Esports betting is one of the fastest-growing segments in the global gambling industry. Over the past few years, the market has expanded rapidly, driven by a surge in esports viewership, technological advancements, and the inclusion of esports alongside traditional sports like football, basketball, and baseball on major betting platforms.
In 2021, the global esports audience reached around 474 million, and by 2024 it was estimated to exceed 577 million. By 2025, the sector continues to grow at an impressive pace, with betting turnover projected to approach $20 billion in the coming years. This growth is fueled by younger audiences’ passion for gaming, increased accessibility to betting platforms, and the professionalization of the esports ecosystem.
Growth Outlook: Strong and Steady
The future of esports betting can be summed up in one word: growth. This vertical benefits from massive investments into esports tournaments, professional leagues, and streaming platforms. Global esports revenues are now expected to surpass $3 billion annually by the late 2020s, with betting forming a significant share of the market.
During the early 2020s, esports betting grew by more than 150% year-over-year in some regions, even amid cancelled offline sports events. This trend has continued as more bettors discover the excitement and strategic depth of wagering on competitive gaming.
Top Esports Betting Titles in 2025
The most popular games for esports betting remain:
- Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) – the successor to CS:GO, still dominating shooter betting markets
- Dota 2 – with massive international tournaments and huge prize pools
- League of Legends – consistently among the top three in betting volume
- Valorant – continuing to challenge traditional FPS titles
- StarCraft II and Quake – niche but loyal communities keep betting markets alive
- Age of Empires IV – boosted by competitive scene revival
Some older titles, such as Warcraft III, have seen significant declines in betting activity due to reduced developer support.
Who Bets on Esports?
Contrary to the stereotype of esports bettors being only teenagers or young adults, the audience is becoming increasingly diverse.
- Main age group: 21–27 years old
- Gender trends: Women currently make up about 10% of esports bettors, with forecasts predicting growth to 15% within a few years
- Geography: Highest activity in Asia and Eastern Europe, with rapid growth in Latin America and parts of Western Europe
Why the Market is Expanding
Several factors are driving the popularity of esports betting:
- Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming bringing live coverage and interactive betting opportunities
- Year-round tournaments across multiple regions and time zones
- Ability to wager on both major championships and smaller community events
- Cross-platform betting apps optimized for mobile and desktop
- The appeal of strategy-based betting for gaming-savvy audiences
The Bottom Line
Esports betting has firmly established itself as a must-have offering for modern sportsbooks. It attracts a new generation of bettors while expanding options for traditional wagering customers. As technology, streaming, and tournament ecosystems continue to evolve, the esports betting market in 2025 shows no signs of slowing down.
Read more: Velobet
