As eSports continues to grow in popularity, Atlaslive stays ahead of the curve by offering premier betting options that bring fans closer to the action of global championships and exciting tournaments. With cutting-edge technology and deep industry knowledge, they provide seamless access to the dynamic world of eSports.
Betting options are tailored to different game types, making it easy for fans to dive into familiar titles and strategies they already love. Whether you’re an experienced gamer or a streaming enthusiast, there’s something for everyone.
Atlaslive’s versatile iGaming platform focuses on delivering content that captivates experienced bettors and novices alike. By offering customizable solutions and a wide range of live eSports markets, operators gain the tools to engage users and attract new audiences.
This article builds on our previous exploration of eSports, diving into in-depth insights, real-world statistics, and the current trends driving the industry.
From today’s most-watched games to the growing popularity of mobile eSports and high-revenue markets, Atlaslive brings you a closer look at the numbers shaping the future of esports betting.
The eSports market: the top 5 games that captivate millions of fans around the world
League of Legends, the popular free-to-play MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena), thrives on its microtransaction system. Players use Riot Points, an in-game currency, to unlock champions, purchase skins, customize wards, and access various boosts.
The objective of the game is simple but intense: penetrate the opposing team’s defenses and destroy their nexus, the central structure located deep within the enemy base. Players take on the role of summoners, commanding champions with unique abilities to overcome opponents and claim victory.
In recent years, eSports has skyrocketed in popularity, captivating millions of fans who tune in to watch elite players compete in exciting, high-stakes tournaments. The 2023 League of Legends World Championship set a new milestone, attracting an all-time high of 6.4 million viewers, cementing its place as the most-watched eSports event in history.
Dota
A multiplayer real-time strategy (RTS) game played in an exciting 5v5 format, Dota 2 remains a mainstay of competitive eSports. As of 2023, its prize pool has surpassed an impressive $30.7 million, cementing its status as a favorite among professional players and fans alike.
Fortnite
By 2024, Fortnite has become synonymous with online gaming. This cross-platform phenomenon is more than just a game — it’s a cultural icon. With six game modes, Fortnite Battle Royale stands out as the most popular, attracting millions of players and viewers around the world.
Epic Games reported in March 2023 that Fortnite had reached half a billion accounts, turning it into a sprawling virtual world. As of 2024, it has been streamed for over 60 million hours and has accumulated over 624 million hours watched. With its huge fan base, Fortnite’s eSports scene offers significant earnings for players competing in major tournaments.
Valorant
As of 2024, Valorant is the second most streamed game on Twitch, boasting approximately 1.5 million active streamers. Its tactical gameplay and intense competitions have solidified its position in the eSports hierarchy.
Counter-Strike
With 16,441 professional players, Counter-Strike dominates as the largest eSports title in terms of competitor numbers. Its strategic depth and fast-paced action continue to attract players and viewers globally.
Call of Duty
With a legacy spanning over a decade, Call of Duty has earned its place among the best eSports games. While it may not lead in popularity, it is in the top 10 in total earnings. Since its debut in 2003, the franchise has sold over 400 million units as of 2021, securing its place as one of the best-selling and highest-grossing game series of all time.
The Atlaslive Sportsbook platform makes betting on the world’s most popular eSports games easy and straightforward. Operators gain full control to customize betting markets, monitor live activity and effortlessly adapt to any eSports event.
Customization tools, such as special templates, simplify the process by allowing traders to configure markets with just a few clicks. Select your preferred eSport discipline, country or tournament and instantly access all relevant data, including odds, bets and additional settings.
This flexibility ensures that operators can create personalized betting experiences, while automated adjustments take care of the rest, enabling a seamless and efficient operation.
Exploring the Scale of Mobile eSports: How Big is the Audience Today?
As smartphones become more affordable and powerful, gaming on Android and iOS has skyrocketed, propelling mobile eSports into the spotlight. Tournaments now boast millions in prize pools and attract huge audiences, signaling that mobile eSports is no longer just a niche – it’s a booming industry.
The eSports market is growing at an incredible pace, and mobile eSports is playing an important role in this expansion. Popular games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile and Clash Royale dominate the tournaments, where skilled players face off for fame and fortune. In 2022, mobile eSports generated around $1.2 billion in revenue, a number that is expected to exceed $5.4 billion by 2030.
The rise of mobile eSports: China takes the lead
By 2025, China is expected to lead the mobile eSports market, with projected revenues of nearly US$360 million. The country is also on track to claim the largest mobile eSports audience with approximately 173.8 million viewers. Globally, mobile eSports viewership is expected to reach nearly 550 million by 2025, up from the currently estimated 418 million viewers.
PUBG Mobile: A star on the mobile eSports scene
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) revolutionized the battle royale genre when it launched in December 2017. Its mobile version, PUBG Mobile, debuted globally in March 2018 and quickly became a fan favorite.
In PUBG Mobile, up to 100 players enter a dynamic battlefield, competing to be the last one standing. Players can purchase in-game currency to unlock customizations and upgrades, generating millions of dollars in monthly spending.
PUBG Mobile’s competitive scene has grown just as quickly, with annual tournaments like the PUBG Mobile Pro League spanning five regions. This global reach, along with millions of dedicated fans, has solidified PUBG Mobile as one of the most influential mobile eSports games today.
A winning bet: how eSports betting is dominating the market
eSports betting has quickly emerged as a significant segment in the global betting industry, integrating seamlessly with traditional platforms. In addition to traditional match winner bets, enthusiasts now engage in diverse betting options including live betting during real-time matches, enhancing the overall experience.
Collaborations between betting operators and eSports teams, along with the adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, are poised to elevate the trajectory of this market even further.
Several factors are driving the growth of eSports betting:
- Expanding Global Audience: The worldwide eSports audience is expected to reach 550 million by 2025, with a substantial portion made up of younger demographics.
- Professionalization of eSports: the establishment of structured leagues and tournaments legitimized eSports, attracting participants and spectators.
- Mobile platforms and live streaming: The proliferation of mobile betting apps and live-streamed events has made eSports betting more accessible, attracting new bettors.
These dynamics contribute to the robust expansion of the eSports betting market. Estimates vary, but projections indicate significant growth in the coming years. For example, one report predicts that the market will reach approximately $3.5 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.75% from 2024 to 2029.
Another analysis predicts that the market size will reach US$2.03 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period. While these numbers vary due to different methodologies and market definitions, the consensus underscores a positive outlook for the eSports betting industry through 2027 and beyond.
eSports betting is experiencing rapid growth, and the chart highlights the top five countries’ contributions to the revenue forecast through 2029. The United States currently leads the market, generating $0.55 billion in revenue in 2023, with projections reaching US$1.14 billion by 2029 — a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.7%, far outpacing other regions. Meanwhile, China, the second largest market, is expected to grow at a slower pace, increasing from US$0.14 billion in 2023 to US$0.21 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 7%.
So why is the US ahead? Its dominance can be attributed to an already mature gaming culture and the increasing integration of eSports into traditional betting. In 2023, total US sports betting revenue stood at $7.62 billion, with eSports betting accounting for around 7.2% of that, a promising number for a relatively young market.
While eSports betting still represents a small slice of the pie, its growth is driven by younger audiences who are deeply involved in gaming culture. The rapid adoption of technologies such as mobile platforms and live betting features is further fueling the expansion of this market.
In 2023, the US saw 11.4 million eSports betting participants, a number that is expected to grow to more than 19 million by 2029, surpassing markets such as the UK, Germany and France. This dominance is driven by advanced technology, the rapid adoption of mobile and online platforms, and the popularity of live betting among its tech-savvy audiences.
Significant investments in tournaments, sponsorships and partnerships with entertainment companies are further fueling market growth. Additionally, the US benefits from more flexible eSports betting regulations compared to many European countries, allowing for faster adoption of new technologies and innovations.
The Atlaslive iGaming platform is designed to help operators succeed in the expanding eSports betting market. With features like real-time engagement, fast onboarding, and customizable options, the platform adapts to the preferences of modern gamers. Its reliability, with 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support, ensures operators can attract and retain bettors in this competitive space, meeting the needs of casual fans and seasoned professionals alike.
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