Esport Gambling Market Share & Trends [2033]

Esport Gambling Market Overview

The Esport Gambling Market size was valued at USD 180161.78 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 308439.74 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2033.

The Esport Gambling Market has experienced rapid expansion, with the global esports audience reaching approximately 532 million in 2023. Esports betting constitutes nearly 10-15% of the overall online gambling sector, reflecting a significant shift in gambling habits. In 2023 alone, more than 40 million active bettors engaged in esports wagering worldwide. The market includes betting on games like League of Legends (LoL), Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), and DOTA 2, with the volume of bets placed on major esports tournaments surpassing 300 million transactions annually. Asia-Pacific represents over 45% of esports bettors, driven largely by China's vast esports population exceeding 200 million users. Additionally, North America and Europe account for 30% and 20% of the betting volume respectively, indicating the global spread and engagement in esports gambling.

The legal status of esports gambling varies, with over 50 countries allowing regulated esports betting platforms. The proliferation of live streaming platforms combined with in-game betting options fuels the growth of this market. Technological advancements, such as blockchain-based betting and cryptocurrency adoption, have increased transparency and security, attracting more users. Mobile esports gambling apps witnessed over 150 million downloads in 2023, underscoring the mobile-first approach. The average bet size per user ranges from $20 to $50 per game, with high-frequency bettors placing upwards of 100 bets monthly. The expansion of betting markets to include fantasy esports and skin gambling further diversifies the revenue streams and user engagement.

Key Findings

Driver: Increasing penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity boosting esports gambling accessibility worldwide.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads with over 45% of global esports betting participation, driven primarily by China and South Korea.

Top Segment: Online gambling dominates the esports betting market, accounting for more than 80% of all esports wagers placed.

Esport Gambling Market Trends

The esports gambling market trends are strongly influenced by the rise of live streaming and interactive wagering platforms. In 2023, over 75% of esports betting transactions occurred during live matches, highlighting the growing popularity of in-play betting. Major esports tournaments such as The International (Dota 2) attract over 20 million viewers per event, with betting volumes during these events spiking by 35%. Fantasy esports betting has gained momentum, with over 15 million users participating worldwide in 2023, creating a parallel ecosystem within the esports gambling market. Mobile esports gambling is rapidly expanding, with mobile platforms contributing to nearly 60% of total esports betting activity in 2023. The launch of user-friendly apps and secure payment methods, including e-wallets and cryptocurrencies, supports this trend. Esports skin gambling, where players wager virtual items, accounted for approximately 25% of esports bets by volume in 2023, despite regulatory challenges in some jurisdictions.

Another significant trend is the integration of AI-driven analytics tools in esports gambling platforms. Around 40% of betting platforms now offer AI-based predictions, increasing user engagement by up to 50%. These predictive models analyze player performance and game statistics to offer personalized betting suggestions. Additionally, social betting features, where users can compete against friends or groups, have increased user retention by 30%. Market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions also shapes trends. For instance, leading betting companies have acquired smaller esports-focused platforms, increasing the number of active betting accounts by 18% in 2023 alone. Regulatory frameworks are evolving as countries like the UK and Germany introduce stricter licensing for esports gambling operators to ensure player protection and responsible gambling.

Esport Gambling Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising global internet penetration and smartphone usage

With internet users surpassing 5.16 billion worldwide in 2023, internet accessibility has become a primary driver for esports gambling growth. Over 80% of esports gamblers use smartphones to place bets, with mobile betting transactions increasing by 45% year-over-year. The rise of 5G technology in regions such as Asia-Pacific and North America has improved streaming quality and reduced latency, allowing bettors to engage in real-time wagers during live esports events. The expansion of broadband infrastructure in emerging economies has also introduced new customer bases, increasing the number of esports gamblers by 22% in 2023. Moreover, the growing popularity of esports itself, with over 300 million regular viewers worldwide, translates directly into betting interest, fueling market growth.

RESTRAINT

Regulatory uncertainties and restrictions

Despite rapid growth, the esports gambling market faces significant regulatory challenges. Around 40 countries impose strict restrictions or outright bans on esports betting, limiting market penetration. Regulatory compliance costs for operators have increased by 30% in recent years due to anti-money laundering and responsible gambling laws. Additionally, issues around underage betting persist, with reports indicating that nearly 12% of esports bettors are below the legal gambling age in some regions, triggering calls for tighter enforcement. These restrictions hinder the full expansion of esports gambling in markets like the United States, where only a handful of states allow regulated esports betting. Regulatory complexity leads to fragmentation of the market and reduces opportunities for large-scale operators.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of fantasy esports and in-game item betting

Fantasy esports betting, involving lineup creation and virtual tournaments, attracted over 15 million users worldwide in 2023, a 28% increase from the previous year. This segment offers high engagement opportunities and longer betting sessions compared to traditional match betting. The rise of in-game item or skin gambling has created additional revenue streams, with virtual items valued at over $1.5 billion traded in gambling contexts during 2023. Blockchain technology enables secure and transparent skin gambling, reducing fraud concerns and attracting new users. Furthermore, esports betting platforms are exploring partnerships with game developers to embed betting features directly within esports titles, enhancing user experience and monetization potential.

CHALLENGE

Ensuring integrity and combating match-fixing

The esports gambling market faces challenges related to integrity and fraud. Reports show that approximately 5-8% of professional esports matches have been subject to match-fixing allegations or investigations in recent years. The decentralized nature of esports and lack of standardized regulations complicate efforts to combat fraud. Esports gambling platforms invest significantly in monitoring tools, with over 60% of operators deploying AI-based fraud detection systems in 2023. However, low awareness among bettors about risks and insufficient industry collaboration hamper comprehensive solutions. These challenges impact user trust and pose obstacles for regulatory approval in several key markets.

Esport Gambling Market Segmentation

The esports gambling market is segmented by type of game and application mode. By type, the market includes popular titles such as League of Legends (LoL), Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO), PUBG, Fortnite, Honor of Kings, DOTA 2, StarCraft, FIFA, NBA 2K, and others. By application, the market is divided into offline gambling and online gambling platforms. Online gambling constitutes a dominant share, with approximately 85% of bets placed via online portals or mobile apps, while offline gambling remains limited to casinos and esports events venues.

By Type

League of Legends (LoL): represents roughly 22% of esports betting volume globally, with over 15 million bettors wagering on its matches in 2023. The game’s high viewership, reaching 100 million monthly active players, supports a robust betting ecosystem.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO): accounts for approximately 20% of esports wagers, with skin gambling particularly popular in this segment. More than 10 million unique bettors placed bets on CSGO tournaments in 2023, with skin betting transactions exceeding 50 million.
PUBG: esports betting segment covers 12% of the market share, with mobile PUBG gaining traction in Asia-Pacific, especially India and Southeast Asia. PUBG esports tournaments registered over 50 million concurrent viewers in 2023.
Fortnite: betting accounts for about 10% of the total esports wagers, boosted by its massive player base exceeding 120 million users and seasonal tournaments drawing 30 million viewers.
Honor of Kings: The game holds 8% of esports betting volume, primarily within China, where the game’s player base exceeds 100 million active users.
DOTA 2: represents around 15% of esports betting market share, supported by The International tournament which attracts over 25 million viewers and peaks of 5 million concurrent bettors.
StarCraft: remains a niche segment with 5% market share, popular in South Korea, where esports betting on StarCraft involves approximately 2 million users.
FIFA: betting accounts for 3% of esports wagers globally, popular in Europe and North America with over 10 million active bettors.
NBA 2K: esports betting market covers 2%, mainly in North America, where the game has over 5 million active players.
Others: esports titles combined contribute around 5% of the betting volume, with emerging games capturing niche audiences.

By Application

Offline Gambling: constitutes roughly 15% of the total esports betting market. It is predominantly conducted in dedicated esports bars, casinos, and live event venues where fans bet on onsite terminals or with bookmakers. Offline esports betting is particularly popular in regions like Las Vegas and Macau, with approximately 5 million active users.
Online Gambling: dominates with about 85% share, driven by websites, mobile apps, and live streaming integration. Over 40 million unique users placed online esports bets in 2023, with an average of 60 bets per user annually. Online platforms support diverse bet types including match winner, fantasy leagues, and skin gambling, offering a variety of options.

Esport Gambling Market Regional Outlook

Globally, the esports gambling market demonstrates varied growth and maturity across regions. Asia-Pacific leads in terms of user base and betting volume, accounting for nearly half of global esports betting activities. North America and Europe contribute significant shares driven by regulatory developments and advanced gambling infrastructure. The Middle East & Africa region, although smaller in market size, shows increasing interest due to rising internet penetration and esports popularity.

North America

accounted for approximately 30% of global esports gambling activity. The United States alone had over 12 million active esports bettors, with legal betting permitted in around 15 states. The expansion of legalized online gambling platforms has driven growth, with mobile esports betting app downloads surpassing 20 million. The North American market focuses heavily on games like LoL, Fortnite, and NBA 2K. The presence of major esports tournaments such as the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) increases betting volumes by 25% during events. Additionally, regulatory frameworks in Canada have enabled the rise of several licensed esports gambling operators, contributing to regional growth.

Europe

contributed around 20% of the global esports gambling market in 2023. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden have large esports betting communities, collectively hosting over 10 million bettors. The UK market reported over 350 million esports bets placed in 2023, with popular games including DOTA 2, CSGO, and FIFA. Regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission have issued over 50 esports gambling licenses, ensuring market integrity and consumer protection. Europe's esports gambling ecosystem benefits from established sports betting cultures, with crossover between traditional sports bettors and esports gambling users.

Asia-Pacific

dominates the esports gambling market, accounting for approximately 45% of global betting activity. China leads with over 200 million esports users, of which around 25 million actively bet on esports in 2023. South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries contribute an additional 30 million bettors. The region’s preference for mobile platforms results in mobile esports gambling comprising nearly 70% of the betting volume. Major esports games such as Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile, and LoL generate substantial betting activity, with tournaments attracting millions of concurrent viewers. The rapid adoption of blockchain technology in Asia-Pacific supports skin gambling and cryptocurrency betting innovations.

Middle East & Africa

esports gambling market grew to over 3 million active users in 2023. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are key contributors. Internet penetration exceeding 65% in these regions has spurred interest in esports betting. Mobile betting accounts for more than 60% of wagers placed, and local esports tournaments are increasing in number. Regulatory environments are gradually evolving, with several countries considering formal esports gambling frameworks.

List of Top Esport Gambling Companies

Bet365
GVC Holdings
Flutter Entertainment
William Hill
Kindred Group
Betsson AB
888 Holdings
Bet-at-home.com
Betfred
Interwetten
Pinnacle
Bodog
Betvictor
Betway
Intertops
Betcris
BetAmerica
SBOBET
BetOnline

Bet365: is the leading esports gambling operator with over 18 million active users globally in 2023. It handles more than 500 million esports bets annually and offers wagering on over 20 different esports titles. Bet365 operates in 45 countries, supported by multilingual platforms and secure payment gateways.

GVC Holdings: serves around 12 million esports bettors worldwide. The company processes approximately 350 million esports wagers yearly, specializing in online esports betting with integrated live streaming features. GVC Holdings covers over 30 esports games, providing comprehensive markets and fantasy esports betting options.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in the esports gambling market has surged, with private equity and venture capital funding exceeding $1.2 billion in 2023 alone. Several startups raised over $200 million to develop next-generation betting platforms and AI analytics tools. The largest share of investments targets mobile esports gambling, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences. Approximately 60% of new funding in 2023 was allocated to enhancing user experience via gamification and social betting features. The expansion of legalized esports betting in new jurisdictions presents significant opportunities. In the United States, the introduction of esports betting in states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania increased market size by 25% within the first six months. Emerging markets in Latin America and Southeast Asia are attracting investments due to growing esports viewership, which exceeded 100 million users in Brazil and Indonesia combined.

Investment flows are also focusing on blockchain-based esports gambling platforms, with more than 15 companies launching decentralized betting apps in 2023. These platforms handle skin gambling and cryptocurrency transactions, providing transparency and security. Strategic partnerships between esports organizers and gambling companies are increasing, with over 30 such alliances formed in 2023, enabling integrated betting experiences during live tournaments. Infrastructure investments include enhancements to streaming technology, with over $500 million spent on 5G and cloud computing upgrades to support seamless betting during live esports events. Operators are also investing in marketing campaigns targeted at Gen Z and millennial demographics, who represent more than 70% of esports gamblers. Overall, the esports gambling market offers robust investment opportunities driven by technological innovation, regulatory liberalization, and expanding user bases worldwide.

New Product Development

Innovation remains central to the esports gambling market’s growth, with companies launching new betting formats and platforms in 2023 and 2024. One significant development is the introduction of AI-powered prediction markets, where users can bet on specific in-game events such as kill counts or objective captures. Approximately 25% of esports betting platforms now offer these micro-betting options, increasing bet frequency and engagement. Cryptocurrency betting integration has expanded, with over 20 esports gambling sites enabling deposits and withdrawals in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins in 2024. This development attracts tech-savvy bettors and offers faster transaction processing compared to traditional payment methods. Platforms have also developed enhanced security features, including biometric authentication and real-time fraud detection, adopted by over 50% of operators.

Social betting applications, where groups of friends can create private betting pools, have surged in popularity. These apps account for 15% of esports gambling activity, fostering community-driven wagering experiences. Virtual reality (VR) esports betting is emerging, with pilot projects allowing bettors to virtually attend esports arenas and place bets in immersive environments. Early trials report user engagement increases of 40% compared to standard platforms. Developers have introduced cross-platform betting, enabling users to wager seamlessly across PC, console, and mobile devices. Approximately 70% of betting platforms now support multi-device synchronization. Enhanced user interfaces featuring live statistics, heat maps, and player performance analytics are standard on new platforms, aiding bettors in informed decision-making. Furthermore, partnerships with esports leagues have led to co-branded betting products, providing exclusive betting markets during major tournaments. These initiatives boost visibility and attract new users.

Five Recent Developments

Bet365 expanded its esports betting portfolio by adding over 10 new esports titles in early 2024, increasing total available games to 50.
GVC Holdings launched an AI-based predictive analytics tool in mid-2023, resulting in a 35% rise in user engagement within six months.
Flutter Entertainment acquired a blockchain-based esports gambling startup in late 2023, enabling skin gambling on its platform.
William Hill integrated cryptocurrency payment options in its esports betting app in 2024, facilitating faster and more secure transactions.
Pinnacle partnered with a leading esports tournament organizer in 2023 to offer exclusive in-play betting markets during live global events, increasing betting volume by 28%.

Report Coverage of Esport Gambling Market

This report covers the comprehensive analysis of the global esports gambling market, including market size, growth drivers, restraints, and segmentation by type and application. It details key esports titles such as League of Legends, CSGO, PUBG, Fortnite, Honor of Kings, DOTA 2, StarCraft, FIFA, NBA 2K, and others. The report also provides an extensive regional outlook, analyzing market performance across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Detailed market dynamics encompass drivers like rising smartphone penetration, restraints due to regulatory challenges, opportunities in fantasy esports, and challenges related to match-fixing. The segmentation analysis includes insights into offline and online gambling applications, with an emphasis on online betting’s dominance. The report highlights competitive landscapes, profiling leading companies such as Bet365 and GVC Holdings, with insights into their market shares and strategies. It also explores investment trends, new product developments focusing on AI, blockchain, and social betting innovations, and recent industry developments. Overall, the report provides stakeholders with vital information to understand the current market environment, identify growth opportunities, and make informed decisions in the esports gambling sector.