At Delasport, some of the strongest product leaders are those who have experienced the sportsbook industry from the inside - understanding both the operational mechanics of betting and the strategic vision required to build innovative products.
Tihomir Kozich is one of them.
Since joining Delasport in 2019 as a Sports Trader, Tihomir has built a career that spans both trading and product development. After more than four years in trading, he now leads several major initiatives, including the World Cup 2026 Hub - one of the company’s most strategic upcoming projects.
In this interview, Tihomir shares how his trading background shaped his product thinking, what it takes to lead complex sportsbook initiatives, and how Delasport is preparing for one of the biggest events in global sports.
Starting in Trading gave me a complete view of how the sportsbook ecosystem operates. As a trader, you are constantly monitoring markets, managing exposure, and reacting to real-time movements.
Over the years, I developed a deep understanding of the full sportsbook lifecycle - from event and market creation, pricing logic, and trend analysis to exposure management, settlement processes, and risk control across multiple sports. Working in such a dynamic environment required fast decision-making under pressure, strengthening both my analytical thinking and operational discipline.
Most importantly, trading teaches you how markets behave and how customers think. That knowledge becomes extremely valuable when working on product development because you understand the real dynamics behind every bet placed on the platform.
After four and a half years in Trading, I felt it was the right time to take the next step in my professional development.
At the same time, becoming a father of two also influenced how I think about long-term growth and responsibility. I wanted to challenge myself and broaden my perspective within the company.
Moving into Product meant stepping outside my comfort zone. Seeing betting from a trader’s perspective is very different from building it from a product perspective. The transition came with a steep learning curve - understanding product processes, coordinating across teams, and shifting the mindset from operational execution to long-term product strategy.
The first months were intense, but they accelerated my development significantly. My trading background also turned out to be a strong advantage because it allowed me to approach product decisions with a deep understanding of how markets function in practice.
One important milestone was leading the UK integration project with Hollywoodbets. This initiative introduced me deeply to the horse racing domain, which is a unique vertical with its own operational and regulatory complexities.
Managing the integration required close coordination across teams, technical implementation, and ensuring that the product met the specific requirements of the UK market. It was a challenging project that significantly expanded my sportsbook expertise, ultimately resulting in a smooth launch and a highly successful market entry.
Another key initiative was the Bet Builder expansion for American sports, including American Football and Basketball. Bet Builders are one of the biggest innovations in modern sportsbook products, and contributing to their development for the US market was an important step for both the product and the company’s competitive positioning. The project was delivered with strong impact, enhancing user engagement and reinforcing Delasport’s position as a competitive and innovative provider in the US market.
The World Cup is the ultimate stress test for every sportsbook - technically, operationally, and commercially.
Our goal is to build a centralized World Cup Hub that becomes the main destination for betting during the tournament. The focus is on reducing friction in the betting process, ensuring consistent odds availability during peak traffic, and introducing dynamic features such as Boosted offers and Bet Builders inside the hub.
The ambition behind the project is significant. We are targeting a 15–20% increase in World Cup betting turnover compared to Euro 2024, with a large portion of bets expected to be placed directly through the World Cup Hub.
This initiative combines product innovation, technical scalability, and commercial ambition, making it one of the most exciting projects currently underway at Delasport, and is set to directly enhance our operators’ success by driving higher engagement, improving retention, and unlocking new revenue opportunities.
One of the most important factors has been the environment of trust and responsibility.
When people are given the opportunity to take ownership and grow internally, it builds confidence and accountability over time. Being able to evolve through different roles within the company has allowed me to continuously expand my perspective and skill set.
It also demonstrates the value of long-term development within an organization.
What motivates me most is the opportunity to build products that create real impact at scale.
The sportsbook industry is extremely dynamic, and there is always room for innovation and improvement. Being part of that process and contributing to major initiatives like the World Cup Hub is incredibly rewarding.
At the same time, being a father reminds me of the importance of long-term thinking - both personally and professionally. Growth, responsibility, and continuous development are values that guide me every day.
