The current coronavirus pandemic is causing mayhem with the sporting world, with many events around the world being cancelled.
This is having a big effect on fans, and those who bet on sports, with a very limited selection for them to choose from. Sports betting is big all over the world and is currently leaving a hole.
One of the things we have seen recently is bookmakers increase their eSports portfolio. This should come as no surprise with little sport taking place, it needs replacing with something.
Can the eSports industry take advantage of this and grow as a result of the new customers they are going to see over the coming weeks and months?
This summer could go down as being a defining one in the future of eSports gaming, and a big chance for people and organisations to shine.
Can eSports Win New Fans Over?
There is little or nothing to watch and bet on right now, so eSports are taking centre stage.
We are seeing bookmakers offer more betting opportunities on eSports than ever before. This includes some offers too, with the latest eSport betting offers reviewed by FreeBets.uk.
Fans that take advantage of these will be able to place eSports bets with their bookmaker and take advantage of this continuing.
While these people will all have their own sports that they watch on a regular basis, for now, eSports is all they can watch.
This gives eSports the chance to pick up some new fans this summer. These people may like what they see, and like how well organised things are, and they may stick around for the long run.
That will be the hope of many people right now, and it will be interesting to see if it happens.
Could We See a Long-Term Effect?
Everyone involved in eSports in any kind of way should be pushing as hard as they can to promote things right now. This is an opportunity that will more than likely never come round again.
Those watching eSports may not come back once their own sport returns, or they may fancy something new and stick with eSports alongside what they already watch.
We could also see a long-term effect coming higher up from companies that are getting involved. eSports are currently playing a huge role for sports betting companies, could they return the favour?
Will we see some of them come together and sponsor either current or new eSports events to put some money back in the pot as a thank you for their service.
This would certainly be a boost, especially if it came with the creation of some new eSports events to go into the calendar where we currently have gaps.
Can eSports Ever Sit Side by Side with Sporting Giants?
With more people worldwide gaming than ever before, there is a small chance that this will happen.
However, what it will take is a real coming together of both sports fans and gamers, eSports lands right in the middle of those two activities.
Sports fans that don’t like gaming are not going to like eSports, and neither are that who follow the latest gaming news who don’t like sports. This will always be a problem, but not an insurmountable one to overcome.
Events such as the Fornite World Cup, seen as the biggest of 2020, are a great way to get new fans on board. They see how big and popular eSports are, and want to get on board themselves.
Whether the Fortnite World Cup can attract the same level of attention as the Football World Cup remains to be seen, it may take decades for that to happen, but it is something to think about.