How to Develop a Betting App Like Unibet

How to Develop a Betting App Like Unibet: Features, Cost & Guide

Imagine placing a bet on your favorite team while watching the game live — all from your phone. No lines, no desktops, just instant access. That’s the kind of experience apps like Unibet offer, and it’s exactly why they’ve exploded in popularity.

Why Betting Apps Like Unibet Are Popular

Apps like Unibet have become popular due to their user-friendly design, wide range of betting options, and secure, real-time betting features. They offer convenience, live updates, and an engaging experience that keeps users coming back.

Blog Overview: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing a Betting App Like Unibet

This blog provides a practical guide for anyone looking to develop a betting app similar to Unibet. From planning and core features to technology and estimated costs, we’ll outline everything you need to know to get started. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a business looking to partner with the best sports betting app development company, this guide will help you make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

Understanding the Current Betting App Market

The global sports betting industry is experiencing significant growth. In 2024, the market was valued at approximately $102.4 billion and is projected to reach $265.5 billion by 2034, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. This expansion is fueled by increasing digital infrastructure and the widespread use of connected devices, making online betting more accessible to a broader audience.

In the United States, legal sports betting saw nearly $150 billion wagered in 2024, with operator revenues surpassing $13.7 billion, marking a 24.4% increase from the previous year . Notably, over 95% of these bets were placed online, highlighting the shift towards mobile and digital platforms.

Additionally, the popularity of sports betting apps has surged, with online sports betting apps reporting a 93% increase in downloads compared to 2023. This trend underscores the growing consumer preference for mobile betting solutions.

Popular Betting Apps

Several betting apps have established themselves as leaders in the market:

  • Unibet: Known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive sports coverage, Unibet offers a range of betting options, including live betting and casino games.
  • Bet365: Offers extensive sports markets and live streaming services, making it a favorite among bettors.
  • DraftKings: Provides a robust platform focusing on fantasy sports and a wide array of betting options.
  • FanDuel: Known for its intuitive design and diverse betting markets, FanDuel has a strong presence in the U.S. market.

These platforms have gained popularity due to their reliability, user experience, and variety of betting options.

Legal Considerations (Licensing and Regulations by Country)

Navigating the legal landscape is crucial when developing a betting app. Regulations vary significantly across countries:

  • United States: Sports betting legality is determined at the state level. As of 2024, 38 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized sports betting in some form. Operators must obtain licenses in each state they wish to operate.
  • United Kingdom: The UK Gambling Commission regulates all gambling activities. Operators must acquire a license and adhere to strict advertising and responsible gambling guidelines.
  • Australia: Online sports betting is legal and regulated at the state level. Operators must comply with both federal and state regulations, including customer identification procedures enforced by AUSTRAC.
  • India: The legal status of online betting varies by state. While some states have specific regulations, others lack clear guidelines, making it essential for operators to consult legal experts before entering the market.

Understanding and complying with these regulations is essential to ensure the legality and success of a betting app in different jurisdictions.

Unibet Clone App Development

Developing a Unibet clone app is one of the fastest ways to enter the sports betting market with a proven structure. Instead of starting from zero, you can use a pre-built foundation that mirrors Unibet’s functionality and focus on customizing it to suit your business goals, region, or niche audience.

The biggest advantage here is speed. You can launch in weeks instead of months, while still offering all the core features users expect—live betting, odds updates, account management, payments, and bonuses. Most clone app solutions also include an admin panel, giving you full control over users, payouts, and content.

A clone app doesn’t mean it has to be generic. You can fully rebrand the design, tweak the user interface, introduce unique betting markets, and integrate local payment systems or regional sports. It’s a flexible shortcut that saves development time and reduces costs, especially if you’re entering the market with a tight budget.

That said, even with a clone, you’ll need to address compliance and licensing, especially if you plan to launch in regulated markets. Security and scalability should also be part of the customization process, ensuring your platform can handle real-time data and peak user activity without hiccups.

For startups and entrepreneurs aiming to build a reliable, competitive betting platform, a Unibet-style clone app is a smart and efficient way to get started. Working with experienced sportsbook platform providers can further streamline the development process, offering ready-to-deploy solutions along with the flexibility to tailor the app to your unique business needs.

How Can You Earn by Developing a Betting App Like Unibet

Creating a betting app isn’t just about offering a cool product — it’s also a smart business move. Once your app is up and running, there are several proven ways to generate revenue, both directly from users and through strategic partnerships. Here’s how you can monetize a betting app like Unibet:

1. Commission on Bets

This is the core revenue model for most betting platforms. Every time a user places a bet, the platform takes a small commission — often referred to as the “house edge” or “vig.” Whether the user wins or loses, the app earns a percentage from the total betting volume. As your user base grows, even small commissions add up to significant income.

2. Premium Memberships

You can offer a subscription-based model where users pay for additional perks. These might include lower commission rates, early access to betting tips, exclusive odds, or VIP support. Premium tiers can attract high-value users who want an enhanced experience and are willing to pay for it.

3. In-App Advertisements

With enough traffic, your app becomes a valuable space for advertisers. You can display banner ads, sponsored odds, or even promote third-party gaming content. Just be sure ads don’t interfere with the user experience — subtle, targeted advertising tends to work best.

4. Sponsorships & Partnerships

Partnering with sports influencers, clubs, or media platforms can bring in revenue and boost credibility. You might feature branded events, integrate with fantasy sports leagues, or collaborate on marketing campaigns. These partnerships can bring in direct payments or a revenue share based on user activity.

By combining these revenue streams, you can turn your betting app into a sustainable business model. Like Unibet, the key is to balance monetization with user experience so that your platform grows organically while generating consistent income.

Key Features of a Betting App Like Unibet

When you’re planning to build a betting app that stands out, especially one inspired by platforms like Unibet, it’s important to focus on delivering a seamless, secure, and feature-rich experience for both users and administrators. Below is a breakdown of the core features every successful betting app should include.

A. User Panel Features

1. Registration & Login
First impressions matter. Users should be able to sign up and log in quickly using their email, mobile number, or social media accounts. A smooth onboarding experience sets the tone for trust and ease of use. Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) can also help increase account security from the beginning.

2. User Profile Management
Once registered, users need access to a personal dashboard where they can manage their profile details — from updating basic information to viewing betting history, transaction logs, and notification settings. A clean and intuitive design makes this experience user-friendly.

3. Deposit & Withdrawal Options
Flexible payment methods are essential. Users expect to deposit and withdraw funds using credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill, and in many markets, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Providing fast, secure, and transparent financial transactions can make or break a user’s trust in the app.

4. Live Betting & Odds Display
Live betting is a major attraction in modern apps. Users want to bet while games are in progress, and that means the app must update odds in real-time. A responsive and dynamic odds display keeps users engaged throughout the event.

5. Multiple Sports & Events Coverage
Variety is key. Your app should support betting across a wide range of sports — from football, cricket, and basketball to lesser-followed events like darts or esports. Covering local, national, and international leagues enhances user retention.

6. In-Play Betting & Cash-Out Options
Allowing users to place bets during a match and offering them a chance to cash out before the event ends provides a more flexible, exciting experience. This not only boosts engagement but also helps manage risk for both users and the operator.

7. Bonuses, Promotions, and Loyalty Programs
Users love incentives. Welcome bonuses, deposit matches, free bets, and seasonal promotions help attract new users. Meanwhile, loyalty programs — such as point-based rewards or VIP tiers — encourage long-term engagement and repeat activity.

8. Notifications
Push notifications keep users informed about upcoming matches, live scores, betting results, and exclusive offers. The key is to make these personalized and non-intrusive so users feel informed, not spammed.

9. Secure Payment Gateway Integration
All financial transactions should be protected with encrypted payment gateways that are PCI-compliant. Ensuring safety here builds credibility and is non-negotiable for a real-money betting platform.

B. Admin Panel Features

1. User Management
The admin dashboard should allow operators to view and manage user accounts — including the ability to verify identities, flag suspicious behavior, and ban users who violate terms. A searchable user database and role-based access control are helpful tools.

2. Bet & Match Management
Admins must have full control over which matches are listed, what types of bets are available, and how odds are updated. This feature allows the platform to remain agile and responsive to real-time changes in the sporting world.

3. Payment & Withdrawal Approvals
To maintain financial integrity, the admin system should include workflows for manually or automatically approving deposits and withdrawals. This helps reduce the risk of fraud and ensures smoother cash flow.

4. Fraud Detection & Security Monitoring
Betting platforms are high-risk targets for fraud. Advanced security features like suspicious login detection, multi-account tracking, and betting pattern analysis help maintain platform integrity and protect users.

5. Analytics & Reporting Dashboard
Data is essential for running a smart betting business. The admin panel should display real-time metrics on user activity, bet volumes, revenue, most popular markets, and operational KPIs. These insights drive better business decisions.

6. Customer Support System
Admins should be able to manage user queries through an integrated support system — including live chat, email tickets, and a knowledge base. Fast and helpful support improves user satisfaction and retention.

These features form the backbone of a successful betting platform. Whether you’re aiming to develop an app like Unibet or looking to tailor a unique version for a niche market, getting these elements right is critical to launching a competitive, user-centric product.

Technology Stack for Unibet Like Betting App Development

Choosing the right technology stack is crucial to ensure your betting app is fast, secure, scalable, and user-friendly. Whether you’re aiming to build something as sophisticated as Unibet or a simpler version for a niche audience, your tech choices will impact performance, development speed, and future maintenance. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:

Frontend (User Interface)

For a smooth, cross-platform experience across both iOS and Android, most modern betting apps use:

  • React Native: Ideal for building responsive interfaces using a single codebase. It’s supported by a strong developer community and offers native-like performance.
  • Flutter: Google’s UI toolkit is another powerful choice. It delivers beautiful, high-performance apps with customizable widgets and fast development cycles.

Both options are excellent for rapid development and maintaining feature consistency across platforms.

Backend (Server-Side Logic)

This is where all the heavy lifting happens — from user authentication to odds updates and bet processing.

  • Node.js: Known for handling real-time data well, making it a great fit for live betting apps.
  • Python (Django): Offers rapid development, built-in admin tools, and high scalability. Django is great for complex data handling.
  • Ruby on Rails: Known for developer productivity and clean code, though less common in large-scale betting platforms.

Choose a backend framework based on your team’s expertise and the complexity of your features.

Database

Your app will need to store user data, transaction history, match details, and much more. Two commonly used databases are:

  • PostgreSQL: A robust, relational database that ensures consistency and reliability — ideal for handling structured data.
  • MongoDB: A NoSQL database that’s great for flexible, fast-growing data structures like live odds or betting markets.

Many platforms use a combination of both, depending on the data type.

APIs

Third-party APIs are essential for integrating external services:

  • Odds Providers: APIs from platforms like Betfair and Sportradar supply real-time betting data, match schedules, and live odds updates. Choosing a reliable betting API provider ensures your app delivers accurate and up-to-the-minute information, which is critical for live and in-play betting features.
  • Payment Gateways:  Integration with services like Stripe, PayPal, or regional payment solutions ensures smooth and secure financial transactions.

APIs help you add powerful features without building everything from scratch.

Security

In a betting app, protecting user data and financial transactions is non-negotiable:

  • SSL Encryption: Secures data transfer between users and your servers.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of login security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Additional layers like anti-fraud systems and data monitoring tools are highly recommended.

Cloud Hosting

To handle traffic spikes during big events and maintain high availability, cloud infrastructure is essential:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS): Offers powerful hosting, scaling, and security tools.
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Also a solid choice with strong data analytics and AI integrations.

Both platforms can auto-scale based on user demand and provide secure storage for sensitive data.

Step-by-Step Development Process of Betting App Like Unibet

Building a betting app isn’t just about coding—it’s a structured journey that requires planning, compliance, design, and rigorous testing. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to bring your app to life:

Step 1: Market Research & Legal Compliance

Before writing a single line of code, start with research. Understand your target audience—what sports they follow, how they place bets, and what features they expect. Just as important is navigating the legal landscape. Betting is heavily regulated, so you’ll need to understand licensing requirements in your target countries or states. Whether it’s a UK Gambling Commission license or individual U.S. state approvals, compliance is your foundation.

Step 2: Define Features & Create Wireframes

Once you’ve locked in your vision, list the features your app will need—user registration, live betting, payment options, notifications, and so on. From there, create wireframes: basic layouts that show how the app will function and flow. These wireframes help everyone—developers, designers, stakeholders—stay aligned.

Step 3: UI/UX Design (Prototyping)

With wireframes in place, your design team can build interactive prototypes that focus on user experience. A good UI/UX design is more than just aesthetics—it’s about making sure users can place bets, find matches, and manage their account effortlessly. Tools like Figma or Adobe XD are often used to build clickable prototypes before development begins.

Step 4: Backend & Frontend Development

This is where your app starts to take shape. The frontend team works on what users see and interact with, using tools like React Native or Flutter. Meanwhile, the backend team handles the core logic—account management, odds updates, bet processing, and data storage—using technologies like Node.js or Django. Both sides work in parallel to bring the app to life.

Step 5: API Integrations (Odds, Payments, KYC)

Next, integrate the external services that power your app. You’ll need odds providers like Betfair or Sportradar for live data. For transactions, connect payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal. Don’t forget KYC (Know Your Customer) services to verify user identities and stay compliant with anti-fraud regulations.

Step 6: Testing (QA, Security, Performance)

Testing isn’t optional—it’s essential. QA engineers will go through the app to find bugs, test usability, and check for inconsistencies. Security audits are run to ensure data protection, especially around login and payment areas. Load testing also helps you prepare for traffic spikes during major sporting events.

Step 7: Launch & Marketing Strategy

Once everything is polished and stable, it’s time to launch. Choose a soft launch in a smaller market or run beta tests with select users to gather early feedback. Parallel to that, roll out a marketing strategy—this could include partnerships, influencer promotions, app store optimization, and targeted ad campaigns. Make sure your launch isn’t just technical—it’s strategic.

Following these steps gives you a strong foundation to not only develop a betting app like Unibet, but to launch it with confidence and long-term viability.

Cost of Developing a Betting App Like Unibet

Developing a betting app like Unibet typically costs between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on the complexity, features, and development approach. This wide range is influenced by several key factors that affect both time and budget throughout the development process.

One of the biggest cost drivers is the feature set. A simple app with basic betting functions will be much cheaper than a platform offering live betting, real-time odds, in-play cashouts, and advanced user engagement features like bonuses and loyalty programs.

Another important factor is where your development team is located. Hiring developers in North America or Western Europe is usually more expensive than working with teams in Eastern Europe or Asia, though experience and quality can vary accordingly.

The technology stack you choose also plays a role. Opting for cross-platform tools like React Native or Flutter can reduce development time, while more advanced backend systems or premium third-party APIs (like live odds providers or payment gateways) can increase costs.

Lastly, security, testing, and legal compliance shouldn’t be overlooked. Since betting apps handle sensitive financial and user data, investing in proper encryption, secure payment gateways, and regulatory licenses is essential—and will factor into the overall cost.

In short, the total investment will depend on your vision. A focused, well-scoped app can stay on the lower end of the range, while a full-featured, scalable product similar to Unibet will naturally move toward the higher end.

Challenges in Unibet Clone App Development

While the idea of launching a betting app like Unibet is exciting and potentially profitable, it’s not without serious challenges. From legal hurdles to technical demands, developers and businesses must be prepared to navigate a complex landscape. Here are some of the key obstacles you’ll face:

1. Legal & Compliance Issues

Gambling laws vary drastically by country—and in some places, even by region or state. What’s legal in the UK may be restricted in India or require separate licensing in each U.S. state. Compliance involves obtaining gaming licenses, enforcing age verification, adhering to anti-money laundering (AML) rules, and building responsible gambling features. Getting this wrong can result in bans, fines, or worse, platform shutdowns.

2. Fraud Prevention & Security Risks

Betting apps deal with sensitive user data and financial transactions, making them a prime target for fraud, money laundering, and hacking attempts. Ensuring the platform is protected with strong encryption, secure payment gateways, and real-time fraud monitoring is essential. Additionally, user verification (KYC) and responsible betting controls help reduce misuse and build trust.

3. High Competition in the Market

The online betting space is crowded with established players like Unibet, Bet365, and DraftKings. Breaking into this space means you need more than just a functioning app—you need a clear value proposition, strong branding, marketing muscle, and often, attractive user incentives just to get noticed.

4. Maintaining Real-Time Performance

Live betting, odds updates, and in-play features demand real-time data processing. Any delays can frustrate users and result in lost bets—or worse, legal complications. This means your backend infrastructure must be optimized for speed, uptime, and scale, especially during high-traffic events like major sports finals.

Tackling these challenges head-on requires careful planning, experienced development, and ongoing investment. But if you can overcome them, the reward is access to a thriving, high-growth market with massive earning potential.

Why Choose Innosoft Group to Develop a Betting App Like Unibet

If you’re planning to develop a betting app like Unibet, partnering with the right team is crucial. Innosoft Group stands out as a trusted sports betting app development company, offering end-to-end solutions that combine technical expertise, industry insight, and regulatory compliance.

Unibet-Level Sportsbook Solutions

Innosoft Group delivers comprehensive sportsbook platforms, covering everything from live odds and multi-sport coverage to secure payment integration and a seamless user interface. Their team builds platforms that rival industry giants like Unibet in both functionality and performance.

Specialized in Unibet-style betting App Development

With years of experience in the iGaming space, Innosoft has a proven track record of building apps that mirror the core features of Unibet—live betting, in-play cash-out options, real-time notifications, and robust admin control. Their development process focuses on creating tailored, scalable, and compliant platforms for diverse markets.

Regulatory Compliance & Responsible Gambling Features

A major challenge in betting app development is compliance. Innosoft ensures your Unibet-style app meets all local and international regulations, including KYC (Know Your Customer), age verification, AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and responsible gambling tools. This ensures a secure, legally sound product right from launch.

API Integration with Leading Betting API Providers

Innosoft works with top-tier betting API providers such as Betfair, Sportradar, and more to integrate real-time odds, match data, and betting markets. These APIs bring the live action into your app, giving users the dynamic experience they expect from a modern betting platform.

Scalable & Customizable Architecture

Your Unibet-style app should grow with your user base. Innosoft uses flexible, modern technology stacks that allow you to scale effortlessly—whether you’re operating in one country or expanding globally. Every feature can be customized to match your brand and business strategy.

Conclusion

Building a betting app like Unibet is no small task — but with the right planning, tools, and strategy, it’s achievable. We’ve covered the essential features your app needs, the technologies to use, legal hurdles to watch out for, and how you can actually earn revenue from such a platform. Whether you’re going for a custom build or a Unibet clone app, success comes down to execution and compliance.

Looking ahead, the future of betting apps is full of innovation. AI-driven predictions, personalized betting recommendations, and risk analysis are becoming more common. Virtual Reality (VR) may soon transform live sports betting into an immersive, interactive experience. Meanwhile, blockchain is already being explored for transparent payouts, provably fair betting, and secure transactions.

For entrepreneurs and startups, the key is to start smart. Focus on your niche, understand the legal environment, and prioritize user experience. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—but you do need to make sure yours is faster, smoother, and more accessible than the rest.