Esports 101: Audience, Revenue, and Betting Trends

What was once considered an emerging market is now a global phenomenon. Esports is a booming industry on the rise with a massive global audience and a variety of extremely lucrative revenue streams. It has captured the attention of hundreds of millions of fans, investors, and brands spanning industries far beyond just esports.

One factor driving the wave of growth is technological advancements, which are making esports more accessible, immersive, and exciting. Real-time data and analytics are elevating the esports experience and unlocking more doors to monetization.

It is a prime time to invest in esports and acquire the tools that will enable your business to deliver premium esports solutions that stand out for both quality and innovation. Not convinced? Keep reading to explore the esports market through the lens of data, breaking down market growth, betting trends, and fan demographics.

Inside the Billion-Dollar Esports Boom

Esports is a billion-dollar industry with a global presence. It has all sorts of revenue streams from merchandise and ticket sales to media rights, advertising and sponsorship, and, of course, betting. The esports audience worldwide currently sits at around 640 million people, with around half of them being passionate esports enthusiasts (Statista). 

With the viewership numbers on the rise, so is the projected revenue. In 2025, it is calculated that the market will hit $4.8 billion in revenue and continue to grow with a 5.56% annual growth rate (CAGR 2025 - 2029) (Statista).

These numbers sure sound big, but let’s zoom out and look at the big picture.

Esports compares to many other popular traditional sports in terms of the size of its global audience. Many of these traditional sports outlined above have a concentrated fanbase in select regions, like baseball, for example, where the viewership is primarily focused in the USA. Esports, however, has an audience that is spread all across the world, leaving huge potential for further expansion.

The global esports audience is expected to hit 896 million people worldwide by 2029, and investors are taking notice. The Esports World Cup, the largest esports and gaming event that brings together over twenty different game titles, is one hot topic driving esports into the mainstream. The 2024 event had sponsors from sectors beyond gaming, like Kit Kat and Adidas, and captured mainstream attention with articles in Forbes, BBC, CNBC, USA Today, among others. In July 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made history announcing the Olympic Esports Games, a huge milestone for the esports community, laying out the path for the future of the industry.

Revenue, Reach, and Crossover Potential in Esports Betting

With the many different revenue streams driving growth for esports, one that particularly stands out is the esports betting market. In 2025, the esports betting sector is projected to reach a revenue of US$ 2.8 billion and remains the fastest-growing market for the entire industry. Big betting conglomerates, like Genius Sports, are taking notice and upgrading their esports portfolio to stand out in the competitive market.

It is estimated that 60% of esports fans wager real money on esports matches. That’s a lot of people and potential, especially when we know the esports audience is expected to grow to 896 million people by 2029. It’s time to deliver high-quality innovative solutions that will create loyal customers for the future.

There is a huge opportunity for cross-selling products to the esports bettor. Reports from Kambi Abios show 91% of esports bettors also bet on sports and casino. When you look at who is betting on esports in key regions, there is a significant crossover with some of the most popular traditional sports. For example, 95% of Latam esports fans watch soccer, and 80% of American esports fans watch the NFL. Acquiring young and enthusiastic esports fans is a proven way to cross-sell your sports betting product. Investing in esports now can have a significant impact on customer acquisition and drive revenue across other portfolios.

Generations of Fans Powering Esports Growth

So we know the esports bettor may also be a passionate fan of a traditional sport, but what else do we know about them?

Reports show that over half (51%) of the esports audience is comprised of Gen Z, with millennials being about 43% of the demographic. This isn’t surprising when we imagine the typical person who plays video games. 

On the other hand, millennials, ages 29 to 44, have been dedicated esports fans for a longer time with higher spending power. The esports games played, like Counter-Strike and Dota, have been around for over twenty years, gone through numerous iterations, and cultivated a loyal fan base. They hold a lot of nostalgia for fans who have been watching and playing the games for years – a testament to their passion for the game.

As these long-standing games develop and mature, they continue to acquire new fans. This reflects the longevity of many of these game titles and their ability to continuously create exciting fan experiences that capture – and hold – the attention of fans, new or old.

It is projected that fans currently have an income of $36 trillion. As they get older, their income increases, and by 2040, they will have a projected income of $74 trillion. With fans' spending power increasing with age, it is an opportune time to cash in on the potential.

Why Now Is the Time to Invest

If you’ve never been to a live esports tournament, it is hard to fully grasp the huge impact esports can have on a betting portfolio. For some of the biggest tournaments, like IEM Cologne, you can feel the energy around the city as anticipation for the event simmers. Before you even get near the arena, you can spot esports fans on the street in their fan-favorite jerseys, and hotel rooms become scarce with people traveling in. IEM Cologne 2024 saw over 1 million viewers tune in online during the finals, while the sold-out arena had 39,000 fans watching in person almost every day.

Whether you want to acquire new customers or diversify your portfolio to stand out amongst other sportsbooks, investing in esports can return long-term rewards. The content for the top games, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and League of Legends, is constant throughout the year, with brief off-seasons. Even then, there are thousands of matches within eLeagues like FIFA and NBA2K to appease the esports fanatic and bridge gaps during the off-season of traditional sports. A high-quality esports solution will take your sportsbook to the next level.

Want to learn more about how you can cash in on the esports opportunity?