Everything you should know about Top eSports

Updated: 30.01.2025

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As online gambling in Canada continues to expand, eSports has rapidly gained prominence, becoming a lucrative betting market alongside traditional sports. To a generation where Tetris, Super Mario, and Pac-Man represented the apex of gaming technology, there may be some confusion about why eSports is now a multi-million dollar industry, where competitors win hundreds of thousands of pounds and untold glory.

Our article below explores why eSports is rivalling athletic sports for events to bet on, why it is proving so popular, and how much money is being pumped into the practice.

Cybersport History

The history of eSports, or competitive video gaming, can be traced back to the 1970s when the first video game competitions occurred.

However, it was only in the late 1990s and early 2000s that eSports began to gain significant traction, coinciding with the internet's rise and gaming technology advancements.

In 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) was established as a professional eSports organisation, hosting tournaments for games such as 'Halo' and drawing in large audiences. Since then, eSports have grown exponentially in popularity and scale.

According to a study by Newzoo in 2024, the global eSports market was valued at nearly approximately $1.87 billion, reflecting significant growth since its earlier valuations.

A report from Statista predicts that the worldwide eSports market revenue could reach $2.4 billion in 2025. Additionally, it estimates an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030, indicating the robust potential for continued expansion in the industry.

How does eSports work?

A fair question - given that the entire premise of watching eSports and enjoying it as sporting entertainment depends on the viewer's engagement. It depends a lot on the game type and the scoring systems designed within the game's framework.

Players compete individually or as teams in strategy-based games, requiring high skill, coordination, and strategic planning like in most popular table games.

These games are broadcast live online, primarily on streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Tournaments range from small local events to significant international championships with multi-million dollar prizes. The popularity of eSports is supported by a robust community of passionate fans who follow and engage with their favourite players and teams. Supporters will frequently subscribe to these platforms to follow their favourite gamers.

Which games are famous for betting on eSports?

A wide array of eSports are available for betting - we have picked out a few popular ones that attract a lot of punter money.

League of Legends (LoL): This is a multiplayer online battle arena game where players work in teams to destroy the core structure in the enemy base.
Dota 2: Another multiplayer online battle arena game where teams compete to destroy a large structure defended by the opposing team.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO): Here, teams assume the roles of either terrorists or counter-terrorists and battle each other with varying objectives.
Overwatch: This team-based first-person shooter game has players work together to secure and defend control points on a map or escort a payload.
Call of Duty: This first-person shooter game has various modes, such as a battle royale mode and classic multiplayer, that create varied betting opportunities.

Worldwide Popular eSports Teams

Several teams have consistently maintained their dominance in the dynamic world of eSports. The following organizations have earned their influence and success over multiple years.

Team Liquid: This team has earned international recognition with victories in Dota 2 and CS:GO tournaments and has ongoing success in League of Legends.
Fnatic: Since 2004, Fnatic has secured several League of Legends championship titles and accomplishments in CS:GO.
FaZe Clan: This team from the United States is particularly successful in First Person Shooter (FPS) games like Call of Duty and CS:GO. They have numerous tournament wins and a dedicated fan base.
T1: South Korea's T1, with numerous championship victories in League of Legends, is one of the most accomplished teams in the game's history.
G2 Esports: Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, G2 Esports excels in several games, including League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Rocket League, having earned multiple titles.

eSports bet Market Types

Again, it depends on the mechanics of the eSport in question, but generally, you can find a variation of these types of pre-match and outright betting markets:

Match Winner: This is the most common eSports betting market. It involves betting which team or player will win a match in a larger tournament.
Tournament Winner: In this market, bettors place wagers on which team or player they expect to win an entire tournament.
First Map Winner: Gamblers bet on who they think will win the first map in games where the outcome is decided over several rounds or maps.
Handicap Betting: This involves giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage, making the betting more balanced when one team is highly favoured.
Total Rounds/Maps: Bettors wager on the total number of rounds or maps that will be played in a match, regardless of the match's outcome.

Most Popular eSports Tournaments

As we might have already mentioned, eSports tournaments are very much in vogue - but there a few that stand out from the crowd in terms of viewing figures, prize money, and the standard of player participating.

Here are the top three:

The International Dota 2 Championships

The 2024 Dota Pro Circuit tournament prize pool was significantly smaller than previous years at $2.6 million. The winner was Team Liquid, this is their second win, the first time they won in 2017. The first-ever International was held in 2011 - that event was won by Ukrainian eSports team Natus Vincere. In 2024, 16 teams took part in the competition.

League of Legends World Championship

Arguably the most prestigious of all the eSports tournaments, the League of Legends World Championships is the culmination of the season’s League Championship Series (LCS), where players compete for a multi-million dollar prize and the iconic Summoner's Cup.

Its popularity among the eSports community is unbeatable - a record-breaking 6.4 million tuned in to watch the 2024 final, which was won by T1 - a Korean esports team operated by T1 Entertainment Sports that also happens to have won the most LoL World Championships in history.

The LoL eSports schedule has the World Championships taking place every year around autumn time, though the exact dates can vary.

Intel Extreme Masters

The Intel Extreme Masters is a premier eSports tournament organized by ESL, one of the world's largest eSports companies. It features top teams and players from around the globe competing in popular games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and StarCraft II.

Unlike the other tournaments listed above, the Intel Extreme Masters encompasses several eSports and is regularly attended by some of the biggest talent in the world of eSports - with teams from FaZe Clan, Fnatic, and Team Spirit.

Female eSports

Although eSports tournaments are typically open to both sexes, the industry's upper echelons are male-dominated.

As of 2025, the top female eSports player is Sasha Hostyn, who is known by her alias Scarlett. Her specialty is the StarCraft II game. According to the Esports Earnings ranking, in January 2025, she was the 593rd best-earning eSports player. This shows that women in this sport are not broadly represented.

However, the industry has been taking steps to address the deficit. Several eSports tournaments, such as Impact Katowice, Women of the eRena, and Astral Clash, are available exclusively to female players. Nonetheless, the prize money pales compared to the more significant events in which male players dominate.

What devices do competitors use?

Competitors in eSports typically use high-performance devices to maintain their edge. These may include advanced gaming PCs with powerful processors, high refresh rate monitors, and graphics cards that ensure smooth and highly detailed visuals.

In addition to PCs, gamers may use specialised gaming consoles, such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, depending on the game being played. The gaming mouse and keyboards, often with programmable buttons and sensitivity adjustments, are crucial in providing precision control. Furthermore, high-quality headsets are also commonly used for clear communication and better in-game audio experience.

Is there a regulatory body in competitive gaming?

This is a topic up for constant discussion within the eSports community. Currently, the fairness and integrity of a competition is overseen by the game developers in question. For example, the World Series of Warzone is organised by and officiated by its makers - Activision.

There are several compelling arguments for the introduction of an independent authority for eSports - much like FIFA in football.

Proponents point to standardising rules, which vary widely across tournaments and games. They also emphasise the need for player protection, as the lack of regulation can lead to exploitation, unfair contracts, or cheating.

Additionally, the absence of a unified regulatory body may engender issues related to match-fixing and even doping. Therefore, implementing a regulatory body could help establish a fair, safe, and competitive environment in the rapidly evolving eSports industry.

Are there risks to betting on eSports?

There are risks to betting on all sports - but with eSports, there is a sense that bettors need to understand the arena comprehensively for the best chance of winning some money.

That means researching each player meticulously, playing styles and how they will match up to their opponent, which player is in form, and so on.

Furthermore, the lack of any regulatory body means you are relying on the integrity of the competition and the organiser's ability to crack down on cheating and match-fixing. Although highly effective measures are in place to guard against these issues, we are still in the early years of this betting type. Only bet what you can afford to lose.

Conclusion

Fast, exciting, and extremely well-funded, the only way is up for eSports, both as a competitive sport and what it offers the betting world. If you're curious about trying your luck or skill in this evolving space, check out our online casino reviews to find trusted platforms that cater to eSports betting.

There is no telling what the future holds in this arena, especially given the advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, and other technological elements.

Whatever happens, it could be an exciting ride!

Gerda Grinova

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Chief Editor

University of Latvia

A degree from the University of Latvia combined with experience in affiliate marketing, content management and quality assurance.

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FAQ

Is cyber sports betting legal?

Cyber sports betting is legal in many countries and regions worldwide, including Canada. Since sports betting was legalized in 2021, Canadian players have also had access to esports betting beyond traditional sports.

How to find reliable cyber sports betting platforms?

To find reliable cyber sports betting platforms, look for licensed bookmakers. Look up and verify their license numbers, check for positive user reviews, and review their terms and conditions. By doing so, you can evaluate the platform's reliability.

What is live betting on cyber sports?

Live betting on cyber sports is an option to place bets on events while they're happening. You don't necessarily have to make bets before the events. In live betting, you can predict winners, different statistics, and round results in real-time.

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