The recent influx of technology has played a crucial role in transforming many industries. These changes became more apparent during the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the industries that were hardest hit was the gaming industry. Traditional land-based casinos had to shut down their operations during the lockdowns.
However, during that difficult period, esports rose above all challenges. It has proved popular among players since it was first introduced. Software developers used this opportunity to upgrade outdated games and develop new software.
The expansion of the esports industry had a direct effect on the popularity of operators like CasinoUltra. Online gaming platforms were able to tap into billions of dollars available in the esports sector.
With that in mind, the following are some of the ways eSports transformed the online gambling world:
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Development of Active and Professional Players
This is one of the most significant effects of esports on the gambling industry. Although gambling operations were running long before the inception of esports, it was mostly a leisure activity for players. It was more like a hobby devoid of real motivation. Although it was possible to profit from it, there wasn’t any real competition.
However, esports completely transformed the industry. Sporting events bring people from all over the world and allow them to share fun moments. Competitive video games are primarily made up of esports tournaments.
The tournaments have rules, systems, gameplay, evaluation, and broadcasting, almost like traditional sporting events. Professional esports players also face similar training obligations as professionals in other sports.
As soon as esports betting became popular, gamers worldwide began betting on top games. However, only a few players can attain professional levels. The best players can get invitations to attend tournaments and earn real money. This has made online betting more realistic, and players are beginning to improve their skills.
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More Financial Opportunities
The growth of esports has provided more financial opportunities to invest, collaborate with sponsors, and create new content. A decade ago, only a few people could have predicted the overall financial success of esports. This success has rubbed off on online betting in the following ways:
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Merchandise
What typically happens when you become a die-hard fan of a sport or team? You begin collecting their merchandise. Items such as player posters, jerseys, sweatshirts, and boots are some of the most collected sporting memorabilia.
Putting eSport game insignia, logos, and other symbols on clothing and merchandise will make the games popular and increase sales.
However, the absence of physical attendance in esports means that merchandise sales are lower than traditional sports. Although it brings in a smaller portion of revenue, esports merchandise plays an essential role.
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Advertising
Esports advertisements are responsible for around 60% of the total revenue in the esports industry. Youtube and TV adverts, pop-up ads, and running adverts during sporting events effectively market deals, events, and merchandise. Recently, running ads on a player’s personal stream has become a meaningful way to make money.
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New Content
You can also make money from esports by creating new content. You can generate advertisement revenue by posting new videos about your favorite video games on social media.
You can also start reviewing and rating newly-released games or comparing the performance of various teams. Esports teams typically post photos and videos online for their fans and other players.
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Investments
Like all starting businesses, Esports receive significant investments to enable them to pay wages, obtain capital, and settle franchising costs. Investments in esports hit a record of $4.5 billion. Investments in esports are mainly thorough stadiums, merchandise items, events, and team organizing.
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Sponsorships
How do esports tournaments secure funds? Around 90% of revenue in the esports sector is sourced from sponsors. Any company or organization gains more recognition on various platforms.
Unlike traditional marketing, esports reaches more demographics. An esports team can have jerseys featuring the sponsor logo to advertise the partnership.
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Attracting a Younger Audience
Traditional sports gambling was dominated by older players, mainly playing for leisure. This did not have a significant impact on the industry. However, esports and competitive video gaming have attracted younger players.
This interest in online casino gaming from a younger audience has been instrumental in the sector’s growth. This growth would be impossible to achieve with traditional casino betting. Without an immersive gaming experience, it would be hard to keep younger players playing as they have a shorter attention span.
New game additions and improved software which were more appealing were introduced. Other necessary changes, such as partnerships with major companies and site upgrades, were also implemented.
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Enhanced Security
The increase in the number of players interested in betting on esports has forced online gambling platforms to enhance their security levels. This is mainly due to the high number of transactions occurring in esports because of the heavy gaming processes.
Playing esports has made it easier for gamblers, in general, to use their credit cards or crypto wallets for fiat and coin payments, respectively. The growth has necessitated the upgrading of casino security to unprecedented levels.
You are now guaranteed to make secure financial transactions thanks to eSports since most platforms have firewall security and certifications such as 2FAs and SSL.
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Reduced Limitations
You can now enjoy some of the most popular online casino games with few limitations, thanks to sports. Sports enthusiasts had to travel long distances to attend tournaments and place bets in the past.
However, esports has made it possible to put everything on one platform. This ensures that your gaming experience is comfortable and stress-free.
You can enjoy games and participate in virtual tournaments with other players worldwide from the comfort of your home or office. It has removed obstacles of time and distance from the world of betting. All you need is an internet-enabled device and a stable internet connection.
Esports have also led to the diversification of payment modes available in the casino industry. It is now easier to find platforms accepting payments in Bitcoin than before. This has significantly improved the speed of deposits and withdrawals since cryptocurrency transactions are fast. It has also reduced the risk of fraud because the transactions are very secure and almost impossible to trace.
