eSports betting is riding on the coattails of the mighty mother eSports industry. Talk about a proud mama! You can view eSports betting as the rebellious but successful offspring of the competitive gaming world. The global eSports market hit a massive US$1.45 billion in 2022.
The eSports betting market itself wasn’t slacking either. It showed off a value of US$1.7 billion in the same year. It’s clear that eSports betting isn’t just a black sheep; it’s a cash cow in its own right.
Who would’ve thought eSports betting would become such a player? Fast forward to today, and it’s a big boy, bringing joy to both the bookies and the punters. What started as a cheeky bet a few years back has now snowballed into something infinite.
The market is exploding, and you don’t want to be that person left in the dust. Someone has scoured the vastness of the internet to compile 37 mind-blowing facts and stats about eSports betting just to prove to you this isn’t a joke. Keep scrolling and make sure those eyes are glued to the screen. Can you even be trusted to keep up?
#1. In February 2010, the first-ever official eSports bet was made.
#2. It is anticipated that the eSports betting industry will generate US$2.5 billion in revenue in 2024.
#3. The two biggest pillars of the expansion and popularity of eSports betting are the United States and China.
#4. eSports betting gained traction right after Valve shook the Earth. The developer of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), launched paid “skins” for the game. This gave rise to an underground economy where players gambled with their skins for the chance to win better ones.
#5. StarCraft 2, a legacy eSports title, was the subject of the first-ever official bet.
#6. Men make up about 75% of eSports bettors.
#7. It is projected that eSports betting will expand at a pace of 7.27% per year. This raises expectations for a US$3.3 billion market by 2028.
#8. In 2020, League of Legends had the highest average eSports bet at €32.34.
#9. The first bookmaker to post an eSports betting market was Pinnacle.
#10. In this market, the United States leads in revenue generation, with a forecasted market volume of US$721.2 million in 2024.
You will piss someone off if, at this point, you do not smell the fragrance of the size of the eSports market. It is a market growing superfast for its life. The explosion of eSports betting has hit every corner of the world. Every country is getting a piece of the cake.
#11. In 2015, eSports betting generated a mere $24 million. But look at the shake-up — by 2020, it soared to $1.0 billion, and in 2022, it hit a staggering $1.7 billion (yeah, it is something).
#12. The eSports betting market is projected to hit $35.6 billion by 2031, showing a solid growth rate of 13.7%.
#13. There aren’t precise figures for the eSports betting audience. So, the broader eSports audience is a potential betting market. This market is expected to reach 856.5 million users by 2028. In terms of engagement, the eSports market is gearing up with a projected user penetration rate of 11.7% in 2024, on the way to a 13.7% boost by 2028.
#14. In 2020, 78% of LOOT.BET’s users fell within the 18–25 age bracket. This marks a significant contrast with the broader eSports audience, where the age range extends up to 44 years.
You’re probably aware that the major players in the eSports betting game are the United States and China. However, it’s worth looking into other regions. But before you do that, you sure want to know why the United States and China are at the forefront:
#15. China and the USA shine not just for their economic prowess but also for their significant roles in the tech industry. This powerful combination leads to a widespread presence of eSports betting. It is a prevalent and influential aspect of their respective markets.
#16. The Chinese government has actively endorsed the eSports sector generally. It formally recognizes eSports operators and players as official job categories. This support has been instrumental in the growth of the industry. It even has a notable effect on eSports betting in the country.
#17. Game developers are adapting by creating mobile versions of their games, fueling the expansion of the eSports market in China. With China as a smartphone powerhouse, imagine the numbers — nearly 72% will have smartphones in 2022, and it is expected to hit 83% by 2027. In 2022, over one billion people in China made use of smartphones. Whatever impacts the eSports industry impacts eSports betting.
#18. eSports betting is spreading into new markets in the US, reaching beyond traditional hubs. Currently, New Jersey and Nevada are the only states with full legality for esports betting. eSports betting became legal in Nevada in June 2017.
#19. However, legal wagers on eSports are also feasible in several other jurisdictions. They include Washington DC, New York, Illinois, Iowa, and others. This widening access creates participation opportunities for more people.
Shift your focus from what positions the US and China as major players in eSports betting. Take a closer look at other regions.
#20. eSports games capture varying levels of interest across regions. Hungary leads in wagering on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive events (CS:GO)
#21. Switzerland tops the charts for bets on League of Legends tournaments.
#22. In Japan, eSports enthusiasts lean towards betting on Dota 2.
#23. South Korea is one of the bosses in the eSports betting market. The nation is projected to grow yearly by 7.25% and attain a market volume of US$200.7 million by 2028. Some even go as far as calling it “The Mecca of eSports”. There is definitely a reason for that.
#24. In 2024, the Swedish eSports betting market is estimated to hit a revenue milestone of US$44.0 million.
#25. Anticipating steady growth, the market is projected to exhibit an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 5.48%. It could reach a market volume of US$54.4 million by 2028.
#26. The average revenue per user (ARPU) is predicted to stand at US$125.9.
#27. Sweden’s eSports betting market thrives because of the country’s robust gaming culture and forward-thinking approach to online gambling.
#28. Don’t be too quick to crown Sweden as Europe’s next big thing in eSports because Germany has something to say about that. The nation is on track to rake in a substantial US$193.9 million in eSports betting revenue by 2024. The expected ARPU is US$58.3.
#29. Germany’s eSports potential is making noise, with the market volume projected to touch US$237.3 million by 2028. The rise in eSports betting is driven by an increasing interest in competitive gaming and a regulatory atmosphere that actively supports its swift growth.
#30. The United Kingdom is making its presence felt in the world of eSports betting, coming in right after Germany in revenue rankings. Projections for 2024 estimate a robust revenue of US$172.3 million. The UK is showing its commitment to eSports betting.
#31. With an expected annual growth rate of 5.84%, the UK’s eSports betting market is poised to reach a projected market volume of US$216.2 million by 2028.
#32. In the UK, there is an increase in online gaming and gambling platforms. This is contributing significantly to the growing popularity of eSports betting in the nation. The anticipated ARPU is set at US$43.2.
#33. The momentum of eSports betting success doesn’t stop there. The overall European market is projected to hit US$0.9 billion by 2024 and is expected to climb even higher, reaching US$1.1 billion by 2028.
| Region | Est. Revenue (2024) | Est. Average Revenue per User (ARPU) | Est. Revenue (2028) | Notable Points |
| Overall European Market | US$0.9 billion | US$53.1 | US$1.1 billion | Showing great potential in the eSports betting market |
| Hungary | - | - | - | Leads in wagering on CS:GO events |
| Sweden | US$44.0 million | US$125.9 | US$54.4 million | Flourishing market with a strong gaming culture |
| Germany | US$193.9 million | US$58.3 | US$237.3 million | Increasing interest and favourable regulations |
| United Kingdom | US$172.3 million | US$43.2 | US$216.2 million | The Rise of online betting platforms |
| China | - | - | - | Economic prowess and tech industry role |
| United States | US$721.2 million | US$33.6 | - | Leads in revenue generation; key player in the eSports betting market. |
| Japan | - | - | - | Popularity in betting on Dota 2. |
| South Korea | US$151.7 million | US$100.9 | US$200.7 million | The Mecca of eSports |
Are things getting juicier or tougher as you get more in-depth into all the details? Alright, this section will cover the favorite games, genres, and all the action-packed tournaments.
#34. In eSports and eSports betting, the go-to video game genres (making educated guesses) include multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), first-person shooter (FPS), fighting, card, battle royale, and real-time strategy (RTS) games.
You’ve possibly heard of heavyweights such as League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch, and Street Fighter when it comes to popular eSports franchises. Away from that, in FPS games, titles including CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege, Overwatch, and the newcomer VALORANT are hogging the limelight. And while MOBAs may not be as plentiful, they’ve long reigned supreme in eSports, with cherished favorites such as League of Legends and Dota 2.
In eSports, tournaments and leagues sprout up regularly. Some are even becoming annual fixtures, for example, Valve’s The International in Dota 2. Other notable events include the League of Legends World Championship, and the Overwatch League. The prize pools for these competitions can be astonishing, often reaching millions of dollars. Take, for instance, The International 2021, which boasted a colossal prize pool of $40,018,400.
#35. It’s a well-known fact that larger prize pools tend to draw in more viewers and spark heightened interest in betting. Case in point: The International 2021. It set an eSports record for the largest prize pool and stirred significant betting activity.
Initially starting at $1,600,000, The International 2021’s prize pool skyrocketed. The 25% of battle pass sales being funnelled into it was what ultimately made it exceed a jaw-dropping $40 million.
All the way here, you probably must have been fascinated by the success, growth, numbers, impact, and victory. You didn’t even give a thought to the inner workings of eSports betting. Come explore them here.
The multitude of eSports betting platforms and operators can be divided into two segments. Traditional online bookmakers and dedicated eSports sites.
The top companies in the eSports industry are as follows:
eSports betting is legal in some regions, as mentioned earlier, including Nevada and New Jersey in the US. However, the legality fluctuates significantly by country.
#36. There are other notable places where betting on eSports is legalized. They include the United Kingdom, Malta, Sweden, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, Macau, South Korea, Australia, and Japan.
#37. Betting on eSports is a no-go in countries such as Russia.
In response to heightened interest from bettors, investors, and companies, the revenue within the eSports betting sector has demonstrated consistent growth. Check out the cash flow in recent years:
So, why is everyone so hyped about eSports betting? Well, aside from the obvious thrill, even governmental bodies don’t want to miss capitalizing on associated tax revenues. And if you haven’t heard it enough, the projected value of the eSports betting market is expected to hit US$2.5 billion in 2024 and US$3.3 billion by 2028.
The surge in eSports betting isn’t just random. It’s driven by the superior customer experience compared to traditional sports. And the secret sauce? Data.
The game will never be over for the eSports betting industry. The digital nature of eSports allows every in-game action to be captured as data points. This gives you a goldmine of information for smart betting decisions.
And it opens the door for live markets to develop in ways that traditional sports betting cannot replicate. Plus, eSports is everywhere — no need for a TV, just fire up Twitch or YouTube, and you’re watching your bets unfold in real time. It’s a whole new ball game.
Beyond that, eSports opens up a plethora of betting possibilities for you. No need to stick to the rigid confines set by bookmakers, unlike in traditional sports betting. The pace of eSports is another good thing.
Matches happen swiftly, often played in quick succession until a definitive winner emerges. No more waiting for the next weekend or season; your favorite players or those who faced defeat in a match can bounce back sooner than you’d expect.
As you have got here, can you say to anyone that you have not got something? No, you can’t try that. It’d be no different from you saying pigs can fly. You definitely have got a lot of gold from this post. That might have been heavy for you if you hadn’t opened your mind fully.
Anyway, the eSports betting market is doing terrifically well. A lot of individuals are beginning to accept it all over the world. But the biggest problem remains legal stuff and shady business. Rules for eSports betting are all over the place, even within a single country. Operators are tangled up in laws, and some states throw in different age rules, making it a bit of a mess.
This scattered market is a real pain. And then, the bigger one — fraud. Match-fixing is a big deal, not just in eSports but in betting overall. It’s a headache, a real threat to the integrity of eSports competitions. It’s not foolproof, but there’s room for fixing things up and making eSports betting more legit in the government’s eyes. Governments might be holding back on giving the green light to eSports betting in some places. Worried about folks losing their shirts to fraud.
What you should be hoping for is a meeting among governments worldwide, just as when they discuss health stuff. If they get on the same page, it could send eSports betting through the roof.
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