eSports
The unstoppable rise of esports
Chances are if you told someone 15-20 years ago that competitive gaming would become big business in the near future, they’d have told you that you’re crazy. However, in the words of Bob Dylan, “the times they are a-changin’”. Whilst largely the preserve of amateurs at the turn of the millennium, esports has become a true sporting behemoth in an incredibly short space of time. With gripping tournaments, such as The International and The League of Legends World Championship, as well as a plethora of skilled competitors duking it out to bag huge cash prizes, it’s little wonder that esports’ popularity is constantly on the up.
Prime to make the big bucks!
Just to give you an idea of exactly how much of a big deal esports is nowadays, in 2021 the global esports market was valued at just over $1.08 billion, which is even more remarkable, given that this figure represents a whopping 50% increase on last year. Such exponential growth shows no signs of stopping any time soon either, as esports’ global market revenue is projected to reach the dizzy heights of $1.62 billion in 2024.
At present, Asia and North America are the largest esports markets, with China alone accounting for almost 20% of the entire market.
Who’s tuning in?
With so much money flowing around, this begs the question: who is actually watching esports? Well, quite a few people. As of 2021, 474 million people from around the world are tuning in to get their esports fix, and this figure is set to rise even further in the near future. According to current estimates, it’s said that esports will be attracting 577 million viewers from all corners of the world by 2024.
Just to give you a concrete example of how esports’ viewership is growing, ESportsBattle events (including e-football, CS:GO, e-basketball and e-ice hockey) are now getting 6m more viewers a month this year than in 2020 (24m in 2020 and 30m in 2021). Of all the Esports Battles disciplines, CS:GO events have seen the most substantial upturn in viewers since the start of the year, with such events attracting 384k more viewers in August than in December of last year. Moreover, CS:GO matches garnered 280k more views in August than in June (400k in August compared to 120k in June).
From gaming to betting
Of course, with the money floating around and so many fans tuning in, it goes without saying that esports is making its presence felt in the world of betting, and sportsbooks are champing at the bit to get a slice of the action. Consequently, esports has already become one of the five most popular disciplines among European and Asian punters, and is even one of the top two most popular disciplines on some sites, with more and more bets being placed on esports events by the day.
For example, the total number of bets on all ESportsBattles events rose by a whopping 99.9% between December and August 2021. The number of bets placed on ESportsBattle CS:GO events rose by 70.6% between February 2021 and August 2021 and the numbers of bets on e-football events saw a 93.1% between December 2020 and August 2021. What’s more, with 24/7 tournaments, as well as more than 15,000 matches per month, such rapid growth is only set to continue.
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Brook Gaming, a leader in cross-platform gaming hardware solutions, announced the official launch of its highly anticipated Wingman FGC 2 Converter in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Available immediately on Amazon AE, the Wingman FGC 2 empowers UAE gamers to use over 150 of their favorite wired controllers – including elite fight sticks, racing wheels and gamepads – seamlessly across all PlayStation 5 games and PC (X-Input).
The UAE boasts a vibrant and rapidly growing gaming community, with a strong passion for console gaming, particularly fighting games (FGC) and racing titles. As the region emerges as a significant esports hub, players demand precision and performance. However, many gamers face the frustration of their high-investment PS4 fight sticks or preferred controllers being incompatible with the PS5.
The Wingman FGC 2 directly addresses this critical pain point. Its core unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its unparalleled, tournament-proven compatibility and performance:
Play All PS5 Games: Unlike many alternatives, the FGC 2 supports every PS5 title, not just fighting games.
Extensive Controller Support: It works flawlessly with over 150 official and third-party wired controllers, including popular brands like Hori, Madcatz, Logitech and Thrustmaster.
Ultra-Low Latency: Leveraging Brook’s renowned low-latency technology, it ensures near-instantaneous response times crucial for competitive play.
Plug-and-Play & Customisation: It offers simple operation plus advanced features like Turbo, Remap and Macro functions via software.
Tournament Ready (EVO Compliant): Designed with esports in mind, the FGC 2 is compliant with major tournament regulations, including EVO, making it a reliable choice for competitors.
This tournament-level performance was recently showcased when British player “EndingWalker” secured a stunning victory at Combo Breaker 2025 using a Brook Wingman FGC series converter, proving its reliability under the highest competitive pressure.
“We are incredibly excited to officially introduce the Wingman FGC 2 to the dynamic gaming market in the UAE. Seeing champions like EndingWalker trust our technology at major events like Combo Breaker fuels our commitment. The FGC 2 is our answer for UAE gamers – it’s the bridge that allows them to bring their legacy gear, skills and passion to any PS5 experience without compromise, especially for the thriving FGC and esports scene here,” said a spokesperson for Brook Gaming.
The post Brook Gaming Launches Wingman FGC 2 in UAE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, has been certified as a Great Place To Work®. The recognition – a global reference in people management and organizational climate – highlights the company’s efforts in promoting a positive environment, with development, well-being and inclusion initiatives aligned with the needs of its approximately 600 employees.
The GPTW survey assesses employee perceptions across five pillars – credibility, respect, impartiality, pride and camaraderie. For Sophia Serak, Director of People, participating in the assessment was essential to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. “We want to be more than a workplace: we’ve created a framework for everyone to develop and feel valued. The certificate proves we are on the right path and motivates us to evolve further”, says the executive.
More than just a welcoming environment, Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil has built a space where everyone has the freedom to be themselves, clarity about where they can go, and real support to grow. An environment where values such as trust, listening, and collaboration are at the heart of decisions — from the selection process to the choice of leaders.
In 2024, the group accelerated its mission to strengthen leadership, with training, assessments linked to values and programs offering regular management training. More than 60 leaders participated in development paths and initiatives such as “Impulso EGB” — an educational incentive program that subsidizes technical courses and specializations for employees.
Trust is the foundation of Esportes Gaming Brasil’s culture. It manifests itself in small gestures, spontaneous feedback, the freedom to propose new ideas and the construction of real bonds between people. The company invests in inclusive communication, active listening and collective actions that strengthen the sense of belonging — such as themed parties, recognition rituals and direct chats with leadership.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil certified as Great Place To Work® appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced that Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, has been appointed as the Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), further solidifying EWC’s position as one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Ronaldo’s appointment marks a defining milestone for the Esports World Cup and signals the continued rise of competitive gaming as a global sport. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and a symbol of elite performance, Ronaldo brings a powerful presence and cultural resonance that transcends traditional sports, helping connect millions of fans to the next generation of esports athletes.
“Cristiano Ronaldo connects generations — from lifelong football fans to today’s emerging competitors,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “His pursuit of greatness mirrors the spirit of the Esports World Cup: the biggest stage for the best players. As Global Ambassador, he bridges traditional sport and competitive gaming, helping spotlight the next generation of athletes competing for global glory. We’re humbled to have the greatest of all time stand with us in this moment for esports.”
Ronaldo has already played a formative role in the evolution of the Esports World Cup. He participated in the global announcement of the creation of EWC in 2023 and attended last summer’s Closing Ceremony in Riyadh, where he celebrated Team Falcons’ historic Club Championship win. With unmatched reach and fan engagement across every major platform, Ronaldo has helped elevate EWC’s profile since its inception.
As Global Ambassador, Ronaldo will headline the tournament’s global campaign leading up to and throughout the seven-week competition and festival in Riyadh. He also stars as a playable character in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the 25 tournament titles in this year’s Esports World Cup games lineup. With a social media following of over one billion, Ronaldo’s voice will help bring the tournament to new audiences, and introduce the next generation of fans to the elite players of competitive gaming.
Ronaldo’s participation will also highlight the Esports World Cup’s 2025 creative theme, “Rise Above,” a campaign celebrating unlocking human potential, pushing the boundaries and going beyond the norms in the pursuit of greatness — values exemplified by Ronaldo and mirrored by the athletes competing across 25 tournaments this summer.
“Sport is always evolving – and esports is one more frontier,” said Ronaldo. “The commitment, drive, talent, and intensity I have been able to see in esports athletes is no different from what I’ve experienced on the pitch. I’m proud to stand alongside these competitors and be part of a global event that’s inspiring a new generation.”
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Tickets are now available at esportsworldcup.com.
To learn more about EWC, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn. “Esports World Cup: Level Up,” a five-part docuseries directed by Emmy winner R.J. Cutler that chronicles the inaugural EWC, is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video with new episodes released weekly.
The post Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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