Combining sports APIs and arbitrage scanners

The world of sports is moving at an enormous speed: matches are happening every minute, odds change in seconds, and analysts strive to find new ways to process information. In this dynamic, sports APIs become the most important tool, allowing real-time access to data about events, players, and results. One of the market leaders is considered API-deporte, providing a vast array of statistics and live information.

Such solutions are useful for several categories: application developers, betting platforms, sports media, analysts, and even creators of arbitrage scanners. The latter use API data to find arbitrage situations where the odds from different bookmakers guarantee a profit.

¿Qué es API-sport?

API (Application Programming Interface) is an interface that allows you to obtain data directly from the server and use it in your own applications or services.
API-deporte – one of the largest providers of sports data. It has gained popularity due to its ease of integration, rich selection of sports, and high update speed. Today, it is used by both startups and large betting platforms.
The service provides:

• live match results,

• game archives,

• detailed statistics,

• transfers, lineups, schedules.

The feature of API-sport is that it covers both traditional sports and esports, making it a universal solution for various tasks.

Combining sports APIs and arbitrage scanners

With API-sport, you can obtain:

• odds and chances for outcomes,

• game results,

• team lineups,

• player statistics,

• information about transfers and news.

This data becomes the basis for calculating arbitrage situations — this is where the API connects with the arbitrage scanners. Arbitrage scanners operate on a simple but effective logic: they simultaneously collect odds from dozens of bookmakers and compare them with each other. If the odds for the same match differ among different bookmakers in such a way that by distributing bets on all outcomes, the player is guaranteed to make a profit, a so-called «arbitrage» arises.

As a result, the API acts as a «fuel supplier» for scanners: it regularly uploads fresh quotes and events, while the scanner algorithms analyze them and find profitable situations. The faster and more accurately the data is updated via the API, the higher the chance that the arbitrage player will place a bet while the odds are still relevant.

Deportes soportados

Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, baseball, volleyball, and esports — all of this is available to API-sport users. For arbers, disciplines with a high number of events and an active betting market are especially important.

Tecnologías y formatos

The API operates via REST and WebSocket, supporting JSON and XML formats. This facilitates integration with any systems: from web applications to mobile clients.

¿Cómo acceder a la API?

To start using the sports API, you need to register on the provider’s website. In the case of API-deporte the procedure looks like this:

1. The user creates an account on the platform.
2. After confirming the registration, they are issued a unique API key, which is used for authorizing requests.
3. Next, a tariff plan is selected — from a free trial for familiarization with the functionality to professional subscriptions with an extended request limit and full access to data.

The API key acts as a «pass» into the system: without it, requests will be rejected. This is convenient for developers, as it allows them to control usage volume and track request statistics.

RapidAPI, SportRadar y otras plataformas proporcionan acceso a BetsAPI y Livescore API a través de sus canales. Esto es conveniente para los desarrolladores que necesitan integraciones listas y SLA confiables.

In addition to direct connection, sports data can be obtained through aggregators, for example:

• RapidAPI — a popular platform where API-sport is presented as one of the services. Suitable for those who work with several APIs simultaneously.

• SportRadar — a major competitor offering data for betting and media.

However, third-party platforms often make access more expensive due to their commission. Additionally, there may be limitations on data update speed, which is critical for arbers, where every second can determine the outcome of a deal.

Los planes gratuitos generalmente incluyen acceso limitado a datos históricos y estadísticas básicas. Las suscripciones de pago desbloquean:

The tariff system of API services is usually structured as follows:

• Free plan — a limited number of requests per day (for example, up to 50–100), access only to basic information (score, match results, some statistics). This tariff is more suitable for testing and training.

• Paid subscriptions — increased request limits (from thousands to millions), full access to live data, game archives, extended player and team statistics, as well as higher update frequency.

For arbers, the free tariff is usually insufficient: speed and volume of information are important there. Therefore, professional arbers use paid subscriptions.

Número de solicitudes por minuto/hora

Each tariff has its own limits:

• Number of requests — a limitation on how many times per day you can access the API.

• Update speed — for free tariffs, data may update once every 1–5 minutes, while for paid ones, it is almost instantaneous.

• Access to sports — in the free version, only football is sometimes available, while in the paid version, basketball, hockey, tennis, esports, and others are opened.

For the operation of fork scanners, this is crucial. If the API updates slowly or the request limit is too low, the algorithm will miss relevant arbitrage situations. Therefore, a competent choice of tariff directly affects the efficiency of the entire system.

Integración de API

Ejemplos de conexión (Python, JavaScript)

# Example in Python
importar solicitudes

url = «https://api-sport.pro/v1/football/matches»
headers = {«Authorization»: «Bearer YOUR_API_KEY»}
respuesta = solicitudes.get(url, encabezados=encabezados)
imprimir(respuesta.json())

// Example in JavaScript
fetch(«https://api-sport.pro/v1/football/matches», {
headers: { «Authorization»: «Bearer YOUR_API_KEY» }
})
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));

Integración en CMS y aplicaciones móviles

The API can be connected to WordPress via plugins or custom scripts. For Android/iOS, there are SDKs and ready-made libraries, which simplify integration into mobile clients.

Uso de datos en vivo a través de WebSocket

A WebSocket connection allows for instant data retrieval without constant repeated requests. This is especially important for fork scanners, as every second can mean a missed opportunity.

¿Dónde se utiliza?

• In betting and odds scanners – searching for arbitrage situations.

• In sports analytics – predicting outcomes.

• In media and fan applications – displaying live results.

• In Fantasy Sports and esports – forming teams and tournament tables.

• In BI systems and Big Data projects – analyzing large datasets for business.

Ventajas y desventajas

Ventajas:

• a wide range of sports,

• high update speed,

• data accuracy.

Contras:

• subscription cost,

• limitations of free tariffs,

• the need for basic knowledge for integration.

Alternativas a API-sport.

TheSportsDB, BetRadar, and ESPN API are also popular in the market.
API-deporte It is worth choosing if operational updates and a wide range of sports are important. Competitors may be suitable when specialized functionality or integration with specific bookmakers is needed.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Hay acceso gratuito?
Yes, the basic plan allows you to test the service, but with a limit on the number of requests.

¿Qué deportes son compatibles?
Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, esports, and many others.

¿Es la API adecuada para apuestas?
Yes, but you cannot place bets directly. The API is used for analysis and integration into odds scanners.

¿Cómo conectar la API a la aplicación?
You just need to register, get a key, and connect it via REST or WebSocket.

¿Se puede usar la API para predicciones?
Yes, the data is perfect for machine learning models and analytics.

How much does the subscription cost?
The cost depends on the chosen plan: the more requests and data, the more expensive it is.

En resumen

Combining sports APIs and arbitrage scanners opens up wide opportunities for betting and analytics. Services like API-sport help automate data collection, speed up information processing, and allow finding arbitrage situations in real-time. For developers, it is a convenient tool, and for analysts, it is a source of reliable data.

👉 You can register for the service here: https://app.api-sport.ru/register

👉 It is convenient to follow updates in the Telegram channel: https://t.me/apisportru.