Data company, Sportradar, has announced the launch of the Sportradar Virtual Stadium, which is an artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven social engagement tool to create deeper engagement with bettors.

The virtual stadium will allow bettors to socialise with their peers and share the live sports experience by participating in conversation and friendly debate on betting content.

Additionally, the platform will be the first on the market to include:

• Game-specific chat rooms for upcoming and live matches
• Free-to-play betting opportunities
• Fan polls asking for opinions on hot sports topics
• Cheer-meters that highlight how fans are reacting to a particular match occurrence

Commenting on the new platform, Sportradar managing director of betting entertainment tools, Blaz Zitnik, said: “Built upon our more than 20 years’ experience in the data space and an unrivalled tech stack, the Sportradar Virtual Stadium solution is helping operators maximise the full commercial potential of this winter’s global soccer tournament.”

“By combining innovative engagement tools with deep end user insights, operators can deliver a personalised soccer experience that engages their customers for longer periods of time and increases loyalty,” Zitnik said.

Additionally, the platform can be hosted on a sportsbook’s homepage, and can run alongside sport-specific betting content, while also allowing operators to choose which social components to include, and tailor content to the interest of their customer base.

The announcement comes after Sportradar partnered with Baseball Australia to engage fans on a new OTT platform.