All sportsbooks rely on data, but not all of them use the same sources—or the same level of quality. Much like a car, using the right parts is crucial to keeping everything running smoothly. Choosing a trustworthy provider is essential to avoid issues further down the road.

One of the biggest advantages of partnering with a top-tier sportsbook provider is access to high-quality, official data, which helps future-proof the business. Altenar, for example, integrates data from more than 20 official sources to offer comprehensive global event coverage. However, not all providers take such a responsible approach.

Some resort to cost-cutting methods that may not be immediately obvious. Below are a few practices to watch for, along with the problems they can create:

Data Scraping

Rather than integrating official feeds, some providers resort to scraping odds from other sportsbooks. This involves letting other companies absorb the cost of premium feeds and using technology to extract and reuse the content for free. Aside from the moral and legal implications, this approach has critical technical downsides:

• Latency issues: Scraped data often comes with a delay—up to two seconds in many cases. While this might seem minor, it significantly impacts live bet acceptance. If this delay happens 15–20 times per match across thousands of events, it results in major revenue loss, a poor user experience, and increased player churn.
• Delayed settlements: Without official data, paying out winning bets is slower, and the number of bet resettlements increases—frustrating players and damaging trust.

Illegal Use of Official Streams

Unauthorized access to official streams is a growing issue in the iGaming industry. Some less scrupulous providers use illegal methods to obtain data, exposing themselves and their clients to legal risks. In a courtroom setting, companies relying on illegal data sources have little legal defense, and regulators are quick to sanction such practices. Consequences can include hefty fines or even license revocation.

Delayed Information Streams

In the world of sports betting, speed is everything. While delayed data streams may appear to be a low-cost alternative, they often backfire. Delays of up to five seconds ruin the live betting experience and limit available in-play markets. Worse yet, such delays create an opportunity for sharp bettors to exploit the system.

As live betting continues to grow in popularity, the importance of using official data has never been greater for operators aiming to deliver the fast, seamless experience today’s players expect.

Micro betting is emerging as the future of the sports betting experience. Today’s users want to watch live action on one screen and place quick-fire bets on another. This demand for instant gratification—familiar from social media use—is only possible with the fastest and most accurate data.

Matthew Ferrara, Sales Manager at Altenar and former executive at a micro-betting provider, understands the importance of official data feeds and highlights the value of working with a premium sportsbook partner.

He stated:
“Micro betting is the perfect option for the younger generation, who are constantly seeking the instant gratification they receive from mainstream digital platforms. Blending sports betting with the pace and interactivity of social media will be vital for the future growth of sportsbooks.”