Felix Roemer: "The rise in e-sports betting"

In the past few years, e-sports has exploded in popularity and is set to become a multi-billion dollar sector with a dedicated following. With it, e-sports betting has also grown. It works in the same way as traditional betting and offers new revenue streams for entertainment companies, sports franchises, and bookmakers alike.

In 2016, the global e-sports betting market was worth around $315 million. Fast forward, it grew fivefold, heading towards $1.5 billion. In 2023, the market is believed to surpass $3 billion. Research attests the growth of this market is being driven by increasing audience engagement, the growing integration of e-sports into mainstream gambling platforms, and the continued expansion of the e-sports industry.

There’s no denying e-sports have emerged as a powerhouse within the betting industry. This is reflected by the many gambling websites which have added e-sports to their portfolios. It has become a fully-fledged part of the betting industry. There are many reasons for the increase in the popularity of betting on e-sports, but one of the main ones is due to how easily accessible e-sports are.

Finding something to watch couldn’t be easier with e-sports, and big tournaments are often streamed for free on websites like Twitch. This is already a significant difference from traditional sports, where you often have to subscribe to a costly platform. This accessibility has led to a surge in viewing numbers for e-sports tournaments and therefore, presents a massive opportunity for betting.

For instance, the League of Legends World Championship brought in 100 million viewers. With e-sports, there is also the potential to bet using cryptocurrencies. This means more ways to bet, making the marketplace that bit more accessible. The games that are used for E-sports are continuously being maintained and re-evaluated. This means developers are always making improvements and changes within the gameplay. This can result in exciting things for users, like new abilities, items, maps, and characters.

There is a vast array of e-sports games on the market for players to enjoy and bet on too. New games are also always in production, so there is constantly something new for betters to be excited about. Additionally, the vast array of games means there is truly something for everyone. While it depends on the specific country, some of the most popular e-sports games to bet on include Fortnite, Overwatch, Rocket League, Dota 2, and Rainbow Six Siege. Dota 2, in particular, has already proved to be a major success in terms of e-sports betting.

Users can bet on games they already play or ones they don’t know anything about, and this is one of the benefits of e-sports for betting - the many different ways to bet. They can wager against other people who are viewing live streams of matches. This in itself makes for exciting competition, keeping things fresh for all involved. The free online game has more than 14 million unique players, and their 2021 International Tournament had a prize pool of $40 million.

Over $279 million was awarded to pro players across each of the tournaments. Rocket League has also become a rather prolific title and has grown considerably in terms of overall value and viewership. Users are betting on e-sports in a multitude of ways, from sportsbooks to online betting sites and virtual casinos. Some games have made over $20 million in rewards, which is quite astounding for computer games. Therefore, it is easier to see why online bookmakers are turning their attention to e-sports betting.

Some companies alsorecognize the importance of it for the industry’s future, and so are backing it with investment. Live streaming is arguably the biggest driver of the popularity of e-sports and betting on these games. They allow wagers to bet on matches in real time and ultimately, have a better experience. This feature may be available in traditional sports, but it is usually only offered in certain situations.

Nearly all e-sports tournaments have a link where you can view them live meaning that the betting websites and streaming platforms are working together. The future of the e-sports betting market looks promising. The industry continues to grow at a rapid rate, and it is predicted that more people will start betting on e-sports tournaments. It is attracting young viewers who are typically not interested in betting or gambling.

This rise in growth can be credited to the increasing popularity of e-sports themselves. The impact of this growth is still somewhat uncertain, but it is starting to transform the landscape of online gambling by making participation more convenient and accessible. Where the younger demographic may not have been attracted to traditional sports betting, the familiarity and buzz around e-sports is making them curious about betting. As the e-sports industry and betting market continue to intersect, we can expect an exciting future.

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