Esports is not just a new trend, but a real industry with millions of prize pools, a multi-million audience and a developed ecosystem. In recent decades, it has gained recognition both in sports arenas and among spectators around the world. Along with the growing popularity of esports tournaments, the demand for betting on these events has also increased significantly.
Today, esports betting is not just a chance to make money, but a whole culture that attracts not only gamers, but also sports betting enthusiasts, as well as those who are interested in new earning opportunities. In this article, we will talk about how the esports betting industry developed, how it became part of the vast gambling world, and what influences its growth.
How did the history of esports betting begin?
Esports as a phenomenon emerged in the 90s, when video games began to gain popularity and became not just entertainment, but also a real competition. At that time, no betting on tournaments existed yet, and even the esports industry itself was in its infancy. However, every year the interest in video games increased, and tournaments became more and more popular.
- First steps and the emergence of interest (2000s)
The first esports tournaments, such as the World Cyber Games (WCG) and Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC), began to attract the attention of viewers and gamers. However, at that time, betting on such tournaments was rare, and the industry had not yet developed to the level at which it exists today.
- Development of online betting and esports platforms (2010s)
With the advent of online casinos and bookmakers offering a variety of types of bets, esports betting has started to receive more and more attention. Platforms such as CS:GO Lounge, opened up new opportunities for betting on esports events. Players started betting on games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, League of Legends and others, which attracted the attention of both players and viewers.
- Growing popularity and legalizing esports betting (2015-2020)
By 2015, esports had become popular enough to attract the attention of major betting companies. By that time, professional leagues began to appear, and tournaments were held at large venues with large prize pools. Esports betting has become commonplace on platforms such as Bet365, Pinnacle, Unibet, and other major betting services.
What influenced the growth of esports betting?
- Growing popularity of video games and streaming
One of the main factors that influenced the popularity of esports betting was the growing popularity of video games and streaming platforms. Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming became the main venues for esports tournaments, which attracted millions of viewers, many of whom began to actively bet money on the outcome of events.
- Large prize pools and major tournaments
Esports tournaments have begun to offer impressive prize pools. For example, The International, the largest Dota 2 tournament, had a prize pool exceeding $25 million in 2018. Such huge amounts attracted the attention of not only players, but also major bookmakers offering bets on these events.
- Esports betting availability
Esports betting is now available to most players through online platforms. The ability to place a bet from anywhere in the world has significantly increased the audience, and for professional players and teams, betting has become a source of additional income.
- The emergence of cryptocurrencies in esports
With the development of cryptocurrencies and their use in gambling, esports betting has also not been left out. Many bookmakers have started accepting bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which has made betting even more accessible and convenient for users around the world.
Types of esports bets
- Bets on the outcome of matches
The most popular type of betting is betting on the winner of the match. Players place bets on which team or player will win the tournament or match. This is similar to betting on traditional sporting events.
- Betting on cards or rounds
In some games, for example, in CS:GO or Dota 2, you can bet on specific maps or rounds where a particular team will win. This adds an additional level of interest and analytics to the bidding process.
- Bets on player statistics
For more experienced users, bets are available on player statistics, such as the number of frags in the game or how many kills a player will make in a certain period of time. This requires more in-depth analysis and knowledge of the game.
- Livebets
With the development of technology and streaming,live bettinghas become popular. In this case, players can place bets on a match or tournament while it is going on, which adds extra tension and excitement to the process.
Table: Popular esports betting games
| Game | Tournaments | Betting types |
| CS: GO | ESL, DreamHack, IEM | Match Winner, |
| Dota 2 | The International Card bets, ESL One | Tournament Winner, |
| League of Legends | LCS Heroes Bets, Worlds, MSI | Match Winner, Overwatch Teams bets |
| Overwatch | Overwatch League | Match Winner, Number of Kills |
| StarCraft 2 | GSL, DreamHack | Match Winner, card bids |
Prospects for the development of esports betting
- Continued popularity growth
The audience of esports tournaments continues to grow every year. Modern technologies and online platforms are opening up new opportunities for betting, and the industry will continue to attract the attention of both players and bookmakers.
- Integration with virtual and augmented realities
With the development of virtual and augmented realities, new forms of interaction with the game appear. In the future, esports betting can be integrated with such technologies, which will open up new horizons for players.
- Legalization and regulation
As esports continues to grow, we can expect to see new laws and regulatory bodies that will control esports betting. This will allow the industry to develop within the legal framework and improve the protection of players.
Conclusion Esports betting is a growing industry that has already attracted millions of players and viewers from all over the world. The history of esports betting is still young, but the industry is developing rapidly, and today it is a multi-billion dollar market with huge opportunities for earning money. It is important to remember that betting on esports, as well as on other types of gambling, must remain within reasonable limits, and players must adhere to the principles of a responsible approach to the game.