eSports
Game Changers: A Roundtable on the eSports Revolution
Over the last decade, a significant cultural shift has occurred in the entertainment industry. Esports, the organized and competitive form of video gaming, has gone from a fringe interest to a global sensation, captivating millions of fans and bringing in billions of dollars in revenue. This rapid rise has not only transformed gaming from a casual hobby to a legitimate profession but has also firmly established itself in mainstream culture, challenging traditional sports and revolutionizing the entertainment industry as a whole.
Esports, short for electronic sports, has evolved into a flourishing industry encompassing competitive gaming, live events, sponsorships, media coverage, and an ever-growing fan base. As technology advances, so does the potential for esports to redefine what it means to be a spectator and participant in the world of sports and entertainment. With a structure that mirrors traditional sports leagues, including professional teams, star players, and devoted fan communities, esports has become an influential force, making a significant impact on the gaming world and broader society.
For this roundtable, European Gaming spoke to Kevin des Lauriers, CEO at J3STER, and Kirill Nekrasov, Product Officer at BETBY to delve deeper into the rise of esports, examining the factors behind its explosive growth, the influence it wields across various industries and the exciting possibilities that lie on the horizon. By understanding the transformative power of esports and the remarkable journey it has undertaken thus far, we gain insights into a phenomenon that continues to reshape entertainment, challenge societal norms, and captivate a generation of enthusiasts.
How is the rise of esports changing the way people interact with games?
KDL: Globally, we’re seeing a big increase in arenas being built specifically to draw in fans of esports. We’re also seeing a rise in LAN events across the world, with competitive and even casual players now putting together teams in order to get involved. Smaller sponsors are putting on more tournaments, and there seems to be a plethora of new leagues being created for any and every game imaginable – not just the usual titles, such as Warzone and League of Legends.
KN: There is a vast increase in viewers who passionately follow certain teams and particular disciplines within esports, whether that be soccer, ebasketball or any other sport that they like. This engagement ultimately acts as the spark for viewers to become participants, following in the footsteps of their favourite esports players, getting involved at an amateur level and engaging with the esports that they enjoy most.
Influencers are often the faces of esports. What impact do these figures have on the industry?
KDL: In the industry, we’re in an interesting spot where influencers currently have a lot of power. Prominent players can discover and highlight exploits in games, effectively pushing game publishers to release patches and fixes more frequently. These publishers are also clamouring to release new features to keep these influencers happy and engaged, otherwise they risk them moving on to the next big thing.
There are armies of community managers working with game publishers, ready to provide influencers with gifts such as giveaway items for their fans, card packs, in-game content such as skins and more. Winning these influencers over is a surefire way to garner a positive reception in the esports sphere.
KN: In many industries, influencers are becoming more high-profile, garnering trust amongst audiences and shaping trends. These people within the esports industry are no different, whether they are players who were already in the public eye, or streamers who have amassed an organic following. However, the impact of these figures can both be positive and negative.
If influencers enter the world of esports solely to generate quick success and garner hype, without having an esports background or a noticeable passion, then this can have a negative impact on the long-term development of the industry. If they do not enjoy the content, or understand the complexities and depth of esports, passionate fans will see through this attempt to engage with them and be turned away.
This can reduce the quality of new entrants. Some may also use their popularity to promote products or events that do not align with the values and needs of the esports community. This can also create a negative perception among fans.
Following that, what is the main appeal for both players and influencers to get involved in esports?
KDL: Most influencers are pros (or ex-pros), which effectively makes this relationship analogous to the classic sports commentators. They educate us on how good these “new players” are, and what we can strive to become – or simply admire from afar.
However, pro esports players arguably aren’t as well-known today as the players we grew up with in classic sports. Some influencers host watch parties of big esports events, helping their fans to understand a little bit more about the teams and their players, which opens it up further for newcomers to get involved.
KN: Doing something you love and are passionate about, and competing at a competitive level cannot be underestimated. Entering esports, whether as a participant or influencer, should be a long-term commitment rather than just a temporary one. The esports community is incredibly passionate and this is a key selling point to getting involved, to be surrounded by like-minded people who care about the industry.
Being fully committed can bring a long-term career, and being able to participate in professional competitions, and potentially creating your own brand and personality that generates a following.
In your own opinion, how do you think you’re pushing innovation within the esports industry?
KDL: On paper, J3STER is everything that Twitch influencers and viewers can wish for – community, engagement and monetization. We focus on creating lines for each influencer based on their match data, with the odds generated being unique to that influencer and their community.
Our mission is to increase the influencer’s ability to monetize without requiring any further work. J3STER does all of the work through seamless API integrations. Influencers can sign up through their Twitch account, connect their game data through our publisher API connections, and then send the link out to their viewers. This process can be completed in less than one minute.
For viewers, they have an alternative to tipping through Twitch streams, as each bet placed through J3STER gives the viewer the opportunity to tip the streamer directly. Of course, when there’s a bet on the line, each viewer is much more engaged in the outcome of the influencer’s match.
KN: BETBY has been actively innovating the esports industry since its inception. We started our journey in esports with the Betby.Games project, which is a unique opportunity for bettors to wager on the most popular esports disciplines, providing 24/7 availability, and minimising human error.
Something which is a big bonus to our brand is our trading department, with many being esports fans themselves. Because of this, they are actively searching for new and unique markets and tournaments for our brand to be involved with, and expanding our offering. BETBY was the first company to offer its customers markets on the Pokémon UNITE Championship, Team Fortress 2 and Trackmania.
Of the latest product releases, it is worth highlighting our Betbuilder, which allows you to make combo bets within a single match, and which has already gained recognition among esports fans thanks to the exciting nature of these types of bets.
What are your predictions for the future of esports?
KDL: The eyes on esports have now reached the point where marketers simply cannot resist or oppose it any longer. I believe that, within the next five years, we’ll have more people tune in to watch a major esports competition than will tune into the Superbowl.
It’s also absolutely plausible that esports will very soon have the same energy behind it that the World Cup has – but this will require influencers with the necessary reach and power. Also, which game will headline? Will it be League of Legends, one of the biggest and longest-standing esports games, or perhaps Counter-Strike? Call of Duty is also another contender, as its recent huge rise in popularity is notable.
If the legions of gamers and influencers within the esports industry cannot decide on a headlining game – in order to give esports an ‘identity’ – everything will continue to be grouped under the umbrella of ‘esports’, which could diminish its potential. Evolution is necessary, and I believe it’ll happen very quickly.
KN: The esports industry will certainly continue to grow and become even more professional. In the context of betting, this will mean a transition to a more professional relationship between market participants, whether it is obtaining broadcast rights or using data.
For spectators and fans of esports, the events will become more exciting as participation increases. We are also seeing a strong development in production standards from tournament to tournament, and this is really incredible to see. In addition, I personally expect an active expansion of esports on mobile devices which will widen the audience and will also help the emergence of a couple of exciting new disciplines in the industry.
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BETBY, the leading sportsbook supplier, has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of two brand-new e-sim titles: eTable Tennis and eFootVolley. Both releases mark a major milestone in BETBY’s commitment to delivering fair, authentic, and localised esports content that enhances 24/7 engagement for operators and players worldwide.
Representing a world-first for the industry, the eTableTennis title, entitled TTX CUP, introduces a completely new vertical to esports betting, with an authentic, fully fair, and transparent experience. The game features realistic physics, true-to-life gameplay, and zero-second betting delay, offering instant bet placement for one of the fastest-paced sports.
Each match follows the classic table tennis format of five sets to 11 points, with over 20 betting markets and high betting limits comparable to elite-level competitions such as the Champions League. Launched initially with two tournaments, TTX CUP delivers more than 1,500 matches per month, running 24/7 with no streaming delay, ensuring full transparency and player trust.
Aligned with the WTT Finals Hong Kong, one of the sport’s premier real-world events, the release allows operators to engage users during off-hours through a seamless, always-on e-sim.
BETBY’s second new title, eFootVolley, further strengthens its “go-local” approach by focusing on Brazil’s fast-growing futevôlei scene, one of the country’s most culturally resonant sports. The game replicates the official Liga Nacional de Futevôlei, following a five-set format (up to 11 points) and an average match duration of around 20 minutes, with 20+ available betting markets.
Launching in sync with the final stage of the real-world Liga Nacional de Futevôlei, eFootVolley provides an ultra-localised, 24/7 betting experience, reflecting BETBY’s strategy of blending authenticity with constant engagement. Following the success of eVaquejada, this release reinforces the company’s dedication to creating content that speaks directly to local audiences and their sporting passions.
Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Sportsbook Product at BETBY, commented: “With TTX CUP and eFootVolley, we’re breaking new ground in esports simulations. TTX CUP sets a new benchmark for integrity and realism in table tennis betting, while eFootVolley demonstrates our ongoing commitment to localised, culturally relevant content. Both titles reflect the Betby.Games vision to provide operators with high-frequency, fair, and engaging titles.”
The Betby.Games portfolio now features 25 proprietary titles, covering 80+ tournaments and over 400,000 monthly matches across multiple sports.
The post BETBY EXPANDS E-SIM PORTFOLIO WITH TWO INDUSTRY-FIRST TITLES: eTABLE TENNIS and eFOOTVOLLEY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Short-form esports betting has transitioned from niche product to an established cornerstone of the sportsbook offering that drives consistent engagement. Peter Camden, Head of Competitive Gaming Product at SIS, shares how its growth was built on integrity, structure and the simple power of consistent play.
Previously used to fill the void left by the absence of live sporting events, esports is now firmly part of the sportsbook offering and valued by operators for delivering quick, dependable and consistently engaging betting entertainment.
Take a look at the homepages of major brands globally – a common theme sees the vertical feature prominently, illustrating its importance in grabbing bettor interest. The potential of esports betting has been discussed at length in recent years, and now the product’s importance is a reality because of its ability to drive business growth.
The question is: what turned the tide for esports betting? And how did a vertical that began as supporting content become one of betting’s most reliable formats?
The answer lies in how the industry, and its players have adapted. Confidence in the product has reshaped where it stands today, and that shift is clear to see in sportsbooks. What was once tucked away at the bottom of the sports menu now sits alongside the biggest sports, showing how visibility shapes perception, which is, after all, the true marker of progress. In the United States, for example, eBasketball often appears directly below the Big Four sports in the homepage menu. That speaks volumes as to how far the vertical has grown.
Its success comes from how naturally it fits the pace of modern betting. Sports simulated matches are quick, familiar and structured, offering a constant flow of action that is fair and transparent. Every game that we offer is properly refereed and monitored, which gives bettors confidence that what they see is fair and has integrity at its core. It is an experience that shows speed does not come at the cost of quality, proving that even the briefest contests can leave a lasting mark.
The format has also evolved with the audience. Popular sportsbook features such as player props, bet builders and live statistics have been incorporated to make the overall experience more interactive, giving bettors new ways to follow and engage with the action. They can now track rebounds, corners and assists just as they would with their favourite teams, blurring the boundaries between traditional sports betting events and simulated content. It is clear that the line between the sports sims and the familiar has never felt thinner.
Trust, once earned, is what turns a product into a permanent presence, and integrity has always been the key foundation on which we built and continue to build our product. Strong oversight and transparency have created lasting confidence among operators and bettors, helping transform short-form esports from an emerging concept into one of the sportsbook’s most stable and respected products.
SIS Competitive Gaming has been instrumental in defining the journey of esports betting to becoming an established fixture, delivering more than 140,000 eSoccer and 85,000 eBasketball events each year to the world’s biggest sportsbook brands within a framework designed for precision and control. It shows how scale, when managed with care, can sustain the highest levels of quality and engagement across every match.
The story of short-form esports betting is one of steady progress. It may have found its place, but its evolution is far from over. The next chapter will introduce new sports, richer markets and even greater scale, reinforcing its position as a permanent fixture within the sportsbook.
As technology continues to advance and data insights deepen, the product will only grow more sophisticated – giving operators innovative ways to engage their audiences and bettors even more reasons to return.
Its future, like the matches it delivers, promises to move fast and stay exciting.
The post How esports betting became a sportsbook essential appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The 2025 Esports Innovation and Communication Seminar, supported by the China Media Group (CMG) National Institute for Esports Development and hosted by CCTV Animation Group Co., Ltd., was held on October 17, 2025, in Mudanjiang, China. The event gathered experts, academics and industry leaders from China’s esports community, as well as participants from Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.
Through roundtable discussions and keynote addresses, the seminar explored key topics such as:
• “Breaking Barriers, Thriving Together: How Gen Z is Shaping and Growing Within Esports Culture”
• “Digital Bridges, Global Synergy: Esports as a New Platform for Cross-Cultural Exchange and Collaboration”
• “AI-Driven Innovation, Gear Revolution: Unlocking New Opportunities for the Sports Industry Through Esports”
Discussions at the event connected with concrete developments in China’s esports sector over the past year. China has hosted a growing slate of international tournaments, with three major esports competitions for League of Legends, Honor of Kings and CS2 scheduled to take place in the country in November.
The League of Legends 2025 World Championship traveled through Beijing and Shanghai before concluding in Chengdu on November 9. Global audiences saw a broadcast package featuring iconic sites such as the Great Wall alongside Shanghai’s city lights and Chengdu’s local culture, offering esports fans worldwide a multifaceted look at contemporary China.
Inspired, jungler for the LTA region’s top-seeded team FLY, shared in an interview, “My experience in China has been great, and I’m eager to see which teams we will compete against at Worlds.”
Such enthusiasm from international players is matched by the energy of Chinese fans. After a match at the League of Legends 2025 World Championship, South Korean competitor Chovy noted, “There were many Chinese fans in the arena cheering us on—we are truly thankful.”
This spirit of support, focused on performance rather than outcome, reflects the openness and professionalism of local esports audiences—an expression of cultural confidence. That confidence leaves a strong impression on global participants.
Brazilian player lux remarked in a June media interview, “Whenever I’m asked which city is my favorite, I always say Shanghai. It’s incredible. The fans are amazing, and so are the events.”
China’s capacity for hosting high-caliber esports events has also drawn international recognition. After attending this year’s KPL Grand Finals, German commentator Danny Engels said, “The production level is world-class. The stage screens are unique, and attention to detail is evident throughout.”
As esports continues to grow in global influence, these events convey not only competition, but also culture, image and values.
The post 2025 Esports Innovation and Communication Seminar Held in Mudanjiang, China appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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