The most popular esports betting titles fall under two categories: legacy esports and sports simulation games.
The legacy esports category includes the ‘Big Three’ titles: League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. These games have a long competitive history, with millions of dollars in prize money and a stable fanbase. They also receive significant developer attention.
The second category consists of sports simulation games such as Madden, FIFA, and NBA2K. These games gained popularity in 2020 due to the cancellation of major sports leagues. They have similar rulesets to their real-life counterparts, making it easy for traditional sports fans to transition to esports betting. Developer support and partnerships with major sports leagues ensure consistent competitive events for these games.
While the above-mentioned games are the most popular betting attractions, there are several other esports with established competitive scenes:
- Overwatch – A six vs six class-based shooter with cartoony visuals, featuring the Overwatch League.
- Call of Duty – A popular first-person shooter franchise with a historic competitive scene, also running a franchised league.
- Valorant – A tactical shooter similar to CS:GO, designed by Riot. Many top Counter-Strike pros have switched over to Valorant.
- Starcraft 2 – One of the oldest esports and the first to be featured on television. The Korean scene dominates this real-time strategy game.
- Hearthstone – Blizzard’s card game, although not as popular as before, still has a competitive scene with developer and third-party events.
- PUBG – The first massive battle royale title, with developer-sponsored tournaments and one of the most popular battle royale esports.
Existing esports betting operators should consider the unique traits of video game betting. Esports bettors often bet on multiple games, so offering a variety of titles is important. Data services and oddsmaking software may vary between games, requiring time and development. The speed and frequency of esports events also impact odds-making and maintenance.
For new esports bookmakers, the cost of offering esports betting should consider factors absent in traditional sports. Evaluating the length of a game’s popularity is crucial. For example, newer titles like Valorant with support from popular developers may provide opportunities for growth. On the other hand, games like Hearthstone may have a limited return on investment. Each sportsbook should assess the popularity and logistical hurdles of different esports to determine their suitability.
