How will global reclassifications and new laws affect the future of eSports betting?

eSports have no longer been a marginal phenomenon for years and are attracting more and more fans worldwide. The major tournaments now fill entire stadiums and the prize money runs into the millions. In 2024, a turning point was reached with the decision to include the Olympic Games in eSports, which will have a major impact.

Influence of the reclassification on sports betting

Electronic sports were offered by numerous bookmakers long before eSports was categorised as an Olympic sport by the IOC. If we look at Sportwetten Schweiz, for example, we find that there has been a separate category for eSports for years. Here, customers have the opportunity to bet on games such as Counter Strike, Starcraft or Rocket League.

So if an online bookmaker has a licence from Curacao, Malta or the Comoros, offering eSports bets is absolutely no problem. The situation is different with a German licence. In Germany, eSports is still not considered a real sport by the GGL and therefore may not be offered.

It remains to be seen whether the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027 will bring about an adjustment to the regulations. So far, it can be summarised that the reclassification has not yet had a major impact on whether eSports betting is offered or not.

Why eSports betting is becoming increasingly popular

There are a number of reasons why eSports is becoming increasingly popular among the masses. We have summarised the most important reasons here:

• Reach through streaming platforms: Platforms such as Twitch or YouTube Gaming make eSports accessible to millions of fans worldwide. Viewers can watch games live and share in the excitement at the same time.
• High prize money and prestige: The biggest eSports tournaments offer millions in prize money, which increases the appeal and turns professional players into real stars.
• Wide variety of games: From Counter Strike to League of Legends to Rocket League. eSports covers many genres that appeal to different target groups.
• Young target group: Generation Z in particular is highly connected online and is looking for new forms of entertainment. eSports betting is a perfect fit for this digital lifestyle.
• Professionalisation: Teams, leagues and sponsors invest large sums of money. As a result, eSports is becoming more and more similar to traditional sport, with clear rules, tournament structures and media presence.

The growing popularity can be clearly seen in the ever larger tournaments.

Opportunities for bookmakers and players

The ever-growing fanbase surrounding eSports events offers good opportunities for both bookmakers and fans. By adapting their offering, bookmakers can appeal to significantly more fans and thus also attract customers.

For the customers themselves, there is the advantage that not only are more events and eSports disciplines on offer, but also that there are more betting markets to bet on. Special eSports bonuses and live streams also ensure an even better experience.

In addition, international co-operations open up new perspectives. When bookmakers enter into partnerships with major tournament organisers or well-known teams, exclusive betting offers are created that generate additional attention. Innovative forms of betting such as fantasy eSports or in-game betting are also constantly evolving and making the market more dynamic. For players, this means a growing variety and an increasingly intense experience.