The world of esports was thrown into disarray last year when the world’s finest Counter-Strike players were banned for life from professional events due to allegations of match fixing. It was subsequently revealed that the FBI had been investigating professional eSports for years, and had been secretly compiling evidence to bring down the biggest names in the industry.
While the world of sports had been enjoying a golden era, where gambling was seen as pariah, esports were struggling to establish themselves as an attractive alternative. There was no denying that the competitive gaming community had been throwing money around for years, with huge prize pools attracting the biggest names in sport and entertainment, but there was also a dark side to this supposed “ambition”.
It’s fair to say that the betting industry took a massive blow as a result of the match fixing allegations. One of the biggest names in esports, Cloud9, shut down their betting operation following the scandal. The team captain, Jake “Jake” Pallotta, stated that “in light of the ongoing investigation it has become clear that we cannot put our customers’ money at risk,” and that they had no choice but to close down.
It’s still not clear exactly how many people were affected by the scandal. While Cloud9 had 9.7 million followers on Twitch at the time of the shutdown, figures from the esports betting site Unikrn suggest that up to 500,000 active users may have been affected. The company behind the popular esports betting site Unikrn, Unikort, shut down as well.
The Rise of Esports
The esports industry is now valued at around US$14 billion, and is expected to grow to $18billion by next year. In 2019, Forbes ranked esports as the No. 3 industry behind only technology and media, and games themselves.
The sheer size of the industry makes it easy for big brands to get involved. In 2019, the likes of Google, Amazon, and Apple have all dipped their toes into the esports waters.
Betting Sites Open Up
Now that the dust has settled a bit, it’s time for esports to rise from the ashes. Despite the damage done to gaming’s reputation, it’s clear that the industry is still growing. In fact, betting sites have started to see an increase in interest as esports becomes more professional and more accessible. There are still some major issues to be resolved though – like how to regulate online gambling – as well as a number of grey areas that can be addressed through legislation and regulation.
Which Betting Site Is Best?
It’s time for you to make a choice. One of the biggest questions surrounding esports is which betting site is best. There’s a huge amount of variation between the different online sportsbooks, with each one boasting their unique set of features and benefits. It’s important to do your research before signing up with any site, to ensure you make the right choice for your needs.
Here are some of the things you should look out for when comparing the different betting sites:
Deposit & Withdrawal Methods
One of the most essential things to consider when choosing a betting site is whether or not you can actually make a deposit. Many of the largest sportsbooks in the world now allow for both deposit and withdrawal methods, meaning that you don’t have to worry about storing any funds on the site. Simply enter your credit card information when making a deposit, and you’ll be good to go. This is certainly a beneficial feature for those who either don’t have a bank account or are worried about keeping their funds on an unknown site.
Types of Games
Another thing to consider is the types of games the site specializes in. The popularity of certain games will naturally determine the number of people who play them, and this can have a significant impact on your experience on the site. For example, poker is a popular game on the internet, so you’ll most likely find lots of other people playing when you visit a poker site. The more popular games will often attract more players, creating a more vibrant community. The opposite is true for sites that only offer lesser-known games, like solitaire and Mahjong.
User Interface (UI)
Finally, it’s important to consider the user interface (UI) of the site. Does it feel streamlined and easy to navigate? Is the font large and friendly? These are all important questions that can affect your overall experience on the site. For example, does the site have a mobile-optimized layout that makes it easy to access from anywhere? Are the buttons easy to find and do what you’re supposed to do without any errors? The answers to these questions will determine how easily you can have a good time gambling on the site, and how much you’ll rely on the help of the site’s support staff.
As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of different types of esports betting sites out there, all boasting unique features and benefits. Some of the biggest names in the industry, like Unikrn and ArcaneBet, have been around for a while and have developed a reputation for offering the best customer experience possible. With hundreds of thousands of users, these sites are definitely places to play if you’re looking for a new gambling experience!
However, it’s important to do your research before signing up with any site. Make sure to read reviews, check out the FAQs, and read through the terms and conditions before committing. This way, you’ll be sure to make the right choice for your needs and preferences. The key is to have fun while you’re there, and don’t let the (mostly) positive reviews get to your head.