Canada
Making Money From Video Games – Understanding Esports Betting And How To Win Big
2020 has been a turbulent sort of year, with almost every event in the worlds of sport and entertainment seeing either delays or outright cancellations. And with still no end on the horizon, plenty of companies and organizations are bracing themselves for more losses and disruptions heading into the opening months of 2021.
However, one community that has gone almost the complete opposite way is in the video game industry, and more specifically the competitive spheres of gaming (known as ‘Esports’ professionally).
The world of Esports has blurred the lines between entertainment and elite-level sports, and the numbers behind its growth are absolutely staggering. The video game industry is now worth more than the music and film scenes combined, and the Esports sector is set to hit the $1 billion mark by the opening of 2021.
With so much money running around the scene, here’s a brief overview of understanding wagering on Esports, and how you can get ahead of the curve and win big.
A Blossoming Scene
This explosion in popularity has led to plenty of gamers fulfilling their dreams of turning their passions into cash and making money from playing their favourite titles. Lucrative salaries and huge prize pools are the way the pro players make their fortunes, but there are of course other ways people can make their money without having to invest hundreds of hours into honing their skills.
The first thing about understanding ways to make money off of Esports, is understanding that ‘Esports’ is an umbrella term used to describe any title with a competitive scene. Just like how an individual cannot claim to be a master of wagering on a whole variety of sports, people who do well from Esports betting are the ones who know all the ins and outs of just one or two chosen titles.
Think of the term: ‘quality over quantity’.
The world of Esports is made by its events and competitions, with the more high profile and bigger tournaments naturally offering the best collection of odds and markets. Obviously, understanding which events are top-level and when they are happening is crucial to this; most Esports titles have a competitive scene that splits its tournaments into a tier ladder system of ranking. S-Tier and events are usually reserved for the premium events out there, whilst you’ll be hard-pressed to find many competitive markets for those tournaments down in the B and C-Tiers.
More and more platforms such as Liquidpedia and HLTV are being launched that help would-be fans keep track of the competitive calendars of each and every title, and give them a complete overview of each tournament’s ranking, prize pool, fixtures, standings, and results.
Variants Of Wagering
Much like real-world sports betting, there are a whole host of ways in which a player can begin wagering on their favorite video games and their competitive scenes. Because the competition is so fierce, sites such as Unikrn.com have to offer the most complete collection of markets that appeal to every user that find themselves landing on them.
Users are able to back their favorite teams, orgs or players in both match and season outrights, as well as following the action through dynamic live in-play odds.
The emergence of online live streaming on platforms such as Twitch TV have been instrumental in the growth of Esports’ appeal and popularity to both fans and would-be partners, and following the action right as it happens on such a platform allows for a better understanding of the latest odds as they shift, as well as offering a thrilling viewing experience.
Whilst traditional real-world sports find themselves battling greedy corporations and consistently hidden behind paywalls, Esports is readily accessible for anyone to follow.
On top of the traditional forms of wagering, which most are already familiar with, Esports has helped breathe new life into the betting world with more and more exotic markets that are specific to their respective titles. Betting on the number of rounds won, frags picked up, bombs planted or amount of maps played can all help to provide a unique spread betting element to a user’s experience, and certainly presents a potentially lucrative opportunity for fans of a game who are experienced and knowledgeable enough to know the ins and outs.
Again, understanding a game is one thing, however getting ahead of the curve and beating the markets requires a substantial amount of know-how on how the difference between picking a winner and those value bets that really stretch your winnings with value bets. Understanding the games’ metas, competitions and the subtle nuances of professional plays is the best way of ensuring you really clean up with your bets.
Of course, with anything in the wagering world, it’s always important to remember your limits, ensure everything you do is strictly for fun, and always check that any sites you bet with have all the structures in place to help support you.
Ben Clemes
High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.
The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
IAGR announces program for IAGR2025 conference in Toronto

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has released the program for its upcoming annual conference, to be held in Toronto from 20-23 October.
With the theme ‘Resilient regulation: Exploring what works, why and what’s next’, the event brings together global regulators and thought leaders to examine how regulatory frameworks can evolve to meet today’s challenges.
The four-day program explores timely issues, including the rise of AI and behavioural analytics, the impact of converging technologies, cross-border collaboration and the continued push to strengthen responsible gambling policies.
IAGR President Ben Haden said the program offers a strong preview of the content and conversations delegates can expect in Toronto.
‘This year’s program showcases the breadth and complexity of the challenges facing gambling regulators worldwide, from protecting player wellbeing to tackling illegal markets and understanding new technologies,’ Haden said.
‘I encourage regulators, researchers and policy professionals from around the world to join us in Toronto. The conference is a space to learn, share experience, challenge assumptions and shape the future of effective, collaborative regulation.’
Confirmed speakers and panellists include:
- Andrew Rhodes, CEO, Gambling Commission, Great Britain
- Anders Dorph, Director, Danish Gambling Authority, Denmark
- Dr Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Canada
- Mark Vander Linden, Director of Research and Responsible Gaming and Carrie Torrisi, Chief of Sports Wagering Division, Massachusetts Gaming Commission, United States
- Bashir Are, CEO, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Nigeria
- Teo Chun Ching, Chief Executive, Gambling Regulatory Authority, Singapore
- Ladipo Abiose Akolade, Founder, GamblePause Initiative Africa, Nigeria
- Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO, Mindway AI, Denmark
- Tracy Parker, Senior Vice President, Accreditation, Advisory and Insights, Responsible Gambling Council, Canada
- Pedro Romero, Chief of Safer Gambling Partnerships, BetBlocker, Gibraltar
- Sonia Wasowska, Head of Supervision, General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, United Arab Emirates
- Steven Blackburn, Partner, Ashurst Risk Advisory, Australia
The event will be held at The Westin Harbour Castle on Toronto’s waterfront.
The post IAGR announces program for IAGR2025 conference in Toronto appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alberta Gaming
Edmonton Elks, Play Alberta Connect on New Partnership

Home field advantage has a new name, as the Edmonton Elks announced that Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is now the home of the Elks.
The field naming rights are part of a broader multi-year agreement between Play Alberta and the EE, making Play Alberta the official sports betting partner of the Club.
“We couldn’t be more excited to expand our partnership with Play Alberta. This partnership is about more than just putting a name on the field – it’s about building something meaningful for our fans and our community. Play Alberta is an Alberta-based organization that shares our values and our commitment to giving back. Together, we’re creating new ways for fans to connect with our team and experience the game day atmosphere in a whole new way,” said Elks President and CEO Chris Morris.
The expanded relationship between the Elks and Play Alberta will allow the game day experience to continue to grow. Fans can look forward to unique activations and promotions around the stadium, including the chance to win game tickets and memorabilia.
“Since Play Alberta’s launch five years ago, our team has made it a priority to connect with the communities where our players live and work. We are very excited to join the Edmonton Elks on the field on game days during upcoming CFL seasons. Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium allows us to partner with the Elks and showcase two brands built for Albertans in a historic Edmonton location,” said Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Chief Executive Officer Kandice Machado.
The Elks open their 76th season on Saturday, June 7 in Vancouver when they take on the B.C. Lions. Edmonton’s home opener at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is slated for Thursday, June 19 against the Montreal Alouettes.
The post Edmonton Elks, Play Alberta Connect on New Partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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