Analysis of Esports Betting: Tournament Impacts and Regional Growth Trends in the First Half of 2025

Esports betting is one of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding sectors in the gambling industry, boasting an estimated compound annual growth rate of 8%. Despite its meteoric rise, it often remains overshadowed by traditional sports betting.

In this exclusive guest article, the head of esports at DATA.BET leverages real-time trading data across multiple markets and tournaments to provide a behind-the-scenes analysis of the esports betting landscape in Q1 and Q2 2025. Drawing on actual betting volumes, user behavior patterns, and market trends, this analysis forecasts the sector’s trajectory in the coming months. With the Esports World Cup on the horizon, these strategic insights are essential reading.

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The Data

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DATA.BET’s performance in Q1 and Q2 2025 significantly outpaced the broader esports betting market, which is projected to grow from $2.6 billion USD (£1.92 billion) in 2024 to $4.5 billion USD (£3.32 billion) by 2031. Covering over 30 competitive titles across Tier 1 to Tier 4 tournaments, combined with a betting latency as low as one second through official data partnerships, DATA.BET is at the forefront of the industry’s transformation.

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Q1 2025: Tournament Density Drives Record Performance

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Despite the traditional mid-season lull in January, Q1 2025 delivered exceptional results for esports betting operators. The quarter started slowly but gained momentum with the return of regular seasons for League of Legends and Valorant in mid-January, leading to substantial increases in trading volume and user engagement.

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The standout performance in Q1 2025 was driven by an unprecedented concentration of Tier 1 tournaments across multiple titles. This density sustained bettor engagement throughout the quarter, eliminating the typical seasonal dips.

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Counter-Strike 2: Solidifying Market Leadership

Counter-Strike 2 accounted for 57% of global esports betting volume in Q1 2025, reinforcing its dominance in the sector. The quarter featured two major tournaments: IEM Katowice 2025 (January 29–February 9) with a $1.25 million USD (£921,000) prize pool, and PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 (February 14–23) offering an additional $1.25 million USD. Internal DATA.BET data revealed a 23% increase in average bet size compared to Q1 2024.

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Valorant: A Game-Changing Surge

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Valorant experienced explosive growth, with a 175% year-over-year increase in betting activity, fueled by Riot Games’ January 2025 policy change allowing betting sponsorships for the first time. The VCT Masters Bangkok became the first major tournament to feature betting sponsor logos on team jerseys, creating viral social media moments as franchised teams like T1 unveiled new partnerships. The event marked Valorant’s ambitious push into Southeast Asia, with broadcasts in Thai, Vietnamese, and Tagalog, unlocking millions of new viewers previously limited by English-only coverage. This regional focus immediately reshaped local betting patterns.

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League of Legends: Sustained Dominance

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League of Legends maintained a strong position, contributing 26% of global esports betting volume. Q1 2025 saw significant milestones, with South Korea’s LCK Cup 2025 and Europe’s LEC Winter 2025 showcasing divergent yet impactful betting trends.

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Q2 2025: Sustained Momentum with Strategic Tournament Coverage

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In Q2 2025, DATA.BET’s network continued to exhibit robust growth, with stakes among partners rising 22.53% year-over-year, adjusted for seasonal variations. This momentum translated into improved profitability. Although a seasonal adjustment from Q1’s peak, these figures underscore strong market resilience.

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The Q2 tournament landscape offered unique opportunities across all competitive tiers. Tier 1 events, such as IEM Dallas 2025 and League of Legends’ regional Summer Splits, drove consistent high-volume betting activity, with Counter-Strike 2 maintaining its dominance through consecutive top-tier tournaments. Dota 2 also contributed significantly, with DreamLeague Season 25 generating substantial betting volumes as teams competed for The International 2025 qualification points.

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Valorant’s Tier 2 ecosystem underwent a structural transformation in Q2. Regional leagues, such as NODWIN Valorant Challengers South Asia 2025, adopted a three-part format with a ₹1.13 crore ($129,600 USD/£95,533) prize pool, while ACE Valorant Challengers NA 2025 introduced a promotion/relegation system and integrated academy teams like Sentinels Academy, creating a robust talent development pipeline.

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Operators should closely monitor the mobile esports segment in Q2, particularly tournaments for titles like King of Glory and Mobile Legends, which are experiencing unprecedented growth in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Preparations for the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia also generated a halo effect, boosting betting interest in Middle Eastern tournaments across all tiers.

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The geographic diversity of these events creates a continuous cycle of betting opportunities across time zones, benefiting operators. To capitalize on this, DATA.BET has restructured its trading team and implemented AI-driven systems to ensure comprehensive coverage. For Tier 4 tournaments, their high frequency and predictable scheduling make them critical for maintaining user engagement between major championships, despite lower individual match values.

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Q3 2025 Forecast: Strategic Opportunities Amid Peak Tournament Season

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Q3 2025 is poised to be a pivotal moment for esports betting, anchored by the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh (July 8–August 24). This eight-week spectacle, with a $38 million USD (£28.02 million) prize pool across 25 titles, is more than a tournament series—it’s a transformative betting engagement opportunity that could reshape operator strategies. The event’s structure, allocating $1.25 million USD for Valorant, $3 million USD each for Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, creates multiple high-stakes moments throughout the summer, effectively eliminating the traditional mid-year lull.

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While precise predictions are challenging, growth indicators are unanimous. The proliferation of top-tier Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 tournaments expands market opportunities and trading capabilities. For DATA.BET partners, the convergence of established Western tournaments with championships in emerging markets is a key driver. While Counter-Strike 2’s fall season sustains betting volumes, the real growth story lies in geographic and demographic expansion.

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Mobile esports tournaments in Q3 are expected to generate higher betting volumes than Q2, driven by championships in India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, where smartphone penetration far outpaces PC gaming adoption. Tier 2 and 3 tournaments, often overlooked in previous years, are becoming increasingly profitable due to improved streaming quality and dedicated regional fanbases.

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Success in this market requires balancing technical esports expertise with cultural insights that drive engagement. The Esports World Cup’s appeal extends beyond its prize pools to its role as a cultural phenomenon. Operators must combine data-driven strategies with community understanding to maximize potential in this dynamic sector.

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Ultimately, Q3 is about building a 24/7 betting ecosystem that captures value from Riyadh to Rio, spanning mobile MOBAs to tactical shooters, ensuring a compelling market is always available, regardless of time zone or preference.

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