Figure – Courtesy of Global eSports Market Report by Newzoo
According to research by Newzoo, eSports awareness exceeds 1 billion worldwide, see above figure. And with a fast-growing marketplace centered on competition, more people are interested in gambling on eSports. In response, bookmakers are rolling out eSports products to meet the growing demand. While gambling already has a home within the competitive gaming community, numerous operators are focusing on honing a strategy to attract eSports bettors. One such outlet is Bookmaker.eu, a sports betting platform that offers odds for competitive video game events. Scott Cooley, official spokesperson for Bookmaker.eu, was kind enough to engage in some eSports Q&A:
How long has Bookmaker.eu been offering lines on eSports events and what has the market feedback been since then?
We’ve been offering eSports odds since the end of 2014. Since then, we’ve seen an influx of clients that are eSports centric as they almost exclusively wager on that sector of our betting board. We take bets every day on eSports and we continue to see a steady growth in handle for that sport. We are dedicating more and more resources to eSports and by July, we aim to roll out an entirely new platform for eSports. Clients will be able to live bet on eSports events as they happen on television.
What role will the growing array of eSports TV broadcasts have on interest in betting?
It will play a major role in the rise of eSports gambling. Bettors seek the thrill of watching their wagers unfold in front of them, which is why live betting has taken off in recent years. There is always more interest from gamblers in wagering on an event they can watch on TV.
What are the three biggest challenges facing odd makers in this market?
A major challenge is collecting information on the players and teams. We don’t know the competitors inside and out like we do LeBron James or Tom Brady. Their professional and personal lives are not chronicled to the masses like superstar athletes.
Another challenge is having a strong command of the sport itself. Oddsmakers are well versed in the traditional sports but are extremely green when it comes to understanding the nuances and strategies of eSports.
As eSports gambling grows, predicting market reaction and public perception will be a challenge. Right now, most of the people that bet on eSports are what we call “sharp” bettors. As the mainstream public gets involved, we will have to assess how they react to the odds.
Do you think there are enough protections for integrity in the space?
SC: There certainly need to be more. Corruption can occur in any sport, but the leagues that become extinct are the ones that aren’t regulated and governed properly.
Should betting operators play a role in pushing for badly needed governance and regulation in eSports?
I don’t think it’s our place to lobby for regulation. A thriving sport is one that reaches a broader and broader audience, and one of the best ways to accomplish that is to provide a platform for gambling on it. If the gaming industry doesn’t see value in a sport because due to unnecessary liability, then it’s the sport that will suffer. The onus is really on the organizers and competitors.
Related Reading
- Gaimerz Wagers on Skill-based eSports – http://blog.entivagroup.net/2016/01/skill-esports-and-wagering-with-gaimerz/
- eSports & Gambling: A Primer – http://blog.entivagroup.net/2015/08/esports-gambling-a-primer/
Join the eSports industry’s #1 weekly newsletter for FREE! http://tinyletter.com/afletcher