In the 21st century, eSports, or competitive video gaming, has exploded in popularity, leading to the rise of a multibillion-dollar betting industry. But which cyber disciplines are the darlings of bookmakers, and why do they command such vast audiences? This research comes to us from Tivoli Casino and will take us deeper into the realm of eSports and its symbiotic relationship with betting.
With hundreds of video games on the market, only a select few ascend to the top tiers of competitive eSports. These are games that not only captivate players but also enthrall audiences and attract significant betting interest.
Defence of the Ancients 2 (Dota 2) is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that sees two teams competing to destroy each other’s base. Its annual tournament, The International, boasts one of the largest prize pools in eSports, frequently crossing the $30 million mark. Such enormous stakes naturally draw attention from bettors. The game’s complexity, rich strategy, and frequent professional tournaments make it a bookmaker’s delight.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a first-person shooter that has been a mainstay in the eSports arena since its release in 2012. With two teams – terrorists and counter-terrorists – battling it out, CS:GO offers intense, round-by-round action that’s perfectly suited for live betting. Its established professional scene and the consistent release of game skins (virtual items) also make it attractive to both traditional and skin betting.
Epic Games’ battle royale phenomenon, Fortnite, burst onto the scene in 2017 and quickly became a cultural icon. While it might appear whimsical with its colorful graphics and dance emotes, its competitive scene is fiercely contested. Fortnite World Cup, with its multimillion-dollar prize pools, attracts vast numbers of viewers and bettors alike. One of the companies was sponsored by Tivoli Casino, which offers the best gambling games.
Another titan in the MOBA genre, League of Legends (LoL), has been at the forefront of eSports since its inception in 2009. With its World Championship drawing in over 100 million viewers, LoL offers bookmakers a vast and engaged betting audience. The game’s intricate strategies, extensive hero pool, and international tournaments make it a rich ground for diverse betting markets.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) was instrumental in popularizing the battle royale genre. Its simple premise – 100 players parachute onto an island, and the last person or team standing wins – belies the deep strategies involved. Major tournaments like the PUBG Global Championship see top teams vying for supremacy, creating numerous opportunities for in-game and outright betting.
eSports is not just a fleeting trend; it’s a massive industry that continues to grow year after year. As the competitive scenes of games like Dota 2, CS:GO, and League of Legends mature, they offer rich opportunities for bettors and bookmakers alike. The synergy between eSports and betting ensures that both will thrive together for years to come.