Stats Perform, the global leader in sports data and AI technology, has published its 2025 Sports Fan Engagement, Content Monetisation & AI Trends Report, unveiling key insights from over 700 sports media executives about the evolving landscape of fan engagement and monetisation in 2025, and the associated role of AI.

The report reveals sports media organisations and sponsors are excited about the transformative potential of AI on helping grow fans and revenues. It also highlights investment trends in women’s sports, owned & operated digital properties, YouTube and Instagram Reels.

Key findings include:

Advertisement

• Those who have already adopted AI are three times as likely to find it easier to commercialise their content than those who have not invested in the technology yet.

• Outside of monetising content, others are poised to leverage AI-driven personalisation, automation, and storytelling in 2025.

• 50% of sponsors are focusing on women’s sports, and opportunities remain for broadcasters and digital platforms to unlock its full potential.
• Owned websites and apps are over twice as effective as social media for generating revenue, with YouTube and Instagram Reels the most valuable social channels

“This report underscores a defining moment for the sports industry,” said Steve Xeller, Chief Revenue Officer at Stats Perform. “Deeper fan connections, powered by AI, innovation and cross-departmental collaboration, will determine which organisations thrive in an increasingly fragmented environment where the demands on content, media and commercial teams are greater than ever before.”

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG Software Plc) has announced the official launch of The Football Pools’ upgraded online presence, powered by GiG’s premium cutting-edge X-Suite technology. This marks a significant step in the digital evolution of one of the UK’s most historic and beloved betting brands, as The Pools embraces the future of iGaming having migrated onto GiG’s state-of-the-art SportX sportsbook and CoreX iGaming platform.

This highly anticipated launch brings together over 100 years of The Football Pools’ heritage with the latest in sportsbook and iGaming innovation. The Pools’ online revamp reflects the brand’s commitment to providing a modern, user-friendly experience while maintaining its iconic reputation in UK betting history.

Powering the new era is GiG’s powerful iGaming Platform CoreX, and its SportX sportsbook, with advanced bet-builder capabilities, dynamic odds, and fully localised UK content, including horse racing powered by BetMakers. The new partnership, with advanced scalability, and the flexibility to drive sustained growth in Europe’ s largest regulated markets, will also leverage the integration of GiG’s cutting-edge AI-driven technologies, driving optimising engagement and personalisation focused on driving key acquisition and retention metrics.

Advertisement

At the heart of the migration is GiG’s end-to-end risk scoring system that integrates big data and third-party systems with its platform and Logic technologies. This tool allows for dynamically adjusted player interactions based on their risk levels, ensuring tailored marketing communications and stringent financial checks.

The launch represents a milestone moment in the UK market for GiG, as its revolutionary X-Suite enters the region, blending decades of iGaming expertise with The Football Pools’ rich history. With an estimated annual market value of £11 billion (€12.8 billion), the UK is a strategic focus for GiG’s expansion, building on its success in regulated markets across European and global regulated markets.

Richard Carter, Chief Executive Officer at GiG, commented: “Seeing The Football Pools, an absolutely iconic brand name in UK sports betting, live on our technology is a landmark moment for GiG’s strategic growth plans in the region. This launch underscores GiG’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions for ambitious brands in regulated markets, with 13 launched on GiG technology in 2024. We have dedicated a significant amount of resources into ensuring our solutions remain at the very apex of technological capabilities in our industry, we  look forward to seeing The Pools flourish as they embrace this new era of growth and engagement.”

James Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of The Football Pools, added: “This launch is a milestone for the online future of the The Football Pools. With GiG’s premium solutions, we’ve worked hard to create an exciting new environment that honours our heritage while delivering a best-in-class digital experience. This partnership has been key to enabling our ambitious vision for The Pools, that backs up our strategy for a sustainable, compliant growth trajectory for our brand.”