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. And, esports betting in 2025 is now a daily part of how fans engage with competitive gaming.
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, and is projected to reach 600 million by the end of 2025. Traditional sports run on schedules, esports does not. No matter the location or time zone, there’s almost always a tournament or stream somewhere.
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.
Like sports betting, esports betting lets fans wager on outcomes like match winners, kill totals, and tournament results. The most popular esports to bet on include Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Counter-Strike 2 is the most popular with 64% of total bets.
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. 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.
Esports never stays still, and esports betting platforms are constantly evolving to match the digital habits of their audiences. Innovation is therefore a must:
- Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are quickly becoming the norm across most esports betting platforms;
- 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;
- Bettors could experience games through VR headsets, complete with real-time odds overlays and live stats for a more immersive, interactive way to bet;
- Since most fans watch on Twitch, the next step would be embedding betting directly into the stream;
- 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.
