The sports betting industry continues to grow at an incredible rate, with the lifting of regulations making it even more of a global business these days. The decision of the US Supreme Court in 2018 to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) allowed states to make their own betting laws and many made sports betting completely legal.
That decision came at a very opportune time for the betting industry, as it was about then that mobile apps were developing the capability to deal with the types of transactions sports bettors wanted to make. Now, the majority of wagers are made using mobile devices and all of the top 10 sports betting apps deal with millions of transactions every day.
The sports betting industry has always been very quick to adopt new ways of business and its mobile apps are some of the most user-friendly around. Here are some of the factors that make a good sports betting app stand out.
Contents
Introduction
Although many people who download sports betting apps will have experience of gambling and using mobile apps, sportsbooks need to ensure that they are introducing what might seem like quite a complex world to newcomers as well. It is a fine balance to appeal to rookies and veterans alike.
That is why a good sports betting app is incredibly easy to use, with a very straightforward registration process – commonly with additional bonuses and promotions to further stand out from the crowd. Betting guides and glossaries are also used to help newcomers quickly absorb all the information needed to bet on sports.
Security
Cybercrime is a huge concern for any business with an online presence (which is just about everyone these days) and sportsbooks are even more conscious of providing the best security. The sheer amount of personal and financial data and information exchanged between the sportsbook and the customer makes this a top priority.
Encryption is a must, with so much important data being shared, and a good sports betting mobile app will tell its users that it is using every security measure possible to ensure that their information is safe. The latest login procedures need to be in place to make sure that no data can be stolen by cybercriminals.
Personalized Experience
Almost everything can be done online or through an app now, so users have become used to demanding the very best experience once they have downloaded an app onto their device. The rise of social media has also led to mobile app developers recognizing that they need to offer a more personalized experience as well.
Customers of sports betting apps will expect to be welcomed with a personalized dashboard once they have signed into their account. All the information needed will be in one place, with little need to search for what is required. Past usage informs what is required and the best apps will cater for the user’s needs.
Betting Options
It is not as though any of these factors are more important than the others, but it goes without saying that a sports betting app needs to offer a wide range of betting options. This means that the user is able to place bets on a variety of sports – and enjoy a wide selection of betting types as well.
Most bettors actually only bet on one or two sports, or at the very least, have their favorite places to go. But a good betting app will still have a lot of options to show that it is a major player in the business. It is very rare to find a good app that only concentrates on one or two particular sports.
Payment Options
This is another aspect of sports betting where the user will generally only ever choose one option. But a good betting app will offer a good selection of payment methods to ensure that it reaches as many people as possible. There are popular methods, such as debit and credit cards and e-wallets, but there needs to be lesser-used methods available as well.
If a sportsbook is a global company, it should recognize that banking systems are not as robust in some areas of the world, with other payment methods being more popular. The rise in the use of cryptocurrency in general has also made these methods more widely available in the betting world.
Figure 2 Betting is a major part of the sports industry now – Source: Pixabay
Live Streaming
Although most bettors will have access to watching the sports they enjoy, the convenience of being able to live-stream an event you have bet on is a major plus when it comes to sportsbook apps. Creating a “one-stop shop” means that the customer will spend more time on the app and boost use and potential profit.
Live streaming has become increasingly popular on sports betting apps, as the sportsbooks have entered into more and more deals with broadcasters. This is good for the user, as it is always important to gather as much information as possible before placing a bet – and watching an event as it happens can prove invaluable.
User Experience
As with any successful app, sports betting apps are all about a good user experience. We all know how frustrating it is to have to use a poorly designed and developed app, and the best sportsbooks know that they will lose customers if they do not provide the best user experience possible.
Betting apps could even be used as the template for user experience, as betting operators are always quick to figure out what does – and what doesn’t work.
