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Shaping the Future: BETBY’s Strategic Focus on AI

Published

12 months ago

January 13, 2025

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Danil Emelyanov, Head of BETBY’s AI Labs, on how the provider is leveraging artificial intelligence to offer unique special markets, ever more bridging the worlds of sports betting and entertainment.

How transformative has AI been for the sports betting industry?

AI has revolutionized the sports betting industry by driving operational efficiency and user engagement to new heights. It’s no longer a luxury but a necessity for operators aiming to stay competitive. Sports betting thrives on data, and AI excels at processing vast datasets. This capability allows sportsbooks to enhance traditional models with previously unattainable insights, streamlining operations and delivering personalized betting experiences to users.

AI has also reduced the reliance on manual intervention by increasingly automating processes, enabling departments, such as trading teams, to focus on strategic objectives. However, AI doesn’t replace human oversight—it augments it. For example, traditional math models depend on static statistics, whereas AI incorporates dynamic information to improve accuracy. At BETBY, this understanding drove us to last year launch AI Labs—a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge tools designed to meet the evolving needs of operators and players alike. AI is not just a feature for us; it’s a cornerstone of our strategy.

What was the vision behind AI Labs?

AI Labs emerged from a clear gap in the market. Operators often rely on fragmented tools for churn and LTV prediction, risk management, personalization, and business intelligence, but BETBY saw an opportunity to create a unified solution addressing all these needs under one roof. Our vision was to build a comprehensive suite of tools that integrates seamlessly into our platform, empowering operators to achieve operational excellence while enhancing player engagement.

Since its inception, AI Labs has undergone continuous enhancements, reflecting our dedication to staying ahead of market demands. Nonetheless its core areas of focus have remained steadfast in enhancing aspects related to odds creation, risk management, the overall betting experience, and operational efficiency.

Among its standout and most recent features is the Betting Tips API, which provides data-driven, personalized betting advice to players, with the tips themselves delivered in as much as 18 languages thus greatly improving the usability of the feature from a geolocalised point of view. This tool not only enriches the player experience but also drives significant increases in conversion rates and engagement by enabling more informed betting decisions. Notably, 10% of soccer users on the BETBY partner network are already actively leveraging this feature.

Another example of AI Labs’ impact is its top-section recommendations, which have demonstrated remarkable results, driving a more than 60% growth in bets in markets such as Japan. By presenting players with highly relevant betting options based on their preferences and behavior, this feature keeps users engaged while streamlining their decision-making process, ultimately creating a more enjoyable and tailored betting experience.

Such innovations are reshaping sports betting into an engaging and dynamic form of entertainment, creating a more immersive experience—akin to the personalization seen on platforms like Netflix or Spotify. By tailoring offerings to a diverse spectrum of user preferences, AI Labs enriches the player journey while simultaneously delivering measurable success and competitive advantages for operators.

What differentiates BETBY’s AI tools from others in the market?

The most significant differentiator is real-time capability. Many AI solutions process data with delays, but BETBY’s technology analyzes and acts on information instantly. In a fast-paced industry like sports betting, this real-time responsiveness is a game-changer. For instance, if our model detects a potential churn risk or flags suspicious activity, we can act immediately—whether by offering a free bet to retain a player or limiting stakes to manage risk.

Besides that, being fully integrated within the BETBY ecosystem provides our clients with unparalleled advantages. Unlike third-party solutions that often require operators to share limited datasets with external providers—raising legitimate security concerns—our system leverages direct access to all BETBY data. This ensures comprehensive coverage and real-time updates, eliminating inefficiencies associated with external data processing. For instance, when users place bets, our system adapts instantaneously, refining models and delivering insights without delay.

This is particularly valuable for operators entering new and unfamiliar markets. If a sportsbook launches in a region like India, our AI already possesses the localized insights necessary to optimize recommendations and understand player behaviors. This seamless integration empowers operators to make data-driven decisions, ensuring their platforms resonate with local audiences while maintaining operational efficiency.

Apart from this, our extensive market expertise provides us with a significant competitive edge. Our risk management team, recognized as one of the best in the industry, brings deep, specialized knowledge that directly informs the development of our AI models. This level of expertise is exceptionally rare and difficult to replicate. For any company attempting to build an in-house risk management system from scratch, acquiring such domain knowledge would require immense effort and resources. At BETBY, we are fortunate to have direct access to this invaluable expertise, enabling us to deliver robust, reliable, and innovative solutions.

How does BETBY plan to continue innovating in AI?

Innovation drives everything we do at BETBY. At the upcoming ICE Barcelona, we’ll unveil an industry-first AI-based feed—a groundbreaking product that generates odds for unique markets which are directly linked to the entertainment landscape. This marks the next phase for AI Labs, transforming AI into a dynamic tool that bridges the gap between traditional sports bettors and casino-style players by offering unique content that transforms the sports betting industry into entertainment.

This shift to entertainment-focused betting reflects broader industry trends, with users demanding novel and engaging options. By introducing unconventional markets, we’re not just responding to trends—we’re setting them. AI Labs gives operators the flexibility to adapt to evolving market demands while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports betting.

What can we expect from the future of AI in sports betting?

The future of AI in sports betting is twofold: increasing automation and personalized engagement. AI will become even more autonomous, reducing manual intervention and enabling operators to focus on strategic growth. For instance, we envision AI handling tasks like market settlement, with traders overseeing only high-stakes or complex cases.

Another area of focus is real-time personalization. By tailoring every aspect of the player journey—such as recommended bets, banners, and combo suggestions—AI can create deeply engaging experiences. This will not only enhance user satisfaction but also increase bet values and loyalty.

When it comes to risk management, dynamic player profiling will become the norm. Each bet will refine a player’s risk profile in real time, providing operators with actionable insights for better decision-making. Over time, AI’s capabilities will expand, offering growing automated assessments for specific segments of players.

Ultimately, BETBY’s vision for AI is to empower operators, enhance player experiences, and redefine sports betting as the new facet of entertainment. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to excellence, we’re not just keeping pace with the industry; we’re shaping its future.

The post Shaping the Future: BETBY’s Strategic Focus on AI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: