Why is now a particularly good moment to become a bookie? Because the market size is increasing every year: according to some forecasts, the online gambling market will cross the $110 billion mark by 2026. Equally important, sports betting takes up about 30-40% of the market. The stakes are rising.
Having aligned interests and favourable statistics, the only question remains: how do you start a sportsbook? We share the answer in our new high-level roadmap for those who plan to launch a successful sportsbook.
Starting a Sportsbook in 2025: Key Takeaways
- The chances are that any successful iGaming brand you can think of combines both casino and sportsbook services with a single seamless wallet for both. This winning combination better covers the needs of the audience, so always consider the brand expansion perspective when launching your sportsbook.
- Having already touched on the team many times, mentioning it again is also not superfluous. It takes a lot of investment and sustained expertise to construct a complete team from scratch. Instead, trust a strong ready-made team and gain experience from them. The operator decides which tasks can be handled by their team and which should be delegated.
- Consider ways to develop your brand from the very beginning. Invest in VIP support, gamification, and AI tools. SOFTSWISS values innovation and high-quality customer service. The brand’s product portfolio offers customers the benefit of a one-stop solution in terms of software, payments, marketing tools, and support.
Sportsbook Software Selection
Once the decision to start a sportsbook has been made, it's time to choose professional software. Bookmakers have two basic options:
- To develop their own platform
- To buy a complete solution from a supplier
Creating Your Own Sportsbook Platform in 2025
Operators who decide to start development from scratch should have exceptional experience in operating an iGaming business and complete knowledge of online gambling software requirements. When operators come up with their own solution, they are responsible for all aspects of running a sports betting business, including a full team of developers, managers, risk analysts, etc.
Creating an in-house solution is a huge financial and resource investment, which does not necessarily lead to expected results. Getting the solution to market requires at least a year's preparation or more, depending on the case.
Purchasing a Turnkey Solution
If an operator possesses a strong background in iGaming, platform development can be a good way to scale the business. However, for the first sportsbook, it is better to choose a proven sports betting solution from a reliable provider. The easiest and least expensive way to gain expertise in operating a sportsbook is to use an off-the-shelf solution.
How to Start Your Own Sportsbook Business in 2025 | SOFTSWISS- Cost-effective. Operators avoid costly development and maintenance of separate teams as well as long and expensive negotiations with payment systems and data providers.
- Fast launch. The time to market for the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, for example, the count goes to weeks. The creation of the sports betting software core can take at least a year, without factoring in other preparations.
- Reliable. Choosing an off-the-shelf solution means you are buying more than software; you are getting a team, a history of excellence, and vetted technical know-how.
Therefore, before becoming a bookie, choosing a reliable software supplier is crucial. How can you choose the right partner?
- Check the solution customisation. Ensure that you are not just sold a template solution, but a flexible platform that can adapt to your needs.
- Consider the access to supporting services. A player support service, designers, risk management team, technical specialists – these people are directly responsible for your reputation in the market. It's handy when the supplier takes care of this.
- Mind the price-to-value ratio. Choosing an off-the-shelf solution saves the operator a lot of money and time, so it makes sense not to select the cheapest solution, which could lead to overpayments and reputational damage in the future.