Match betting is a crucial aspect of esports betting sites. However, fantasy esports are gaining popularity rapidly among fans. Fantasy leagues offer a longer-term engagement with favorite players and teams throughout a season, unlike single-game match wagers. These online fantasy esports competitions can be played for digital points or real money, providing options for users. Incorporating fantasy into a betting service requires collecting and combining player-specific statistics on the backend, along with programming, maintenance, and creating or updating advertisements. Determining the duration of fantasy events can be challenging, but most sites limit drafts to a single event or organized season. Despite the demands of implementing fantasy drafting, it is an excellent opportunity for attracting a new audience to a site. Currently, very few operators offer both match bets and fantasy drafts, forcing fans to resort to dedicated sites like DraftKings or DraftBuff. Hence, providing both options can help differentiate a website from the crowd, and the digital nature of esports allows for ample room for innovation.
There are several reasons why users may enjoy having both match betting and fantasy drafting options. The distinct preferences of match bettors and fantasy drafters create a need for separate experiences. Drafters enjoy the social aspect of fantasy drafts as they are typically group activities. Engaging in fantasy esports allows players to be more social, and friends and family can monitor players and teams across events, especially during esports watch parties. Successful drafters also appreciate the skill-based results of fantasy drafts, where their victories are seen as a result of their knowledge. Additionally, the social element and effort involved in fantasy drafts bring bragging rights into play. Moreover, fantasy drafting brings fans closer to the sport as it demands a comprehensive understanding of the competitive scene. Creating a fantasy team with favorite players establishes a connection across multiple squads and regions and provides a reason to watch the entire event unfold.
Bookies looking to offer fantasy options should consider these three traits: social experience, skill-based results, and a closer connection to the sport. To enhance the user experience, embedded streams can allow players to monitor their drafts and watch matches without leaving the sportsbook platform. Moreover, customizable multi-streams and support for platforms like YouTube and Facebook, in addition to Twitch, provide users with more options. An in-house stats database is also highly sought-after as it helps in the draft process by providing relevant information. Operators with pre-existing esports data partnerships will find it easier to implement embedded stats in their fantasy options.
