Esports betting boom explained: Insights from a CasinoRank expert

Some esports tournaments now have as many viewers and prize money as traditional sports. This growth has led to more people betting on esports, changing how people watch games and how gambling works. To learn more about this new area, we talked to Keisha Bailey, who leads content strategy at CasinoRank. She helped explain how esports betting fits into today's gambling scene and what it means for both players and gaming companies.

The rise of esports betting

The global esports scene is thriving, with games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive leading the charge. Major tournaments like The International and the League of Legends World Championship attract huge audiences and significant betting activity.

"Esports betting is the next step in gambling," says Keisha. "It combines traditional sports betting with the excitement of competitive gaming, appealing to tech-savvy younger fans."

A key driver of this growth is accessibility. Unlike traditional sports, esports is entirely online, allowing fans to watch matches live and place bets from anywhere. The variety of betting options—such as predicting match winners or in-game events—adds extra excitement and strategy.

For those exploring online gaming platforms, it's essential to find a trustworthy site that offers both esports betting and options for a German casino, ensuring a wide range of reliable choices for different preferences.

The rise of esports has also impacted the way people engage with competitive gaming beyond betting. For example, esports journalism has become a critical part of the ecosystem, providing fans with stories, analysis, and updates.

CasinoRank's approach

CasinoRank, a leading guide in online casinos with over 20 years of experience, has embraced the growth of esports betting. They now review and rank esports betting sites, helping players make safe and informed choices.

"At CasinoRank, we prioritize safety, fairness, and clarity," says Keisha. "Esports betting is new, so choosing licensed and reliable platforms is crucial."

CasinoRank also educates players with tips on strategies, understanding odds, and gambling responsibly, making it easy for even beginners to get started.

Challenges and opportunities

While the potential of esports betting is clear, it does come with its challenges. One big issue is the lack of rules in some places. Unlike traditional sports, where betting rules are well-set, esports often fall into a gray area with different levels of control depending on where you are. This can lead to risks like operators without licenses and match-fixing scandals.

Keisha sees these challenges but believes the industry can adjust. "Rules are crucial for the long-term success of esports betting. As more governments accept esports as legitimate, we're hopeful that standard rules will come in to protect players and keep the market fair."

Another challenge is teaching a wider audience. While esports betting has grown among gaming fans, many traditional bettors are still new to the details of the industry. Knowing how specific games work or how important a player's performance is can greatly influence betting choices.

Players looking to maximize their chances often explore casinos with a good RTP (return-to-player) rate. Combining esports betting with platforms offering high RTP ensures a better and more transparent gambling experience.

Beyond betting, esports itself continues to expand in popularity across the globe. For instance, Mexico's position as the second-largest esports fan base in Latin America demonstrates the significant growth potential in emerging markets. These regions are helping drive the industry forward and opening doors for new audiences.

The exponential growth of esports has caught the attention of regulatory bodies. The UK Gambling Commission emphasizes that betting on esports should be treated no differently from betting on any other live event. They highlight additional risks associated with esports events and stress the importance of operators managing these risks effectively.

Similarly, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has been instrumental in promoting integrity within the esports industry. ESIC collaborates with stakeholders to establish unified standards for competition integrity, addressing issues such as cheating, match-fixing, and doping to ensure fair play across all esports competitions.