Designing a Skill-Based Sports Betting App for LeagueBet
Design and development of a mobile app that helps users compete in skill-based tournaments using a virtual bankroll. The app was created to be intuitive, visually engaging, and built on trust, strategy, and community.
LeagueBet
Sports Betting, Gaming, FinTech
iOS and Android Mobile App
Challenge
LeagueBet set out to reimagine sports betting by removing the house advantage and replacing it with peer-to-peer tournaments. Traditional sportsbooks profit from player losses, but LeagueBet gives users a fair, peer-to-peer way to compete using a virtual bankroll.
The founders had a strong concept but no existing structure or visuals. They needed a complete UX and product design system, from wireframes to a working prototype, that clearly communicated the idea and allowed for real usability testing.
My goal was to design an intuitive experience that made tournament play easy to understand, trustworthy, and enjoyable while supporting regulatory compliance and accessibility standards.
As the lead UX designer, I was responsible for creating the app structure, interface, and prototype used for investor and usability testing.
Results
The final prototype established a clear and scalable design foundation:
Simplified user flows for creating and joining leagues
Transparent and accessible information hierarchy for bet tracking
A cohesive design system aligned with brand tone and WCAG 2.1 AA contrast ratios
Increased founder confidence through clickable, testable prototypes ready for development
Example of reusable UI components designed for consistency across modals and forms.
Process
Research & Analysis: Studied user perceptions of sportsbook risk and compared fantasy league apps to identify patterns of trust and engagement. Defined the unique positioning of LeagueBet as a lower-risk, skill-driven alternative to gambling apps.
Information Architecture: Mapped user journeys for onboarding, creating a league, placing bets, and viewing results. Simplified the app into four main stages: Create, Join, Play, and Win.
Wireframing & Prototyping: Built low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes in Figma with a focus on clear hierarchy, minimal friction in forms, and recognizable icons. Prototypes were used for founder demos and early investor reviews.
Usability Testing: Ran interactive tests with users familiar with fantasy sports and casual betting. Feedback highlighted improved clarity and reduced confusion around buy-in flow and prize distribution.
Visual Design & Style Guide: Developed a component library that included navigation elements, tabs, cards, color tokens, and typography. Established consistent patterns for interactive states and layouts to support scalability as new league types were added.
Final Designs
The final UI focused on:
Strategic play: Virtual bankroll ensures limited financial risk
Social competition: Peer-based leaderboards and community leagues
Clarity and fairness: Real sportsbook odds displayed transparently
Consistency: Unified system for both iOS and Android environments
Conclusion
The LeagueBet app transformed an abstract startup idea into a functional and testable product that balances entertainment with responsibility.
By combining accessible UX, strong information hierarchy, and an honest visual language, the design communicates trust, fairness, and skill-based engagement, setting it apart from traditional sportsbooks.
Through this project, I learned how to:
Build a full product experience from concept to high-fidelity prototype
Balance startup goals with user understanding under tight timelines
Communicate complex features through simple and approachable design
If expanded, future improvements could include:
Live match integration and community chat
Personalized analytics for player performance
Optional accessibility modes for color-blind and low-vision users