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Global Esports Betting Monitor: Q4 & FY24

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The Global Esports Betting Monitor is a quarterly report developed in partnership with Abios, providing our readers with a holistic snapshot of esports betting trends and activity.

All data is captured from the Kambi network, spanning more than 40 operators in regulated markets across the globe.1

Abios delivers an odds feed with engaging features such as same-game bet builders, player props, and flash markets.

Valorant betting up year-on-year in FY24

  • Valorant’s share of esports betting handle nearly doubled on a full-year basis, growing from 3% to 5% between 2023-2024.
  • Counter-Strike reached a new apex in the fourth quarter, courting 64% of total betting handle.
  • On a full-year basis, Dota 2 handle dropped 4% from FY23; meanwhile, League of Legends’ share grew by 2%, accounting for 26% in FY24.

Gen Z esports bettors outpace Millennials in FY24

  • While the average esports fan has continued to age up over the years, Gen Z-aged bettors are entering the betting pipeline in droves.
  • Gen Z bettors outpaced Millennials in FY24–making up 44% of betting compared to 36% the year prior.
  • Together, customers between 18-43 made up 87% of esports betting last year, while Gen X continued to float between 11-13%.

Prop bets gain traction among Counter-Strike bettors

  • Breakout insights show the average age of a Counter-Strike bettor in Q4 was 31-years oldLeague of Legends, on the other hand, attracted a slightly younger customer (possibly by way of its World Championship event), averaging out at 29-years old.
  • Player prop bets, including ‘total kills by player,’ made up 13% of all Counter-Strike wagers in the fourth quarter.
  • Live betting accounted for 46% of Counter-Strike betting in Q4; meanwhile only 28% of Valorant wagers were placed in-play.

Shanghai Major, World Championship net close to half of Q4 betting action

  • Between the main event and its international qualifiers, Counter-Strike’s Shanghai Major captured 28% of fourth quarter betting handle.
  • One of the most-watched esports events globally, the League of Legends World Championship, accounted for 19% of handle in Q4, up from 15% in 4Q23.
  • Dota 2 tournaments DreamLeague and PGL Wallachia landed in the top-ten most-bet on events in Q4, collectively drawing 5% of wagering volume.

Trendspotting

Trending up: Riot Games’ temperature to gambling

Riot Games–the publisher behind top games including League of Legends and Valorant–is warming up to gambling.

While other publishers such as Valve and Activision have flirted with betting plenty in the past, Riot Games has long maintained keeping itself at arm’s length.

That changed in Q4 when the publisher revealed it would allow partnered teams to strike deals with Riot-approved betting brands in 2025. There are plenty of stipulations attached, but it’s a signal that Riot’s outlook on gambling is starting to soften up.

There are mutual incentives to do so, though. Esports teams will unlock much-needed sponsorship revenue, while betting operators will have access to what many would consider prime advertising real estate. And of course, there’s the impossible-to-prove-yet-widely-understood belief that betting drives viewership, interest, and engagement back to the rights holders.

League of Legends and Valorant combined made up nearly one-third (31%) of betting handle in FY24 (up from 27% in FY23), and this change in policy may very well drive that figure further up in the coming years as more betting awareness is created.

Trending down: Dota 2

Interest in Dota 2 is waning, and operators are potentially feeling it too.

I was surprised to see that the game’s marquee tournament The International (think: Super Bowl of Dota 2) drew just 3% of wagers last quarter. The downtick was pronounced on a full-year basis as well; Dota 2’s total share of handle dropped to 10% in FY24 compared to 14% the year prior.

The dip could be explained by other additive volume–a boom in new customers or increased betting on other esports–but broader audience trends suggest to me that’s not the case.

The International is a good barometer for interest in competitive Dota 2, and results from last year’s headline event show which direction things seem to be moving in. After setting a viewership record in 2021 with 107M hours watched, ratings have continued to slide. Last year’s tournament viewership was down nearly 50% from the 2021 event, while the 2022 and 2023 editions both came below 70M hours watched each (-38%).

The International’s prize winnings are crowdfunded by players through in-game transactions–in 2021, the event secured a record $40M to be distributed to winners. Since then however, the tournament has seen a 53% average month-over-month decrease in its prize pool–last year’s purse was just $2.5M.

Whatever ground Dota 2 is losing, Valorant seems to be picking up, though. If things continue to trend in this direction, we may see the first-person shooter overtake Dota 2’s position as one of the top-three most-bet on esports next year.

The post Global Esports Betting Monitor: Q4 & FY24 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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GoldenRace fuels growth in Europe with renewed MGA certification

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GoldenRace, leading provider of award-winning Virtual Sports and betting solutions, is thrilled to announce the renewal of its Maltese certification, successfully tested by BMM lab and approved by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This renewed certification keeps unlocking opportunities in Romania, Poland, Serbia and other MGA-regulated territories, giving operators a golden ticket to tap into new revenue streams in highly regulated markets.

In Romania, where 88% of the population has internet access, the online gambling market is thriving, offering significant opportunities for operators to attract a tech-savvy audience. Serbia, ranked 8th in Europe for gambling revenue, continues its rapid expansion with over 2,200 betting shops and a flourishing online gambling sector. Meanwhile, Poland’s well-regulated and mature market is a compelling destination for operators seeking sustainable growth.

Any games that have been approved under its newly recertified license in Malta, are also eligible for inclusion under its Class II license in Romania, upon the successful completion of the ONJN approval process. While this certification eases the path in these markets, local regulators may require additional approvals. Operators are advised to present these certifications to their respective regulatory authorities to ensure seamless compliance.

Markets on the rise demand winning content

Compliance may open the door, but content is what keeps players loyal. GoldenRace is helping operators target new demographics and grow market share by offering an incredible portfolio of certified games.

In markets such as Romania and Serbia, football is the main revenue force. GoldenRace continues to dominate this space with its newly certified football games, including its most new football format and games such as Football League, World Cup, Euro tournaments (Champions League & Euro League), La Libertadores and Single Soccer.

With online sports betting making up 58% of Romania’s gambling market and Serbia’s sports betting sector projected to grow by 4.93% between 2025 and 2029, GoldenRace has certified games such as Penalt2Win, Basketball 3×3, Horse and Greyhound racing, MMA (Single & Tournament) and several thrilling motor racing titles, such as Grand Prix Indianapolis 60, Motorbike and Speedway racing.

Eastern Europe’s enduring love for number-based games creates another profitable avenue for operators. Certified games such as Keno & Keno Deluxe, Spin2Win (Royale & American) and Perfect6 are designed to meet the unique preferences of players in these regions.

Insights show that players in Poland and neighboring regions prioritise financial rewards, with 56% listing it as their top motivator for gambling. For those players seeking big payouts potential, Crash Games are leading the charge. After a stellar debut in GoldenRace’s Crashmas campaign, games like Jet Escape, Boom Ball Juggle, Fire Crash, Bank Run and Meteoroid are now part of the certified portfolio.

The post GoldenRace fuels growth in Europe with renewed MGA certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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January Wrap-Up: Playzia Unleashes Three Exciting New Games, Setting the Stage for Monthly Releases in 2025

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Playzia’s steady monthly release schedule aims to provide players with fresh, exciting content regularly, ensuring a dynamic and ever-evolving gaming experience. The company’s increasingly diverse portfolio, featuring top-quality visuals, compelling narratives, and innovative mechanics, reflects Playzia’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the iGaming industry.

Billionaire Rhino – Live Large, Win Bigger!

Set against a vibrant landscape filled with majestic wildlife, this five-reel, 25-payline slot offers a thrilling gaming experience. The Billionaire Rhino slot’s Hold & Win Bonus Game is triggered by landing six or more rhino coins, which remain in place for re-spins. Each new coin resets the spin counter, and the bonus continues until all 15 coin slots are filled or spins run out. Each coin holds a random cash prize, adding to the player’s payout before returning to the main game. The excitement doesn’t stop there – the Jackpot Hold & Win round can be activated at any time, where players can win between 10x and 100x their bet by collecting matching coins in the bonus game.

Joker’s Dice – Why So Serious?

Featuring a unique 3×3 grid layout without traditional paylines, Joker’s Dice is packed with thrilling bonus features, including the Jackpot Hold and Win. Players collect special symbols that lock in place, giving them additional spins and the opportunity to win big. For those looking for a fast-paced experience, the Buy Bonus Feature lets players purchase direct access to the bonus rounds, skipping the base game entirely.

Fight or Die Crew – Survival of the Fittest

Playzia’s latest release, Fight or Die Crew, launched on January 29. This medium-volatility slot features 25 paylines and the exciting persistence mechanic, where 50 symbols can be collected over multiple sessions.

The standout feature is the Jackpot Hold and Win, triggered after collecting 50 Chests. Jackpot symbols (Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand) will lock in place, offering opportunities

for big wins. The Free Spins feature also offers infinite re-triggers with stacked wilds, giving players continuous chances to win.

Playzia’s Commitment to Content that Players Love to Play

“Our focus is always on delivering quality content that not only captivates players but also challenges the norms of traditional game development,” said Vlad Modorcea, CPO at Playzia. “2025 will be an exciting year for Playzia, as we continue to launch new games, unveil surprise partnerships, introduce our own trademark mehanics and bring fresh experiences to players around the world.”

The post January Wrap-Up: Playzia Unleashes Three Exciting New Games, Setting the Stage for Monthly Releases in 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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1spin4win records outstanding 42% growth in bet count for 2024

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1spin4win, a fast-growing iGaming provider, reports a 42% increase in bet count in 2024 compared to 2023, highlighting its steady dedication to creating classic online slots loved by players worldwide.

The success in 2024 was largely driven by the popularity of several key 1spin4win titles, including Lucky Win Spins, Allways Lucky Pot, Coins’n Fruits Spins, Cash the Gold Hold and Win, and Mega Cash the Gold. These games captivated players with their timeless themes and simple yet rewarding gameplay, all contributing to the impressive rise in bet count.

Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, shared her thoughts on the achievement, “We at 1spin4win believe that games should be fun, fair, and easy to enjoy for players of all skill levels. That’s why we design each title with transparent mechanics, balanced gameplay, and smooth performance — no matter the device or internet speed. So, this achievement of bet count increase reflects our games’ strong appeal and the trust we’ve earned from partners and players around the globe.”

The 42% growth in bet count is part of 1spin4win’s larger story of credibility, trust, and steady success in the iGaming industry, reinforcing its position as a dependable partner for operators.

To explore more about 1spin4win’s portfolio and their unique approach to game development, visit the company website.

The post 1spin4win records outstanding 42% growth in bet count for 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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