Japanese NBA Stars Drive Crypto Bets on Cloudbet
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands, November 7th, 2024, Chainwire
As the new NBA season gets underway, Japanese stars Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers and new talent Yuki Kawamura of the Memphis Grizzlies have seemed to capture the attention of fans in their home country. Their popularity has coincided with a surge in basketball betting among Japanese users on Cloudbet. The sport now ranks among the top five most-wagered sports on the leading crypto betting platform – after the usual suspects baseball, football, and tennis.
From B-League MVP to NBA: Kawamura’s underdog story
At just 5’8″, Yuki Kawamura is the shortest player in the NBA and only the fourth Japanese player to reach the league. Despite just six minutes of playtime with the Memphis Grizzlies thus far, Kawamura has quickly become a fan favorite and recorded one assist. Cloudbet users can now bet on Kawamura’s performance with per-game prop bets.
Hachimura’s dominance drives betting interest
Rui Hachimura’s impressive start to the season has further fueled Japan’s growing basketball obsession. The Lakers-Suns game, where Hachimura gave a 20-point performance, was Japan’s second-highest trending sports event on Google on October 28, 2024, trailing only the Dodgers-Yankees World Series. Hachimura has consistent excellence, including an 18-point, 5-rebound effort in the Lakers’ opening win against the Timberwolves.
“From Yuta-mania to Hachimura’s rise and Kawamura’s rookie debut, Japanese NBA players are igniting fan excitement and influencing betting behaviors,” the Cloudbet spokesperson added. “While most bettors on our platform focus on spreads or totals, there is a growing interest in player props – especially for emerging talent. Some of the world’s top athletes have bigger followings than the teams they play for, so perhaps it’s only natural to see bettors gravitating towards individual player performances too.”
As the NBA season unfolds, the impact of Japanese players on the league and betting market is poised to grow, with Cloudbet well-positioned to serve the increasing demand from passionate fans and bettors. Cloudbet offers comprehensive betting options, from NBA Championship odds (Celtics at 3.93 to repeat) to B.League title contenders like the Chiba Jets Funabashi (4.99) and Alvark Tokyo (5.99), in addition to per-game spreads, totals, and specials.
About Cloudbet
Founded in 2013, Cloudbet is the longest-running crypto-betting platform in the world. It has processed millions of bets across its sportsbook and casino platforms, serving hundreds of thousands of users globally. As a licensed operator, Cloudbet maintains institutional-grade custody solutions and a decade-long track record of zero security breaches.
Players can bet using 35+ cryptocurrencies, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to stablecoins and emerging altcoins. Available in 18 languages, Cloudbet features live sports betting across major leagues, esports, and 3,000+ casino games from premier providers.
For media inquiries, odds requests, and further information, please contact Irene at irene@media.cloudbet.com or visit media.cloudbet.com.