By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
On game day, the fan logs in to a sportsbook to place a live bet. Unfortunately, the app lags even as the odds delay to refresh. Well, you can already guess what this fan would most likely do: Abandon the platform.
With many platforms eyeing their attention, basketball supporters have become super-discerning. That’s why they’ll easily switch from a poorly optimised website to one that offers a seamless experience. And since no one wants to endure such a loss, it’s no surprise that modern sportsbooks prioritise customer experience (CX).
Also, don’t forget that the entire sports betting industry has become highly competitive. According to Polaris Market Research, the global market has already hit $98.67 billion and is on track to reach $274.78 billion by 2034. When you narrow down the basketball wagering, the trend is just the same.
Grand View Research values the global basketball wagering market at $20.3 billion and expects it to jump to $41.1 billion by 2030. Thankfully, providing excellent customer experiences can help bookmakers like Betmaster UK stay ahead of this rapidly expanding curve.
Earning credibility with fans
One way of strengthening your credibility is by improving your online security. Did you know that, according to Enzoic, more than half of sports wagering websites have recently been reported to have suffered cyberattacks? And this comes at a time when Cybercrime Magazine expects the global cybercrime to hit $10.5 trillion in 2025, up from $6 trillion in 2021. As online data breaches increase, internet consumers, including basketball supporters, are also becoming more selective about where they share their personal information.
Beyond just promising security, they want platforms to prove it through transparent policies and tight measures like two-factor authentication (2FA). With 2FA, bettors must confirm their identity through two distinct verification elements, usually a password paired with a one-time code sent to their phone. SSL encryption can also help appeal to security-conscious fans. It improves trust by protecting every bit of data, from login details to live-bet transactions, from prying eyes.
You may actually be surprised to learn that, according to Sci-Tech Today, 85% of users feel more secure transacting with SSL-secured sites. Implementing these security protocols shows your commitment to protecting your bettors at every step. In this way, you create an environment where they can engage with your platform peacefully without worrying about whether their personal information or betting activity might fall into the wrong hands. As a result, such a secure environment becomes the foundation on which long-lasting relationships with fans are formed.
Catering to every preference
Basketball is one of the sports that enjoys a fiercely diverse fanbase. EuroLeague, for instance, welcomed over 3 million fans in the just-ended 2024-25 regular season. On social media, engagement soared to a historic high of over 40 million, says a recent report by EuroLeague Basketball. Agreeably, appealing to such a diverse audience is no mean feat.
This is why diversifying some features, like payment methods, can really be handy. While some fans may prefer digital wallets, others may favour direct bank transfers. Making it possible for all of these options to exist on your platform seamlessly prevents fans from feeling left out. After all, bettors don’t have to abandon your platform just because their choice isn’t available. That’s why accommodating these different preferences can help basketball enthusiasts focus on enjoying the game and placing bets without unnecessary hurdles.
You may also want to monitor bettors’ habits and behaviours in order to provide the right experiences to the right fans at the right time. This could be by personalising odds boosts, recommending prop bets or even serving timely in-game prompts that match users’ betting styles. Understanding your audience deeply increases their likelihood of feeling seen and valued. And it’s that feeling that could be the difference between a one-time visitor and a lifelong customer.
Differentiation through fan-centric innovation
Targeting a niche like basketball means you’ll likely resemble many other sportsbooks, especially when you all offer similar odds and promotions. However, with a significant focus on fans, you can stand out in a sea of sameness. Think of it as providing real-time shorts charts during live EuroLeague games or interactive heat maps that update with every possession. Features of this nature can really help pull fans deeper into the moment.
Other elements, like fan leaderboards, can also improve engagement. In other words, turn the betting experience into an adventure. Gamifying the experience this way can, according to AmplifAI, boost user engagement by up to 150%. You also want to ensure your website is correctly optimised for mobile use.
Since modern consumers, including basketball supporters, mostly use their smartphones to access almost every online service, you can’t afford to deliver anything less than a smooth mobile experience. A single moment of lag during a crucial play can make or break a bet and ultimately, your relationship with users. This explains why responsive design is popular in the broader sports betting market. It delivers a seamless website experience across various devices by using auto-adjusting layouts that keep every page running flawlessly, no matter the screen size.
So, does CX really matter for sportsbooks targeting basketball supporters? Of course, yes! Besides just placing wagers on their favourite teams, fans want great surrounding experiences if they’re to remain loyal to a platform. And this is why adopting fan-centric features, including seamless payments, responsive platforms and tight security, is non-negotiable for bookmakers seeking long-term survival.