Hybrid Gaming Growth: when Esports meets Casino Platforms

Esports has surprised many and has become a major form of entertainment. Young adults in particular have discovered this form of entertainment around the world. At the same time, a lot of business has grown up around the sport of racing, including betting. Esports is a very popular form of betting right now, and many online casinos have also started to offer betting opportunities on racing tournaments.

Casino sites are expanding their range of games

Online casinos are fighting for players' attention and interest and want to do their best to keep their loyal players. One of the most important ways to do this is to constantly develop their own game selection and offer something new and interesting to play. For example, the popular mBitcasino actively introduces new games from both large and small innovative game developers. Casino games at mBitcasino always means something new and interesting to try.

Many casino sites no longer rely solely on slots and classic card games, but to meet the growing expectations of their players, they often also offer the option of Esports betting. Casino operators have noticed the growing demand for this form of gaming and are keen to offer the option on their own sites.

Many online casinos today also offer a very comprehensive range of betting services. Whereas 20 years ago it was easy to divide gambling sites into online casinos and betting sites, that distinction has since become blurred year on year and it is now very difficult to separate gambling sites into these categories. Many traditional betting sites have also expanded to offer casino games.

The quiet but steady growth of Esports

Esports may still be an unknown sport for older generations, but among younger generations the sport's popularity has grown steadily. Although the sport still receives relatively little attention in the Finnish media, many people discover it through streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.

Several Esports tournaments have also started to be organised in Finland, with professionals from all over the world coming to play. The successes and achievements of Finnish players have also been reported in the media from time to time. It's hard to ignore the sport any more, with prize money and viewer numbers already in the millions.

In 2020, for example, Yle reported that the League of Legends World Championship was watched by over 100 million viewers. The appeal of Esports, especially among young adults, is based on a number of factors, but in any case, the digital environment and video game culture are familiar to many young people, making eSports accessible. Nor can we ignore the interactive and collaborative nature of games, which have created a deep sense of belonging in the sector.

Betting on who plays best on a computer

The term Esports and the idea that it is a sport has divided many people. Either way, at least playing at the top level requires quick reactions, tournament endurance and tactical thinking to constantly learn more. In practice, Esports tournaments test who or what team can best play a well-known game. Popular games include League of Legends, Dota 2 and CS:GO (later CS2), which has also seen many top Finnish players.

Betting is typically done in advance, with the player placing a bet on the winner of a tournament, for example. On the other hand, bets can also be placed in real time, while matches are already in progress. Real-time betting, or live betting, is therefore very popular in Esports tournaments. One of the main reasons for this may be that the fast changing situations create interesting opportunities for bettors. Many people watch the tournaments live via a streaming service and can use what they see to place bets in real time.

Typical betting targets include tournament winners, map results and round wins. Player-specific successes such as kills and game-specific scores are also popular betting targets. Another interesting possibility is value betting, where the practice is to find exceptionally good odds. Betting online can also be done in real time with just a few clicks, so many people follow events in real time and place bets on even small events at the same time.

People wake up in the middle of the night to watch the races

Many betting sites stream tournaments on their own sites. This is not only an excellent service, but also a way to get more people interested in Esports betting. Registered bettors can often watch live streams for free.

Many people interested in Esports also follow the tournaments live on streaming services, notably Twitch and YouTube. Even on these services, you can often watch tournaments for free. And with tournaments taking place all over the world, this means that tournaments are sometimes at their hottest at night around Finnish time. As many people have already become big fans of the sport, many are also prepared to wake up in the middle of the night to watch their favourite team succeed.

Gamification on hybrid sites

Hybrid platforms are still a relatively new concept, but in this context, they refer to a site or app where you can play both traditional casino games and bet on Esports. In other words, a player can use their own account to play slots or card and table games, and then switch to betting on computer gaming tournaments.

Hybrid platforms also make extensive use of gamification. This basically means that players can collect points or levels by playing different types of games. For example, players can earn bonuses or rewards through both Esports betting and casino games, encouraging a wide range of participation on the site. Younger audiences expect flexibility and a modern user experience from platforms, and hybrid platforms meet this need by combining the best of two popular game formats.

Similarities between casino games and Esports

One might suddenly think that there are not many similarities between casino games and Esports. However, the truth is different. In both, for example, excitement is constantly present. While winning is a big part of both, the thrill of the game is just as important.

In Esports, competition is based on skill, quick decisions and teamwork, while in casino gambling, strategy is required in games such as poker or blackjack. To do well in these casino games, players also need to be aware of the odds. In both Esports and casino games, players can also experience feelings of success, which can lead many players to return for the same feelings in the future.

Both Esports and casino games also offer a sense of community for those who want it. In Esports, players often compete in teams and in casinos, community experiences can be found at live tables, where card and table games are played with other players and the game master can be seen via video.