Genius Sports will give visitors to ICE the chance to get hands-on with its game-changing BetVision product to kick off a key period for the immersive live betting solution.

BetVision is the world’s first sports wagering experience that combines ultra-low-latency live streams together with integrated bet slips, statistical insights, personalised bet tracking and real-time augmentations within a single interactive player.

Since launching in September 2023, it has been a massive hit with NFL fans, with millions enjoying the experience via sportsbook partners including DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars and BetRivers since the start of the last season.

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And the team at Genius Sports are gearing up for a key period for BetVision, with the NFL play-offs underway ahead of the Super Bowl on February 9.

Genius Sports has plans to expand BetVision into new sports, including football and basketball, in 2025 and will use their booth at ICE to let fans experience the product first-hand. Visitors will get the chance to step into a virtual NFL arena and throw a pass, to produce real-time stats to highlight the super-low latency and augmentation features of BetVision.

Josh Linforth, Chief Revenue Officer at Genius Sports, said: “The goal at ICE is to let our customers experience first-hand that BetVision isn’t just another in-play or streaming solution. Instead, we’re building a new category of immersive betting with a groundbreaking experience that sets the new standard of what fans will come to expect.

Genius Sports is the exclusive distributor of NFL Official League Data and live game video streams to sportsbooks and will use ICE as the launchpad for what promises to be a pivotal year for BetVision, with continued product development and the addition of new sports paving the way for potential partnerships with new leagues and entry to more markets.

Linforth added: “BetVision is a product that maximises the live betting opportunity, bringing what was previously a fragmented experience of video, stats and betting in one place, and putting it in the hands of the fan.”

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The BetVision immersive experience will be at Genius Sports booth 5K18 at ICE Barcelona from January 20 to January 22.

Tabcorp Holdings Limited has appointed Michael Fitzsimons as its Chief Wagering Officer.

Mr Fitzsimons will oversee all core wagering functions including digital, retail, tote, trading, product and marketing. The position is part of the company’s evolved Executive Leadership Team structure, which was announced in December last year. The simpler structure will ensure all wagering functions will fall under one executive.

Mr Fitzsimons has over 20 years of global sports betting experience across the EU, US and Asia. He is currently Executive Director Wagering at Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) where he leads strategy, trading, marketing, data and product development for fixed odds, parimutuel and lottery products.

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His current role encompasses oversight of one of the world’s largest totes, including the World Pool platform, along with Risk Management of China Sports Lottery’s 120,000 betting branches. Prior to his role at the HKJC, Mr Fitzsimons was Director of International Trading and Operations at The Stars Group. During this time, he successfully launched the PokerStars Sportsbook and relaunched SkyBet in Germany and Italy. Mr Fitzsimons is on the executive of the World Tote Association (WoTA).

Tabcorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer elect, Gillon McLachlan, said: “Michael Fitzsimons is one of the world’s most sought after wagering executives and brings extensive global sports betting experience to Tabcorp. He has a deep knowledge of international sports betting, trading and tote. Michael is a rare find – he knows digital and retail wagering and is one of the few people in the world who can connect both to grow a wagering product.

“The creation of a Chief Wagering Officer is a significant uplift in wagering capability within our executive team. The simpler vertical structure brings all levers that grow wagering together under one executive to ensure first class execution.”

Mr Fitzsimons is expected to commence in the first half of 2025. His appointment is subject to relevant regulatory and probity approvals.

SOFTSWISS, a global provider of innovative iGaming solutions with over 15 years of experience, publishes the Sports Betting Events Calendar for 2025. This year, the free-to-download file contains 84 major sporting events, aiming to boost operators’ promotional strategies.

The sports betting industry continues to expand at an impressive pace. According to Statista, its global revenue in 2024 reached EUR 45.43 billion, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year, while the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) climbed from EUR 320 in 2023 to EUR 330 in 2024. This upward trajectory is mirrored by a surge in betting activity across platforms, with mobile betting growing by 210% and desktop betting increasing by 194%.

Several sports categories saw significant growth in betting volumes in 2024:

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• Football – 21%
• Tennis – 136%
• American Football – 650%
• Basketball – 115%
• Table Tennis – 640%

These figures underline the importance of leveraging major sporting events to drive player engagement and optimise revenue. In the list of must-promo activities, SOFTSWISS experts included 24 different sports because the diversity in offering leads to stability in sportsbook operation.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “By using a personalised approach, flexible bonuses, and process automation, operators can not only enhance player engagement but also significantly reduce operational costs. This strategy will be the key to success in the upcoming year and help differentiate operators in the competitive market.”

According to SOFTSWISS experts, operators should focus on several key strategies to enhance player engagement and streamline operations to ensure sportsbook success in 2025. Seasonal bonuses and personalised promotions tailored to major events can captivate players and boost activity. 

Alexander Kamenetskyi adds: “For example, offering free bets on users’ favourite sports or creating combo bonuses that cover multiple events, such as the Champions League and French Open finals, can drive sustained interest. Additionally, esports presents a growing opportunity, allowing operators to engage younger, tech-savvy audiences through live streams, real-time betting options, and dedicated campaigns.”

A mobile-first approach is essential, as over 90% of sportsbook revenue now comes from mobile users. Ensuring apps and platforms are optimised for seamless, on-the-go gameplay is crucial to retaining players. Automation also plays a vital role in improving efficiency and reducing operational costs. By automating audience segmentation, bonus distribution, and promotional campaigns, operators can save time and deliver a more tailored player experience.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team will be sharing more strategies and insights during the ICE Barcelona 2025 at Stand 2G42.

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About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.