eSports Gets Its Day in the Sun

During the COVID19 lockdown, major league sports all over the world have been shuttered until such time player safety is assured. This has left avid sports gamblers scratching their collective heads and looking for sports wagering opportunities.

In the last few years, European online sportsbooks have seen a gradual rise in interest among European sports bettor to wager on eSports leagues and tournaments. In the sports world, eSports has gone well beyond a fad into the mainstream world of sports. With billions of dollars on the line every year for participants, eSports has become big business with major sponsors and a natural appeal to sports gamblers.

It has taken a while, but U.S. sports gamblers have finally come to the table. Admittedly, it has likely been out of necessity since eSports leagues and tournaments have already shaken free from the hold of the COVID19 shutdown. With that said, U.S. bookmakers have been reporting encouraging eSports betting revenue numbers from U.S. bettors. That's great news for anyone involved in sports betting and eSports communities.

What's most surprising is Las Vegas has several of the top eSports venues in the world, namely the HyperX Arena in the Luxor Hotel and Resort. As one of eSports major tournament hubs, it's perplexing the city hasn't more heavily promoted betting on eSports events. Be that as it may, the COVOD19 pandemic finally gave this new sport its day in the sun.

Moving Forward

There little doubt that the return of MLB (maybe), the NBA mega tournament, and the upcoming NFL and NCAA football seasons will draw away many of the betting dollars currently being wagered to eSports. While that might sound like a potential issue for the eSports betting community, all of the news would seem positive.

First, the betting exposure eSports has received has come with very little marketing. All of a sudden, American sports bettors have a new toy with which to play. With a newfound foundation in the sports betting community, there will be loyal sports bettors who will save wagering dollars for eSports events.

Second, the eSports community now has a reason to start marketing its wares to the U.S. betting public. If they build it, U.S. bettors are now more likely to come.

For now, eSports has a least another month where they only have to share the spotlight with golf and European soccer. That's a lot of time to cash in on this free exposure.