eSports
eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore
Esports has long been popular in the CIS region, with various top-tier teams and players all calling it home. How has the landscape evolved over the last few years? Have any particular trends emerged that have surprised you at all?
Esports boomed in the CIS region in 2008 when Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games became really popular. While esports had been a thing as far back as 2003, the rise of games such as Counter-Strike and DOTA2 was a major catalyst for the upward trajectory the sector has been riding ever since. In recent years, the infrastructure needed to support esports has improved drastically across the CIS region, including the construction of the Pixel Esports Arena in Minks, Belarus, and the Cyberspace Arena in Almaty, Kazakhstan, both of which hold top-flight contests. Internet connectivity has also improved, while support from local and international sponsors such as Monster Energy, Red Bull and War Gaming have provided funds for further investment while also driving awareness. Ultimately, this has seen the landscape evolve into a thriving industry with lots of opportunities for further growth.
In terms of trends, and especially relating to esports betting, I’ve been surprised by the high demand for betting on console games – we call them eBattles and they include disciplines such as eSoccer and eBasketball. I think this is just a natural development that has occurred off the back of strong demand for video game content, which is often the bridge between traditional sports and esports.
What factors have contributed to esports’ growth in the CIS over the past few years?
One of the biggest factors for me is that teams have become more professional and are now training and playing in well-run clubs. This takes place in dedicated buildings and rooms, set up with high-speed internet and the absolute best gaming equipment. Player salaries have also gone up, which has increased the calibre of players taking part in contests across the region, taking competitiveness to the next level. Today, many CIS players now play for high-ranked teams such as Virtus.pro, Team Spirit, Betboom or Na`Vi which compete on the international stage. This in turn is helping esports grow across the CIS region.
Given how many countries are in the CIS region, can you walk us through some of the biggest regulatory differences when it comes to betting on esports? And how does PandaScore navigate these changes?
The legality of betting and esports betting differs from country to country within the CIS region. Some are super strict or even prohibit gambling, while others take a more liberal approach, regulating the activity and licensing operators. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest markets and their approach.
In Ukraine, esports has been recognised as a sport since 2018 and in 2020 the country regulated and licensed gambling for the first time. The law focuses mostly on standard betting – sports and casino – but is likely to also include esports betting given that esports is a recognised sport in the country with tier-one Ukraine sportsbooks like Favbet and Parimatch offering it to their players.
Kazakhstan has a growing gambling industry with betting shops and casinos operating in major cities such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Gambling is regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and while the regulatory framework is somewhat restrictive, sports betting – which is likely to include esports betting – is permitted.
Navigating the constant changes in betting regulation across the CIS region can be challenging, so we make sure to keep up to speed with the latest developments by monitoring legislative updates and amendments to regulatory guidelines. We also track industry trends and best practices to anticipate regulatory changes ahead of time, allowing us to adapt quickly if needed. This can involve benchmarking against competitors, attending conferences and networking with key stakeholders.
In your view, are there any unique opportunities for the expansion of esports and esports betting within the CIS region? And how does this differ to other regions?
It’s important to understand that CIS, especially Ukraine and Kazakhstan, play by their own rules. By that I mean they are very different to other esports markets, so don’t think what works in Italy will work in Ukraine. For example, while League of Legends is very popular in Europe, in CIS, it’s Dota 2 that takes the top spot. But for those who can understand the region and each market, there are plenty of opportunities to explore.
Let me elaborate. Dota 2 is thriving in the broader CIS, with regular tournaments and events attracting large audiences both offline and online. teams like Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), Virtus.pro and Team Spirit have achieved significant success in Dota 2 competitions, contributing to the game’s popularity in the region. While Dota 2 is big, other video games also enjoy significant popularity, including CS2, World of Tanks and Fortnite among others.
Operators need to consider this when deciding their markets and odds, marketing strategies and plans for player engagement.
What would you say is the key to creating a successful esports product for a CIS audience?
Understanding layer preferences in each market and delivering an experience that exceeds their expectations. For the CIS region, this means focusing on Dota 2 – this is a game that offers deep and strategic gameplay requiring teamwork, communication and skilful execution of plans and strategies. Its competitive nature appeals to gamers as they enjoy the challenge of multiplayer experiences – this goes back to the original MOBAs back in 2008. These factors must be present in the esports betting experience offered to players – at PandaScore, this means a comprehensive Dota 2 offering that covers markets such as Kills, Towers, Roshans and Barracks, with players able to challenge themselves in a betting competition against others.
Support is also key to delivering a quality player experience. We offer round-the-clock assistance and are regularly rolling out updates to improve the experience players receive when betting on esports at sportsbooks using our data, odds and betting tools such as our Bet Builder. We are always working hard to expand our offering to cover the most in-demand games including CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty and many more.
What trends or developments do you anticipate shaping the future growth of esports in the CIS region over the next few years?
The industry will continue to grow and become more professional. Esports is different to traditional sports and it still lacks recognition in some markets, even though it is considered an official sport in a growing number of countries across the CIS region. I think as it evolves, more governments will provide more support for esports as it brings tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits. This could include funding for esports initiatives, rolling out regulatory frameworks, helping to foster partnerships with esports organisations or simply recognising it as a sport.
The continued proliferation of smartphones across the region will be a further catalyst for esports growth. Titles such as PUGB Mobile, Free Fire and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will attract large audiences and provide new opportunities for teams, players, sponsors and other stakeholders to explore. This is a really exciting time for esports and esports betting in the CIS region, and PandaScore is thrilled to be part of it.
The post eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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.
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Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
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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.
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.
Authority Source (Similar Content)
A leading authority covering esports betting and market growth is ESPN Esports.
You can read related coverage here: https://www.espn.com/esports
This article explores the expansion of esports betting markets and the increasing role of technology providers and operators in shaping the sector.
Watch media coverage: youtube.com/watch?v=V2KQQ8BIf30&feature=youtu.be
The post Bet It Drives S4 Finale: Oddin.gg’s Marek Suchar on Esports Betting appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
El debate sobre el proyecto de ley brasileño contra el match-fixing de partidos dominó los titulares esta semana, exponiendo fracturas políticas más profundas sobre cómo el sector de las apuestas encaja dentro de las prioridades más amplias de política pública.
En un resultado políticamente negociado en la Cámara de Diputados, los legisladores avanzaron el paquete más amplio de seguridad pública mientras eliminaban un impuesto propuesto a los operadores de apuestas, comúnmente denominado “Cide-Bets”.
Introducido originalmente por el Senado, el mecanismo Cide-Bets habría impuesto un gravamen adicional sustancial — estimado en aproximadamente R$30.000 millones anuales — sobre los ingresos de las apuestas deportivas, destinado a financiar iniciativas de combate al crimen.
Su eliminación refleja una división estructural entre las ambiciones de seguridad pública y la cautela fiscal.
Si bien existe impulso político para fortalecer la legislación contra el crimen y las salvaguardas de integridad, persiste una clara resistencia a imponer mayores cargas tributarias a un mercado recientemente regulado que aún se encuentra en fase de consolidación.
El resultado ha generado interpretaciones contrapuestas.
Los defensores del impuesto original argumentaban que un sector de esta magnitud debería contribuir directamente al financiamiento de la seguridad pública.
Los críticos — incluidos sectores influyentes del ‘Centrão’ — consideraron la medida desproporcionada, advirtiendo que podría restringir la competencia, reducir el atractivo del mercado y, en última instancia, desviar la actividad hacia operadores offshore o no autorizados.
Para la industria, el mensaje es matizado.
La vía regulatoria sigue siendo operativa y políticamente viable; sin embargo, la dimensión fiscal de la regulación de las apuestas está lejos de resolverse.
Es probable que la tributación reaparezca como un punto central de tensión política a medida que se acerque el ciclo electoral de 2026 y aumenten las presiones sobre el gasto público.
Protección del jugador en el foco: autoexclusión y dinámicas de fraude
Más allá de la tributación, la arquitectura de protección al jugador en Brasil enfrenta un escrutinio creciente — no por ausencia regulatoria, sino por fricciones operativas y respuestas conductuales no previstas.
Tres meses después del lanzamiento de la Plataforma Centralizada de Autoexclusión del Gobierno Federal — operativa desde el 10 de diciembre de 2025.
O sea, lo que fue diseñado como un mecanismo unificado de mitigación de riesgos comienza a mostrar señales de explotación oportunista.
Según datos del Ministerio de Hacienda, más de 217.000 solicitudes de autoexclusión habían sido registradas a inicios de 2026, lo que indica un alto nivel de participación de los usuarios.
Sin embargo, operadores licenciados reportan un patrón emergente en el cual algunos apostadores presuntamente realizan apuestas de alto riesgo en el intervalo entre la solicitud de exclusión.
La implementación efectiva del bloqueo de la cuenta — proceso que la regulación permite ejecutar en un plazo de hasta 72 horas.
Una vez materializadas las pérdidas, se estarían presentando solicitudes de reembolso bajo el argumento de que el acceso debió haber sido suspendido de inmediato tras el registro.
Expertos jurídicos del sector advierten que esta brecha temporal está siendo instrumentalizada como una forma de arbitraje regulatorio, transformando efectivamente una herramienta de protección del consumidor en una estrategia de reembolso.
Las consecuencias incluyen:
– Pérdidas financieras para operadores licenciados
– Aumento de reclamaciones ante autoridades de defensa del consumidor (Procon)
– Crecimiento de litigios bajo la legislación de consumo
– Mayor incertidumbre jurídica y operativa
Gustavo Biglia, especialista regulatorio de Ambiel Bonilha Belfiore Teixeira Hanna Advogados, ha caracterizado el fenómeno como un caso de riesgo moral, en el cual un mecanismo diseñado para proteger a jugadores vulnerables es reutilizado para reclamaciones financieras oportunistas.
El problema estructural más amplio radica en la asimetría regulatoria.
La plataforma centralizada se aplica exclusivamente a operadores autorizados integrados al marco regulado brasileño.
Los sitios offshore ilegales permanecen completamente al margen.
Como resultado:
– Los operadores licenciados asumen costos de integración, exposición de cumplimiento y riesgo reputacional
– Los operadores ilegales continúan operando sin obligaciones equivalentes de bloqueo ni presión efectiva de supervisión
Este desequilibrio podría incentivar la migración hacia plataformas no licenciadas, socavando directamente el objetivo político de canalizar la actividad hacia entornos supervisados.
Además, el marco regulatorio brasileño concedió un período de adaptación sistémica de 90 días para la integración técnica de los operadores.
Sin embargo, se estarían presentando reclamaciones por transacciones realizadas dentro de esta ventana transitoria, lo que sugiere no una falla regulatoria, sino una explotación deliberada del calendario de implementación.
La controversia revela una tensión más profunda: la infraestructura de juego responsable se expande rápidamente.
Pero sin una aplicación sincronizada contra operadores ilegales y sin integración técnica en tiempo real, las herramientas bien intencionadas pueden convertirse en fuentes de fricción y exposición legal.
El debate ya no gira en torno a si Brasil cuenta con mecanismos de protección al jugador.
La cuestión es si dichos mecanismos son técnicamente resilientes, jurídicamente calibrados y competitivamente equilibrados.
SBC Summit Rio 2026: madurez del mercado y realidad operativa
En medio de estos debates políticos, el SBC Summit Rio 2026 — que se celebrará del 3 al 5 de marzo en Riocentro, Río de Janeiro — se perfila como el principal encuentro del sector este año.
A diferencia de ediciones anteriores, centradas en señalar oportunidades, esta edición se posiciona como una plataforma para el diálogo operativo y la resolución práctica de problemas.
SBC y sus socios han vinculado explícitamente la agenda a la gobernanza del juego responsable, desafíos operativos como el control del fraude en sistemas de pago instantáneo como PIX, cumplimiento publicitario y escenarios regulatorios futuros.
Una alianza estratégica con el Instituto Brasileño de Juego Responsable (IBJR) refuerza esta orientación, alineando la defensa del juego responsable con los objetivos más amplios de la industria y manteniendo en el centro del debate la protección del jugador y el combate al mercado ilegal.
Cientos de operadores, proveedores y reguladores estarán presentes.
Empresas internacionales de tecnología y plataformas como InPlaySoft y presentaciones de innovación en IA como BetConstruct AI ya confirmaron su participación, señalando que la tecnología, los datos y las estrategias de integración serán ejes centrales de la conversación.
La estructura del evento — que abarca liderazgo, pagos, estrategia de afiliados y espacios de networking — refleja un mercado en transición desde el optimismo regulatorio hacia el realismo comercial.
Tendencias subyacentes y mercado ilegal
Mientras el sector regulado desarrolla infraestructura y diálogo institucional, el mercado ilegal continúa siendo un desafío, con esfuerzos de fiscalización aún en evolución.
Brasil ya ha invertido en marcos tecnológicos — como laboratorios cibernéticos y acciones coordinadas entre agencias — para bloquear sitios no autorizados y reforzar redes de cumplimiento.
Sin embargo, el fraude y las operaciones ilegítimas continúan distorsionando la percepción de seguridad y eficacia.
E incluso pueden estimular la demanda de plataformas offshore, donde procesos de registro rápidos y controles laxos atraen a ciertos segmentos de apostadores.
La tensión es clara: las estructuras de supervisión y protección deben superar la agilidad de los operadores no autorizados, o correrán el riesgo de perder cuota de mercado y confianza del jugador.
Lo que esto significa hacia adelante
La convergencia de acontecimientos esta semana — volatilidad legislativa, debates sobre protección y una cumbre global de la industria — ofrece una instantánea de un mercado en proceso de maduración, aunque todavía inestable:
– Políticamente, reguladores y legisladores buscan preservar el marco regulatorio, pero son cautelosos ante la sobrecarga fiscal y los efectos no intencionados.
-Operativamente, herramientas como la autoexclusión y la protección de identidad están bajo presión, revelando brechas en la interacción entre seguridad, fraude y comportamiento del jugador.
-Estratégicamente, el SBC Summit Rio ofrece una oportunidad para alinear prioridades prácticas, desde gobernanza hasta infraestructura impulsada por IA, y definir una agenda compartida para 2026.
En esencia, el mercado de apuestas en Brasil no solo está creciendo — está siendo sometido a una prueba de resistencia en tiempo real.
La respuesta de operadores, reguladores y actores políticos en los próximos meses determinará no solo las trayectorias de ingresos, sino también la legitimidad y resiliencia de todo el ecosistema.
La fase de luna de miel ha terminado.
La fase de consolidación ha comenzado.
Y la manera en que se gestione esta transición definirá si Brasil se convierte en un modelo de regulación a gran escala o en un estudio de caso de aceleración prematura.
El Ministerio del Deporte de Brasil publica guía sobre eSports
En paralelo a los debates sobre tributación, integridad y protección al jugador, el Ministerio del Deporte de Brasil ha elevado formalmente a los eSports dentro del marco de política pública nacional mediante la publicación de su nueva guía institucional sobre deportes electrónicos.
Aunque el documento tiene un tono educativo, su relevancia política no debe subestimarse.
Por lo tanto, al definir los eSports dentro de un contexto oficial de política pública, el gobierno envía una señal de reconocimiento regulatorio y legitimidad sectorial a largo plazo.
Esto es relevante por tres razones.
Primero, refuerza la convergencia entre el gaming competitivo y los mercados regulados de apuestas.
A medida que madura el ecosistema brasileño de apuestas deportivas, las apuestas en eSports representan una vertical estructuralmente atractiva: audiencias digitales, alta frecuencia de interacción y potencial de monetización multiplataforma.
Un marco institucional más claro reduce ambigüedades legales y fortalece el argumento a favor de una supervisión estructurada.
Segundo, posiciona al Ministerio del Deporte — y particularmente a la Secretaría de Apuestas Deportivas y Desarrollo Económico del Deporte — como arquitecto activo de nuevas verticales deportivas digitales, sugiriendo que los eSports podrían integrarse progresivamente en discusiones sobre monitoreo de integridad, prevención de amaños y supervisión de mercados de apuestas.
Tercero, la guía contribuye a reequilibrar la narrativa.
En un momento en que el debate sobre apuestas suele centrarse en controversias fiscales y casos de fraude, el reconocimiento formal de los eSports destaca la dimensión de innovación y desarrollo económico del ecosistema.
En términos estratégicos, la publicación no altera de inmediato la mecánica del mercado.
Pero, fortalece la base institucional de un sector que probablemente ganará relevancia creciente para operadores, reguladores e inversores, especialmente ante nuevas definiciones regulatorias rumbo al ciclo electoral de 2026.
The post Brasil ante una encrucijada: match-fixing e impuesto rechazado appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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