Esports is growing every year. Millions of people watch live matches between professional gamers. Platforms such as Twitch and YouTube attract young viewers who follow the game and the excitement as if it were a sport. This popularity has also caught the attention of betting companies.
They now offer bets on Esports tournaments. You can bet on winners, scores and even small details such as the number of kills or who scores first. As a result, the transition from gaming to gambling is happening faster and more often than many people think.
Why bookmakers are focusing on Esports
Traditional sports have fixed seasons. Esports goes on all year round. Every week there are tournaments in games such as League of Legends, CS:GO and Dota 2. The matches are short, intense and fast-paced. This makes them suitable for live betting.
Gambling sites know that Esports attracts a young and digital audience. They build special pages and apps aimed at gamers. In doing so, they capitalise on habits that already exist online, without users always realising it.
How young people come into contact with gambling more quickly
Many Esports viewers are under the age of twenty-five. They grow up with games, digital currencies and online content. When an advertisement for a betting site appears during a stream, it quickly feels like part of the game. Even if it costs real money.
Some platforms offer free bets or reward users with virtual skins. This blurs the line between play and gambling. Young people thus unknowingly come into contact with real gambling behaviour, often without protection or supervision.
A growing number of observers argue that this poses risks. The Belgian government is therefore reviewing its regulations. According to this analysis, there is a good chance that online gambling will soon be subject to stricter controls than has been the case to date.
What skin gambling means within Esports
In popular games such as Counter-Strike, players can decorate their weapons with digital skins. These are nothing more than appearances, but they often have value on online marketplaces. Some skins are worth hundreds of euros.
Various websites offer players the opportunity to bet with these skins. This happens outside the view of official authorities. Because there is often no age verification, minors also participate. For many, it does not feel like real gambling, but it is.
Why Esports gambling markets continue to grow
Esports is a market in flux. Major tournaments attract audiences larger than some traditional sports. Sponsors invest in teams, players and even gambling platforms. This visibility makes the transition to gambling easier.
Many sites also offer crypto betting, which makes gambling easier and more anonymous. Young people who grow up with digital currencies and blockchain technology find this way of betting natural. It is a new form of behaviour that seems to be slowly becoming normal.
Nevertheless, some wonder whether this trend is going too far. While some consider gambling a social game, others experience it as a lonely activity. This article on online gambling and isolation discusses how online betting is a form of contact for some, and the opposite for others.
How rules and supervision lag behind practice
Most gambling laws were written for physical casinos and sports betting. But Esports is digital, fast-paced and aimed at a young audience. Legislation often does not adequately address this.
On many gambling platforms, you can create an account without strict checks. Young people quickly find their way to these platforms via social media or gaming sites. The line between play, profit and addiction is often blurred.
Governments want to respond to this, but developments are outpacing policy. Meanwhile, the digital gambling market continues to grow.
What the future may hold for Esports and gambling
Esports and online gambling are becoming increasingly intertwined. Some teams are sponsored by gambling companies. Streamers advertise betting during their live broadcasts. This link is growing stronger as the market expands.
At the same time, there are concerns about vulnerable groups. Not only young people are at risk, but also people who are already susceptible to addiction. The call for clear rules is growing louder. In the coming years, it will become clear whether the industry will restrict itself or whether stricter legislation is needed.