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Bet on Digital: How Casinos Adapt to the Esports Boom in Asia

Since 2020, Esports have become a global phenomenon and have found particular success in Asia. That's why many land-based and online casinos have begun integrating esports through games, events, and features. Check out this article for more details on these additions and how esports are being promoted in Asian countries.

The Rise of Esports in Asia

In Asian countries, Esports has achieved the same level of popularity as traditional sports. Asia accounts for 53% of the esports market's global revenue, with China making up 34%. The increasing digitalization and spread of smartphones has also created a significant esports fanbase in countries like:

  • Indonesia

  • Malaysia

  • Vietnam

  • Thailand

  • Singapore

That's why many of the best online casino sites in Malaysia and top ranked online casinos are finding ways to add esports to their products. Aside from sponsoring teams, they also create platforms for those who want to bet on esports.

Popular eSports betting markets

Many esports games exist, so online casinos aim to cover a wide range. CSGO and Dota II are still some of the most popular, but you can still find some StarCraft II matches. Asian esports fans also enjoy Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honor of Kings events, alongside other popular games like:

  • League of Legends

  • Overwatch

  • Apex Legends

  • Rocket League

Recently, many developers like NetEase have also been trying to break into the esports industry with games like Marvel Rivals. Many people interested in esports betting don't bet on traditional sports. That's why online casinos must maintain their esports platforms to retain these players.

Popular Betting Options in Asia

The betting markets for esports are similar to traditional ones. You can bet on the winner of a match and even form parlays. There are also many microbetting options, which vary depending on the game. Many of these options are only available during live games, and the most popular ones include:

  • Who will win the first map

  • Which player will save their first health bar

  • Will the player use a super move

  • How long will a round last

FIFA matches are the closest to traditional sports betting, so newcomers often prefer them. However, Counterstrike is usually the most popular, as it has a decent variety of straightforward options and many microbetting markets like the winner of a map. Asian gamblers prefer betting on the winner of a match, which is why that's the most common market.

Features to Improve Viewing Experience

Many of the best casinos also add various features to give players a better experience. For example, you can find live streams of the match to watch the results live and make better predictions. While watching, you can also bet on ongoing events, although you should be aware that the odds can shift. Some of the other features include:

  • Mobile betting

  • Crypto payment options

  • Improved data analysis

Sports betting sites rely on their partnerships with official leagues to obtain data to calculate odds. Fortunately, esports is all about establishing strong communities, so receiving such data is more manageable. Some sites even implement chat functions so gamblers can talk to each other and comment on events.

Land Based Casino Improvement

Online casinos aren't the only ones capitalizing on the Asian esports boom. Many casinos, particularly in Las Vegas, have started integrating esports. The Luxor has created a huge arena that hosts tournaments and even provides VIP areas where customers can play games and watch the event. Smaller casinos are also planning on introducing esports lounges with features like:

  • Game stations

  • Sportsbook and TV screens

  • Food bar

  • Retail stores

Studio City in Macau has also created a gaming zone called Legend Heroes Park. Visitors can play VR games and even visit a Cybercafe to relax. While esports are still a novel concept for casinos, they quickly adapt to the new age of sports betting.

Investing in the Future

Both casinos and Asian governments are aware of the popularity of esports, which is why they are investing in the industry's future in various ways. Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports has created a program to strengthen the esports industry, as they believe it will improve the economy. Other initiatives include:

  • Singapore hosts offline tournaments

  • Lyceum of the Philippines University launches a Science in Esports Bachelor program

  • Korean and Turkish companies sponsor esports teams

Aside from creating tournament venues, many online casinos also sponsor various teams, like how FaZe Clan partnered with DraftKings. Although gambling is prohibited in some Asian countries, ones like the Philippines allow esports betting and continue drafting policies.