About the Author

The esports betting industry continues to navigate evolving integrity challenges and selective market expansions amid persistent regulatory caution in key regions.

ESL FACEIT Group has named CHEXX as its official betting partner for Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 tournaments throughout 2026.

Skill remains central to esports competition, but in betting markets, it is no longer the dominant variable. As competitive esports ecosystems evolve rapidly, the timing of a bet increasingly determines its value and risk exposure—often more than raw player skill or team reputation.

Esports betting markets depend heavily on historical performance data to shape odds and expectations. However, as competitive ecosystems evolve at an accelerated pace, those numbers are increasingly failing to reflect what actually happens in matches.

Some esports matches appear settled before they begin. The favorite is clear, recent results are consistent, and the odds suggest limited downside. These are often framed as low-risk scenarios within betting markets.

Industry leaders predict esports betting will surpass virtual sports in several major non-US markets in 2026, fueled by youth adoption and mobile trends.

Esports betting markets are more sophisticated than ever, yet certain matches continue to produce results that defy logic, data, and odds. As betting volume grows and algorithms become more advanced, one issue remains persistent: esports competition does not behave like a stable, model-friendly ecosystem.

BETBY has significantly expanded its AI-powered Betting Tips product to include broader esports event coverage. The enhancement comes in response to surging demand for reliable, data-driven insights in the esports vertical. This development strengthens operators' ability to deliver competitive pre-match and live betting markets across key global regions.

Riot Games launches the Americas Cup, a new cross-regional League of Legends tournament connecting LCS and CBLOL teams.

Riot Games has announced the release of VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026 team capsules, expanding its in-game monetisation programme for partnered organisations ahead of the upcoming competitive season. The capsules allow fans to purchase team-branded cosmetic bundles, with a portion of revenue shared directly with participating VCT teams.

Riot Games lifts long-standing ban on betting sponsorships for major leagues, enabling new revenue streams under regulated conditions.

Esports betting solutions provider Oddin.gg has released industry analysis showing substantial growth in the vertical, with betting volumes on major titles increasing significantly year-over-year. The data underscores the sector's appeal to younger demographics and its rising prominence among sportsbook operators worldwide.

Betting operators secure high-profile esports team sponsorships in Europe, boosting visibility in mature markets.

Rivalry, the Canada-based esports betting platform, has posted its third consecutive quarter of sequential net revenue growth, underscoring the sector's resilience amid expanding global markets. The operator, licensed in key jurisdictions including the UK, Ontario, and Australia, reported a 15% increase in quarterly revenue to CAD 12.5 million, driven by heightened engagement in Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends betting during major tournaments such as the StarLadder Budapest Major. This performance highlights how specialized esports operators are capitalizing on younger demographics and innovative features to outpace broader iGaming slowdowns.

ESIC bolsters anti-corruption efforts through new Tier 1 partnerships with operators such as Stake and BETER, enhancing monitoring of suspicious betting across key APAC and EU markets.

The esports industry spent years promoting record-breaking viewership as the ultimate indicator of success. Every major event boasted new highs—peak viewers, hours watched, concurrent streams, regional milestones. Yet in 2025, the disconnect between esports viewership and actual revenue has never been more obvious. Despite millions of fans tuning into competitive gaming, many organizations, leagues, and tournament operators are struggling to monetize effectively.