By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Basketball is one of the most popular sports around the world, which is why it has also conquered the world of sports betting. As people continue to place bets on their favourite players worldwide, basketball betting emerges as one of the most famous genres of sports betting. For those looking to enhance their betting experience, resources like Slotozilla NZ provide valuable reviews on various casinos and bonuses, helping bettors make informed choices.
But why do people enjoy this sport so much? And how have international basketball tournaments impacted the sport in the gambling arena? Let’s take a look at all that and more.
Understanding BCL and FIBA
FIBA is the French acronym for the International Basketball Federation, a global association that looks over basketball around the world. The Basketball Champions League, or the BCL, is a top-level competition organized by FIBA Europe. The League was first held in 2016, whereas the most recent winning title is held by Unicaja Málaga, a professional basketball club from Spain.
In addition to being renowned in basketball circles globally, BCL is also immensely popular among basketball fans. During the 2023-2024 season, BCL had over 2.64 million social media followers and more than 58 million video views. During the season, the League’s official website received over three million page views. Lastly, the champions of the League, Unicaja, saw a 9% increase in their overall social media presence.
Impact on Basketball Betting
When tournaments like these grow in popularity, they also contribute to an increase in sports betting numbers in that particular sport. Basketball is a popular gambling sport, to begin with, but this just helps it grow even further. When millions of people in countries worldwide are fixated on watching the same matches, they also get pumped up to place bets on their favourite names.
One of the biggest achievements of tournaments like BCL is that they bring fans from all nationalities together. Bets on BCL teams take place in countries that may not even have a team of their own in the competition. Furthermore, tournaments like these aren’t about national spirits since there can be multiple teams from the same country. At the end of the day, punters don’t bet on countries; instead, they bet on which club they actually think can outperform others in the competition.
Is BCL the Only Source of This Popularity?
BCL and FIBA may be some of the biggest names in international basketball, but they’re certainly not the only ones. There are a ton of popular sporting events for you to bet on if you enjoy wagering on basketball players. Here are just a few of those names:
- The Summer Olympics
- The Euro League
- The NBA
- The NCAA Basketball Tournaments
The popularity of these events is showcased by the fact that in 2024, NCAA tournaments drew in four times more bets than the Super Bowl. The fact that these games were able to defeat one of the most popular sporting events in all of North America is a massive feat. Basketball enthusiasts all over the country termed this as a record to be noted for the history books, and we definitely agree with them.
What Bet Should I Place?
By now, we’ve probably convinced you to consider basketball for your next sports betting season, and one of the most exciting parts about sports betting is the various types of bets available to potential punters. Basketball betting doesn’t work the same way as standard gambling because there are several possible betting options. Here are just a few that you’ll find on online sportsbooks:
| Bet Type | How it Works |
| Moneyline | A straightforward bet on the winner of the game |
| Point Spread | A bet that introduces additional elements, e.g., the winning team must win by a specific number of points or more |
| Over/Under (Totals) | A bet on whether the total points in a game (of both teams combined) will be over or under a specific number |
| Proposition (Prop) | A bet on specific events within a game, such as which player will score the first three-pointer |
| Parlay | Combining various bet types into one overarching bet. Bettors must win each individual bet for the parlay to pay out |
Bonuses on Basketball Betting
Sports betting is pretty exciting in itself, but bonus offerings take it a step further. All popular sportsbooks offer promotions for sports bettors so they can enjoy their gambling to the fullest. Some sportsbooks offer initial money on top of the amount you bet, whereas others have bonuses that pay out when your initial bet loses. Sportsbooks also come with their own sign-up offers and welcome packages that offer a particular amount to every new player who starts betting with that specific casino.
Top sportsbooks will also offer boosted odds promotions, in which bettors can win a potentially higher amount for the same risk value. Sometimes, sportsbooks hand out league-specific bonuses, such as promotions for NBA matches. Altogether, you can expect credit refunds, boosted odds, bonus bets, and deposit bonuses when you start sports betting. These extra perks add another layer of thrill to sports betting, making it more fun for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Basketball is one of the most famous sports in the world, and for good reason. The game encourages team spirit, and tournaments like the BCL bring fans from all over the world together. This is why basketball betting has also grown in popularity in recent years. There are many options for bettors to explore, meaning you will never get bored while betting on this spectacular sport!