Have you ever wanted to live bet an NBA game, but your phone or computer wasn't with you and you didn't want to leave the game? Now, you don't have to choose.
Today, the NBA announced the launch of a new technology integration into NBA League Pass called EmBet, which was developed by NBA data partner SportRadar.
The new platform allows bettors to "seamlessly" access live lines at official NBA partner sportsbooks DraftKings and FanDuel while watching games on League Pass.
EmBet was available for a test drive at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis last February at the NBA's Tech Summit. The interface, which users will be able to toggle on and off, shows live "flash" bets — such as next team to score or live player props, including next type of field goal made. The interface allows for a wide swath of bets if bettors prefer options like live spreads and totals, but much of it involves instant betting.
Upon selecting their bet, viewers will have either DraftKings' or FanDuel's respective website or app open to allow them to quickly place the bet and get back to the action.
The challenge will be whether the feed from the NBA official box score and integration with EmBet will be fast enough to provide bettors with fair, updated lines given the speed the books operate with.
The technology reflects what is likely next for sportsbooks over the coming decade as they seek to integrate the actual broadcast feeds more and more into their content.
Alongside EmBet, SportRadar has demoed exciting new changes to box score and play-by-play data, including player visualization that shows both player and ball-movement in the NBA's official feeds, along with enhanced data visualizations.
Upon launch, we'll have a full review of the EmBet experience right here on Action Network.
From the release:
Sportradar (NASDAQ: SRAD) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the launch of enhanced betting-related functionality within NBA League Pass, powered by emBET, Sportradar’s over-the-top (OTT) solution. Sports betting content, such as point spreads, over-unders, and money lines, will be seamlessly integrated into the NBA’s live streaming platform, elevating the in-play betting experience.
Where sports betting is legal, users can opt-in to have the convenience of viewing and selecting bets directly on NBA League Pass. When ready to place a bet, they are directed to FanDuel or DraftKings, the NBA’s official betting partners, through a seamlessly embedded link.
“emBET is an exciting innovation for NBA fans, making in-play betting more engaging and immersive,” said Patrick Mostboeck, Sportradar Senior Vice President of Audiovisual. “Through our exclusive partnership with the NBA, we’re committed to develop next-generation, value-added products and services, like emBET, to drive fan and bettor engagement.”
“Integrating emBET is consistent with the NBA’s vision to create hyper-personalized and customized viewing experiences within NBA games,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Executive Vice President of Media and Gaming. “For NBA fans who want to wager on our games during live action, they can now elect to receive contextualized betting information directly on NBA League Pass.”
emBET will continue to enhance user engagement and retention by delivering more innovative and interactive content, such as advanced team and player insights, polls, voting and trivia widgets. Sportradar’s exclusive access to NBA optical-tracking data is integral to the development of these dynamic new features to be integrated in the future.
Sportradar has been an official partner of the NBA since 2016, and is the exclusive, worldwide distributor of NBA data.
