Dartsee’s interactive dartboards can be found on almost every continent on earth.
Developed by passionate darts players, the system combines advanced technology with the traditional game to automate scoring and offer a range of engaging game modes, while retaining the familiar weight of a steel-tipped dart and the authentic feel of the throw.
Cameras and advanced algorithms offer accurate real-time results, while eleven game modes, including 501, Cricket, Moon Landing, Shanghai, Fight Game, and Killer, provide a fun experience for players of all skill levels.
The system centres on an innovative ‘Ring’ module, a self-contained, tech-equipped, illuminated board that can be easily added to the corner of a cosy pub or restaurant. However, it comes into its own when integrated into the venue’s offering, with the potential to drive food and beverage sales and build a community of dedicated players.
We speak to Zoltán Borsos, co-CEO and co-founder of Dartsee Ltd., about the evolution of the system and how operators can use the solution to drive repeat visits, optimise throughput, and much more.
Robust, reliable play
The Dartsee system is the result of real-world testing, refining, and playing.
“We needed to make sure that the tech was flawless,” says Borsos. “There is nothing worse than an experience where players need an accurate aim, and the system is inaccurate.
“At the beginning, we built everything by hand. We did all the woodwork ourselves. But we didn’t have a standardised process, so the first Dartsees weren’t very maintainable. We learned a lot at the beginning.”
The team not only built each board individually, but also visited their locations to check performance and how operators were managing with the system.
“One time, we travelled to a restaurant in a fishing village in rural Norway, and there were strange dents in the dartboard, and stuff that you would not expect to see,” Borsos says.
“And I asked the owner what happens here, and he said, when people drink one too many beers, at the end of the night, they might throw things at the Dartsee instead of darts.
“This is sometimes beer bottles, and sometimes fish and chips!”
The Dartsee design evolved to withstand the rigours of even the most rowdy fish-flinging players, as well as standard steel-tipped darts that might land anywhere on the unit. Its distinctive Ring design includes the board, as well as the cameras and technology that power Dartsee’s automated scoring system.
“We wanted a self-contained model that can do all the tracking, is robust and maintainable.
“You can replace the cameras, the dart boards, anything.”
A service-focused approach with Dartsee
“We developed the round Ring format so that you don’t need to build a huge cabinet structure; you can just put it on the wall, plug in a TV and a tablet, and you’re good to go,” says Borsos.
“It’s symmetrical, it’s well lit, and it’s easy to put up. You just drill two holes in the wall.
“We don’t have a dedicated install team. We assist in real time, in video calls and chats and other channels, but our venues never have problems with installation.”
Once in use, Dartsee is easy to operate and maintain.
“Every year, we have around 200 million throws at dartboards around the world. And you have to replace a dartboard every 100,000 throws, or so.”
“It’s very robust and self-contained. And every piece that can be hit by a dart can be replaced as well. Which happens.”
And when wild throws or tech issues happen, operators can rely on rapid support.
“We usually resolve system issues in less than 5 minutes. Because when you are a player at a location, and you pay for the hour, that’s a problem. So, we have a very robust support system for everyone. And if something breaks down, we replace everything for free.”
This service level is a key part of Dartsee’s offer.
“We’re aiming to be the best interactive darts provider for all the FECs, bars, pubs, and restaurants in the world,” says Borsos.
“And the nicest.”
Shared social experience
This approach has proven successful.
Jon Gunnar Bergs, owner of Bullseye in Reykjavik, says: “Bullseye was established in 2021. We began with eight boards, and now with 42, we’re the world’s largest darts bar.
“We looked briefly at the other systems, but to be honest, we were very happy with Zoltan’s reaction, his customer service, and solution-oriented attitude he expressed from the start. It just felt very good to be working with Dartsee. The machines are very precise, the interactive features, the videos, the playbacks, the gifs, and the games are all great.”
“We are doing very well with Dartsee,” says Joseph Rahab of Brass Monkey Social. “It’s part of our brand DNA, we basically cannot open a franchise pub without Dartsee. Our guests do come back to play Dartsee again, they appreciate the experience. It’s great to have steel-tip darts because it is retro with technology.”
The Dartsee team has a focus on using the system to provide a fun, shared experience.
“Our target audience was not dart players but rather regular people who want to go out, socialise, have fun, eat, and drink,” says Borsos.
“Dartsee is great for one-off or even regular social interactions. Instant replays and the Dartsee memories are fun additions, and it’s always great to see people have fun with them.”
Dartsee as a destination
The system has evolved to encourage longer play sessions while optimising throughput.
“Usually, competitive players push for replays and session renewals,” says Borsos.
“So, we try to create competitive players by showing the session leader board frequently.
“To even the playing field, we have games that favour inexperienced players and support teamplay, also removing some of the experience gap.”
Additionally, in the event of a draw, the game enters sudden death mode to decide a winner. Instant replays at the end of each game help players celebrate their success.
While these solutions are effective for competitive people, Borsos says guests who enjoy social darts may not be driven by competition. This is where the bookable, social format comes into play.
“Dartsee works very well as a destination-type activity. You go to the place to play darts. You book in advance, you go to a place, have some drinks and food, play for an hour or so, and then stay for a little while.
“This is usually the best for the operators, as they have as many people as possible playing darts at their place at a time. They spend a little time before and after the event. But most of the place is packed with Dartsees, so they don’t dwell too long. And this way, you can churn people through. You are very efficient and fast.
“And we support that very well with our session system, our session reopen system, if they want to buy more hours, and things like that.”
Optimising the experience
“We believe that Dartsee works best if it’s an F&B integrated experience,” says Borsos.
“You need to build the correct furniture around it, like tables, standing desks, where people can put down their drinks and food. And you also design the food and beverage around people having an experience. So finger food works best, burgers, small pizzas, stuff like that.”
Whilst the company gives operators freedom in how to build out their Dartsees, it can offer recommendations for furniture, floor plans, and operations to help partners maximise profits.
“For example, we recommend 60 to 90-minute sessions that people can book. And in our basic Dartsee installation, we have two standing desks in a Dartsee booth around the dartboard where people can stand and root for their friends, and have some beers and food as well.”
The booking process is also important.
“When you book a table at a restaurant, you don’t pay for booking a table, but when you book a table at a Dartsee restaurant, so to speak, you pay for just booking the table, and you also pay for the drinks and the food, and everything else. And since it’s an integrated experience, you are happy to pay more for the bundle as well.
“We can see that the places that integrate F&B with Dartsee sell more hours than the places that just put a Dartsee in their place without any sort of furniture around Dartsee.
“It’s a different experience.”
Measurability & marketing updates
Regular technical upgrades and content refreshes support the operators, keeping the experience fresh for returning guests.
“We plan to release new games and game variants in the coming months, and we try to keep the general UI feel fresh as well,” says Borsos.
“Since Dartsee is customizable by the operators, the look and feel are different and change at every venue.
“Right now, I’m very excited about our upcoming releases that’ll enhance the community effect of Dartsee by letting our operators organise and orchestrate tournaments and leagues using our boards.”
“At the top of the funnel, the players can have a ton of fun. So, casual players, team buildings, and corporate functions are working very well.
“Now we are heading down the funnel to offer these community features and more measurability for the operators, with some marketing functions so they can reach out to previous players, features like that.
“We hope to get many returning players with tournaments and leagues.”
Creating community with Dartsee
This major update promises to connect the international Dartsee community, while driving income for venues.
“One of the biggest revenue generators for our operators is corporate functions and team-building events. Some of our places do five or eight team-building events every week.
“And you can collect all the Dartsees together for an event like this. You can organise a tournament where you have a winner at the end, and you can give out prizes.
“We wanted to support it better. So we are now adding a built-in tournament organising function to Dartsee.”
Another key benefit is attracting returning customers.
“Many of our places have returning customers, and unofficially, they are playing leagues. Dart leagues and shuffleboard leagues, for example, but they do it on paper or in an Excel sheet.
“But there would be a booster effect if these leagues could play against each other. For example, we could connect places together and have shared or competing leaderboards in locations. And since we have a good geographical spread, this could result in very fun stuff, I think, and new games as well.
“We want to support this with our software. We’ve been working on our tournaments module as long as we’ve been around, for seven years now.”
Future of the sector
From its bootstrapped beginnings, Dartsee has grown to have an international presence, with locations ranging from local pubs to retail and cruise ships.
“We are almost on every continent,” says Borsos.
“It’s interesting as darts is usually tied to alcohol consumption in the UK and the US. But in the Middle East, you cannot have that, and they have a different culture around activities and going out. We’re seeing Shisha places add this kind of entertainment to their venue, and restaurants with different activities for children and adults.
“This trend has been going on for a while, but now it’s en masse. Many places that have just one type of activity, and have validated it well, are now realising that they need to offer multiple things.”
Another key trend, he says, is the ongoing growth in multi-activity centres for adults.
“Five years ago, we didn’t have a lot of multi-activity centres for adults. But now, many classical games are being modernised, such as Dartsee, and put into these venues.
“This has been going on for a while, but this is still important. Adults don’t just want to drink and talk, they want to have an experience. And I think more classical experiences elevate the perceived quality of the place.
“There is a big growth in centres like this. I see more and more of them all around the world.”
