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Esports Betting – Overview Of The Esports Gambling Vertical

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5 years ago

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Gambling on – and around – esports is a much bigger market than many assume.

The market can basically be divided by product and then by currency. Let’s start by talking a bit about the currencies that underpin gambling on esports.

Esports gambling: Popular currencies

For esports gamblers, the currency choice comes down to a decision between cash and skins (virtual items from video games).

Cash requires little explanation. The market for cash gambling on esports works identically to the cash-based market for traditional online wagering, such as sports betting or online casino games, visit Esportsbetting.gg for more information

Skin betting on esports

Skins require a bit more explanation. Skins are virtual items that can be used in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). The term “skin” is derived from the typical function of these virtual items: changing the appearance of a player’s in-game avatar, weapons, or equipment.

While a number of games employ some sort of skin system, CS:GO skins are the dominant currency in the skin betting market, accounting for over 80 percent of total wagering activity.

For example: Below is an image of the “stock” knife used as a weapon in CS:GO. Players can opt to replace that stock knife with unique skins of the knife that change the appearance of the knife, as shown in the images to the right of the stock knife.

Note that the skins do not improve the functionality or power of the knife. The skin only changes the appearance of the knife. Skins play a purely cosmetic role.

CS:GO skins can be easily transferred between players (the same is not true for all games). That condition allows skins to act as a quasi-currency – something like a casino chip. Given that ability to move skins between players, layering a gambling site on top of that ability is a relatively easy task.

Here’s how it works:

  • Players “deposit” a skin at a skin betting site (popular types of sites include sportsbooks, lotteries, roulette, and coin flips) by transferring the skin to the skin betting site.
  • They gamble using their deposited skins (or in some sort of internal currency that the player receives in exchange for their skin).
  • If they win, they’re paid in additional skins, which they “cash out” by requesting that the skin betting site transfer skins back to the player.

Once players have skins in their Steam account, they can:

  • Leave the skins dormant in their inventory.
  • Use the skins to change the appearance of their weapons.
  • Trade skins with other players.
  • Sell skins on the Steam marketplace for Steam credit (not cash) that can be used to buy other skins and games via Steam.
  • Exchange skins for cash on third-party sites outside of Steam.

Right now, skin gambling is far more popular than cash betting, but a crackdown on skin gambling activity by CS:GO publisher Valve could fundamentally undermine the ability of skin gambling sites to operate.

Esports gambling: Popular games

A few basic types of gambling dominate the esports gambling market.

Sports betting

Sports betting represents the most popular product among esports fans. Betting on esports is more or less identical to betting on traditional sports, with the caveat that the esports betting product is far less developed than the traditional sports betting product.

Fantasy esports

While markedly smaller than sports betting on esports matches, there is nonetheless a demand for fantasy esports.

Most of the sites serving this space deal in cash betting. The major players are just who you’d expect when thinking about daily fantasy sports, visit Esportsbetting.gg to know more

The basics of daily fantasy eSports

Fantasy eSports sites offer some variant of the “salary cap” model, in which users select a roster of players for their fantasy team under the restrictions of a salary cap set by the site. After picking a team, the eSports competitors score fantasy points for users based on their performances in competition. The users that end a contest with the most fantasy points win cash prizes.

Casino-style games

A handful of casino-style games (including roulette, blackjack, and raffles) make up the majority of the remaining interest in gambling among esports fans.

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Thunderpick Partners with Oddin.gg and Introduces BetPeek, First Fully Interactive Esports Viewing Platform

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46 seconds ago

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September 15, 2025

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Thunderpick, the leading esports betting platform, in partnership with Oddin.gg, a provider of end-to-end esports betting solutions, today announced the exclusive launch of BetPeek, a first-of-its-kind interactive esports viewing experience available only on Thunderpick.io.

While most esports streams today limit fans to static broadcast feeds and pre-selected camera angles, BetPeek flips the script. For the first time, viewers can control how they watch the action—transforming every match into a personalized, immersive event.

BetPeek’s key features include:

  • Follow Any Player – Switch instantly to the POV of any competitor on the server.

  • Dynamic Camera Control – Place the camera anywhere on the map for a unique vantage point.

  • X-Ray Vision – Unlock strategic insights by seeing what players can’t.

  • Play, Pause & Rewind – Revisit every clutch play with DVR-style controls.

  • Integrated Betting Tools – Access deeper context and analysis to inform smarter wagers.

“Traditional esports streams have barely evolved; they’re often one-size-fits-all broadcasts that leave fans wishing for more control,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “BetPeek completely changes that. By putting fans in the driver’s seat, we’re delivering an esports experience that’s not just more engaging, but truly revolutionary for bettors and spectators alike.”

Why It Matters

Until now, esports fans had little choice beyond passively watching standard tournament streams or fragmented co-streams. BetPeek represents the next era: an interactive, on-demand, and bet-integrated platform unlike anything else in the industry. For bettors, this means unprecedented visibility into momentum shifts, rotations, and player form. For fans, it’s a chance to experience the match exactly how they want.

Exclusive to Thunderpick

BetPeek is available only on Thunderpick.io, reinforcing Thunderpick’s position as the most innovative esports betting destination worldwide. In partnership with Oddin.gg, a global leader in esports betting solutions, Thunderpick continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in live, fan-first esports engagement.

The post Thunderpick Partners with Oddin.gg and Introduces BetPeek, First Fully Interactive Esports Viewing Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Esports Charts to deliver comprehensive viewership data to GeoGuessr

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3 days ago

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September 12, 2025

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Esports Charts, the leading esports viewership analytics provider, is partnering with GeoGuessr, the world’s favourite geography‑guessing game, to deliver detailed analytics for its esports tournaments. The collaboration will give organizers clear insights into audience engagement and viewership patterns across events.

As part of the partnership, Esports Charts provides tournament dashboard data for the GeoGuessr competitions. Organizers can track engagement trends, compare performance across regions, and make data-driven decisions for future events.

“Esports Charts is thrilled to support GeoGuessr’s esports events. Our team even enjoys the game together during team activities, so it’s fun to combine that passion with our analytics expertise. By providing clear insights into viewership and engagement, we hope to help the organizers nurture and grow GeoGuessr’s competitive scene globally.” – Sergii Rudenko, CSO at Esports Charts

The recent GeoGuessr World Championship 2025 set new viewership records, reflecting the game’s growing presence in esports. In recent years, GeoGuessr has expanded its competitive offerings with larger prize pools, longer seasons, and more events.

“This year’s World Championship has been an incredible journey across four countries. We extend our gratitude to the passionate GeoGuessr community, talented players, and all of our partners who made this possible. Our partnership with Esports Charts plays a key role in helping us gain valuable audience insights, allowing us to continuously grow and elevate the GeoGuessr esports scene. – Mikael Falgard, Head of GeoGuessr Esports

The collaboration marks another step in the development of GeoGuessr’s esports scene and strengthens Esports Charts’ role as a leading provider of competitive gaming analytics.

The post Esports Charts to deliver comprehensive viewership data to GeoGuessr appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games

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6 days ago

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September 9, 2025

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The Global Esports Federation at its 16th Board Meeting approved the draft program for the Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games, to be held in December 2026. This follows the earlier announcement of Los Angeles as host city at a major ceremony hosted by Los Angeles Times Media Group Executive Chairman & CEO Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel—now marking a significant milestone on the road to GEF’s flagship event in the United States.

The GEF Board also unanimously elected Paul J. Foster as President of the Global Esports Federation. Paul, who is GEF Chief Executive Officer, was appointed President ad interim following the resignation of founding President Chris Chan in July, and now assumes the role of President & CEO through December 2027.

“I’m honored to be elected President of the Global Esports Federation at today’s Board Meeting. Together with our Member Federations and partners, we will champion inclusion, innovation, and sustainability—empowering athletes, embracing digital transformation, and strengthening the global credibility and prestige of esports for generations to come.” –Paul J. Foster, GEF President & CEO.

In addition, the GEF Board approved the establishment of frameworks to develop the esports ecosystem in the United States, anchored in Los Angeles. This initiative will strengthen the GEF’s connections with stakeholders worldwide and reinforce its mission to elevate esports for all.

The outcomes of GEF 16th Board Meeting reaffirm the GEF’s role as a convening platform, uniting athletes, publishers, Member Federations, and partners to power the future of esports globally.

The post Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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