=It’s undeniable that the gambling industry is diverse. Gamblers can bet on various activities, from casino games, to traditional sports like football, basketball, etc. One gambling sector, in particular, has and continues to gain popularity: Esports betting.
The Esports industry is rapidly expanding; the fan base is growing, more people are getting interested in competing, more game titles are being introduced, and more tournaments are coming up. And as the industry is growing, gambling enthusiasts are discovering more betting opportunities.
So, how did Esports betting become so popular? Read on to find out.
Brief History of Esports Betting
The Esports betting industry is relatively new, with its history dating back to 2013. In 2013, the game “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” had an update involving the introduction of items called “skins,” which changed the appearance of the players’ weapons.
While these skins can be earned while playing the game, players could also purchase them with real money or trade other valuable items in the game in exchange for the skins. This opened the opportunity for players with skins to sell them for real money, but it wasn’t long before the law stopped this activity, as it was seen as unlicensed gambling.
However, this spiked an interest in betting in Esports. And now, Esports betting is a fully-fledged industry, with many online bookmakers and online casinos like PNXBET Casino allowing individuals to bet on their favorite players or teams in various tournaments.
Factors Contributing to the Popularity of Esports Betting
A Wide Variety of Games
Unlike traditional sports, Esports consists of an extensive range of game genres. Among them are fighting games such as Mortal Combat and Street Fighter, first-person shooter games like Call of Duty, racing games like Mario Kart, real-time strategy games like Age of Empires, Third-person shooters such as Fortnite Battle Royale, and so on.
With the many genres available, individuals can easily find one they’re interested in and begin betting on the tournaments, improving the entire gambling experience.
An Extensive Variety of Bets
Like sports betting, Esports betting also has various bets that gamblers can bet on. Some of these bets include the tournament winner bet, which allows individuals to bet on which player or team will win the tournament. The match-winner bet also enables gamblers to place wagers on individual match outcomes. Other types of bets include the first map bets, first kill/first blood bets, over/under bets, and so on.
These types of bets allow gamblers to choose what they’re most comfortable with.
There Are Esports Tournaments Throughout the Year
One of the main reasons Esports betting is giving sports betting a run for its money is that there are tournaments throughout the year. Unlike sports betting, gamblers don’t have to wait for a particular Esports tournament season to begin (unless they are fans of a specific championship), as there are tournaments all year round.
Individuals Can Bet on Live Matches
Like sports betting, most Esports online bookmakers and online casinos allow gamblers to place bets on live Esports matches. So, individuals can watch these competitions live and place various wagers depending on what the online bookmakers offer.
Esports Tournament Outcomes Are Easier to Predict
Another reason Esports betting has become so popular is that it is easier to predict the matches’ outcomes compared to sports betting. For instance, a team player in Esports cannot get injured like in traditional sports. In regular sports like football, if a team player (especially the star player) gets hurt, it becomes difficult to predict the outcome.
What’s more, it is easy to predict the outcomes of the matches, especially if one has played the games. For instance, if an individual has played Call of Duty, they’re more likely to predict the results of the matches, as they are familiar with the game.
Most Online Bookmakers Are Offering Bonuses and Promotions
Since online bookmakers are discovering how lucrative Esports betting is, the market is quickly becoming saturated. That is why most online bookmakers offer bonuses and other rewards to attract customers. These bonuses allowed individuals new to Esports betting to familiarize themselves with how it works without risking their money.
What Does the Future Hold for Esports Betting?
While the Esports betting industry is still in its infancy stage, it has the potential to grow. The Esports industry is growing, which means the Esports betting market will grow along with it. New tournaments are coming up, meaning there are more betting opportunities available.
Conclusion
The Esports betting industry has come a long way, and its growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon. However, as it expands, Esports gamblers are at a higher risk of exploitation. That is why individuals must keep in mind several factors before placing wagers with a particular online bookmaker.
