State of Esports Betting in 2025: Whos Playing, Whats Changing, and Where Its Headed

In the top – down approach, the Global Batteries for Solar Energy Storage Market was further divided into various segments on the basis of the percentage share of each segment. This approach helped in arriving at the market size of each segment globally. The segments market size was further broken down in the regional market size of each segment and sub-segments. The market size arrived using this approach was then crosschecked with the market size arrived by using bottom-up approach. After the secondary research process, we initiate the primary research phase in which we interact with companies operating within the market space.

Furthermore, millennial and older citizens worldwide are becoming more and more interested in sports betting due to the growth in sports leagues and tournaments. Sports gambling are any type of wagering that involves placing a wager on the importance of a scheduled athletic event. People wager on games to increase their money based on two possible outcomes. The last year has seen a lot of bookmakers significantly expanding their esports offerings. Fans can place bets on more niche events along with games that have up until now been unrepresented.

Over/under betting relates to a type of bet upon certain outcomes, such as kills or rounds in the game, where the bettor predicts whether the result would be over or under a specific figure. Despite the exponential growth in the esports betting market, several factors pose challenges to its continued expansion. One of the main constraints is the regulatory environment, which varies widely across countries and regions. In many regions, esports betting is either restricted or operates in a grey area, causing ambiguity for both players and operators. For example, in the United States, the regulation of online betting is inconsistent across states. This lack of standardized regulation creates a challenging environment for operators attempting to enter new markets or expand their presence in existing ones.

According to sources, bettors aged 18 to 27 made up 44% of all esports gambling activity in 2024, a significant jump from the 36% in the year before. Add in Millennials up to age 43, and that total climbs to 87% of the entire audience. William Hill, GVC Holdings, 888 Holdings, Kindred Group, Betsson AB, Betway, Pinnacle, Bet365, Bet-at-home.com, Unikrn, Betfred are the top companies operating in the Esports betting market. Increasing number of sports activities and increasing investments are the driving factors of this Esports betting market. While legacy bookmakers try to adapt, a new generation of agile, esports-first betting platforms is already ahead of the curve.

Suchar chalks this growth up to the fact each title had something compelling to offer in 2024. The betting growth identified by Oddin.gg in its report was driven by across-the-board jumps in all four, signalling healthy growth in the highest volume titles. Counter-Strike 2 saw a 99% YoY hike, Dota 2 a 90% jump, League of Legends a 61% uplift – and Valorant had a standout 175% increase in volume over 2023.

The two primary platforms for esports betting are online platforms and mobile applications. Online platforms refer to websites or desktop applications that provide a broad range of betting options, including pre-match and live betting on esports events. These platforms typically offer a more extensive selection of games, tournaments, and betting types.

There’s also been a growth in cryptocurrency used in esports betting, and new markets opening up there. Vietnam’s growing esports follower base and rising monetization rates make it a crucial player in the overall global esports betting growth narrative. Various aspects of esports borrow from its traditional counterpart — real-life sports. The competitive nature of esports allows video gamers to take their hobbies and interests a step further, as real-life athletes do.

The Growth Drivers Behind Esports Betting

In 2024, nearly half of all Counter-Strike bets were placed while the match was still unfolding. That stat alone might make it sound like live betting is the “next big thing” in esports gambling. The esports betting market is projected to reach USD 16.21 billion in 2025, marking a strong expansion from previous years. Esports compares to many other popular traditional sports in terms of the size of its global audience. Many of these traditional sports outlined above have a concentrated fanbase in select regions, like baseball, for example, where the viewership is primarily focused in the USA.

As metaverse technology improves, we could see virtual betting lounges, avatar-based interactions, and live stats displayed in-game. Though it’s still emerging, VR has the potential to redefine how the gaming community connects with esports and interacts with betting platforms. Additionally, many platforms now accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Aside from offering more privacy and security, crypto platforms open up esports betting to bettors in regions with limited banking access. Smart contracts can also automate payouts when specific conditions are met. New trends are influencing how bets are placed and how games are watched.

A Sports Betting App Developer creates mobile applications that allow users to place bets on sports events, integrating secure payment systems. Partner with a trusted betting app development company for secure, user-friendly apps with real-time odds, analytics, and engaging features. Esports forms an ever-more important vertical for igaming operators. Its growth last year reinforces the narrative that it isn’t a niche anymore and shouldn’t be treated as such, Suchar says. We’re past the early-adopter stage and entering territory where it is becoming a core entertainment and betting product.

The integration of online and mobile platforms has significantly contributed to this growth. The rise of mobile esports apps has simplified access for bettors, allowing them to place wagers anytime and anywhere. Statista reports that over 50% of esports-related betting activities occur via mobile devices, reinforcing the shift toward mobile-based platforms. Additionally, the integration of cryptocurrencies into the betting environment has opened new opportunities for both bettors and operators, enabling secure, anonymous, and rapid transactions. The increasing popularity of esports betting makes player protection tools necessary. Several platforms offer features like deposit limits, time-out options, and self-exclusion systems to help prevent gambling harm.

• From simulated matches to blockbuster multiplayer titles, bettors around the globe are turning their attention—and their wallets—towards virtual competition.
• Following esports betting tips can help new and advanced bettors understand the betting odds depending on the game.
• Esports betting in this region benefits from the strong esports ecosystem and high internet penetration, although the legal landscape varies across countries.
• Inclusion requires auditable KPIs, live availability, and integrity controls; offshore vendors remain excluded.
• The region accounts for more than half of the global esports fanbase and continues to attract new bettors every year.

He notes that, if these issues are managed appropriately, further integration into the industry is possible. The overview acknowledges that esports betting and conventional sports betting are similar in the respect that teams or individuals oppose one another in spirited competition. unibet By region, the study provides the market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Ourresearch methodology has always been the key differentiating reason which sets us apart in comparison from the competing organizations in the industry. Our organization believes in consistency along with quality and establishing a new level with every new report we generate; our methods are acclaimed and the data/information inside the report is coveted. Our research methodology involves a combination of primary and secondary research methods.

It’s less crowded than traditional sports betting but increasingly lucrative. Finland boasts one of the highest online gambling engagement rates in Europe; around 68% of total gambling revenue is now online. Esports betting is benefiting directly from this wider shift toward digital platforms, including offshore options like Australian sports betting sites not on BetStop.

Key Companies

They create a more interactive and engaging experience for esports fans and casual viewers alike. Additionally, game publishers like Riot Games and Electronic Arts continue to expand competitive scenes. They ensure fans have consistent opportunities to follow and bet on their favorite esports teams.

KEY FINDINGS

Fans now place bets in real time, using mobile apps, digital wallets, and AI-powered platforms. In addition, with the continued growth of the esports ecosystem, other countries are opening up to the legalization of esports betting, allowing it to be accessed by many more people. Technological progress is also being fueled by market advancements, such as mobile betting applications and online sites that make live event betting relatively easy.

One factor driving the wave of growth is technological advancements, which are making esports more accessible, immersive, and exciting. Real-time data and analytics are elevating the esports experience and unlocking more doors to monetization. Success in this space means staying ahead of trends and building flexible, user-friendly systems. Explore how CrustLab can support your next move with cutting-edge software development.

BETBY’s commitment to esports is visible in its expanded operations and the success of its BETBY Games esports feed, which now plays a central role in its revenue generation. Our projection blends audience growth, event calendars, and device usage to estimate demand and time-of-day liquidity. Offer responsiveness follows measured elasticities for price boosts and bonuses. Figures are stated in GBP and presented in real terms under the 2025 gaming sportsbook forecast. Clarion Gaming’s William Harding recognizes the challenges that esports betting faces in becoming part of the mainstream.

Compliance prevents legal trouble, builds trust with users, and gives esports betting a better future. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming how esports bets are calculated, placed, and personalized. These tools offer more accurate odds and real-time updates by analyzing thousands of data points like player stats, past results, and live game events. Esports betting means wagering real money on the outcomes of competitive gaming matches.

As esports events become more mainstream, the fan base has significantly expanded, providing a larger audience for betting. Esports betting has grown at an astonishing rate and shows no signs of slowing down. The rise of esports as a mainstream entertainment medium, coupled with the increasing appeal to younger, tech-savvy audiences, has fueled the rapid growth of esports betting. As more betting options emerge, driven by technological innovations like AI, mobile apps, and cryptocurrency, the future of esports betting looks incredibly bright.