NEXT.io: What inspired the creation of SportsBroker?
Many failed attempts have burned operators and investors in this sector to serve a betting customer that doesn’t fit the traditional and very profitable fixed odds betting segment. The sector has gotten lazy, has lacked innovation, and faced severe pressure from investors to achieve the same eye watering margins and profits the sector has been accustomed to.
The traversal away from fixed odds betting into other products has been challenging, and many have fallen by the wayside. But with every attempt, more is learned and understood by those that care to look for alternative solutions.
While we don’t think a social gaming platform is the answer, the products we’re releasing over the next few months are all focused on providing sports betting products that share many of these characteristics rich in gamification, but brilliantly simple. And then, of course, there is the intelligent and compliant use of AI to embrace.
So we firmly believe the market for an interactive, peer-to-peer (P2P) experience that players can enjoy strategically over a longer period, with lower financial risk, but with multiple entry points to suit risk level and budgets is the key. After all, it does matter more when there is money on, it just doesn’t have to be a lot.
So, our games enable customers to use their knowledge, pick a strategy in seconds, and then to compete against others for points, featuring events that span one to two days, incorporating interactive elements that provide entertainment and encourage return engagement.
The long-term vision is to create a product that encourages regular engagement in a responsible manner without reliance on high-stakes players.
Originally, SportsBroker was built like a football stock market, where s could buy and sell teams at the right time.
Each week, the group backing a certain team would go head-to-head against the group backing the opposition, where the players backing one team would win money from the other team in a zero-sum system, and winnings would be based on statistical performance.
However, we faced significant challenges when Football Index collapsed. They operated a similar “football stock market” model, where s earned dividends based on in-game player actions. Unfortunately, their model became unsustainable due to liquidity issues.
Since we launched around the same time, regulators became highly cautious. They refused to grant us a licence—not because we were doing anything wrong, but because they determined our model wasn’t gambling.
That placed us in a difficult position: we were live for about 18 months, but we couldn’t effectively. Some companies refused to work with us, believing we needed a licence, even though regulators said otherwise. We were caught in a grey area—not officially gambling, yet unable to operate freely.
Last year, we pivoted. We fully embraced a pool betting model—though not in the traditional Tote or 1980s-style pool betting format. Instead, we bring a different edge to the concept, offering a modern, interactive experience that enhances engagement and strategy. We are committed to maintaining an experience that is interactive, engaging, and fully compliant with industry regulations.
NEXT.io: How did that pivot shape the current product?
Brad Knowles: Our goal was always to create a peer-to-peer game that felt more engaging than simply placing a bet and waiting for results.
We have developed new features like leaderboards, head-to-head duels, and power play cards to enhance interactivity, introducing a unique twist that we are keeping under wraps until launch. These features are set to be released soon.
Additionally, our score predictor, allows s to predict match scores, earn points based on accuracy, and compete for the top spot on the leaderboard. However, our ambition goes beyond this—we aim to redefine engagement by pushing the boundaries of interactive gameplay.
In our battle mode, players don’t just predict scores—they can strategically alter their opponents’ predictions using power play mechanics, creating a dynamic, ever-changing competition.
This strategic layer enhances player engagement, ensuring sustained interest beyond a single bet.
Many industry leaders believe that a sustainable betting model cannot exist without fixed odds or casino level margins, but we firmly believe otherwise simply due to the amount of disenfranchised sports fans that would be if there was an experience worth investing time, energy and money on.Our approach? Entertainment, entertainment, entertainment.
Taking a lead from the gaming world where gamification, level ups and purchasing modifiers that help players complete challenges, compete with friends and win money. The approach not only broadens our audience but also allows us to maintain lower compliance costs while ensuring long-term sustainability.
NEXT.io: How did you feel about the pivot?
Brad Knowles: The pivot wasn’t a setback; it was an opportunity to refine our vision.
Initially, we focused on launching a product that aligned with regulatory expectations, but once we had that foundation, we quickly transitioned back to our original mission—creating a social, sustainable and responsible betting experience.
Fortunately, our investors shared our long-term vision. Our belief in social and interactive betting concepts remained constant, and the pivot confirmed that the industry was moving in our direction.
Rather than expanding our offering just for the sake of it, we are now doubling down on depth and engagement.
With competitors gaining traction in the market, we remain focused on innovation. Our features, still in development, will introduce new gameplay mechanics to differentiate us and keep our offering fresh.
This is an exciting time, and I believe we can forge a new type of betting experience. We also see community-building as a key element of long-term growth and retention, ensuring that our platform fosters ongoing engagement rather than transactional play.
NEXT.io: It sounds like having strong technical capabilities helped you adapt quickly.
Paul Jarczynski: One of our biggest advantages is that we’ve developed everything internally, giving us complete control over our technology stack.
Unlike competitors that rely on third-party providers, our in-house development capability allows us to iterate quickly and adapt to market demands without external dependencies.
This agility is critical, especially in an industry facing increased regulatory scrutiny. Our ability to pivot and refine our product in real-time enables us to stay ahead of both competitors and compliance requirements.
NEXT.io: That must have given you a sense of stability during the transition.
Brad Knowles: Absolutely. Throughout the transition, we maintained a structured and methodical approach. Rather than reacting with panic, we focused on what we could control, ensuring our investors remained confident in our direction.
Having strong internal capabilities and a well-defined vision helped us execute the pivot effectively and maintain long-term stability.
NEXT.io: Do you think this is the right time for a product like this?
Brad Knowles: Without a doubt. The industry is shifting due to regulatory changes and evolving societal attitudes towards gambling, particularly among younger generations.
Consumers are looking for alternatives to traditional sports books and casino-style products, which often rely on aggressive marketing and unsustainable bonuses.
Rather than engaging in a direct competition with traditional bookmakers—who are locked in a costly marketing battle of offering large incentives to retain s—we are carving out a new niche.
Our approach is focused on sustainable engagement rather than acquisition through promotions. This positions us well for long-term growth, particularly as regulatory pressures mount on high-stakes gambling models.
Moreover, as responsible gambling becomes an increasing priority for regulators, our model is inherently aligned with industry trends.
We are not built around high-volume, high-risk betting; instead, we are focused on strategic gameplay, social engagement, and responsible entertainment.
