Esports Gambling Popularity – Giving Football and Other Sports a Run for Their Money

SOFTSWISS reports that its sports betting clients are seeing a huge rise in eSports betting – could eSports become the leader in sports bets? (Image courtesy of Esports Stock photos by Vecteezy)

You may not believe it, but esports betting is catching up to traditional sports betting in 2023. Let’s look at what’s causing the major shifts in the world of sports gambling this year.

Cyber Athletics Can No Longer Be Ignored

For the past three years, football, tennis and basketball have consistently been the most popular sports to bet on. But while they’re still on top, esports betting has been quietly gaining momentum – going from 7th place in 2021 to 4th most bet on sport now. The biggest mover is Counter-Strike, which broke into the top 6 sports globally by number of bets.

“Given the insane growth we’re seeing, we’re telling our partners esports is something you need to take seriously,” says Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. “With over 640 million projected viewers by 2025, this is an audience you don’t want to miss out on.”

Smartphones and Tablets Driving Over 90% of Sportsbook Profits

Another trend showing no signs of stopping is the increase in mobile sports gambling. According to SOFTSWISS stats, a crazy 80% of bets in 2023 so far have been made on phones, compared to 70% last year and 68% the year before. With fans betting live and on the go, mobile is now responsible for a whopping 92% of sportsbook revenues.

“Improving our mobile platforms is a massive priority,” Kamenetskyi says. “It’s especially important in places with limited internet access like Latin America and Africa, where mobile is often the only way people can bet.”

World Cup Shifted Gamblers from Casinos to Sportsbooks

Something fascinating happens around huge sporting events like the 2022 World Cup – casino spending drops while sports betting spikes. SOFTSWISS reported a 10-20% casino revenue drop during the tournament as fans focused their attention on Qatar. This shows why combining sportsbooks and casinos can better serve gamblers year-round.

“The data makes a clear case for having integrated platforms,” says Kamenetskyi. “With the right tech, operators can minimize seasonal swings and have something for all player types.”

As covered in SOFTSWISS’s 2024 Industry Trends report, gambling regulations and responsible gaming initiatives have also increased recently. Stop by SOFTSWISS’s booth #D360 at SBC Summit Rio March 5-7 to discuss!

The Rise of Esports Betting

If you’ve been following esports over the past few years, you’ve likely noticed the parallel growth of esports betting. As competitive gaming continues its meteoric rise, more fans are trying their hand at predicting match outcomes and speculating on events.

But on which esports are people actually betting? As of April 2023, here are the most popular titles:

The First-Person Shooters

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) – Valve’s tactical shooter remains one of the kings of esports, thanks to iconic tournaments like the Majors. These events attract huge betting interest.
• Overwatch: Blizzard made a splash with their hero-based shooter and its Overwatch League. The league’s global city-based teams provide year-round betting opportunities.
• Valorant: Riot’s stylish newcomer quickly entered the fray in 2020. Its Circuit tournament series is fast becoming a betting favorite.
• Call of Duty (CoD): From the ever-popular Call of Duty League to the new Challengers scene, Activision’s shooter is backed by strong betting support.

The Strategy Games

• League of Legends (LoL): Riot’s MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) holds one of the largest player bases in esports. The ambitious World Championships drive record betting numbers every October.
• Dota 2: Valve’s MOBA rival to LoL regularly smashes prize pool records with its marquee event, The International. Every August, fans bet big on their preferred teams.
• StarCraft II: Blizzard’s classic RTS (real-time strategy) game remains popular in South Korea. Top tournaments like GSL vs The World see consistent betting activity.

The Sports Games

• FIFA: EA’s dominant soccer series has its own world cup – the FIFA eWorld Cup. As competitive FIFA grows, so too does event betting.

The Wildcards

• Fortnite: Epic Games’ battle royale behemoth is a bit of an oddity in esports. Yet when its World Cup rolls around, curious bettors follow.
• Rainbow Six Siege: Ubisoft’s tactical shooter has cultivated a strong esports scene and betting interest through majors like the Six Invitational.

Betting market quality – and fan enthusiasm – tend to reflect factors like a game’s player population, tournament frequency, and developer support. But every year new titles join the fray, so expect this list to change over time. Which esports games are you excited to bet on in 2023 and beyond? Let me know in the comments!

A List of SOFTSWISS Casinos with eSports & Sports Betting