BETBY has published a new operator playbook titled "The World Cup Is Over. Now What? Win Engagement, Cut Churn, Grow LTV." The document outlines methods for betting platforms to sustain user activity following the 2026 World Cup.
Operational Decisions and AI Tools
Data from the BETBY partner network shows an 86.4 percent increase in traffic and an 84.8 percent rise in active players compared to the month before the tournament began. The playbook notes that while operators planned for this initial surge, fewer prepared for the subsequent drop in engagement after the final match. The guide focuses on three operational choices: selecting content for individual players, timing engagement interventions, and calculating appropriate spending per user.
The report examines the impact of the tournament on engagement speed and measures how long players remain active when using AI-personalized feeds. It also covers scoring systems for at-risk users and recommended budgets for specific Lifetime Value tiers. Danil Emelyanov, head of AI Labs at BETBY, addressed the role of technology in these processes.
"Most AI hype in this industry doesn't survive contact with reality," Emelyanov said. "Built with a clear purpose, it delivers enormous value — higher personalisation, more accurate prediction, more granular segmentation. That's how data becomes commercial value."
The 2026 World Cup involved 48 teams, 104 matches, and a 39-day schedule. The tournament was the largest of its kind ever staged, creating a significant acquisition effect across the network.