Go back two decades to when eSports first started and betting on the events was not a thing. Go back a decade and a small handful of bookmakers had taken on eSports and offered betting on the big events to take place.
Now, we are in 2020 and the world is very different. We have seen a huge rise in eSports betting, both in terms of the number of people placing bets on eSports and the quality of the service that is coming from the bookmakers.
There has been a lot of work put into the service from the bookmakers, and they have been rewarded for that. But the eSports industry as a whole has been rewarded too, with a raft of new fans joining in after placing bets and enjoying the fun.
eSports Betting Markets
Gone are the days of betting on simple betting markets such as who wins the battle. Now, anyone who wants to bet on eSports gets a wide range of betting markets to use. Some of the most popular new markets include handicap betting, individual map betting and who will score the most kills.
This all gives variety, but more importantly, it gives you a way to bet on a one-sided game. If the odds are too low on the team you fancy to win, you can use these alternative betting markets to place a bet on something else.
The top eSports bookmakers all offer these and can be combined with a welcome offer to get you started. The list of free bets on the FreeBets.co.uk shows just what new eSports punters can take advantage of when they sign up with a new bookmaker.
Live Betting & Live Streaming
It’s not just the service and the betting markets that has lifted eSports up recently but the way that the betting industry has changed.
The creation of live betting and live streaming has transformed the way that many people bet, and both of these are used with eSports.
Having a live stream instantly makes the action more appealing to gamblers, so there is more chance of these people turning to eSports when they log on as they know they can watch along.
Live betting is also hugely popular, when you put the two together you offer betting on something taking place at that moment and a way to watch it.
These two have made a big difference to every aspect of the betting industry but how they have been used by eSports has really allowed it to push forward and gain more betting fans.
The Future
Things look set to be exciting as they grow further. Check out the latest gaming reviews to see new releases that could be heading for the eSports stage in the future, as gaming developers will certainly be looking this way.
In terms of what the eSports industry and betting could look like, this seems to be a good two-way partnership that is working for both, so likely to be expanded. The world of eSports is getting exposure through betting sites with live streams, and bookmakers are taking bets on eSports too.
What we could see is a bookmaker stepping forward to offer something to sponsor a big eSports event. This would be their way to give themselves a bigger eSports platform while also putting something back into the industry.
We see a lot of bookmakers sponsoring either teams or competitions in other sports, such as sponsoring teams in the Premier League.
eSports could be next on the list considering the strides that have been made in recent years.