Sporting Wagers: Business vs. Partners – iGB

In the second part of the “Business vs. Partners” series, Blueclaw Media’s David Donaldson speaks with top sports betting partner Andy Clark of Thatsagoal.com about significant trends in the marketplace.

Home > Marketing & Partners > Sporting Wagers: Business vs. Partners

Sporting Wagers: Business vs. Partners
In the second part of the “Business vs. Partners” series, Blueclaw Media’s David Donaldson speaks with top sports betting partner Andy Clark of Thatsagoal.com about significant trends in the marketplace.

Andy entered the partner industry after completing university and starting a football blog while searching for employment. After writing for some of the largest blogs around (including Soccerlens and Goal.com), he got the idea for a partner, and Thatsagoal.com became a full-time job. Four years later, the site saw tremendous success during the 2016 European Championships.

David Donaldson: What was your motivation for starting this business? Why choose sports betting over other gaming categories, like bingo or online casinos?

Andy Clark: Thatsagoal.com was originally a typical WordPress football blog, and the partner idea came after seeing others do similar things with great success. I created a Twitter account to get some early traffic and it just grew from there. Football is constantly evolving, there’s never a shortage of things to write about, so it fit perfectly into the sports betting space.

**Rewritten Text:**

**Dialogue:**

**Moderator:** How do you envision the sports wagering sector evolving in recent years? Do you believe consolidations and acquisitions by betting behemoths are beneficial or detrimental to patrons?

**Analyst:** The sports wagering sector has undergone significant transformations in the four years I’ve been engaged. Social media was truly gaining momentum then, which altered how individuals placed bets. It’s all about soliciting wagers, obtaining superior odds, and securing bonus offers. It’s still premature to determine if Paddy Power and Betfair remain as autonomous as they once were, from a customer’s perspective.

**Moderator:** Do you believe the Brexit referendum has modified how individuals wager on sports and within the iGaming industry in general?

**Analyst:** Individuals exhibited some reluctance to expend funds immediately following Brexit. As the vote transpired during the 2016 European Championship, it may have mitigated the impact on iGaming. However, individuals would have wagered on the European Championship regardless, Brexit or not. The true assessment will occur when the Premier League season commences. Operators will possess a benchmark for comparison. Initially, it was challenging to conceive Brexit having a substantial influence on individuals’ mentalities, particularly those who solely wager on Saturdays.

**Moderator:** Do you anticipate sports wagering leagues and betting enterprises becoming more closely intertwined in the future? Why or why not?

**Analyst:** The marketplace is already saturated, rendering it difficult to envision such an occurrence.

A number of affiliate administrators, in the pursuit of their clientele, will go to extreme measures to reach out to anyone with a weblog, Twitter account, or Facebook page. This practice diverts time from established partners and widens the chasm in established connections. Affiliate administrators are a crucial component of the industry, they are the key to forging robust relationships between betting houses and partners.

DD: What do you envision will transpire to the conventional betting house industry in the forthcoming years (will it entirely vanish)?

AC: It’s no secret that betting houses are on the wane, the only thing keeping them afloat are FOBTs (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals). Astute gamblers no longer wager in shops, the odds aren’t as favorable as they once were, and the promotions aren’t as alluring. Personally, I believe if FOBTs were prohibited or strictly regulated, most betting houses would soon be a relic of the past.

DD: Do you believe enhanced odds and complimentary wagers will continue to dominate the sporting betting realm?

AC: Enhanced odds show no signs of ceasing. More and more operators are offering outlandish prices to draw in bettors. The issue is that bettors may not return after winning enhanced odds. Retention is a significant concern, particularly for smaller operators who may need to reconsider their strategy. Complimentary wagers will always be present as a standard lure to entice players to create an account.

**DD:** What is your opinion on the group’s effort to enhance “no deposit” promotions?

**AC:** Based on my observations, no-deposit free wager offers are simple to market to customers, but generating revenue from these players is quite challenging, particularly for smaller organizations. The group had a positive experience with Betfred’s no-deposit free £10 on the Goals Galore voucher. This proved beneficial for the group in the long term because the Goals Galore voucher was, and remains, one of the most sought-after football coupons. However, immediate profits are not guaranteed; it takes weeks, even months, to witness a substantial return.

**DD:** Which bookmakers do you believe excel in marketing and advertising, and why?

**AC:** Paddy Power is the undisputed champion. Their marketing team is exceptional. They are masters at creating humorous advertisements that spark conversation, whether on television or social media. They understand how to “appeal to males,” which is crucial in sports betting. Their advertisements are distinctive.

**DD:** What are your top three recommendations for someone seeking to establish a sports betting affiliate enterprise?

1. Do not anticipate generating income for several months. This is not a rapid path to wealth.

2. Cultivate strong connections with large companies and secure their support before succumbing to the allure of other affiliate managers from smaller firms.

3. Devote more time to your social media strategy than you currently do.

Online networking sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are incredibly significant, particularly if you can attract the right individuals to follow you and cultivate a substantial fan base from the outset.

Subscribe to iGaming bulletins.