Why everyone’s betting on esports – literally

Esports isn’t just winning trophies – it’s winning bets. Something that was once a niche interest has exploded into a global betting market worth millions, close to rivalling that of traditional sports. 

And esports fans aren’t just watching anymore – they’re betting on their favourite games, teams, and players, drawn in by exciting features like real-time odds, non-stop action, and next-gen platforms built for digital natives. 

In this article, we break down what esports betting actually is, why it’s growing so quickly, and where it could be headed next. 

In short, esports betting involves placing wagers on the outcome of competitive video games. It’s very similar to traditional sports in that bettors predict and wager on various outcomes of the game or on the performance of individual players. 

Bettors can wager on a variety of outcomes like match winners, total eliminations, MVPs, outright tournament victor, and dozens of other game-specific markets, depending on the title, like first blood in League of Legends.

The most bet on esports include, with Counter-Strike courting 64% of total betting handle (Sharpr, 2025): 

These five games dominate global betting handle, particularly LoL and Dota 2, whose annual Tier-1 events – Worlds and The International – drive huge volumes of action across most betting sites. 

Esports has grown from a niche pastime to a global entertainment powerhouse, with international events, multi-million dollar prize pools, and star-studded teams for fans to follow. 

Thanks to free-to-watch platforms like YouTube and Twitch, esports is fully plugged in, permanently online, and more accessible to audiences than traditional media has ever been. In 2024, the global esports audience surpassed 500 million viewers according to Statista, projected to reach 600 million by the end of 2025. And with large-scale global tournaments like the Esports World Cup and LoL Worlds on the horizon, these estimates won’t just be reached, they’ll be smashed.  

This overall level of reach doesn’t just attract sponsors – it powers the entire betting ecosystem. Most esports viewers use betting to further connect with the games they love and share the thrill of winning with their favourite teams. 

Esports spreads are now being offered at mainstream operators, too. Traditional players in iGaming like William Hill and Bet365 are beginning to establish a presence to cash in on the exploding popularity of esports.

Thanks to their own esports sections, these sites offer more visibility to alternative audiences, which causes a domino effect of more profit and growth. 

This adoption signals a shift from novelty to normalcy. Esports is no longer an afterthought – but a core product. 

It’s worth noting, though, that traditional sites sometimes lack the insider knowledge and esports DNA to offer more in-depth coverage. Esports-specific betting sites like Midnite, Rivalry, and Thunderpick rule the roost in terms of diversity, with a more flavourful and exciting portfolio of markets compared to traditional books. 

Gen-Z and millennials grew up online, fully immersed in video games, memes, and digital culture. Esports betting is an extension of those interests, in a similar way that sports betting is to a traditional sports fan. In 2024, the millennials in the 18-27 age bracket accounted for 44% of all esports bettors. 

These bettors also aren’t just throwing pennies at random outcomes – they’re betting with purpose. According to iGaming Business, bettors within this age demographic are betting around $30 on esports, compared to the average $5 football bet. 

As this demographic continues to age, their betting habits are expected to deepen, especially with mobile-first products, meme-driven marketing, and crypto-friendly platforms designed with them in mind.

The best thing about esports is that it never stays still, and the same goes for how we bet on it. Like a kid on Christmas morning, there’s always a shiny new feature or tool transforming how fans interact with the games they love. Esports betting platforms are constantly evolving to match the digital habits of their audiences, and that means innovation isn’t optional; it’s a must. 

We couldn’t talk about innovation without including the buzzword on everyone’s lips in 2025: artificial intelligence. AI is in everything these days, from real-time odds generation to personalised promotions, offering users a smarter and faster betting experience to keep them more locked in and engaged.

And then there’s crypto. Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are quickly becoming the norm across most esports betting platforms. These blockchain-based payment options offer fast, borderless transactions built for an always-online global audience. For a generation that lives for immediate gratification, the ability to deposit, bet, and withdraw in seconds is a massive value-add. 

Traditional sports run on schedules – esports doesn’t. No matter the location or time zone, there’s almost always a tournament or stream somewhere. And that means there’s always something to bet on. Even during esports winter in December/January, minor leagues and qualifiers keep the action rolling, resulting in an ecosystem that never sleeps. 

Esports betting doesn’t just operate around the clock 365 days a year – it thrives on it. In the mobile-first era, where fans can follow their favourite teams from anywhere in the world, placing a live bet mid-match means there’s never a dull moment. 

Esports betting is always chasing its next “main character moment,” and the future is shaping up to be anything but boring. 

As the space becomes more widely accepted, we could see a new wave of competitive titles entering the mix. New games like Fragpunk, Marvel Rivals, and Mario Kart World could emerge as betting-friendly esports if they establish competitive ecosystems. With new titles comes new fans, and with new fans comes new bettors, for a domino effect that keeps the industry growing. 

More tech innovations will keep esports betting fun and fresh. We’ve already got AI and blockchain, but what’s next? Here are two key innovations to watch out for in the future: 

As esports continues its upward trajectory from the “underground” into mainstream culture, major game publishers are also already rethinking their stances on gambling, with Riot Games currently in the news.

ICYMI, partnered teams in Tier-1 LoL and VALORANT can now strike up deals with Riot-approved betting brands. While these partnerships have restrictions, like no logos on jerseys, this is still a significant shift into a more betting-friendly future for the world’s top esports, VALORANT and League of Legends. 

Like it or not, esports betting in 2025 is now a daily part of how fans engage with competitive gaming. The tech keeps evolving, and the esports circuit never sleeps, meaning there’s always something to bet on at any time of day. This “always-on action” appeals to fans old and young, and as more titles go competitive and more platforms fine-tune their offerings, esports betting isn’t just sticking around – it’s scaling up fast.