Altenar Co-Founder and COO Dinos Stranomitis talks high-stakes betting and risk management.
“Which companies today would accept a €0.5m wager on a WTA match?” Dinos Stranomitis asks. “I don’t think many would. Even in Las Vegas, I’d question if that’s possible.”
But Altenar can take that kind of bet—and be confident there’s no excessive risk. More than just a tech provider, Altenar also offers sportsbook management services, something Stranomitis emphasizes is a major value-add.
I don’t care what the game is. I care who’s betting.
Dinos Stranomitis, Co-Founder and COO, Altenar
“We have trading and risk management policies that are a bit different,” he says. “When the trading team notifies me of a big bet, I’m not focused on what game it is—I care who’s placing the bet. It’s not really about what you bet on—it’s about who you are.”
According to Stranomitis, the key to managing high-stakes bets lies in understanding who you’re dealing with. Altenar does this by profiling users—especially VIPs—to determine whether to accept large wagers. Every customer should have a profile and be segmented.
“A sharp bettor will find value,” he says. “Someone who’s betting purely for entertainment doesn’t really care about value—they’re in it for the thrill. So if a super VIP enjoys volleyball, they’ll bet on anything from top leagues to Russian third-division matches. It may look suspicious, but it’s not. They just love the sport.”
High-stakes bets shouldn’t be feared, Stranomitis insists. Even if the customer wins, regular players tend to keep betting. That’s why identifying patterns and understanding how selective a bettor is can be more valuable than scrutinizing individual wagers. Better segmentation leads to long-term profitability.
“Most people, even when they win, continue betting,” he explains. “And that allows the operator to eventually profit from the activity over time.”
Trading in sports betting isn’t something you learn in a classroom.
Dinos Stranomitis, Co-Founder and COO, Altenar
Of course, determining whether a bet poses a risk requires experience. “Trading in sports betting isn’t something you learn at a university,” Stranomitis says. “It takes hands-on knowledge.”
That’s why sportsbooks must choose the right partners—not just for software, but for real industry know-how. Working with someone who understands betting and the math behind it is essential.
This is especially important as another unpredictable season begins, with reduced rest for players increasing the likelihood of surprising outcomes—as seen with Barcelona and Liverpool last season.
Having experienced sportsbook management in place helps mitigate risks in an industry defined by uncertainty. And as Stranomitis notes, that unpredictability is what makes sports betting so exciting.
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