The esports market has caught the attention of online casinos. With a global audience of over 500 million viewers, esports tournaments have evolved from a niche hobby into a multi-million-dollar industry with immense promise. Online casino providers are capitalizing on this potential by expanding their betting portfolios to include esports betting. In this review, we take a closer look at this and other ways the two industries are merging and what it means for the future of online gambling.
Esports Betting
Many online casinos and sportsbooks, like Betway, now allow fans to bet on esports events and tournaments. Whether through a dedicated platform or a section of the official casino site, these providers format esports betting very similarly to traditional sports betting.
Bettors can wager on the outcome of individual matches and events or the performance of specific players. Popular titles you can bet on through these platforms include:
- Call of Duty
- Fortnite
- Overwatch
- Dota 2
- Counter-Strike, and
- League of Legends (LoL)
There are many ways to bet on these games. The most common betting markets include match winner, map winner, total kills/objectives, and first kill/ objectives.
Live Esports Streaming
Part of the esports industry’s sustained success is thanks to streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube. In an effort to make esports betting more accessible, some online casinos are exploring partnerships with these platforms. Streaming-enabled casinos offer live esports betting, allowing bettors to watch and bet on matches in real time. This live engagement fosters community growth and connects esports bettors, players, and fans from across the globe.
Partnerships and Sponsorships
In addition to streaming platforms, online casinos are partnering with popular streamers, players, and traditional media stakeholders to expand the esports betting audience. Some providers sponsor esports teams and tournaments in a bid to solidify the relationship between the two industries. The partnership between DraftKings and US-based FaZe Clan is an excellent example. Other notable collaborations include NAVI with GG.BET and Ninjas in Pyjamas with Betway.
Esports Betting Communities
Online casinos that sponsor esports events and tournaments create social forums where esports bettors and fans can interact with each other. Bettors get to see their favorite players or teams in action and connect with other bettors and fans from different countries. Within the betting platforms, bettors also interact through social features like live chat rooms, forums, and social media.
Esports Bonuses and Promotions
Like traditional online casino games, esports games and betting markets feature bonuses and promotions. These in-casino rewards motivate players to explore esports, which remains a novel concept to older audiences. Esports bonuses and rewards also attract new bettors.
The Future of Esports Betting in Online Casinos
As one of the world’s fastest-growing and most lucrative markets, the online gambling industry would be remiss not to jump on the esports wagon. However, while lucrative, the relationship between esports and online casinos is not without challenges. Experts worry about the match-fixing and fraud situations that may arise from monetizing competitive gaming on the fans’ side. Online casinos must address this concern by building robust security and fraud prevention systems for their esports betting platforms even as regulators oversee esports-igaming partnerships and sponsorship deals.
