Reducing Decision Latency in Live Betting Systems

Background

A client in the online gaming space needed a modern frontend for their sports betting product. The existing interface was functional but dated, leading to user drop-off during peak events and difficulty competing with newer market entrants.

The Challenge

• Slow visual hierarchy made scanning live odds difficult during matches
• Bet slip management required too many interactions to complete
• Mobile users experienced significant friction compared to desktop
• Promotional content competed with core betting functionality
• Trust indicators were buried, reducing user confidence in the platform

Our Approach

• Built a custom odds display component with visual change indicators for real-time updates
• Implemented a persistent bet slip that follows users without blocking content
• Created a unified card system for matches that scales from compact to expanded views
• Developed a promotional module system that integrates without disrupting core flows
• Established a dark-mode-first design system to reduce eye strain during extended sessions

System Overview

The frontend is a Next.js application with a modular component architecture. State management is handled through React context for global concerns (bet slip, user session) with local state for component-specific UI. The design system is built on Tailwind CSS with custom tokens for brand consistency.

Results & Impact

The new interface launched on schedule and immediately improved user engagement metrics. The client reported increased time-on-site and higher completion rates for bet placement flows.

• Reduced bet placement flow from 5 steps to 2
• Mobile experience now matches desktop in functionality
• Initial page load reduced to under 2 seconds
• Visual hierarchy tested positively in user sessions