The global sports industry demonstrates fast growth through esports. The latter gathers millions of viewers and brings in billions in revenue. With esports tournaments like the League of Legends World Championship and The International breaking records in terms of viewership and prize pools, traditional sports betting markets are starting to feel the ripple effects. The acceptance of the esports market by betting platforms at 1bet will radically transform the relationship between sports betting and esports. Let’s talk about the impact that esports is generating on regular sports betting domains. In this post, we will study prominent tournament outcomes and developing betting trends and try to forecast upcoming industry developments.
The Explosive Growth of Esports
Video gaming competition, known as esports, has experienced rapid growth during the past ten years. The esports industry developed to $1.38 billion during 2024, but economists expect it will reach $3.54 billion by 2028 at a 20% annual growth rate. The rise in esports popularity has been fueled by growing spectator numbers, enlarged sponsorship agreements, and rising online streamer platform use, such as Twitch and YouTube, expanding gaming and professional player visibility.
The viewer base of esports now surpasses established traditional sports when major competitions receive millions of spectators. The League of Legends World Championship event from 2023 generated more than 140 million distinct viewers, while Dota 2 International 2021 established new records by offering a $40 million prize pool. Statistics show that esports have achieved massive popularity among mainstream audiences because of their projected growth over the next few years.
The Intersection of Esports and Traditional Sports Betting
The popularity boom of esports creates heightened opportunities to merge it with established sports betting platforms. Betting organizations identify the profitable potential of esports so they have launched esports tournament odds through companies like 1bet Sportsbook. Counter-Strike 2 along with Dota 2 and League of Legends are the main game titles for which betting markets exist including match winner, tournament winner, player performance, and map betting outcomes.
Rapid changes have occurred in the way people bet. The general perception that esports remained restricted to a specific audience has completely transformed into widespread betting participation. The Esports Integrity Commission reported that in 2023, esports fans accounted for 36% of bettors on esports events, anticipating this number to rise as the sport matures. Esports betting is projected to take up 10-15% of the global sports betting market throughout the next five years before 2027 as the marketplace continues to evolve.
The surge of esports created demographic changes among betting enthusiasts, who now focus on video games. The younger population that understands digital platforms and video games is turning to esports betting because it provides them with an alternative to traditional sports betting. According to a survey by the Eilers & Krejcik Gaming firm, over 70% of esports bettors are between the ages of 18 and 34, a key demographic that sportsbooks are eager to target.
Future Trends and Predictions
The esports market expansion will create several trends that will reshape traditional sports betting and esports together.
- Integration of Esports and Traditional Sports — Traditional sports and esports will merge more frequently in the upcoming years. Major leagues at the NFL and NBA levels may expand their investments into esports teams, which leads to combined betting opportunities across both sectors.
- Global Expansion of Esports Betting — The betting market for esports will grow extensively in Asia and Latin America because both regions already exhibit robust gaming cultures. The development of legal regulations will enable growing access to esports betting, which will attract new betting entities to the market.
- Increased Sponsorships and Media Rights — The expanding esports betting industry will attract more partnerships between sponsors and esports organizations along with media outlets who want to connect with younger demographics.
- Regulation and Integrity — The esports betting market development will drive increased attention toward regulatory systems that will secure sporting integrity along with betting market transparency. Strict management combined with increased transparency in betting operations will likely result from rising concerns about match-fixing in the esports industry.
Both industries will demonstrate increasing connections as existing patterns continue to develop. PSG’s partnership with LGD Gaming for Dota 2 shows how professional sports clubs create new opportunities with esports organizations to drive future development.
Final Word
The sports sector together with betting operations experienced swift adjustments due to esports popularity increases. With growing viewership, expanding sponsorships, and increasing media attention, esports is set to continue its upward trajectory. The convergence of traditional sports and esports on a global level will transform the betting market, creating new opportunities for fans, athletes, and esports organizations.