Online gaming is now a pastime loved by millions all over the globe, and the games that people play have become worth billions to creators, designers, and production companies. Even more, the gaming industry has served as a springboard for an entirely new industry: esports betting and tournaments. These have evolved on a global level and there are now millions of eager bettors, waiting poised before every match to stake their wager on the top players.
People are constantly weighing up players’ recent stats, checking out the Bitcoin esports betting odds, and assessing the ever-changing landscape so they can make the best bets possible. This is an industry that is transcending traditional game playing and entertainment.
So, how exactly has all this happened? How have esports become such a staple in the world of online entertainment, and how have console games achieved almost cult-like status among millions of players around the world? From the 32 million new players who have just signed up for the new version of Counter-Strike to the millions more who now play FIFA online, from casual gamers to competition winners, sports, entertainment, online gameplay, and gambling are merging and growing like never before.
When the world of iGaming first came into our consciousness, it was often seen as being in the realm of the nerd. Online games were played by only those with no other social preferences, perhaps, and were often seen as a solitary pastime. Not anymore. Not even close. I would go as far as to say that the entire landscape and industry of iGaming is now cool: it’s a pastime that attracts a wide range of ages, a diverse demographic, and people who range from the casual to the formal competition players. It is, in short, accessible. Big companies are getting involved in all new ways, constantly looking for ways to expand their offerings.
Given the rise of console popularity, esports, and iGaming, it seems obvious that the drive to create the next great game is one of the most competitive corporate races in the entertainment world. Of course, there are games that will always be leading the way, with new versions each year that catapult them to the top of the charts, but there are many new releases too. Either way, the determination to capture the hearts and minds of gamers everywhere is precisely what drives game creators - the desire to be the best, just like the players.
Though iGaming and online gameplay may seem, to some, a pastime that would be enjoyed only by the young, the growth of game-playing audiences suggests a much wider demographic. Game purchasing statistics demonstrate that many middle-aged people are enjoying online gameplay too, perhaps those who are old enough to remember when games were more basic, graphics more simple, and the ability to play online, in real-time, with people all around the world, was pure imagination. Whatever the reasons, many age ranges are now enjoying online gaming, and for game creators, this can only be a good development.
Esports, iGaming, consoles - these have all become established over the last couple of decades, and continue to evolve. Partly due to graphics, partly due to hardware, and partly due to creator-driven developments, gaming is more advanced than ever before. As well as the options to play in real-time with people around the world, there are incredibly competitive etournaments, where players compete fiercely for the winning position - and, of course, the option to bet on these tournaments with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
One thing is hard to dispute, and that is the fact that from consoles to apps, online platforms to social media and beyond, the gaming world is no longer niche: it is a worldwide behemoth. This is the rise of iGaming, with global communities forming everywhere. Some are dedicated to one game in particular; others are acolytes of gaming in general. Some love discussing game-playing techniques; others enjoy dissecting the technical side, and perhaps even tabling their ideas about what the next big improvement may be.
Returning to our original theme, it is clear, at least to me, that esports and iGaming are more than “just games.” We are talking about a global business worth billions, a worldwide community of players, friends, communities, and a sector that remains at the forefront of entertainment and technology.
