eSports
Esports to Beat Football? SOFTSWISS Shares Sports Betting Trends for 2024
Esports is raising its position among top sports by bets in 2023. The product team of the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, a top sports betting software provider, reflects on the past year.
Esports Unstoppable Rise
Over the past three years, the top three sports by bets remain unchanged, with football, tennis and basketball maintaining their leadership. In contrast, esports has demonstrated a consistent upward trend, progressing from the seventh position in 2021 to the fourth in 2023. Notably, Counter-Strike stands out, claiming the sixth position among the top ten disciplines by the number of bets.
Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “Considering the rise of esports, we guide our partners to focus on cyber disciplines, engaging audiences beyond traditional betting demographics. Highlighting the cybersports potential for operators, Newzoo’s report projects 640 million viewers by 2025.”
Mobiles Drive 92% of Operator GGR
Another notable trend in sports betting, which has remained unchanged for several years, is the consistent growth in bets made from mobile devices. According to the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, 80% of bets in 2023 were placed via mobile versus 70% in 2022 and 68% in 2021. This trend solidifies as players increasingly opt for mobile convenience, especially in live betting scenarios. More importantly, it was mobile devices that contributed 92% to the operators’ GGR.
Kamenetskyi adds: “Mobile betting is one of our main focuses in product development. We put much effort into improving our mobile application and mobile website. It is specifically important for locations facing challenges with internet connectivity and regions like LatAm and Africa where internet coverage is still growing.”
Casino Turnover Drops During Major Sports Events
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team has repeatedly emphasised shifts in player behaviour around major sports events. Specifically, there was a 10–20% drop in online casino turnover, coinciding with the World Cup 2022. This highlights a dynamic wherein a significant portion of casino players redirect their focus towards sports betting based on seasonal patterns. Considering audience preferences, reinforcing casinos with sportsbooks is a logical step.
Kamenetskyi adds: “This pattern underscores the strategic imperative for iGaming stakeholders to recognise the synergistic relationship between casino ventures and sportsbooks. Combining these options not only enhances casino appeal but also maintains player engagement, especially during sports events. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is compatible with any casino platform on the market.”
Additionally, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team notes the strengthening of other trends like regulation and responsible gambling that have recently been highlighted in the iGaming Trends 2024 report by SOFTSWISS. The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team will be glad to discuss all learnings during the first SBC Summit Rio at the stand D360.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
Asia
The Pokémon Company Announces Open-For-All Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 With $10,000 Prize Pool, Skyesports To Serve As Esports Partner
The Pokémon Company, with Skyesports as the esports partner, has announced an exciting new grassroots esports tournament, the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025. Open for all players across the country, this competition offers an opportunity for aspiring pro players to represent India on the global stage.
Registrations for the tournament are now live and will remain open until Jan. 29, 2025. Players from across the country can sign up on the official website to secure their spot and compete for national pride and international glory.
The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament boasts a massive prize pool of $10,000. The stakes are even higher, though, as the tournament winner will join the champion of the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League as India’s representatives in an international tournament. This international competition is the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2025 Finals which will bring the best-of-the-best from across Asia to Shinjuku, Japan on March 29 and 30 to fight for the ultimate title!
- The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 will begin with the Qualifier Stage, which will follow a single-elimination bracket.
- The top 16 teams from the qualifiers will advance to the Group Stage. Here, they will be evenly split into 4 groups where a single round-robin format will be followed.
- Finally, the top two teams from each group will progress to the Playoffs. These top 8 teams will compete in this penultimate stage across a double-elimination bracket for glory and the chance to represent India on the international stage.
The Pokémon Company executive said, “While the ACL India League supports the top-tier organizations of the country, the Winter Tournament highlights our commitment to grassroots development. By supporting players at every level—from grassroots to the pro scene—we aim to ensure the sustainable growth of Pokémon UNITE esports in India.”
Commenting on the tournament, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said, “With the ongoing Pokémon UNITE ACL India League bringing esports action to thousands of players, we are now thrilled to introduce the open-for-all Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament. This competition gives every aspiring pro player a chance to shine and represent the country in Japan. As long-term partners of The Pokémon Company, the tournament underscores Skyesports’ vision of giving Indian players and teams a chance to compete on the global stage. I wish the best of luck to all participants.”
With its intense 10-minute matches, Pokémon UNITE has seen remarkable growth in India, attracting a vibrant community of players and fans. The Winter Tournament is the latest effort to nurture and expand this ecosystem.
Today’s announcement follows the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League, where The Pokémon Company has directly invited India’s top eight esports organizations to compete, which includes the likes of S8UL, GodLike, Revenant XSpark, and Global Esports. The tournament, currently ongoing, is set to wrap up on Jan. 26, 2025. Immediately after, Skyesports will kick off the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament to continue the momentum of Pokémon UNITE esports in the country.
The complete schedule for the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 is as follows:
- Registrations: Until Jan. 29
- Qualifier Stage: Feb. 1 and 2
- Group Stage: Feb. 8
- Playoffs: Feb. 9
The post The Pokémon Company Announces Open-For-All Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 With $10,000 Prize Pool, Skyesports To Serve As Esports Partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bet99
Cutting-edge esports betting solutions empower BET99’s expansion into the booming vertical
PandaScore, the premier provider of esports betting odds, data, and innovative products, has announced an exciting new collaboration with BET99, one of Ontario’s top-ranking sportsbook and casino operators. This marks another major milestone for PandaScore as it continues to build its network of high-profile operators.
The deal gives BET99 access to PandaScore’s industry-leading Odds feed, which delivers comprehensive coverage of the world’s most popular esports titles, including Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Dota 2, and League of Legends (LoL). Powered by advanced algorithms and supported by a team of specialized traders, PandaScore’s feed enables operators like BET99 to offer competitive odds while hitting a standard-setting margin of 6%.
In addition to PandaScore’s Odds feed, BET99 will integrate cutting-edge features such as BetBuilder and MicroBetting markets. These tools empower players to customize their wagers and enjoy dynamic, fast-paced betting experiences, aligning perfectly with the demands of today’s esports audiences.
The move into esports betting comes at a pivotal moment for the sector, which continues to see exponential growth. PandaScore recently surpassed €1 billion in esports bets processed through its platform, underscoring its expertise and leadership in this space.
Oliver Niner, Head of B2B, PandaScore, said: “Esports betting is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the betting industry, and we’re thrilled to support BET99 as they take this exciting step. With our powerful Odds feed and innovative products like BetBuilder, BET99 is uniquely positioned to deliver a premium esports betting experience to players across Ontario.
“Our collaboration with BET99 is representative of the incredible momentum PandaScore has built in expanding our operator network. We’re excited to collaborate with BET99 and support their ambitious plans to become a leader in esports betting.”
Andre Bewerungen, Head of Sportsbook, BET99, added: “At BET99, our mission has always been to deliver a world-class player experience through personalization and innovation. With esports rapidly emerging as a key vertical, we see an incredible opportunity to engage the next generation of bettors who are passionate about this dynamic space.
By collaborating with PandaScore, we can provide tailored, engaging, and cutting-edge betting options that resonate with esports fans. Their comprehensive odds feed and advanced betting tools allow us to create a seamless, interactive experience that enhances player engagement and builds lasting connections with this growing audience. We’re excited to collaborate with PandaScore and take esports betting to the next level in Ontario.”
Asia
Revenant XSpark Partners With iQOO In Landmark Esports Deal
Revenant XSpark, one of India’s leading Esports organization is excited to announce a ground-breaking partnership with iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand. Leveraging the growing appeal of Esports, Revenant XSparks & iQOO have partnered together, with iQOO securing the naming rights for India’s top-performing Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) roster under the Revenant XSpark brand. The team will now compete under the name iQOO RNTX, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian esports. This collaboration stands as one of the biggest deals in Indian Esports history.
A collaboration between Revenant Esports and Team XSpark; The vision & goal behind the creation of ‘Revenant XSpark’ was to redefine the Esports landscape in India and neighbouring regions.
Having been unveiled at the recent collaboration, Revenant XSpark’s (BGMI) roster competes across regional and international competitions. With an unmatched track record of securing two back-to-back titles at major Krafton events, the team is led by coach Osmium as one of the premier teams in the country. Dominating competition across the board, the team of Sarang (Sarangajyoti Deka), Spraygod (Harsh Malik), Joker (Khush Singh), and Shadow (Tenzin Kelsang), have been able to carve a name for themselves in the Esports landscape as a force to be reckoned with in both global and local platforms.
Champions at the BGMI Pro Series and BGMI India Series, the team already has a firm foothold in the India market and is aiming to build and expand its narrative globally. Alongside iQOO’s innovation driven mindset, the collaboration will leverage expertise from both sides for mutual beneficial outcomes.
Rohit Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports, said, “We’re incredibly proud to announce our groundbreaking partnership with iQOO. This is a monumental moment for Indian Esports – marking one of the largest deals in the industry. iQOO’s commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with our vision at Revenant XSpark. By joining forces, we’re creating a powerful synergy that will elevate the Indian Esports scene to new heights. Together, we aim to redefine the landscape of competitive gaming and inspire the next generation of gamers.”
Nipun Marya, CEO, iQOO said, “We’re thrilled to be part of this moment in Indian esports. Partnering with Revenant XSpark goes beyond supporting an exceptional team it’s an investment in the future of competitive gaming. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of gamers, drive meaningful innovation, and shape the future of esports in India. This collaboration is a step towards achieving long-term synergies that align with our broader vision to elevate the gaming experience.”
The post Revenant XSpark Partners With iQOO In Landmark Esports Deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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