Abios at ten: Where does esports betting go from here?

Celebrating a Decade of Innovation: Abios’ Journey in the Esports Data Realm

In 2023, esports data specialist Abios marks its tenth anniversary, encapsulating a transformative decade defined by strategic pivots, successful funding initiatives, and a significant acquisition by Kambi. As one of the few entities navigating the dynamic landscape of esports, especially in betting, co-founders Oskar Fröberg and Anton Janér exemplify resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.

Despite its youthful stature, esports and esports betting are becoming integral parts of the global gambling arena. With a vision to harness data intelligence in this sector, Fröberg and Janér have deftly positioned Abios as an essential resource for esports data analytics.

From B2C Aspirations to B2B Success

Launched in 2013, Abios initially embarked on a mission to engage esports fans through a B2C scheduling platform that tracked tournaments, fixtures, and results. While the platform attracted interest with innovations like a popular Chrome extension, monetization posed significant challenges, compelling a strategic pivot.

Fröberg articulates this transition: “We now view our current focus on B2B as one of our core strategies. Initially, we believed in the potential of our B2C platform, but we recognized a more robust opportunity within the B2B sector.” This shift led Abios to specialize in data APIs and visualizations, ultimately impressing Kambi, which acquired the company for SEK 270 million in 2021.

Thriving Amid Market Challenges

Unlike many companies in the esports betting space that have struggled to gain traction or have faltered despite securing funding, Abios stands as a beacon of stability. With Kambi’s extensive expertise in sports betting enhancing its capabilities, Abios is redefining the consumption of esports betting.

Janér admits to a certain humility in recognizing the complexities of the betting industry. He emphasizes, “Our longevity stems from our relentless pursuit of solutions. We not only address real-time data challenges but also blend analog and digital information to create a harmonious experience.” This dual mastery positions Abios ahead of its competitors.

Weathering the Storm: Addressing Market Corrections

As esports betting strives for mainstream acceptance, recent market conditions have raised concerns about the sector’s future. Numerous operators have experienced inflated valuations and subsequent collapses. Fröberg reflects on this, acknowledging, “What we see now is a market correction, a necessary realignment where unsustainable entities are weeded out.”

This doesn’t imply a lack of potential within esports. Many ventures, despite their quality, simply stumbled due to premature market timing. Janér points out this phenomenon isn’t unique to esports, asserting, “Every sector is experiencing its share of upheaval, but sound businesses will endure and thrive.”

Championing Esports’ Future

The digital-first nature of esports offers resilience against economic downturns, with ongoing technological advancements presenting new opportunities. Despite current challenges, both Fröberg and Janér maintain optimism about esports’ trajectory. Fröberg emphasizes, “Esports is a burgeoning market with immense growth potential populated by an ever-expanding audience.” He forecasts that as the demographic matures, disposable incomes will rise, fueling further engagement in esports entertainment.

Janér contemplates that while esports may not yet rival traditional sports like American football, its potential is vast and largely untapped. He notes, “There is a lag in accessible performance data across various esports platforms, but the foundations are solid and growth is inevitable.”

Integrating with the Kambi Ecosystem

Being part of Kambi—an operator thriving in the regulatory complexities surrounding American football betting—positions Abios to leverage seasoned expertise in navigating the esports betting landscape. Janér appreciates the support from Kambi’s infrastructure, which allows Abios to innovatively enhance its offerings while focusing on compliance and market needs.

Fröberg describes Abios’ role as a “black ops” specialist for Kambi, providing tailored solutions that extend beyond traditional wagering models. Under Kambi’s stewardship, the company is honing its focus on developing leading-edge odds products, with plans to innovate further in the coming years.

Pioneering Through Innovation

The roadmap ahead for Abios involves an aggressive expansion of its odds product offerings, targeting an industry-leading status by 2024. Fröberg notes, “Our objective is to elevate esports betting by mirroring the best practices from traditional sports and then to push boundaries with innovative products.”

Despite the turbulence faced in the esports sector, Fröberg and Janér’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering. They advise fellow entrepreneurs to prioritize careful, deliberate growth over rapid expansion, echoing a fundamental principle: “Understand your market and act on sound analysis rather than succumbing to industry jargon.”

A Future Rich with Potential

With their combined experience of a decade in esports, Fröberg and Janér recognize the ongoing opportunities that lie ahead. They are poised to not only sustain Abios’ growth, but also to lead innovations that could redefine betting in esports. As Janér succinctly states, “We’re dedicated to building the infrastructure for esports, and regardless of our experience level, our journey is far from over.”