Is eSports betting the next game changer?

Ruslan Legenzov

Head of Affiliates, King Billy Casino

The short answer is “no”! The long answer is “perhaps”, but on a smaller scale. Let me elaborate. In order for eSports to compete with the “Goliaths” of today’s sports betting, mainly football and tennis, a rather cataclysmic event should occur. For this reviewer, such an astonishing “dinosaur-killing-asteroid” event is not in the foreseeable future, not even remotely. 

However, there is a new generation of players, out there, Generation Z, for many of whom the boundaries between the real and the virtual world are often vague. ESports can, and will resonate with some of the Gen-Z people – but up to this. I do not see eSports as a real “game changer”, and in fact, I will be surprised if it reaches double digits in the industry share.

Sami Kurvinen

Head of Affiliates, Wishmaker Casino

When looking at this segments current behaviour and recent growth, combined with today´s available data and future predictions, it is all indicating towards eSports definitely becoming a massive vertical in the future. Will it take 5 or 10 years, that´s another question. But at the moment, it is definitely looking as eSports will be a game changer in the future.

Myron Saacks

Head of Affiliates, VideoSlots

Competitive computer gaming or eSports is a game changer for sure as a spectator sport is has grown so rapidly that it’s a worldwide phenomenon now and one that is for sure starting to challenge its traditional cousins for the attention of fans and their money. There are millions of people watching or playing eSports these days and the potential is unlimited.  Twitch, the streaming channels supplier, claims 100 million viewers every month, have been watching its eSports channels. That is an extraordinary engagement level no matter what industry and just shows what eSports is capable of.

Lars Dresden

Head of Affiliates, Lady Hammer Casino

eSports betting is not the next game changer of our industry but I support any idea that helps to develop the advertisement attitude of gambling and betting. eSports betting is another opportunity for our industry to get out of the dark corner of society’s prejudices but never will be able to replace the atmosphere or spirit of a real boxing match with two living athletes face to face in the ring. If you ever felt the spirit of real sweat and adrenalin at a boxing show you will share my point of view for sure.

`

Oskar Kallenbach

Frank & Fred Casino

eSports has already proven itself to be a game changer in the sports category and today it’s the fastest growing sport in the world, especially among Men (18-34 years old).

The eSports audience is already over 400 million people globally. These volumes of fans and viewers combined with granular data sets provides great opportunities for iGaming and it enables them to create completely new types of betting products.

So far most iGaming companies have treated eSport in the same way as Dart or other niche sports. I believe the eSport audience should be treated with respect and catered for with a complete and dedicated focus in every aspect. Then it’s a matter of when eSports will revolutionize betting, not if. 

Franz Gerhart

CEO, BonkersBet

It does disrupt, but it probably won´t change the game. An entire generation looms to shape a near-term future’s persona. eSports will form and undeniable part of that persona. 

Yet there are obstacles to overcome. Laying out the odds, defining the markets, risk & collusion considerations and the resulting of games are some of the more obvious issues at hand, impairing eSports scalability. 

As we stand, the scarce number of markets available in addition to stake limits put in place by bookmakers does neither attract players nor benefit operators economically. 

With the right infrastructure in place, eSports will become a dominant force in the betting industry.