Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 Betting Data Architecture

The distinction between **Tier 1** and **Tier 2** betting data architectures defines the speed, cost, and reliability of the global sports betting market. * **Tier 1 (Official):** Sourced directly from league infrastructure (optical tracking, umpire tablets) via exclusive rights deals (e.g., Genius Sports/NFL). It utilizes **WebSockets** and edge computing to achieve **sub-second latency**, allowing bookmakers to beat TV broadcasts and offer high-frequency micro-bets. * **Tier 2 (Unofficial):** Sourced via "data journalists" (scouts) or TV scraping. It suffers from **broadcast delays (7–15s)** and human error. While cheaper, it exposes operators to **Latency Arbitrage**, where bettors at the venue wager on events before the bookmaker's feed updates. The industry is trending toward Tier 1 for major sports to support algorithmic trading, while Tier 2 remains in use for low-liquidity, obscure markets.