Will Esports Betting Carry Momentum From 2020 Into 2021?

• Esports betting became popular in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down major sporting leagues.
• Many new have begun embracing esports as a viable wager option.
• Esports teams have partnered with sports betting operations.

DENVER – Those betting on sports in 2020 really embraced esports betting as a viable option due to the lack of sports betting available earlier in the year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many professional and college sports leagues were postponed or canceled, leaving a gaping hole for sports betting that was filled by esports events.

The question now is, will esports betting continue to be a popular sports betting attraction in 2021? Or were the circumstances of the year the only reason legal sports bettors embraced the practice?

Esports Betting Future

What are good signs for the future of esports betting is the fact that partnerships have begun to form, bringing esports and the betting world together.

For one, an esports exclusive sportsbook is in the process of launching. This will be the first time a sportsbook dedicated to esports betting exclusively will be available for sports bettors.

“We are delighted to be part of the first-ever real money esports sportsbook in the U.S. as it represents a major milestone for FansUnite and the entire betting community globally,” said Scott Burton, CEO of FansUnite Entertainment. “With our first casino customer now in hand, we are eager to continue our collaboration with GameCo, GRID, and 10 Star to establish a larger presence in the U.S. market.”

Many major partnerships between major betting operators and esports events also occurred. FansUnite partnered with Pinnacle Solutions for esports betting earlier in the year, and popular sports betting operator Twin River partnered with Esports Entertainment Group.

The overall connection between the digital gaming competitive scene and those betting on sports has been substantially increased in 2020.

These partnerships are not small-time deals either, as they are all multi-year contracts. This means that the sports betting industry expects esports to be a lasting figure in the betting world for players.

Esports teams have also gotten major deals with sports betting operators. Professional CS:GO team Dignitas partnered with VIE.gg as an official sports betting sponsor.

A deal like this has historically been used with major real-world sporting leagues. Now sports betting operators are trusting esports teams to bring in new bettors.

Esports betting is in a prime position to be a viable betting source in 2021. The many partnerships that have been signed in 2020 will carry over into the new year, making the Esports betting future market a bright one.

News tags: Coronavirus | COVID-19 | CS:GO | Dota 2 | eSports | eSports betting | Scott Burton | sports betting