Esports Betting Market Growth: Opportunities for iGaming Operators
The explosive growth of esports betting — market size, popular titles, betting formats, integration strategies, and reaching the next generation of bettors.
Esports betting is the fastest-growing vertical in the sports betting industry. With a young, digitally native audience and year-round events, esports represents a massive opportunity for forward-thinking operators.
Table of Contents
1Market Size & Growth
The global esports betting market has grown exponentially, with handle volumes increasing by over 40% year-over-year. Major esports titles generate betting volumes comparable to mid-tier traditional sports. In Turkey, esports viewership has surged, with CS2, League of Legends, and Valorant leading in popularity. The demographic skews younger (18-34), representing the next generation of bettors.
2Popular Esports Titles for Betting
CS2 (Counter-Strike 2) dominates esports betting globally with the highest liquidity and most mature markets. League of Legends and Dota 2 attract massive betting volumes around major tournaments. Valorant is the fastest-growing esports betting title. Mobile esports like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire are particularly relevant in Turkey and emerging markets where mobile gaming dominates.
3Betting Markets & Formats
Esports offers unique betting markets beyond traditional match winner: map winner, first blood, total kills, handicap maps, player-specific props, and live in-play betting during matches. Micro-betting on individual rounds or plays is gaining popularity. The digital nature of esports enables data-rich live betting experiences impossible in traditional sports.
4Integration Strategies
Adding esports to your sportsbook requires specialized data feeds (providers like Abios, Bayes Esports), dedicated odds traders who understand game mechanics, and esports-specific content. Consider dedicated esports sections rather than burying esports under 'other sports.' Stream integration (embedding Twitch/YouTube streams) significantly increases engagement and time on site.
5Engaging the Esports Audience
Esports bettors are digital natives who expect seamless mobile experiences, cryptocurrency payment options, and community features. They respond to authentic esports content — not generic gambling marketing. Partner with esports influencers, sponsor local tournaments, and create betting content around major events like The International, Worlds, and Major championships.
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