The rise of esports, and how betting will take it onto a whole, new level

By Staff Reporter - 23 November 2017

Business

While many may baulk at the exponential growth of the esports market, this represents little more than an evolution of the gaming industry. After all, gamers have been indulging in competitive gaming for decades, initially as many spent hours upon hours attempting to beat an existing high score. Arcade games like PacMan and Super Mario launched this trend, and blazed a trail for the contemporary esports market that we know today. So while the games may have changed to Call of Duty, Minecraft and Warcraft, embracing the spirit of competitive gaming is nothing new. The evolution of this idea and the potential of modern esports to create lucrative revenue streams is unique, however, and something that has the potential to elevate the concept onto an entirely new level. Leveraging esports to make a living, in more ways than one Whereas the competitive gamers of 30 years ago played for pride and bragging rights, today’s generation can compete to earn a legitimate living. This is the single biggest distinguishing factor in 2017, as players can capitalise on the huge demand for esports by targeting six figure cash prizes. This is a trend that has become particularly apparent during the last five years, as a more diverse range of games have come to market and developers have focused on creating titles with a core, competitive element. Now, while players have been able to leverage advanced mobile technology to build their esports careers and compete in tournaments across the globe, this growth sector is also offering alternative opportunities for people to make money. This has coincided with the emergence of online and cable broadcasting options, as numerous channels have begun to televise tournaments and create an interactive experience for viewers. As a result of this, gamblers have started to feel immersed in the action and actively bet on the outcomes of esports tournaments. For those who are gamers themselves or at least understand the nuances of competitive play, this is little different than traditional sports betting where gamblers back one participant to prevail over another. Make no mistake; this is a fast-growing phenomenon within the marketplace, and one that is set to boost the money-making potential of e-sports considerably. The last word – How will it fare among gamblers? Let’s be clear, nobody is suggesting that esports is going to replace football or boxing as the world’s most popular betting pastimes, but it will definitely add a new dimension to the increasingly lucrative sports betting market online. Remember, there is still the potential for competitive esports tournaments to dominate the broadcasting schedules, while the emergence of video-on-demand (VOD) should also help to raise awareness and interest in events. This will create an entire generation of informed and engaged gamblers, who’ll look to spend more and more in the pursuit of esports returns. Certainly, we’re seeing a growing number of bookmakers and sports betting brands offer odds on the largest competitive esports events, and this will continue to grow and incorporate more tournaments. So, while it remains a burgeoning marketplace for now, it would be unwise to estimate its full potential in the digital age.  

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