Esports betting evolution: what to expect in 2025 and beyond

Esports has exploded onto the global entertainment scene. Tournaments and streams now draw massive audiences, rivalling and sometimes even surpassing those of traditional sports. No longer a niche interest, esports has become a cultural phenomenon with a loyal and growing fan base. Betting is quickly becoming essential to the esports experience and Oddin.gg, a market leader in esports betting solutions, is at the forefront of this evolution. Oddin.gg’s CEO, Vlastimil Venclik, shares his expert insights on what‘s next for this booming sector.

Esports betting goes mainstream

Esports isn’t just growing; it’s growing up. “We see esports moving beyond the idea that it’s ‘a bit like sports’,” explains Venclik. “It’s becoming a major force in its own right.” With millions tuning in to tournaments just as they would for the Super Bowl, esports has confidently taken centre stage.

But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the changing face of the audience. The Oddin.gg CEO highlights an interesting trend: the rise of female fans. While not the sole driver of growth, this shift signals esports’ appeal to a new generation of fans and bettors, reshaping perceptions of the industry.

On the business side, consolidation is also transforming the market. It’s a race to stand out and, as Venclik points out, operators need to think beyond traditional sports models to truly connect with this increasingly demanding audience. New esports hubs, like those in the Middle East, are also emerging, adding to the global reach and diversity of the esports landscape. For operators, it’s clear: those who adapt quickly to these shifts will be the ones well-positioned for success in this increasingly specialised market.

Changing the game with immersive technologies

As esports betting evolves, the focus isn’t just about what fans bet on, but how they bet. As we move into 2025, immersive technologies are set to revolutionise the betting experience. This next wave of innovation will bring esports bettors closer to the games they love, creating experiences that blur the line between watching and participating.

“Imagine jumping straight into the game environment in real time,” says Venclik. “You follow the action from a star player’s first-person view, switch to a top-down tactical map or explore freely – all while placing bets seamlessly, and all within a single browser tab.”

But this isn’t just a futuristic concept; it’s a shift already on the horizon, with Oddin.gg playing an active role in driving the esports betting industry toward it. By enabling bettors to interact with gameplay from multiple perspectives and place wagers as key moments unfold, immersive technologies promise to transform betting into something far more engaging.

For operators, these kinds of products aren’t just about enhancing engagement though, they’re set to redefine what a betting experience can be. By blending betting with the gameplay itself, operators will be able to bring truly innovative and exciting products to the market. This deeper level of immersion and interactivity will, in turn, strengthen connections between bettors and the esports they love.

AI’s role in betting innovation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is essential to Oddin.gg’s approach to esports betting, helping refine predictive models and improve accuracy. “We use AI to test potential event scenarios at scale,” explains Venclik. “This allows us to improve our predictions and better align our markets with the realities of esports, where each game title behaves differently and presents distinct challenges.”

Looking ahead, AI’s role in esports betting is set to grow, with potential applications ranging from personalising bettor experiences to providing deeper insights into market behaviours and bettor trends. “AI already delivers rapid prototyping, speed and volume of major gaming components,” says Venclik. “But its true power lies in its ability to model and anticipate broader market patterns, giving operators a strategic advantage.”

As esports betting continues to grow, AI will be crucial for uncovering hidden opportunities and navigating the complexities of the evolving market.

Building for tomorrow

At the heart of esports betting lies a need for infrastructure that can keep up with its growing demands. Oddin.gg understands this better than most, having developed systems capable of handling the immense data volumes generated by esports matches. “We’ve built a scalable system that reflects the quality of our code and APIs,” notes Venclik, “capable of adapting to the unpredictable traffic our partners send our way.”

This reliability ensures operators can deliver real-time odds updates and fast market settlements – critical in a market where every second counts. Venclik stresses the importance of continuous improvement: “We work in an industry where milliseconds play a role, so we’re constantly optimising our operations to deliver the volume and speed our partners need.”

But infrastructure isn’t just about meeting today’s challenges, it’s also about preparing for what’s next. As immersive technologies and AI become increasingly integrated into esports betting, the systems supporting them must be ready to adapt. Oddin.gg’s commitment to scalability and innovation gives operators a solid foundation for embracing these future opportunities.

The road ahead

The future of esports betting is filled with limitless potential. Scalable infrastructure, AI-powered tools that streamline and accelerate processes once measured in years to just hours, and next-generation interactive technologies are reshaping how fans and bettors engage with esports – and how operators connect with them in return.

For operators, success in 2025 and beyond requires a commitment to innovation and a focus on delivering engaging, reliable and cutting-edge experiences.

As Venclik sees it, esports betting is no longer a side offering; it’s a cornerstone of modern entertainment. With a growing, diverse audience and a relentless pace of innovation, the opportunities in esports betting are enormous. Oddin.gg’s role is clear: to equip operators with the tools and expertise to succeed in esports betting, ensuring they’re not just keeping up but leading the way.

Vlastimil Venclik is the CEO and co-founder of Oddin.gg, the market leader in esports betting solutions. With a background in cybernetics and experience in AI and mobile development, he founded Oddin.gg in 2018 to address the unique demands of competitive video gaming. Under his leadership, Oddin.gg has built a multi-award-winning ecosystem that combines advanced data science, automated infrastructure and innovative tools to deliver engaging and profitable esports betting experiences for operators worldwide.