It is no secret that competitive gaming has become hugely popular in the last couple of years. One of the biggest drivers of this hobby is undoubtedly the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) community. Although the popular game was first released in 1999, it has been the subject of gambling scandals and has even been linked to suicide events.
The online gambling landscape has consequently evolved to become more sophisticated and, as a result, so have the strategies used by gamblers. One aspect that has been affected is simply the duration of a contest. Up until recently, most sporting events and games have been scheduled to last for a set number of hours. However, with the rise of eSports, this concept has changed and competitions are now being organized to last for days, if not weeks.
Why Are Sportsbooks Changing?
When it comes to sports betting, the majority of people think in terms of NFL matches and college basketball games. However, this is certainly not the case and a wide variety of sporting events and competitions are currently being placed on a betting slip.
As a result of this increasing number of events, bookmakers have evolved to accommodate this need. As an example, if you were to place a bet on the Superbowl this year, your sportsbook would likely ask you to choose between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. In traditional betting, this particular match would have lasted for about three hours and allowed you to make your wager for around two hours of play.
However, with eSports becoming such a prominent part of competitive gaming, matches often extend to ten or fifteen hours, making it hard for recreational gamblers to participate without risking their own money. In some instances, betting on eSports can be as little as ten times larger than traditional sports betting.
In addition to this, the contests themselves have also changed in line with this new format. Instead of being scheduled to last for three hours, some competitions are now being played across a series of days, with some games even being offered just for fun. Essentially, the goal of these competitions is no longer to qualify for a set number of wins or losses, but to set a benchmark for future games.
The Rise Of eSports
For those unfamiliar, eSports are organized competitions that feature a range of video games. They can be highly competitive with the winning side likely to be presented with a large-scale trophy or cash prize. Although eSports were once considered to be a predominantly male activity, this is certainly not the case anymore and there are already a variety of women’s events.
This is because video games have become such an integral part of the lives of many modern young people that even the most unlikely of game competitions can attract significant interest. In fact, eSports are now so popular that they have even infiltrated the mainstream media with some prominent journalists and presenters getting in involved with the activity.
This increasing interest in competitive gaming has led to the rise of various platforms specifically designed for these competitions, with sites such as Twitch being the most popular of these channels. Essentially, these platforms allow users to connect and engage with other enthusiasts, as well as provide a live stream of gameplay that other users can then watch and bet on.
The Impact Of Online Betting
The popularity of eSports and their increasing duration and size make them perfect candidates for gambling. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy watching great gameplay and getting the chance to engage with passionate players?
It should come as no great surprise that eSports are quickly becoming a target for online betting houses, given their ever-growing popularity. This interest from bookmakers will no doubt continue to grow as more and more people realize the potential of this emerging industry.
However, the rise of eSports and extended gaming times mean that traditional ways of placing bets will soon begin to disappear. In their place, more and more sport fans will turn to online betting to give them the chance to enjoy and participate in their favorite hobby.
One of the things that makes online betting so appealing is the increasing diversity of games that are available for players to wager on. Although there are certainly standout titles like Overwatch and Hearthstone that are immensely popular within the community, there are also smaller games that often go unmentioned but are, in fact, just as exciting to play as the more well-known games. Inevitably, as time goes by and more people get involved, betting on smaller games becomes more and more popular, creating a bigger buzz around them than games that attract more mainstream attention.
Where Do I Place My Bets?
Whether you’re a hardcore sports fan or just enjoy playing video games, there is a competition for you. At this point, you might be wondering where you should place your bets. Without question, the safest option is to deposit money into an account at a reputable online betting site. However, for those who want to participate in mini-games for fun and don’t want torisk their money on the outcome of a big-name tournament, there are other options.
Although there is certainly some risk involved with this option, it is certainly not as great as taking your chances with a bookmaker. In most cases, these sites operate within a regulated environment and, as a result, they are considered to be more secure and, for this reason, may also be offered by reputable casinos. In addition to this, some online betting sites offer highly motivated rewards programs that can provide additional perks for those who are interested in participating in the occasional game.
However, for those who want to simply engage with other enthusiasts, download a game and start playing, there are many options for social networks where participants can meet and engage with people who share their interest.