risks tied to hurried deployments. “A fast launch is valuable, but if you’re trying to launch quickly, rushing every stage of the process, without a strong plan and a highly skilled team, the risk of mistakes inevitably increases,” he stated.
He stressed that while speed is critical, it should not overshadow the essential aspects of the launch. “If every decision is driven by speed, other parts of the launch can suffer. The sportsbook integration might be ready, but if the payment provider hasn’t been fully tested, issues can arise.”
Ocheredko emphasizes that achieving a balance between rapid integration and quality is attainable. DATA.BET offers Single Page Application (iFrame) integration within one to two weeks, while API integrations, which include odds feeds and risk management features, can take about one month. Their clientele includes sportsbooks seeking iFrame solutions, casino operators wanting to expand into sports betting, and major platform providers looking to enhance their content or integrate standalone products.
According to Ocheredko, integration timelines are dictated by the client's specific needs. “For smaller operators, a fast integration is definitely valuable, but there are still many other things they need to solve before they can go live. A fast sportsbook integration doesn’t automatically mean a fast launch. For larger operators with established traffic, speed holds more significance since any lag during integration could lead to lost revenues.”
DATA.BET has executed over 15 integrations this year alone, many completed in time for the FIFA World Cup. This track record not only includes work with small and large operators but also established providers like Altenar, which has collaborated with DATA.BET for several years.
Trust and collaboration are essential for successful quick launches, according to Ocheredko. He criticized the typical ‘fire and forget’ model some suppliers adopt, where clients receive documentation and are left to fend for themselves. “Our approach is different,” he insisted.
The importance of having a knowledgeable person lead the integration process is crucial. Ocheredko explained, “One of the biggest mistakes is having the integration led by someone who isn’t technical or doesn’t fully understand the business.” This emphasizes the need to build relationships early on, with Ocheredko underscoring the value of meeting potential clients face to face at industry events like iGB L!VE.
“Once an integration agreement is confirmed, we establish a dedicated communication channel, typically using Slack or Microsoft Teams,” he added.
DATA.BET believes in having a single point of contact with technical expertise. This individual should understand the technology, troubleshoot issues, and recommend existing solutions without defaulting to creating new features unnecessarily. Ocheredko remarked, “Sometimes a client asks for something specific, but our job is to understand their underlying need.” He explained that seeking to fulfill the actual requirements often reveals existing solutions that do not need new development.
He also highlighted their innovative spirit, particularly in product development aimed at anticipating market demands rather than simply reacting to them. For instance, DATA.BET developed widgets tailored for a client before recognizing a broader market need, transforming those into a popular product in their range.
Every integration is supported by thorough documentation and detailed instructions. For iFrames, a Figma file helps clients customize designs. Ocheredko noted, “Many clients initially launch with a limited number of sports and then expand their offerings, so flexibility in design choices is essential.”
Testing is vital for quick integrations, and Ocheredko emphasizes that no client goes live until full end-to-end testing has occurred. “Our quality assurance team conducts rigorous testing, and we ensure our QA engineer signs off on every integration,” he explained.
Automation has significantly improved efficiency; what once took a full day of manual effort now only requires about 20 seconds through automated processes. Ocheredko said, “Our QA engineer runs automated tests before manually validating key user journeys. This means we can finalize everything within hours instead of days or weeks.”
The introduction of AI into their workflows has further accelerated these timeframes, with Ocheredko noting that good engineers using AI can dramatically increase their productivity.
He anticipates ongoing enhancements in DATA.BET’s API integration timelines, potentially reducing the time to around two weeks. Ocheredko explained that fast integrations also support DATA.BET by allowing simultaneous handling of multiple projects. “Maintaining high levels of support requires us to complete integrations efficiently,” he stated.
Despite the potential to grow the team, he pointed out that adding personnel isn’t a quick solution. “Hiring and onboarding new staff can take months, so refining our processes is essential.
With a relatively small team, DATA.BET is able to oversee every integration closely during daily meetings. Ocheredko believes a team that exceeds eight people per manager can erode accountability and collaboration, complicating communication and quality control. “We review every ongoing integration closely, ensuring we understand the clients' needs and timelines.”
Post-integration support is equally crucial. DATA.BET claims an average response time to customer issues of 105 seconds and an average resolution time of two hours and 16 minutes. Ocheredko stated, “When a client goes live, the operational phase begins, which is just as important.”
Ocheredko noted, “We stay in close contact with clients, whether they want clarifications, a new feature, or an alternate solution.” Maintaining consistent communication fosters trust, a vital element of success in online gaming.
He cautioned against taking grand integration claims at face value, stating, “In this industry, building trust and reputations is crucial. Success in integrations leads to easier client acquisition.”
