eSports

Luxury Brands Louis Vuitton and Gucci provide further legitimacy for esports industry – states Abios Founder Oskar Fröberg

Published

5 years ago

June 23, 2021

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Abios founder and CEO explains why esports is one of the most promising sectors for future growth within the iGaming market

What does the recently announced relationship with ICE365.com mean to the company and what do you hope to achieve?

We are naturally very excited about the partnership and to contribute to the new ICE365 platform. Abios aims to provide content and detailed insights for the industry to take part of through the platform, while presenting our team with a great communication platform to address important topics and potential issues. Among these are very important but often overlooked topics such as match integrity and regulatory compliance. Building the right foundation for esports is paramount for its continued growth.
Having been active in the industry for 8.5 years, we believe ourselves to have profound insights into what is important and want to bring them to light. Our intention is ultimately to protect the future of esports. Our team also seeks to provide value for the iGaming-community through timely esports content.

The partnership has a clear focus on education – do you think there’s a knowledge gap as far as esports and the broader igaming community is concerned and how do you hope to address it?

The iGaming community is well-aware of esports, as many have already identified the market as one of the most promising sectors for future growth. Most sportsbooks have also started experimenting by at least offering a couple of markets or tournaments in esports.
Esports can however be demanding to navigate since it is both dynamic and fast-moving, with changes introduced on a regular basis and new game titles still trying to establish themselves as part of the core offering. In addition to our data and odds products, we do our best to offer in-depth content around various esports-related topics to help the iGaming community identify opportunities within the sector and make educated decisions.
While there may sometimes be a slight gap in knowledge, it is more often the case that traditional companies lack properly customised tools to monetise esports. Alongside our data business, we are currently investing heavily in enabling sportsbooks to build completely custom and new experiences using our odds product.

You appear to have a strong commitment to protecting the integrity of esports – how important is this and is match-fixing a very real threat?

Match-fixing is a prevalent threat to esports, as it is to any traditional sport. Nobody wants to watch or place a bet on a match with suspicious or unfair behaviour. It removes the fun out of the competition and gambles (no pun intended) with the entire legitimacy of esports. If esports is perceived as an environment with lots of suspicious activity, its public perception and viewership will be adversely affected. This is not only a challenge for Abios but for the industry as a whole.
Today, game publishers are increasingly improving safeguards to deal with cheating, making it more and more difficult to cheat. Tournament organisers work closer with data partners and sportsbooks to identify suspicious betting behaviour. Generally, large tournaments are very safe, game publishers and tournament organisers alike take these issues very seriously. It’s important to continuously raise awareness of these subjects.

Does the involvement of big blue chip sponsors the final symbolic confirmation that esports is here to stay?

While some blue chip-sponsors such as Coca Cola have been in the industry for years, the real shift is seen when non-endemic luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci join the mix, designing skins for games as well as clothing lines with teams. These companies are incredibly quality and brand conscious. Seeing them engage in esports provides further legitimacy for the industry. We’ve come a long way from esports being perceived as a pastime for young boys sitting in their parents’ basements, but there is still a long way to go until esports has reached its full potential.

How important is it that regulators understand the nuances of esports?

We generally do not comment on the work of regulatory bodies in esports, as we respect the immense complexities of the subject. We do however feel that it is important for regulators to understand esports and its intricacies instead of simply copying the regulations of regular sports and pasting them for esports.
A great example of a relatively new regulation is that of player ages. Several countries have put regulations in place against offering matches where the players are minors. This is both to protect the players and to combat match-fixing, which is noble. However, it simultaneously imposes complications for sportsbooks looking to keep their markets open while staying compliant in different regions simultaneously.
Abios has always put a lot of emphasis on regulatory compliance, which encompasses the need for downstream partners, such as sportsbooks, to comply with these regulations without any friction. We therefore make regulatory compliance tools an integral and automatic part of our products.

During the pandemic has esports managed to fill a void while the traditional big sports such as football weren’t able to function properly?

When practically all traditional sports were delayed, postponed or outright cancelled more than a year ago, we experienced a strong influx in interest for esports. The esports betting market has proven to be very pandemic-resilient. The best part is that esports seems to remain popular, even as traditional sports have come back.
The interest is definitely there among punters and the audience is huge. However, we still believe that there is a long way to go with building the best possible products for esports. We are conducting extensive research to find the most engaging markets and fast integration processes for our odds feed and will bring new and unique possibilities for customer differentiation given the data rich nature of esports.

Has the pandemic created a new esports audience and demographic?

With more people staying at home, more people have picked up on esports tournaments. However, the pandemic has also increased the pace of change in the esports industry. New games have grown in popularity, especially sports games which from a competitive esports perspective were very small two years ago. These games have helped bridge the gap to esports for regular sports fans and punters. The sports games have also proven to work tremendously well as filler products for when there are no matches in traditional sports.

Is this the most exciting time to be involved with the esports phenomenon and what does it mean to you personally and to Abios as a company?

With the risk of sounding clichéd, it has always been an exciting time to be involved within esports. The industry is fast-growing and nowhere near its peak.
While our odds product is currently on par with other products on the market, we have so much more in the pipeline. We have built a strong foundation with over eight years of esports data management and base our in house modelling on this unique dataset and platform. This allows us to drive down bet delays and increase uptime through automation while creating completely unique and engaging bet offers.

Clarion’s head of Esports, William Harding, described Abios as being ‘the perfect partner’ – would you concur?

We want to add value to Clarion Gaming’s high-quality content by bringing our expertise and leveraging our 8+ year history in esports to provide the iGaming audience with further insights. Given the past years growth in the esports iGaming-sector, this partnership is certainly a perfect fit.

BETBY

BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball

Published

16 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-expands-e-sim-portfolio-with-three-industry-first-titles:-ehockey,-emma-and-eteqball

Tier 1 sportsbook supplier BETBY has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of three industry-first e-sim titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball. The new releases further strengthen BETBY’s high-frequency betting content portfolio, introducing new sports verticals while continuing to deliver fast-paced, always-on content designed to maximise engagement for operators and players worldwide.

Each of the new titles debuts as a first-of-its-kind esports simulation in the betting industry, reinforcing BETBY’s reputation as a pioneer in developing original betting content.

eHockey launches with four tournaments representing the NHL’s divisions: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific. Each match follows a format of three periods lasting three minutes each, delivering uninterrupted action with no stoppages. Designed to replicate the intensity of real hockey, the title offers 15+ betting markets and is expected to generate over 11,000 matches per month, ensuring a constant flow of high-frequency betting opportunities. Arriving just ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs next month, the new title allows hockey fans to stay immersed in the sport 24/7, extending engagement beyond real-world fixtures.

eMMA introduces a fast-paced combat sports experience featuring two tournaments: UFC Legends and UFC Women Legends, where some of the sport’s most iconic fighters face off in simulated matchups. By bringing together well-known names from MMA history, the title creates an instantly familiar environment for fans and bettors alike. The format focuses on quick fights, with each matchup consisting of a single round lasting around one to two minutes on average. Events begin every five minutes, ensuring continuous action throughout the day. Betting markets focus on the fight winner, creating a simple yet highly engaging wagering experience. Combined, the two tournaments are expected to deliver around 15,000 events per month.

Completing the trio is eTeqball, which introduces a brand-new sport to the Betby.Games portfolio. Combining elements of football and table tennis, the rapidly growing discipline brings a unique dynamic to esports simulations. The title launches with the TQX Cup Hungary – Double Mixed tournament, generating around 1800 matches per month. Each match consists of two games played up to 12 points, with over 20 betting markets available.

Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY, said: “Creating original content has always been at the core of the Betby.Games vision. With Hockey, MMA, and Teqball, we’re introducing three industry-first titles that further diversify our portfolio and bring new experiences to esports betting. Each of these games offers fast gameplay, clear betting mechanics, and a constant stream of events, helping operators keep players engaged 24/7.”

The post BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B iGaming

Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports

Published

2 weeks ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

logifuture-joins-forces-with-betconstruct-ai-to-expand-virtual-sports

Logifuture, a leading B2B provider of virtual sports and instant gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform powering hundreds of operators worldwide. This collaboration integrates Logifuture’s flagship products, Zoom Sports and Simulate, into BetConstruct AI’s platform, significantly expanding access to innovative engagement tools for operators.

Expanding Global Reach

The partnership enables operators to offer next-generation virtual sports and instant betting solutions, enhancing player activity and generating incremental revenue.

Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of betslips, removing waiting times and creating immediate engagement.

These tools extend player retention, increase betting activity beyond live events, and create cross-sell opportunities across the BetConstruct AI network.

Innovation at the Core

Both Logifuture and BetConstruct AI prioritize innovation and product differentiation, helping operators stand out in a highly competitive market.

Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, commented:
“Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward. Their global reach makes them the ideal partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. This collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term partnership to deliver new experiences and stronger operator performance.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership will focus on expanding distribution, delivering new gaming experiences, and introducing innovative products to keep players engaged while helping operators grow revenue worldwide.

The post Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

betting innovation

Bet It Drives S4 Finale: Oddin.gg’s Marek Suchar on Esports Betting

Published

2 weeks ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

bet-it-drives-s4-finale:-oddin.gg’s-marek-suchar-on-esports-betting

The global esports betting industry continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, and one of the sector’s most influential voices has recently shared key insights into where the market is heading.

In the latest episode of Bet It Drives, Marek Suchar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Partnerships at Oddin.gg, joined host Yevhen Krazhan to discuss the realities, challenges, and future opportunities shaping esports betting.

Recorded during the ICE event in Barcelona, Season 4 Episode 4 brings together two experienced industry figures for a candid discussion about the mechanics behind esports wagering. Suchar, who helped transform Oddin.gg from a small startup founded by four partners into a global B2B infrastructure provider for esports betting, offered a detailed perspective on the sector’s growth, integrity requirements, and regulatory future.

A Look Inside the Esports Betting Ecosystem

Esports betting has quickly moved from a niche vertical to one of the most dynamic areas of the online betting ecosystem. Oddin.gg has played a critical role in this development by offering odds feeds, trading tools, and risk management solutions to betting operators around the world.

During the conversation, Suchar explained how advanced monitoring systems help identify suspicious betting patterns in real time. As esports wagering continues to scale globally, integrity monitoring and data analysis have become essential tools for protecting both operators and players.

He emphasized that the future success of esports betting will depend heavily on transparency, robust data management, and strong cooperation between operators, regulators, and technology providers.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The podcast also tackled some of the uncomfortable realities facing the iGaming sector. Suchar spoke openly about what he believes the industry often gets wrong when it comes to esports betting.

One of the key issues he highlighted was the misunderstanding of esports by traditional betting stakeholders. While esports audiences are digital-native and highly engaged, many operators still attempt to apply conventional sports betting strategies without adapting to the unique dynamics of competitive gaming.

Suchar stressed that esports requires specialized infrastructure, data expertise, and an understanding of the communities surrounding the games themselves.

He also addressed strict internal policies around betting within odds and trading providers, explaining that integrity protocols and compliance standards are essential in ensuring fair markets and preventing conflicts of interest.

Market Growth and Global Opportunities

One of the most striking points in the discussion was Suchar’s estimate of the potential size of the esports betting market. According to him, the global esports betting handle could approach $100 billion, highlighting the enormous commercial potential of this rapidly expanding sector.

The conversation explored which regions are most likely to emerge as the largest regulated markets for esports betting. As regulatory frameworks evolve across Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia, new opportunities are opening for operators that are prepared to integrate esports properly into their product offerings.

Suchar noted that future growth will largely come from markets that combine strong esports fan bases with clear regulatory structures and advanced digital betting ecosystems.

Entertainment Meets Industry Insight

In addition to serious discussions about market development, the episode also maintains the playful format that Bet It Drives has become known for.

Suchar participated in the segment “Confess or Call,” spinning a wheel that led to a humorous prank acquisition call where he jokingly suggested Oddin.gg might explore purchasing esports organizations NAVI and Vitality.

The lighthearted moment added entertainment value while reinforcing the informal and candid style of the podcast.

A Season Focused on Industry Truths

Season 4 of Bet It Drives has focused heavily on honest discussions about the realities of the iGaming industry. Earlier episodes featured prominent figures such as:

Cedomir Tomic of Alea
Oleksandr Feshchenko of GR8 Tech
Akhil Sarin discussing marketing strategies at Stake
Max Krupyshev exploring crypto risks and trust within gaming ecosystems

The final episode with Marek Suchar closes the season by focusing on the infrastructure layer that powers esports betting growth.

Why Esports Betting Matters for Operators

For sportsbook operators, the esports vertical represents a massive opportunity to engage younger audiences and diversify betting products. However, the conversation in this episode highlights that success requires more than simply adding esports markets.

Operators must invest in specialized technology, integrity monitoring, and partnerships with providers that understand the esports ecosystem.

Suchar’s insights reinforce a growing consensus across the industry: esports betting is no longer experimental. It is rapidly becoming a central pillar of the digital betting economy.

As esports audiences continue to grow and regulatory frameworks mature, the companies building reliable infrastructure today are likely to shape the industry’s future.