eSports and Sports Betting; Is There a Difference?

If you’re in the habit of following discussions around sports online, you’ve probably heard the terms ‘Sports betting’ and ‘eSports’. The two terms are used so frequently in similar contexts and conversations that you’d be forgiven for thinking they are the exact same thing.

In reality, both are unique concepts with their own platforms, fans, rules, and overall community. Knowing the difference between the two will help you know which is right for you and how best to go about pursuing it. But what exactly does each mean? And what are their differences and similarities?

What is eSports?

As you might have guessed, eSports stands for electronic sports and refers to a form of gameplay using electronic devices like video game equipment. Now, keep in mind, eSports games are not just sports-based video games like FIFA. Instead, eSports is an umbrella term for all sorts of multiplayer video games that can be enjoyed in teams or individually.

During eSports, players go through the same game simultaneously and whoever is left standing in the end is the winner. Some of the popular types of games used in eSports include combat games, first-person shooters, and real-time strategy games. The fact that these games are played simultaneously by several people and there are prizes to be won ups the stakes and excitement.

In recent years, eSports have exploded in popularity online and many players have become famous on sites like Twitch after amassing a loyal following of people who love to watch them play. And besides being streamed online, eSports leagues like the Overwatch League have been established and see players from all over the world compete each year to come out on top. In fact, eSports has become so popular that some players have won millions of dollars in prize money from playing and tournaments are held every year.

What is Sports Betting?

Sports betting, as the name would imply, is the act of betting on the outcome of a sporting event. Every time a sport is played, whether that’s soccer, basketball, hockey, tennis, and whatnot, one side will win and another will lose. Which side will win or lose and by how many points is something we can’t know until it happens.

But sports betting lets players place bets on a specific outcome and if they are correct, they win some money. Sports betting has existed in some form for as long as sports have existed. But in the internet age, it is much easier to do so as many betting sites have popped up. A look at places like bettingsites.co.uk will show you that virtually every form of sport can be bet on. And it’s not just a matter of betting on who wins and loses beforehand; players can bet on the exact score of each game and live betting (which allows players to bet as the game happens) are also very popular.

For many sports lovers, sports betting serves multiple functions; it allows them to possibly win some money while upping the stakes and excitement of their favourite game.

Their Similarities

When you compare eSports and sports betting, it is clear that they have some things in common. The first is that they both have to do with some sort of competition. Yes, eSports are not technically played in the material world and surviving a League of Legends game is not the same thing as playing soccer or baseball, but it is a form of competition. Players spend months and years training to become better at eSports, and it is seen as legitimate by them.

The other thing to note is that eSports can be placed under the umbrella of sports betting. While it is certainly niche, many sports betting sites now allow people to place bets on major eSports tournaments. They are also similar in that they have dedicated communities behind them. eSports, just like the traditional sports associated with sports betting, is watched by millions of people around the world and offers massive prizes for the winners.

Another similarity is the fact that eSports and sports betting deal with leagues. In the same way eSports has the Electronic Sporting League and the Overwatch League, sports betting has tournaments like the Champions League and the NFL.

Their Differences

While eSports and sports betting definitely have some overlap, they still aren’t exactly the same. For starters, they aren’t at the same level of popularity. The eSports market was valued at $1.39 billion as of 2022. In comparison, the soccer industry alone is worth more than $3 billion and sports betting as a whole is worth over $80 billion. While eSports might be on the rise, it has a long way to go before it becomes as big as sports betting. On top of that, eSports are completely virtual.

When players engage in sports betting, they are betting on games being played by actual people. And while eSports players are actual people, they are essentially controlling virtual characters. We also need to keep in mind that the things being bet on when it comes to eSports are quite unique compared to traditional sports betting games. While you might bet on who will win a game when it comes to soccer, eSports betting also involves betting on how many enemies a player will take down, or who will get to the final boss first.