Accurate and reliable data is at the center of every high-quality esports service. However, many companies still resort to using scraped data, which can be the opposite: unreliable, delayed, inaccurate, and incomplete. This can lead to poor decision-making, lost opportunities, and financial losses.
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Despite being the same in appearance, data can differ significantly in value depending on its source and method of collection
Official in-game or live data is directly delivered from the game server where the match is played. Every single action of each player is accurately and timely captured. Accurate, timely, and reliable data fuels high-quality esports services, driving informed decision-making and fostering strategic advantages.
Automated programs like bots scan the match feed or a stats website during the match broadcast for relevant information, such as who is playing, number of kills, current player loadout, etc. This process is inherently slow and prone to inaccuracies. Data can only be collected once game actions can be seen on the broadcast. Crucial information might be missed if the broadcast cuts away from the action, leading to incomplete and potentially misleading data.
Using official data allows for more accurate predictions and better decision-making.
Official data can lead to to better and more accurate odds and predictions, ultimately leading to higher margins.
Official data enables them to provide their customers with in-depth information and more reliable services.
What are the major differences between official and scraped data?
Official data is sourced directly from the game server, while scraped data is obtained through unofficial means such as screen scraping or web scraping.
Official data is provided by a trusted source. Scraped data can be unreliable. Changes to the layout of the broadcast can lead to the automated processes being incapable of picking up all relevant pieces of information.
Official data is more timely, as it is provided in real time by the source. Scraped data is inherently delayed, as the information can only be captured once it is published on screen. With broadcasts typically being delayed by 40-60 seconds, so is scraped data.
Official data is verified and validated by the source. Scraped data is prone to errors, because the automated processes may not be able to accurately capture all the information.
Official data is more comprehensive and complete as it includes all the information, including that which is not visible on screen, such as more detailed individual players stats. Scraped data is limited to what is shown by the broadcast and may not include all the relevant information.
At Bayes Esports, we understand the importance of official data. We have partnered with official rights holders to source our data directly from the game server and transfer it to data consumers. The data is collected and distributed in real-time, providing you with the most accurate and reliable information available.
A strict quality control process guarantees that all data is error free. We include the full range of information, such as player statistics, team records, real-time scores, and any actions the player takes that are not available via scraped data.
Bayes Esports is the leading source of official esports data. We can guarantee that our data is accurate, reliable, and comprehensive. Get the data you need from experts and make informed decisions in the esports industry.
I am new to esports and want to test the waters. Isn’t official data too much of a commitment for me?
Unofficial data might look appealing, especially to those just starting off in the esports industry. But it also limits the options available to you to build an interesting and engaging esports product. If you are looking to explore esports as a possible avenue for your platform, offering sub-par services built on unofficial data will leave both your customers and yourself dissatisfied with the results.
Committing to official data allows you to explore esports free of unnecessary risks and provides you with the ability to scale your services depending on the needs of your customers.
Reach out to us today to talk about the options available and find the exact services you need to be able to start your journey in esports.
I don’t make my own odds, but I still want to leverage the power of official data. What can I do?
Bayes Esports has created a partnership program of trustful B2B partners using official data. All of them are building their odds feeds based on our non-delayed and granular data, which allows them to provide a level of quality that other providers cannot match. While all of our B2B partners have a different approach to modeling or trading, the foundations they’ve built their services on are similar and have official data at their core. Engaging with one of those partners will enable you to benefit from official data without requiring your own team of traders.
How can my product be improved when using official data?
There are multiple ways to improve. First and foremost, using an odds feed built on official undelayed data gives sportsbooks an edge over the rest of the market. To offer correct odds, traders need to know what is happening in-game as soon as possible. Otherwise they are trading blind.
On top of the odds built on official data, bookmakers can use widgets and statistics to let customers make an informed decision and create engagement. Thanks to official data, bookmakers can visualise data points that are not accessible from the public stream, such as more detailed individual players stats, that cannot be provided by scraped data.
What risks am I exposed to when partnering with an unofficial data provider?
Besides the higher risk of insider betting occurring on your platform, you are also exposed to the possibility of legal action being taken against your data provider.
In many cases, the act of scraping data is violating the terms of service of the platform the games are broadcasted on or is infringing the copyright of the publisher or tournament organizer to the match recordings. This can not only result in the data feed you rely on cutting out for an extended period of time, it can also reflect negatively on your own image.
What disadvantages am I faced with as a bookmaker when using unofficial data?
Unofficial data can be collected from the public stream, which has a delay of approx. 40-60s. This means that any live odds built on unofficial data will be massively delayed compared to the rest of the sportsbetting market. That leaves you with two options. You either close the markets and lose most of the live betting volumes. Or you keep markets open and expose yourself to sharp punters coming from sportsbooks with official and undelayed data. You also risk wrong bets being made from scraped data and subsequent refund claims by customers or even complaints from customers to the regulator.