Global Esports Betting Growth Q12025 75% Surge & Market Trends
Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are becoming increasingly common on betting platforms, offering several key advantages. Transactions are faster, safer, and more anonymous than traditional banking methods, and they provide access to bettors in countries with strict gambling regulations. Advances in iGaming software development are playing a major role in transforming the esports betting market. These tools support live odds, mobile responsiveness, and data-driven features that enhance the betting experience for both users and operators.
The region accounts for more than half of the global esports fanbase and continues to attract new bettors every year. Together, these innovations are reshaping how esports betting works. From AI-driven insights to blockchain security, technology is creating a more scalable, reliable, and engaging experience for esports bettors around the world. The latest version of Counter-Strike remains one of the most bet-on esports games.
Regional Analysis
These risks highlight the need for responsible growth, ethical standards, and ongoing innovation within Esports vs iGaming vs eGaming. That puts a lot of pressure on everyone involved, from game developers and tournament organizers to sportsbooks and tech teams. If the industry wants to keep this momentum going, it can’t just rely on hype or tradition.
Why Now Is the Time to Invest
This opens the door to unethical practices that can damage the integrity of competitions and betting markets alike. However, some regions are growing faster than others due to cultural interest, infrastructure, and legal support. Watching a live match and placing bets at the same time creates a more immersive experience.
Online livestream views have doubled since 2019, with 2.89 billion hours of esports competitions watched in 2024, according to a Stream Hatchet report. As more global sportsbooks adapt to esports-driven preferences and invest in content, data, and fan experiences, the industry is set for an era of sustained, exponential growth. Whether you’re a bettor, operator, developer, or esports fan, one thing is clear—the future of betting is digital, dynamic, and deeply immersive.
Handle growth, in-play share, retention & uptime
- Enter Malta (MGA) and Estonia (EMTA) — two EU jurisdictions offering robust licensing frameworks with tax-free winnings inside the EU.
- The live betting model is prevalent, with odds changing as the game progresses.
- When it comes to growth drivers, Asia stands as the undisputed leader in the global esports betting space.
- Meanwhile, VR and AR technologies are being tested to offer immersive match-viewing environments.
- Today, esports betting is part of the wider online gambling industry.
One of the primary drivers of the esports betting market is the massive growth of esports as an entertainment form. According to the International Esports Federation (IESF), the number of unibet esports viewers surpassed 500 million in 2023 and is expected to exceed 700 million by 2030. This growing audience translates directly to a larger base for potential bettors. Today, more people bet on esports using mobile devices than desktop computers.
Esports isn’t just popular in one corner of the world; it’s a global phenomenon. Major esports hubs include Asia, with countries like China, South Korea and North America, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and Toronto. These regions have become hotbeds for both esports competition and betting. As professional gamers take on celebrity-like status within their game communities, interest is growing in betting on individuals’ performances – long a feature in established sports like football. Standout star performances from the likes of Counter-Strike professionals Danil ‘donk’ Kryshkovets and Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut in 2024 have ignited major interest in player-specific wagers. Explore the full findings of Oddin.gg’s esports betting report here.
