MANILA, Philippines — A sports bet once started with a relatively simple question: Who wins?
That question has since become more layered as players are given more ways to shape their picks and, increasingly, the experience around them.
For Riaan Laubscher, Director of ArenaPlus Betting Division, the shift represents something bigger than another feature added to a sportsbook: players increasingly want a hand in shaping how they engage with the game.
“Players want more control,” Laubscher said. “They’re no longer happy just picking a winner and hoping for the best, but would rather use their love of the sport to assist them with making an informed decision.”
That shift has also influenced how ArenaPlus approaches its own sportsbook, with developments in global markets and changes in player behavior becoming major factors for Laubscher when deciding which new features to introduce.
Deeper level of engagement
Specifically, Single Game Parlays (SGPs) have emerged as one of the clearest signs of that change, turning a single prediction into a more detailed reading of how a game itself might unfold.
ArenaPlus, the No. 1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines, has seen that behavior through Bet Builder, its own SGP feature, with bet count and volume growing by more than 200% month-on-month and gross gaming revenue climbing over 700% in over a quarter as users combined several predictions around how they expected a single match to play out.
“When the results are in, it’s not just ‘I picked the right team’ [anymore], it’s ‘I read the match correctly,’” Laubscher said. “That sense of being right about multiple parts of the game creates a much deeper level of engagement.”
But every new layer of control creates a design challenge of its own: How do you give players more ways to shape their experience without making that experience harder to understand?
“More features don’t automatically make a better product because if you throw too many things at players at once, you risk confusing them and diluting what already works,” Laubscher said.
That dilemma now guides how his team approaches new features: introduce them, teach players how they work, study how users respond, and then decide whether to improve them, push them further, or move on.
Much larger ambition
ArenaPlus has taken the same approach with additions such as Early Cash Out and Boosted Odds, pairing new functionality with player education while giving players the freedom to decide which options fit the way they want to engage with sports.
The aim is to add meaningful choice without turning innovation into a race to put more buttons, markets, and options on the screen.
That becomes even more important in a developing market like the Philippines, where Laubscher has observed that players can be cautious when too many changes arrive too quickly, making familiarity and gradual improvements just as important as the features themselves.
The challenge only grows as ArenaPlus pursues a much larger ambition: turning the sportsbook into a broader sports destination where scores, live updates, viewing, community, and betting increasingly live under one roof.
“The real opportunity is turning the sportsbook into a complete sports entertainment platform, with social features at the center of it,” Laubscher said. “All while staying connected through the social networks and platforms they already use.”
“The technology can become increasingly sophisticated behind the scenes, but for the player it should actually feel simpler and more natural,” he added. “At that point, betting becomes just one part of a much richer sports experience rather than the [only] experience.”
More control, after all, should not mean more work for the player.
About DigiPlus
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced the leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging interactive gaming and sports entertainment experiences. DigiPlus also operates GameZone, with more to come. For more information, visit www.digiplus.com.ph.
About ArenaPlus
ArenaPlus is the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines, providing a secure and engaging sports betting and streaming experience. Launched in 2023, ArenaPlus features a wide range of local and international sports and continues to expand its presence through key partnerships across major leagues, including the NBA, PBA, and PVL.
ArenaPlus is committed to strengthening the sports community by supporting local athletes, highlighting their dedication and the hard work behind their journeys, and inspiring community pride.
