E-Sports: The Latest Trend on Betting Sites

When most people think of betting, the first thing that comes to mind is traditional sports, like soccer, basketball, horse racing, etc. However, the digital age has brought with it a lot of changes. Computer and internet technology has led to advancements in all walks of life, including entertainment. Video games are a clear example.

Nowadays, video games are mainstream. Gone are the days when they were viewed as little more than children’s toys. We have big-time game awards, Triple AAA titles and indie games for all ages, and of course, professional gamers. E-sports is what happens when these professional gamers come together in teams, and compete for a title.

The Origin of e-Sports

Plenty of gamers and gaming fans are aware of what e-Sports is, and they watch the events with a certain degree of investment. The growing popularity of the phenomenon has resulted in eSports betting becoming very popular. But, where did e-sports originate?

As with many things related to gaming, the origin of e-Sports can be traced back to the arcade. Though the arcade is all but dead now, once upon a time it was the most popular place for kids to get the latest games. It was within the halls of these arcades that the e-sports movement began. The main culprit were Street Fighter II competitions, organized by local arcades, and often accompanied by prizes.

In the early 2000s, the local tournaments turned national, and organized. As video games grew more popular, and kept picking up steam, the great pop culture began to be more accepting of the e-sports movement. Which has resulted in the competitive gaming industry that we all know and follow today. Billions of viewers, billions of dollars, and millions spent in betting. But, how can one even bet on e-sports?

Betting on e-Sports

The betting industry has grown beyond what anyone could have expected. There are multiple reasons for this, but the most commonly brought up one is the rise of online sports betting. As you can probably guess, online sports betting refers to the practice of placing wagers on sports competitions on the internet. There are websites exclusively dedicated to this phenomenon.

Lucky for gamers, many of these websites have seen the writing on the walls in regards to e-sports. For that reason, plenty have begun to cover e-sports events, and have even begun creating odds for betting on said events. It started with the most popular games, of course, that being League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. However, it has grown since then into a budding industry in its own right.

How to Bet on E-Sports

Some may be betting veterans, who are aware of the ins and outs of sports betting, and can apply their knowledge to putting bets on e-sports as well. However, many gamers who had no prior interest in sports betting might be curious to give e-sports betting a shot. In this section, we are going to give quick instructions for how to start betting on your favorite competitive gaming events.

The first thing you have to do is go in with the right mindset. Don’t view sports betting as a way to make easy money. The truth is, sports betting (and by extension e-Sports betting) can be quite risky, so instead think of it as a hobby. Wager small amounts over longer periods of time, in order to minimize your losses.

But, how to actually start? It is actually quite easy. All you have to do is find a website that covers e-sports. Once you do that, you have to make sure that it is safe, by looking up a license and any reviews you can find. Confirm it is safe, and then simply make an account. When you’ve done so, you can start wagering on your favorite games, festivals, or clans.

Payment Methods for e-Sports Betting

Once you’ve found the website of your choice, you might want to start placing wagers. But, you will notice that there are multiple payment options. Seasoned betting fans have already taken a stance on which payment option is their favorite. However, newbies might need some guidance. That is why we are here.

• Credit/Debit Cards: credit and debit cards are the standard way to wager. They’ve been the staple since sports betting sites were first launched back in the 1990s. Available at most, if not all websites, you will never have problem making a deposit or withdrawing with credit cards.
• Crypto: the symbiotic nature of the gaming industry and cryptocurrency is fascinating to see. From pay-to-play to blockchain games, crypto has come a long way. Now, you can use it to bet on your favorite e-sports tournaments. Do keep in mind that volatility may be an issue when using crypto to bet.
• Digital Wallets: the success of digital wallets is not surprising. They make payments a lot more convenient. That is just as true online as it is in land-based businesses. Online sportsbooks have caught on, and now allow digital wallet payments. Next to credit cards, these are the most popular.

Online bookies have also begun embracing a variety of other payment methods. However, the three brought up are the most popular ones. If they don’t appeal to you though, you can be sure that you will find something that does. Apart from cash, most online bookies have embraced all of the well-known electronic payment methods.

Conclusion

The e-sports betting market is one of the fastest growing markets in the sports betting world. Some may find this surprising, but if one were to look a bit deeper into it, one would find why this is. Video games are growing in popularity, and thanks to streaming platforms, e-sports events are a lot more accessible and easy to watch.

It is no wonder then that gamers are becoming interested in placing wagers on their favorite hobby. For those who are new to betting, we hope that this article has been helpful in your start with the betting industry. Just remember to place wagers responsibly, and make sure the platforms you are using are safe and reliable.