28 de abril de 2025

Seu MVP oculto: os esportes eletrônicos como o complemento definitivo para as casas de apostas esportivas

Em um setor caracterizado por margens extremamente estreitas e uma demanda constante por engajamento, explorar um segmento de mercado de alto volume e alto crescimento pode ser um divisor de águas. Para as casas de apostas que navegam por um cenário cada vez mais competitivo, esse MVP oculto vem ficando no banco há bastante tempo: os esportes eletrônicos. Longe de ser um nicho, os esportes eletrônicos vêm crescendo constantemente em popularidade entre os apostadores e ganhando força junto às casas de apostas há anos. Tradicionalmente entre os cinco principais esportes em volume globalmente, agora é a terceira oferta mais procurada da LSports, representando quase 15 milhões de eventos solicitados anualmente pelos clientes — ficando atrás apenas do futebol e do tênis de mesa.

Dotan Lazar
CEO da @LSports

From Big to Bigger: Esports’ Rapid Rise

But beyond volume, rapid growth has become an equally important part of the story. According to data from our Q1 2025 report, esports saw a staggering 70% year-over-year (YoY) increase, proving it’s much more than just a pandemic-era spike.

And the momentum isn’t limited to traditional esports markets. While Asia, long considered the epicenter of competitive gaming, continued its upward trajectory with 102.54% YoY growth in fixture consumption, Europe quietly broke barriers, surpassing the 2 million fixture mark for only the second time ever.

Two Sides of the Same (Massive) Coin

This shouldn’t come as a big surprise, as esports delivers value to sportsbooks through two dominant verticals, each with distinct betting behaviors, audience profiles, and scheduling rhythms.

On one side, Simulated Sports, such as eFootball and eBasketball, offer unparalleled volume and consistency. With over 3 million fixtures ordered and YoY growth rates of 78.6% and 121.8%, respectively, these titles function as frictionless extensions to traditional sports betting. Their constant gameplay and real-sport feel make them ideal for covering off-peak hours and keeping bets flowing.

On the other side, Core Esports Titles like CS2, Dota 2, and League of Legends attract a different kind of audience—deeply loyal and highly engaged. These games aren’t just competitions—they’re full ecosystems. In Q1 2025, the segment grew 59.2% YoY, with CS2 and Dota 2 leading the way. While fewer in number, these fixtures often drive higher bettor engagement and turnover, especially during major tournaments.

Your Next Smart Move: Putting Esports at the Core

For sportsbook executives and trading teams, the strategic value of esports is clear. It doesn’t just supplement existing offerings—it fills scheduling gaps, appeals to younger, digital-first bettors, and helps smooth out the impact of unpredictable events.

Too often, esports is viewed as either a novelty or a black box. But the data paints a different picture. Esports isn’t coming—it’s here. And for those ready to embrace it, the upside is more than just incremental. It’s exponential.