Esports vs iGaming: What is the Difference?
Elen StelmakhWe talk about the differences between the two popular types of online entertainment in the modern world.
People have always loved entertainment that involves various types of tournaments, luck and competition. And in the modern world, when most people have access to the Internet, the popularity of online entertainment is becoming increasingly significant.
You can often come across terms such as “Esports” and “iGaming” on the Internet, but not all people understand their meaning. Sometimes you can come across a misconception that competitions in certain video game disciplines and a casino are part of a single sphere. To avoid confusion, in this article we will look at what Esports and iGaming are, how they differ, and what unites them.
Esports as a sport in the 21st century
Esports emerged because of the development of competitive video games and the Internet. Initially, competitions in computer and console games were held using a LAN connection in computer clubs and basements, and the prizes were symbolic gifts in the form of a mouse, keyboard, or even no reward at all, only the respect of peers and visitors to the establishment.
With the development and release of the home Internet to the masses, esports moved online. Now people from all over the world can compete in their favorite games of various genres, and the most successful of them build a professional career in esports and earn fortunes. Nowadays, popular disciplines are Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant, as well as Fortnite and other video games.
An important stage in the recognition of esports at the global level was the holding of major tournaments, for example, The International in Dota 2, Worlds in LoL, as well as the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice and Cologne Counter-Strike events. Along with its growing popularity, countries around the world have begun to recognize esports as an official sport. Such states were China, Italy, Denmark, Ukraine and a number of other countries.
Nowadays, esports is an important sports and entertainment area that is popular, creates jobs, and also attracts large investors. It is not surprising that it has attracted the attention of the gambling industry, namely iGaming.
iGaming — a revolution in the world of gambling
Gambling has almost always existed. But until the 21st century, the gambling sphere was located mainly in land-based casinos and gambling houses, where those who liked to risk their own money had to come, exchange money for chips, choose a machine or game and have a good time.
Modern technologies such as electronic money and the Internet have brought changes to the gambling industry. At the end of the 90s of the last century and the beginning of the 00s of this century, the first online casinos began to appear, websites that offered customers the opportunity to play their favorite slots, roulette or poker without leaving their home. Later they were joined by sports betting.
Now iGaming is a collection of all kinds of online gambling games. This includes slots, roulettes and various card games, as well as lotteries, sports and esports betting, fantasy games and other games for real money. iGaming owes much of its popularity to high-speed Internet and the proliferation of smartphones. It's much easier for customers to set aside time at the end of the day at their computer to play poker or play their favorite slot on their preferred operator's app on public transport or during their lunch break at work.
What is the difference between Esports and iGaming?
In fact, there are quite a few differences between esports and iGaming. Firstly, this is the threshold for entering the game. In esports, you often don't need the most powerful computer or smartphone to participate in matches, and you most likely won't be asked to pay an entry fee to participate in the tournament, while in gambling you need to make a monetary bet to participate. To succeed in esports you will need a high level of skill, to achieve which, for example, in Dota 2 you need to spend thousands of hours of gaming time. If we compare it with slots or roulette, then although each specific player may have his own strategy or gaming habits, in the end everything will still depend on your luck.
Secondly, the entertainment of the competition. World championships in Dota 2 and League of Legends attract hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of spectators who follow the course of events and unexpected turns in matches. The iGaming segment, although represented on streaming platforms, is not so popular due to the rules of the platforms themselves and not the greatest variety. So on Twitch, the “Casino” category, as a rule, rises to the top of the ratings in terms of viewers only when some eminent streamer or other public figure comes there.
Thirdly, the opportunity to earn money for players. When it comes to players, salaries in esports are received by professional eSports players who are under contract with gaming organizations or take high prizes in tournaments. To make money in iGaming, a player just needs to be lucky or follow a working strategy in games where they can show their skills, for example, in poker.
Common features of Esports and iGaming
Besides the obvious differences, esports and iGaming also have common features. Thus, the spheres of esports and iGaming actively cooperate with each other. Often, various online gambling platforms or bookmakers act as sponsors and partners of esports teams and organizations, and also offer cooperation to individual esports athletes who have excelled in their discipline.
Also, bookmakers themselves can act as organizers of esports tournaments. You can always find major championships in CS, Dota 2, LoL or StarCraft on the line of any self-respecting modern bookmaker. This way, esports tournament operators receive the necessary financial support, and the iGaming industry attracts new customers and increases its visibility.
In conclusion, I would like to note that now both esports and iGaming are at the peak of their popularity and continue to grow. This is facilitated by technological progress and high availability of both areas. Also, these industries, working together, can give players unforgettable emotions, and with the right luck and skill.
Elen Stelmakh is a creative individual dedicated to advancing gaming culture through articles and visual design. As a full-time EGamersWorld author and designer for a gaming website, Elen not only creates content but also infuses it with energy and creativity.