ESports are increasing their position, they are among the best sports for betting in 2023
Over the past three years, the top three sports for betting have remained unchanged, with football, tennis and basketball maintaining their leadership. In contrast, eSports has demonstrated a steady upward trend, moving from seventh position in 2021 to fourth in 2023. In particular, Counter-Strike stands out, claiming sixth position among the top ten disciplines by number of bets.
Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, commented: "Considering the rise of eSports, we guide our partners to focus on cyber disciplines, engaging audiences beyond traditional betting demographics. Highlighting the potential of cybersports for operators, Newzoo report predicts 640 million viewers by 2025."
Another notable trend in sports betting, which has remained unchanged for several years, is the constant growth in bets made from mobile devices. According to the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, 80% of bets in 2023 were placed via mobile phone versus 70% in 2022 and 68% in 2021. This trend consolidates as players increasingly opt for mobile convenience, especially in live betting scenarios. More importantly, they were mobile devices contribute 92% of operators' GGR.
Kamenetskyi he added: "Mobile betting is one of our main focuses in product development. We put a lot of effort into improving our mobile application and mobile website. It's especially important for locations that face challenges with internet connectivity and for regions like Latin America and Africa, where internet coverage is still growing.
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team has repeatedly highlighted changes in player behavior at major sporting events. Notably, there has been a 10-20% decline in online casino revenue, coinciding with the 2022 World Cup. This highlights a dynamic where a significant portion of casino players redirect their attention towards sports betting based on seasonal patterns. Considering public preferences, strengthening casinos with sports betting is a logical step.
This model highlights the strategic imperative for iGaming stakeholders to recognize the synergistic relationship between casino businesses and sports betting. The combination of these options not only increases the attractiveness of the casino, but also keeps players engaged, especially during sporting events. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the SOFTSWISS bookmaker is compatible with any casino platform on the market.
Additionally, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team notes the strengthening of other trends such as regulation and responsible gaming which were recently highlighted in SOFTSWISS' iGaming Trends 2024 report".
