Esports Pulls Up a Chair at the Betting Table

Competitive video game tournaments, more commonly known as esports, have been around since the early 2000s. However, the concept did not start gaining mainstream traction until around 2010 when streaming platforms like Twitch allowed fans to easily spectate matches. Since then, esports has blown up into a billion-dollar business with over 200 million viewers worldwide.

The most popular esports games feature multiple professional leagues across North America, Europe, and Asia. Some of the biggest titles include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rainbow Six, and Rocket League. The top players and teams in these games are internationally recognized stars who earn millions of dollars in prize money and sponsorships.

According to a 2021 report from Research & Markets, the global esports betting market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 20% from 2022 to 2027. This rapid expansion will result in over $20 billion worth of esports bets placed by the end of the forecast period. The surge in wagering volume correlates perfectly with soaring viewership numbers and general interest in competitive gaming entertainment.

Table 1. Esports Betting Market Projections 2022-2027

What Games and Markets Are Available?

While the selection differs slightly across online casinos, most esports odds cover the same handful of popular titles. As mentioned above, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like League of Legends and Dota 2 contain a wealth of betting options. These strategy-based competitions feature two teams of players battling to destroy their opponent’s base by controlling unique heroes with various powers and abilities.

First-person shooter (FPS) games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Overwatch are also esports staples. Instead of magic spells, players in FPS games use guns, grenades and other ballistic weapons to defeat the enemy team. Rather than bases, these games employ bomb plant/defuse, hostage rescue, and area capture objectives to determine round and match winners.

The betting markets across these games include moneylines, totals/over-unders, spreads, proposition bets, futures, and live wagering. Moneylines simply require picking the outright winner, while totals involve betting whether the combined number of rounds, kills, or other metrics will go over or under a set line. Point spread bets add an advantage or handicap to even out the chances for each team.

Why Bet on Esports?

Games like chess have been considered mind sports for centuries, but video games were not deemed worthy of competition or betting until recently. However, there are several compelling reasons why esports betting has become so popular so quickly:

• Sheer Volume of Events – Hundreds of esports tournaments and leagues run 24/7 across the planet. There is always action to bet on day and night.
• Clear Underdogs and Favorites – Even novice gamers can easily discern the top-tier pros and teams from the rest of the pack after a few minutes of viewing. This makes betting lines very straightforward.
• Rapid Pace of Play – Typical esports matches contain dozens of rounds lasting just 1-3 minutes each. Goal scorers and lead changes happen frequently, which fuels profitable opportunities for live betting.
• Direct Paths to Victory – MOBA objectives like turret and inhibitor destruction along with FPS bomb plants provide transparent win conditions for each game. This clarity benefits bettors.
• Player-Centric Focus – Unlike traditional sports teams, esports rosters are often built around one or two star players. This consolidation of talent amplifies the impact of injuries, trades, and retirements.

Esports betting shares the same general principles as traditional sports wagering, but there are also some key differences. The fast pace of play, volatility of results, and wealth of available information allow skilled bettors to gain an edge over recreational gamblers and bookmakers. However, it also takes dedication to make sharp bets because metas and rosters change so rapidly from week to week.

How to Bet on Esports

For those interested in trying their hand at esports betting, signing up at an online casino with competitive gaming markets is quick and easy. Most sites only require an email address to create an account. And many offer special welcome bonuses specifically for esports bettors such as free bets, matched deposits, and odds boosts.

Once signed up, navigate to the esports or video games tab in the sportsbook section. Select your preferred title, match, and market, then put down your wager. Various mainstream payment methods like credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency provide ways to fund your account.

It is also highly recommended to use stats renowned sites to research teams and players. Their career records, current form, head-to-head matchups, map statistics, and other metrics are invaluable for making smart bets. No one wins long-term by blindly throwing darts.

While watching live streams on Twitch is not necessary, they can provide real-time situational awareness for in-game betting. Pay attention to roster changes, ping issues, and player injuries that may suddenly shift the odds right before matches go live.