In this article, we’ll show you the features that can help your sportsbook stand out from the competition, based on real statistics and industry insights. Whether your goal is to increase engagement, attract new players, or keep existing ones coming back, these features are the secret ingredient every operator should consider.
1. Pre-match betting: Boost player engagement and retention before kickoff
Pre-match betting — or “pre-game,” as many call it — may sound like the classic side of sports betting, but it’s still where most of the action happens. And let’s be honest, there’s something special about locking in your picks before the game begins.
Despite the growing popularity of live betting, the numbers show that bettors around the world — especially in Brazil — still love to place their wagers before the whistle blows.
A 2024 report from ENV Media found that 51% of Brazilian bettors prefer to prepare and place their bets before the event starts, while 34% combine pre-match and live betting. That means around 85% of bettors in Brazil make pre-match betting part of their routine. Impressive, right?
Pre-match betting is also incredibly valuable for sportsbooks. It provides predictable volume, making it easier to manage risk and margins. Bettors tend to wager larger amounts on pre-match markets — whether building parlays, exploring straight bets, or testing creative bet combinations.
And perhaps most importantly, pre-match bettors are usually more engaged and loyal: they research lineups, study stats, and check trends before placing their bets. By offering a deep, data-driven pre-match experience — with clear odds, detailed stats, previews, and even early promotions — sportsbooks can attract the kind of bettor who comes prepared and keeps coming back.
2. Live betting: Keep users hooked with real-time action
Pre-match betting is essential, but live betting keeps users on your platform longer, increases session time, and encourages repeat wagers. It’s fast, thrilling, and perfect for bettors who love reacting to every play in real time.
Offering bets like next possession, next corner, or player props — combined with quick cashouts, live streaming, and play-by-play stats — can significantly boost engagement and user retention.
And it’s not just about fun — it’s about numbers. Live betting is outpacing pre-match betting in volume. Industry estimates indicate that live bets now account for around 54% of all wagers during major events, and the share is growing faster than pre-match bets.
So, if your sportsbook doesn’t yet offer strong live betting options, now’s the time to make the switch (and maybe consider InPlaySoft?).
3. Operator personalization: Tailor your sportsbook to your market
Today, operators want flexibility to control what they show and how they show it — they know one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work. That means choosing which tournaments to highlight on your platform, the order of events, banner colors, and other branding elements.
Personalization isn’t just “nice to have”: companies that implement it see revenue increases of 10–30%, thanks to higher conversions and retention.
It’s critical because preferences vary widely by region. For example, soccer dominates Latin American markets, while basketball and the NFL may be more prominent in North America — and sports betting platforms should reflect that.
Allowing operators to customize the user interface and highlight key events helps improve engagement and strengthen brand differentiation. In short, personalization is what makes your sportsbook truly yours.
Lucky for you — InPlaySoft is revolutionizing the iGaming platform CMS landscape with an intuitive back office that gives operators full control and puts the power of the front end in their hands.
4. Odds boosts: Drive conversions with enhanced betting offers
Managing and boosting odds is among the most effective tools to draw attention and drive short-term engagement. Bettors recognize them as high-value offers, and smart use of odds boosts can increase both betting frequency and customer lifetime value. Industry insights show that operators who use them strategically see significant spikes in conversions and retention.
Not sure how to make the most of odds boosts? Here’s how you can:
- Use boosts on high-profile matches or rivalry games to maximize visibility.
- Limit exposure with time-limited or capped boosts to create urgency without hurting margins.
- Personalize odds boosts for VIPs or inactive users to encourage reactivation.
When executed well, odds boosts can turn marketing campaigns into measurable revenue growth while also enhancing the user experience, making betting more exciting and rewarding.
5. Premium data providers: Why data quality determines your sportsbook’s success or failure
The backbone of a sportsbook is its data. Speed, accuracy, and depth of information define how well a sportsbook can handle pre-match and live markets. And if your data isn’t up to par — or worse, compromised — you risk losing players not only to competitors with better data but also to tech-savvy users who exploit delays for profit.
Providers like Sportradar deliver not just official data feeds sent directly from stadiums worldwide in under two seconds, but also live scores, advanced stats, player tracking, and integrity services. The main benefits of a premium data provider include:
- Low latency: sub-second updates are essential for live markets.
- Data depth: advanced stats enable richer micro-markets and innovative products.
- Integrity: reputable providers help detect suspicious patterns, protecting your license and players.
Choosing a premium data partner ensures your sportsbook can scale globally while maintaining a fast, reliable, and trustworthy user experience.
InPlaySoft: Sportsbook solutions for operators who want to grow
At InPlaySoft, we design, deliver, and maintain scalable, stable, and high-performance iGaming platform solutions for operators aiming not just for success, but sustainable growth. We’re passionate about helping sportsbooks not only launch but truly thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
With our sportsbook solutions, our partners can offer both pre-match and live betting, while customizing virtually anything with just a few clicks through our new, revolutionary CMS. Our intuitive management tools let operators control and boost odds — so they’re always in charge.
And of course, we’ve partnered with Sportradar, the world’s leading data provider, to guarantee accuracy, integrity, and a top-tier player experience.
Because at the end of the day, your success is our success too. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, attracting new bettors, or enhancing your platform for peak performance, InPlaySoft gives you everything you need to stay one step ahead.
Ready to take your sportsbook to the next level? Click here and let’s build something amazing — together.
Source: InPlaySoft
