Has Betting on eSports Been Widely Adopted by Operators?
Online gambling operators are always looking for new and innovative ways to bet online. The live casino gaming section at Casumo CA online casino is a good example and this has expanded in recent times to include game show style games in addition to classic real dealer casino games. With that in mind, some online operators have added eSports betting to their portfolio but has betting on eSports been widely adopted by the industry?
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The Growth of eSports
The eSports industry has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years and that includes revenue plus the number of people participating and viewing eSports events. The number of people watching live streaming of eSports events continues to grow and by the end of 2021, over 470 million people watched an eSports event. Between 2016 and 2021, there was an 8.7% year-on-year growth in the number of people live streaming eSports events. By 2024, the total audience for eSports events is expected to increase to over 550 million. Such is the rise in popularity of eSports, major brands are beginning to get involved, with sponsorship deals, media rights, and merchandise all having a role to play in the continued expansion of eSports.
Dedicated eSports Gambling Operators
eSports betting remains a young market when compared to betting on sports such as horse racing. However, that means there is plenty of room for growth and we have already witnessed the creation of dedicated online eSports betting brands. There are several brands that have been created solely with eSports betting in mind. There are websites and mobile apps dedicated to providing eSports betting odds and these also offer a live streaming service. There is nothing better than having a wager and watching the event unfold live all in the same place and that is what many of the leading eSports betting brands have been offering.
Regular Gambling Operators and eSports
While the introduction of eSports betting markets at regular online sportsbooks has generally been slow, they are now beginning to see the benefits of offering eSports betting. Some online gambling companies were quick out of the blocks and added eSports betting markets before 2020 but others have been slower to adopt eSports betting. As we enter 2023, the mindset of the major online gambling brands has changed and they are now offering eSports betting markets. Dota 2, Rocket League, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, StarCraft II, Overwatch, FIFA, and Call of Duty are just some of the eSports games listed at betting sites and live betting is also an option during the major events. Such is the popularity of eSports live streaming, this is a market gambling operators could not afford to miss. Money talks and with millions of people tuning in to eSports events, it has massive money making potential, meaning it is something gambling brands have started to include regularly.
Most of the big online gambling operators now offer eSports betting markets. Most were slow to offer a comprehensive eSports betting section but thanks to the continued growth in eSports, online gambling operators have finally caught up.