Robert Kraft: “Think of us as a total ecosystem for the sports fan”

You’ve had a long career in marketing and entrepreneurship before launching Atlas World Sports. What inspired you to move into the sports tech and betting industry?

Throughout my career, I’ve always been drawn to industries that combine innovation, consumer engagement, and technology. The sports tech and betting industry is a perfect intersection of these elements. Sports have an unparalleled ability to bring people together.

With the rapid advancements in technology, I saw an opportunity to create a platform that enhances the fan experience in meaningful ways thanks to the repeal of PASPA in May of 2018. It truly was the entrepreneur’s proverbial “lightbulb” moment. The rise of legalized sports betting in the U.S. presented a unique moment to build something transformative, and I knew Atlas World Sports could be at the forefront of that evolution.

What were the biggest challenges in building Atlas World Sports from the ground up?

Building Atlas World Sports from the ground up came with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest was navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the sports betting industry and understanding where Atlas World Sports could be at the center of the leagues, sportsbooks, and sports fans/bettors as their respective trusted partner. Each state has its rules and requirements, requiring us to be agile and adaptable.

Additionally, establishing Atlas World Sports as a brand to be respected in a competitive market was critical. We focused on creating a seamless, secure, and engaging platform to differentiate ourselves. We did that, of course, by assembling a world-class team that shared our vision and could execute at the highest level. This was both a challenge and a priority. Without our team and investors, Atlas World Sports is just a figment of my imagination. Number 1 and always number 1, it starts with great people. Winners who “make it happen.”

What differentiates Atlas World Sports on the market?

Atlas World Sports stands out in three key ways. First, our user experience is second to none—we’ve built a platform that’s intuitive, fast, and tailored to both casual fans, seasoned bettors, and soon fantasy sports! Secondly, our data-driven approach gives users access to real-time insights and analytics that empower smarter decisions ultimately creating better value day in and day out for our users. Finally, our commitment to innovation sets us apart. We’re constantly exploring new technologies, like AI and machine learning, to enhance our offerings and stay ahead of the curve among some other fun features to be rolled out later this year!

Your recent acquisition of Lockspread.com seems to be a significant move. What drove the decision?

The acquisition of Lockspread was a strategic decision to expand our reach and capabilities in the sports betting and fantasy sports markets. Lockspread has a loyal user base and a strong reputation for delivering high-quality content and tools. By rebuilding and subsequently integrating their expertise and resources into Atlas World Sports, we’re able to offer a more comprehensive experience to our users.

Think of us as a total ecosystem for the sports fan. Atlas is the “Expedia for sports fans and bettors” we like to say. This move also aligns with our vision of becoming a one-stop destination for sports enthusiasts throughout the world.

With this acquisition, Atlas World Sports now covers both sports betting and fantasy sports. Do you see further expansion into other gaming or sports entertainment areas?

Absolutely. While sports betting and fantasy sports are core to our business, we see tremendous potential in expanding into adjacent areas, such as live streaming, cryptocurrencies, and the metaverse. We are launching on Sony’s PlayStation Network, Microsoft’s Xbox platform, and Steam with the goal of creating a holistic ubiquitous ecosystem where fans can engage with their favorite sports in multiple ways, wherever they are. You can mark my words that the operators and investors love that we have the technology and reach in a multichannel 2D or 3D world to meet the bettors and fans in whatever medium they prefer; not the other way around. We’re always evaluating new opportunities to innovate and enhance the fan experience. We LOVE tech and innovation. The data and people always tell you where to go and where to build if you can hear them.

What new features or innovations can users expect in the next 12 months?

Atlas World Sports is thrilled to share that we’ve secured $5.5 million in commitments for our $10 million Series A raise, expertly guided by Del Morgan & Co., with a target close by March 31, 2025. This incredible momentum underscores the market’s confidence in our vision to continue to revolutionize the $400 billion global sports technology and betting industry. With only five weeks left in this funding round, we invite forward-thinking investors to join us in shaping the future of sports engagement. This is a first come, first serve opportunity, as we have received numerous verbal commitments and anticipate finalizing contracts within the next five weeks.

Furthermore, over the next 12 months, we’re rolling out a suite of groundbreaking innovations designed to supercharge user growth, deepen engagement, and unlock unprecedented revenue potential. Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming—and why it’s a game-changer for investors:

1. Smart Betting AI Assistant (Anticipated Launch: Q4 2025)

Our ML/AI-powered betting assistant “Atlas bot” will revolutionize how users interact with sports betting. Going beyond basic odds aggregation, it will analyze user behavior, historical data, and real-time game dynamics to deliver hyper-personalized betting recommendations. Think of it as a virtual sports betting coach—helping users make smarter bets while driving higher engagement and in-app transactions. With the U.S. sports betting market projected to continue double-digit YoY growth through 2030, this positions Atlas as a leader in a high-growth sector, offering investors a clear path to outsized returns.

2. Metaverse (AR) Game-Day Virtual Sportsbook Experience (Launch: Q3 2025)

Our Metaverse 3D partner Unreal Kingdoms, www.unrealkingdoms.com is launching Atlas World Sports in the metaverse soon! It will transform how fans can experience live sports. Users can immerse themselves into a Virtual Sportsbook experience in the Metaverse and feel like they are in the middle of the action from their couch with their game-day streams or in-stadium views. This immersive innovation taps into the booming AR market, which is growing at 40% annually, and positions Atlas as a must-have app and Unreal Kingdoms for tech-savvy fans. Expect higher retention rates and premium subscription growth as a result.

3. Global League Expansion with Hyper-Local Features (Launch: Q3 2025)

We’re expanding our coverage to include top-tier international leagues like the EPL, La Liga, and IPL, paired with hyper-localized content such as regional news, odds, and fan forums in native languages. With 80% of sports betting growth projected to come from outside the U.S., this move scales our platform globally, diversifies revenue streams, and captures untapped markets. Backed by Del Morgan & Co.’s expertise in executing more than $300 billion of global deals, Atlas World Sports is poised to become a worldwide contender.

4. Social Betting Communities (Launch: Q4 2025)

We are excited to transform solitary betting into a communal experience with virtual “betting squads.” Users can join groups to share tips, compete on leaderboards, and even earn rewards points for big national brands and airlines through our loyalty program which will be ready to launch as well. This gamified social layer drives viral growth and increases user stickiness, with social features proven to boost lifetime value by 30%+. For investors, this means a scalable path to millions of active users and recurring revenue.

Thank you for the opportunity to talk about our market at large and Atlas World Sports! The sports revolution is here and the game is changing thanks to tech and betting. We have never been more excited about what we are building for all sports fans. The time is coming to be part of the next evolution of sports fandom and we hope to be a key part of the future.