Video gaming was once something people did to kick back, unwind, and just have a little fun… That’s certainly changed today. While of course, countless people still do enjoy casual video gaming, there’s a new – and less laidback – form of gaming: eSports.
What Is eSports?
The term “eSports” describes organized, competitive gaming, and it’s definitely not like what you used to do with your NES in your parent’s house while you were growing up. There are leagues and teams, and competitors (professional video gamers) face off in head-to-head competitions of the most popular games; Call of Duty, Fortnite, League of Legends, Madden, Overwatch, StarCraft, Heroes of the Storm, and so much more.
Competitive gaming is broadcast on television and the Internet, where you can watch from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere else); or, if you really want to get involved, you can attend a live eSports event (just like you would a football or baseball game). You can even keep tabs on what your favorite gamers are doing in real time, thanks to Twitch and other streaming services.
The Growing Popularity of eSports
eSports is taking the world by storm; the popularity is growing at an unprecedented rated. Millions of people around the globe are tuning in to these gaming competitions, with spectator numbers growing by the minute! Just to give you an idea about how insanely popular eSports has become, consider this: in April of 2019, the NBA (yes, that NBA), hosted a draft for the eSports league, which (not surprisingly) was based on their franchise; NBA 2K. During the event, a total of 102 professional video gamers were chosen, and these players were greeted with grandeur that you would expect to see actual NBA players receive during their draft picks. Pretty unreal!
Wagering Bets on eSports
Still not convinced that eSports is a big deal? Consider this: it’s becoming one of the hottest sports to wager on around the world; and thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned the ban on sports betting in America, wagering on professional video gaming is going to continue booming. Since 2012, the global market for eSports has been increasing steadily at a nearly 37% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), with the most growth taking place in North America and China. By the end of 2019, it’s predicted that the worldwide revenue for eSports will exceed $900 million; by 2021, revenue is predicted to reach $1.6 billion. Now those are some pretty astonishing numbers!
How to Cash In?
Given eSports incredible CAGR, it’s easy to see why so many people are placing their bets on professional video gaming competitions. Want to cash in yourself? Make sure you prepare yourself ahead of time. The wagers are steep, and just like any other sport, you really need to be familiar with the game if you want to stand a chance; when we say familiar, we mean you really need to get to know the game on an intimate level.
Pick a game that interests you (preferably one of the most popular games, like WOW or COD) and study it. Once you feel like you’ve mastered it, you can progress to placing your bets, and if you do it right, you could stand to make a real fortune!
Of course, if you’re going to bet on eSports, you’re going to want to set yourself up with a reputable cash out site; if you’re located in the UK, that site is www.betting.org/. An award-winning sportsbooking site that’s dedicated exclusively to sports betting and with more than 12,375 members – and growing (and they only recently launched), you’ll get the best odds comparisons, betting tips – and of course, cash outs – at betting.org. It’s the only place to go for your eSports betting needs!
