When the world changes rapidly, innovation stands out. A handful of companies are seeing a surge in customer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Unikrn, the world’s leading esports-first betting operator. In 2019, Unikrn was named EGR’s Esports Bookmaker of the year and in 2020, after six years of successfully developing esports fans, Unikrn is seeing historic spikes in interest for esports and online wagering.

The $100B+ gaming industry, and the younger $1B esports industry, were both on course for continued growth in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic has left billions of people trying to fill the void left by sports and live entertainment, accelerating esports with fans it will retain after nations have overcome the coronavirus threat.

Unikrn is the only bookmaker in the world providing 24/7 gaming and esports betting, even offering Unikrn UMode, a regulator-approved skill betting on online matchmaking games in the US and abroad. According to Verizon, online gaming has increased by 75% during North American peak hours, and Unikrn is the only operator on Earth able to provide wagering on these games.

In March, over 1.2 billion hours of content were consumed on Twitch (Amazon’s video-game broadcasting platform). Unikrn streamer betting, real-time odds on very game played by the world’s most popular streamers. Between streamer and esports, Unikrn offers over 150 upcoming games with up to 1000s of markets each day.

“We’re really glad to be providing some normalcy and entertainment for our fans throughout these trying times,” said Rahul Sood, co-founder and CEO of Unikrn, ” With COVID-19 shutting all traditional options, esports has a wider reach than ever before. Each day, more people join the world’s nearly 3 billion gamers, a hobby most new adopters will keep long after COVID-19 is a memory.”

As COVID-19 forces cancellation of traditional sports, 1 in 5 people on Earth are staying at home during wide-spread casinos and entertainment venue closure. Global wagering fans are looking for their next bet and global sports bookmakers scrambling for adrenaline-packed entertainment that can run during pandemic conditions.

“Our yield across esports and wagering products is unprecedented and it’s only getting better,” Andrew Vouris, Unikrn COO said, “With no sports, a spike in users online, an increase in gaming and streaming, the new fans Unikrn collects now will stay with us for years to come.”

Even some esports events have been cancelled, so Unikrn Virtual provides 24/7 esports action with a curated collection of classic moments and proprietary all-star matches. Real esports played fresh every minute in a never-ending stream and with deep market options.

Plus, Unikrn’s casino is now launching live tables for classics like Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat, giving the thrill of the casino from the safety of home.