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Esports Betting: Redefining the Future of Digital Gambling

Published

3 months ago

March 21, 2025

Esports, until recently popular mainly among teenagers, has become a truly global phenomenon, rivaling traditional sports in scale. Tournaments for League of Legends and CS:2 attract millions of viewers, while Twitch streams break viewership records. Following the rise of esports, a new industry is rapidly emerging — betting on gaming tournaments.

What’s more, esports betting appeals not only to gamers but also to fans of traditional sports betting like football, hockey, and others. The team behind the 888STARZ Partners affiliate program recognizes the potential of this niche, so we’re breaking down what this industry entails, the types of bets available, and what the future holds for esports.

Esports Growth: A Market on Fire

The numbers don’t lie. The esports tournament market is already valued at $3 billion, with 57% of the audience in Asia, 16% in Europe, 12% in North America, and 15% spread across other regions (Demandsage). By 2025, over 318 million people are expected to follow esports tournaments and streams regularly.

What’s driving this surge? At least two key factors: games are evolving into highly strategic, visually spectacular experiences, and developers are pouring money into professionalizing the scene. For example, Riot Games invested $10 million to launch the Valorant Champions Tour, transforming the shooter into a full-fledged esports discipline with clear rules and seasonal schedules.

Chart of esports popularity by global region
Source: Demandsage

Technology also fuels this growth: cloud services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW make gaming more accessible, while streaming platforms erase borders between players and viewers. In 2023, the League of Legends World Championship match between T1 and Weibo Gaming drew 6.4 million concurrent viewers — surpassing the NBA Finals. Such an audience is impossible for bookmakers to ignore.

Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Forecast of esports market growth until 2032
Source: Demandsage

How Esports Betting Works

Unlike traditional sports, esports isn’t influenced by weather conditions, physical fatigue, or external factors. Instead, the game itself is constantly evolving. Developers release updates every few weeks, tweaking mechanics and balance. A slight buff to a Dota 2 hero or a minor nerf in CS2 can tip the scales and decide a match. That’s why successful esports bettors don’t just track team stats—they stay on top of game patches and meta shifts.

Let’s name most popular esports bet types:

Classic — Predicting the winner of a match or tournament.
Totals — Wagering on total rounds (e.g., in CS:2) or kills in VALORANT.
Exotic — “First blood” in League of Legends, exact map score, or real-time live bets.

Live bets add extra adrenaline — for example, during a Rainbow Six Siege final round, you can bet on whether a team will plant the bomb in the remaining 30 seconds.

Why Esports is So Captivating

The psychology of esports betting differs from classic sports. Games unfold dynamically, and every pro player’s decision can sway a match or tournament outcome. This creates hyper-engagement, amplified by real-time stats, interactive charts, and live stream chats where fans dissect every move. Gaming culture and fan interactions also play a key role. Discussions on Reddit, predictions in Telegram chats, and group watch parties turn esports into a vibrant subculture.

Risks of Esports Betting

The flip side includes risks inherent to gambling, amplified by esports’ unique traits. First, the illusion of control: bettors often overestimate their analytical skills, attributing wins to expertise and losses to “bad luck”. This breeds overconfidence. Second, the youthful audience: 60% of esports viewers are under 34, increasing the risk of impulsive decisions.

Fraud is another threat. In 2021, a scandal rocked the Rocket League community when two teams colluded to rig a match for betting profits. Such cases are rare but underscore the need to choose licensed platforms. Experts advise verifying licenses (e.g., Curacao eGaming, UKGC) and avoiding bookmakers with suspiciously high odds.

How to make a profit bet in esport?

Success requires discipline and deep analysis. Professionals recommend beginners:

Focus on 1-2 games — mastering mechanics boosts winning chances.
Manage your bankroll — never risk more than 5% of your deposit per bet.
Keep a betting journal — log every wager with notes on reasoning and factors considered.

For example, in Dota 2, analyzing hero synergy is critical, while in Counter-Strike, tracking weapon purchase patterns matters. This turns betting into a learning process, not a chase for quick wins.

The Future of Esports

The industry is evolving fast. AI tools like OpenAI already analyze thousands of matches, predicting outcomes with 72% accuracy. By 2025, VR broadcasts could let viewers “enter” virtual arenas, and blockchain promises transparency via smart contracts for automated payouts.

Legalization is also accelerating: in 2020, only 15 countries regulated esports betting, but by 2023, this jumped to 40. In India, where esports is officially recognized as a sport, a state lottery now offers bets on BGMI (PUBG Mobile) tournaments.

Conclusion

Esports is undeniably one of the most promising betting niches, unlikely to stagnate soon. As traditional sports gradually lose traction, esports could dominate the betting world. While most bettors still focus on football, basketball, or hockey, you can capitalize now by promoting betting offers through 888STARZ Partners. Our affiliate program features 100+ GEO-targeted betting and hambling offers, including exclusive in-house deals with some of the highest rates on the market. Join 888STARZ Partners and start earning just right now!

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Game On! Win Acer’s New RTX 50 Series Laptop + PC Game Pass

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Acer UK Levels Up the Game: Win a Brand-New NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Gaming Laptop and Unleash Hundreds of Titles with Included PC Game Pass!

Acer UK is thrilled to announce an electrifying competition giving gamers the chance to win a state-of-the-art Predator or Nitro laptop, powered by the brand-new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs! This grand giveaway celebrates the highly anticipated arrival of Acer’s latest gaming powerhouses and highlights the incredible value of PC Game Pass, now included with all new Nitro and Predator devices.

Enter the Competition Here: gleam.io/PQDpw/50-series-laptop-and-pc-game-pass-competition

The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and Acer is at the forefront, delivering cutting-edge technology designed to immerse players in unparalleled virtual worlds. The new Predator Helios Neo 16 AI laptop, featuring the formidable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, is now available at leading retailers including Amazon, Box, and Currys. For those seeking even more power, Acer’s official store is now stocking models with the groundbreaking RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080, offering next-generation performance and AI capabilities for the most demanding games and creative tasks.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Every new Nitro and Predator device now comes with PC Game Pass included, ensuring that gamers have immediate access to a vast library of hundreds of high-quality titles from the moment they unbox their new machine. No more waiting, no more separate purchases – just plug in and play!

To amplify the buzz, this competition will be supported by renowned gaming influencers Two Angry Gamers and Frankie Ward. Their extensive reach and passionate communities will help spread the word, giving more gamers the chance to win and experience Acer’s cutting-edge hardware paired with an incredible game library.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the power of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series to our Predator and Nitro laptop lines,” says Mike Newson, Gaming Notebook Business Manager at Acer UK. “These new machines, especially the Predator Helios 18 AI and the Predator Triton 14 AI, represent a significant leap in gaming performance and AI integration. By bundling PC Game Pass and collaborating with beloved gaming personalities like Two Angry Gamers and Frankie Ward, we’re not just offering powerful hardware; we’re providing an instant gateway to an endless world of gaming entertainment and ensuring our message reaches the heart of the gaming community. It’s about delivering the complete, immersive experience our users deserve.”

PC Game Pass: Your Ultimate Gaming Library Just Got Bigger!

Microsoft’s PC Game Pass continues to grow, offering an incredible selection of games for every taste. Recent exciting additions that gamers can dive into include:

FBC: Firebreak – A cooperative first-person shooter available day one on Game Pass!
Rematch – A thrilling third-person, team-based football game.
Warcraft I: Remastered, Warcraft II: Remastered, and Warcraft III: Reforged – Relive the epic beginnings of the legendary Warcraft universe.
Call of Duty: WWII – Experience intense historical combat.
Looking ahead, July brings even more to the service with Little Nightmares II and Rise of the Tomb Raider returning to the library.

With new titles added regularly, PC Game Pass ensures there’s always something fresh and exciting to explore on your new Acer gaming laptop.

Don’t miss your chance to win the ultimate gaming upgrade! Enter the competition today and prepare to experience gaming like never before with Acer’s new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series laptops and PC Game Pass.

Availability: The new Predator Helios Neo 16 AI laptop with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series is available now at Amazon, Box, and Currys. Models featuring the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 are available directly from the Acer Store.

Social Media: #Acer #Predator #Nitro #RTX50Series #PCGamePass #GamingLaptop #Competition #Giveaway #TwoAngryGamers #FrankieWard

The post Game On! Win Acer’s New RTX 50 Series Laptop + PC Game Pass appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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iGB L!VE confirm London iGaming Week program

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Clarion Gaming has announced details of London iGaming Week, a program of immersive curated events, seminars and parties centred around iGB L!VE and taking place at iconic London venues.

Confirming the programme, Naomi Barton, Global Portfolio Director responsible for iGB L!VE said: “London iGaming Week is an amazing opportunity for the global iGaming industry to come together for a week of connection, innovation, and celebration.

“Running 1 July – 4 July it features social events such as the iGB Affiliate Awards, the EGR B2B Awards, Welcome Drinks in Canary Wharf, and the Legends by Fire and ICE celebration.

“It also includes unique opportunities to network and learn at the iGB Start-Up Accelerator, the Affiliate and Operator Mixer and Technology in Gaming, the inaugural conference for senior technology professionals sponsored by Pretty Technical on Tuesday 1 July.

She added: “An initiative that we are extremely excited about is our deeper partnership with LatAm Media Group which will see us stage the first ever London LMG Futbol Experience. Taking place on Friday 4th July, the live-streamed 6-a-side football tournament will be played on a state-of-the-art 5G pitch with games officiated by fully qualified referees.

“Delivering a mixture of competition and camaraderie it’s a fantastic milestone which will build on iGB L!VE’s reputation for running the most popular business, networking and social iGaming events of the year.”

London iGaming Week represents a high profile addition to what will be the biggest edition of iGB L!VE on record. The first show to take place in London following its relocation from Amsterdam it will provide attendees with access to over 22,000sqm of product innovation and inspiration.

Connecting igaming operators, affiliates, tech vendors and game providers, iGB L!VE will welcome a projected 15,000 iGaming and affiliate pioneers helping businesses throughout the ecosystem to navigate the iGaming landscape, provide networking opportunities, showcase cutting-edge innovations and share crucial market knowledge.

For more information and to register for iGB L!VE, 2 – 3 JULY 2025, ExCeL London: igblive.com

The post iGB L!VE confirm London iGaming Week program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25

Published

2 days ago

June 20, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia - AEC25

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Mind Sports South Africa’s Protea Female CS2 team, led by captain Jess Greeff and featuring Avonique van Rooyen, dominated IESF’s AEC24, and emerged undefeated, and punched their ticket to the world stage. The female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title are trailblazers in female esports and are already making their mark internationally.

To qualify for IESF’s World Esports Championships 2025 (WEC25), South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title will be taking on Namibia at15H00 on 21 June 2025.

South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title has never lost to Namibia, and both MSSA and the team are confident that the result will be the same as all previous encounters.

The team has shown a few changes from 2024. Jessica Greeff remains the captain, and Avonique van Rooyen and Megan van der Westhuizen too stay on the team with their vast international experience. The two new additions are Kiera McCullum and Kalee Ludick who further add to the team.

MSSA is of the belief that the 2025 Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title is the strongest female Counter Strike 2 team to ever represent South Africa.

The full team to represent South Africa at15H00 on 21 June 2025 is:

Name	Club	Nick	Province
Jessica Eleez Greeff (Capt.)	ZAG Academy	heartjess	KwaZulu Natal
Avonique van Rooyen	ZAG Academy	avo	Gauteng
Kiera McCallum	ZAG Academy	queen	KwaZulu Natal
Megan van der Westhuizen	ZAG Academy	m3gz	Gauteng
Kalee Ludick	ZAG Academy	creative	Gauteng