Esports Betting Projected to Surpass US$3 Billion Globally by the End of 2026

The world of esports betting is approaching a pivotal moment. Recent industry data shows the global esports betting sector generated around US$2.5 billion in revenue during 2024, rising to an expected US$2.8 billion in 2025. If current growth continues, the industry is on track to break the US$3 billion barrier by the end of 2026.

For sportsbooks, affiliates, operators and esports organisations, this isn’t just steady growth. It signals the emergence of a fully mainstream betting vertical. In this article, we explore what is driving this surge, which regions and titles are fuelling it, and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead.

Market Growth and Forecasts

Esports betting participation reached more than 74 million bettors in 2024. With revenue at US$2.5 billion, the average revenue per user sat at roughly US$33.59, rising to a projected US$34.90 in 2025.

Some long-range market forecasts project even stronger growth, with the global esports betting market potentially exceeding US$16 billion within a few years and climbing into the tens of billions by the mid-2030s. While methodologies differ, the overall picture remains consistent. Esports betting is expanding quickly, and surpassing US$3 billion by 2026 is a highly realistic milestone.

Drivers Behind the Surge

The rapid rise of esports betting isn’t happening by accident. A combination of technological, demographic and industry-wide shifts is pushing the market forward at pace. From surging viewership to the mainstreaming of live and prop betting, several key forces are working together to accelerate the sector’s growth. Below are the core drivers behind this momentum.

Growing audience engagement

The number of esports fans who also bet continues to rise. The audience has expanded dramatically over the past decade, thanks to increased streaming accessibility, international tournament coverage and mobile adoption. Fans are no longer just spectators. Betting has become an additional engagement layer.

Live betting and prop markets.

One of the strongest positive trends is the rise of in-play betting. In certain titles, almost half of all bets are now placed live during the match. Prop bet activity is also increasing, with wagers on things like total kills, map outcomes or individual player performance becoming standard.

High-intensity esports titles

The majority of betting volume still comes from core competitive titles. Counter Strike accounts for more than half of total betting activity, followed by League of Legends. Major events amplify this further, with the League of Legends World Championship regularly generating the single largest quarterly betting share.

Mobile first markets

Mobile esports betting is rising sharply, particularly in emerging regions where mobile gaming leads overall digital entertainment. Globally, a significant share of esports bets are now placed via mobile devices, and that percentage continues to grow.

Expansion across mainstream sportsbooks

Traditional sportsbooks that once focused exclusively on football, basketball or horse racing are now integrating dedicated esports betting sections. As esports leagues mature and betting integrity systems strengthen, operators see esports as a stable, long-term revenue stream rather than a niche category.

Regional and Demographic Insights

Understanding who is betting on esports and where that growth is coming from is essential for mapping the industry’s next phase. The market isn’t expanding evenly across the globe — it’s being driven by distinct regional trends and a uniquely young, digital native audience. The following insights break down the key demographics and geographic hotspots shaping the future of esports betting.

Younger, digital native bettors

Esports bettors skew younger than traditional sports bettors. In 2024, nearly half of all esports bets came from users aged eighteen to twenty-seven. Across the wider group aged eighteen to forty-three, they represented almost ninety per cent of all bettors. The typical Counter Strike bettor is in their early thirties, while League of Legends bettors average around twenty-nine.

European leadership

Europe currently represents the largest share of the global esports betting market, with strong adoption in countries like the United Kingdom, Germany and the Nordic region. High broadband penetration, regulated betting markets and strong esports cultures all contribute to this leadership position.

Asia Pacific acceleration

Asia Pacific, especially Southeast Asia, is one of the fastest-growing regions. Mobile gaming is deeply embedded into the culture, and interest in titles such as Mobile Legends, Dota 2 and Valorant continues to rise. As regulation becomes more defined in key jurisdictions, growth is expected to accelerate further.

Emerging markets

Latin America and parts of the Middle East and Africa are at earlier stages of development, but they have large, youthful populations and growing internet access. These regions may become major contributors to esports betting growth over the next five to ten years.

Titles and Betting Formats to Watch

Several titles stand out as key drivers of betting volume:

Counter Strike
The largest share of global esports betting consistently dominating market volume.

League of Legends
A powerhouse title, especially during major tournaments like the World Championship.

Valorant
A rising star with strong year-over-year growth.

In terms of formats, expect continued expansion of:

• Live and in-play betting
• Prop markets based on player performance
• Short-duration flash markets
• Mobile optimised betting flows

These formats encourage frequent and fast-paced engagement, which aligns perfectly with how esports fans already consume their favourite games.

Risks and Regulatory Considerations

Despite the strong upward trajectory of esports betting, the market still faces several challenges that could slow or shape its long-term growth. From regulatory uncertainty to integrity concerns and the responsibilities that come with a younger betting audience, it’s crucial to understand the risks that accompany the opportunity. The points below outline the most significant considerations for operators.

Regulatory fragmentation

Around one third of potential markets still face restrictions or grey areas around esports betting. Operators must navigate different local requirements, licensing rules and compliance expectations. Clearer regulatory frameworks will determine growth speed in many regions.

Integrity and match fixing concerns.

Esports faces ongoing challenges around match integrity. Some fans still cite match-fixing fears as a barrier to betting participation. Strengthening integrity systems, monitoring, and professional governance remains crucial for long-term market trust.

Responsible gambling challenges

Because esports attracts younger bettors, responsible gambling practices must evolve accordingly. Simplified onboarding, education around betting mechanics and strong harm minimisation frameworks are essential as the audience expands.

Market fragmentation

While top-tier titles attract large betting volumes, many smaller esports titles struggle with liquidity. Operators may increasingly concentrate on proven, high-volume games, which could create a two-tier market.

What This Means for Operators

As esports betting matures into a multi-billion dollar vertical, operators are entering a phase where strategy and product design matter more than ever. The rapid growth presents clear opportunities, but capturing them requires a tailored approach that recognises the unique expectations of esports audiences. Here’s what the current market trajectory means for operators moving forward.

Operators and sportsbooks

Esports bettors cannot simply be moved into traditional sports funnels. Operators that develop specialised interfaces, faster bet settlement, prop builders and mobile alerts for key events will likely see the highest engagement.

Esports teams and tournament organisers

Partnerships with licensed betting operators may become important new revenue channels. Maintaining strong integrity guidelines and transparent communication will be crucial for safe collaboration.

Growth in emerging regions

Operators that invest early in localisation, mobile-first design and culturally relevant titles can gain strong footholds in Latin America, Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.

Global eSports Betting Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

All indicators point to the global esports betting sector surpassing US$3 billion by the end of 2026. In fact, this may prove to be a conservative marker. With new tournaments, rapidly growing mobile markets and evolving regulation, the industry’s upward trajectory appears strong.

Key milestones that could push the market even further include:

• Regulatory expansion across major jurisdictions
• Continued integration of esports into mainstream sportsbook offerings
• The emergence of new competitive titles
• Deeper convergence between streaming platforms, social media and betting interfaces
• Improved responsible gambling measures to support long-term sustainability

While challenges remain, the momentum behind esports betting is undeniable. The industry is moving from niche to mainstream, and growth is not showing signs of slowing.

Final Thoughts

Esports betting has evolved into one of the fastest growing sectors in the global wagering landscape. Crossing the US$3 billion mark by 2026 will represent more than a symbolic milestone. It reflects a significant shift in how fans engage with competitive gaming and how sportsbooks position esports within their products.

For operators, affiliates and esports brands, the message is clear. Now is the time to scale strategies, refine product offerings and invest in user education. The esports betting market is not just emerging. It has already arrived, and the next wave of growth is underway.

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