ESIC Think Tanks: Understanding the esports betting ecosystem

Esports is growing rapidly, but it requires a new mindset for operators if they are to succeed in the sector.

In partnership with the Esports Integrity Commission, and sponsored by UltraPlay, the ESIC Think Tank series looks to provide intelligence from those in the know.

Dealing with subjects ranging from product development and engagement with traditional sports to regulatory considerations and integrity, it acts as a vital series for the gambling sector to understand esports. Scroll down for access to business-critical intelligence on the vertical.

In this series:

How traditional sports are engaging with esports Traditional sports organisations took interest in esports several years ago as a way to reach the next generation of fans where they play. Today, many sports teams around the world are taking esports into their organisations and the Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated that adoption.

Panelists: Roger Quiles, founding partner, Quiles Law Dave Harris, managing director, Guinevere Capital

Esports in the European sports betting market While esports requires a level of expertise to understand the dynamics of the key titles, this adds an extra element of learning to the adoption process. This in turn requires some additional work on the part of regulators to keep up with a rapidly evolving sector.

Panelists: Ian Smith, commissioner, Esports Integrity Commission; Antonio Zerafa, sports betting integrity manager, Malta Gaming Authority

Esports for all: Best practice for product development One of the most important considerations for esports fans is authenticity. This means operators looking to reach that fanbase will need to tailor their betting products around their preferences, whether that’s data-driven content, professional players or influencers in the sector.

Panelists: Mario Ovcharov, CEO, UtraPlay Flavien Guillocheau, CEO, PandaScore

Betting on esports integrity As a new vertical, the question of integrity in esports is a key concern for the betting industry. How then does the sector ensure it meets the high standards expected of all sports amid a period of rapid growth?

Panelists: Ian Smith, Esports Integrity Commission; George Rover, chief integrity officer, Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association

Taking bets from the esports perspective While the gambling industry is continuing to embrace esports, how does the esports industry feel about bets being placed on its events?

Panelists: Ron Segev, Segev LLC Mike Reilly, Endemic Esports