The popularity of esports grows globally: for many, it’s not just a game but a way of life and a real passion. Intense competition during the matches, impressive gameplay, and the possibility of joining a friendly community are among the factors attracting viewers to this entertainment. Italian residents are no exception – reports indicate that there are currently 30+ million gaming lovers in the country.
Undeniably, this trend couldn’t help but affect the betting scene in the region. Italians are known as passionate risk hunters, with over 35% of the country's population reporting gambling recently. Interest in this pastime has skyrocketed with the appearance and evolution of online sportsbooks that can be easily accessed from anywhere. Of course, punters can find esports in the list of betting options, and they’re experiencing an unprecedented rise.
Overview of Italian Esports Betting
Esports betting is at the peak of popularity due to the high accessibility and variety of global events. Modern punters can easily find an exciting tournament with italian non AAMS bookmakers and make predictions on the match outcome with a few clicks. It’s not surprising that this pastime is more widespread among the younger generations who are keen on technologies and the digital world. The Italian esports betting market was valued at €59.1 million and is projected to grow by €66.2 in 2024 and €82.7 by 2028. Technology and innovation are the main drivers for such success. Moreover, the discipline is widely discussed and promoted in the global arena, attracting more viewers to the spectacular players’ performances and the desire to guess the game outcome.
Many wonder what’s the difference between betting on traditional sports and esports. The essence is pretty much the same, as users should choose the preferred outcome. However, gaming is more dynamic and less predictable, which makes it even more thrilling for betting lovers. Esports matches are held in the virtual world, so users must spend all their time in front of their screens. Instead, traditional events allow one to attend the event on the stadium or racetrack. Still, esports boasts a unique spirit, which users can feel through their devices.
Emergence of Esports Betting in Italy
The market has been growing steadily in recent years, but despite the stereotype, the industry is not new. The first esports match took place in 1972 – since then, the sector has been in demand among passionate fans. Undeniably, it boomed during the last decade, heavily influenced by technological advancements. Betting has been a favourite Italian entertainment for centuries, so it’s evident that its popularity goes hand in hand with esports development. It wasn’t popular before 2000 due to the limited accessibility, but after that year, the industry began growing.
2015 was marked by a real boom in esports betting: the number of games has been steadily increasing, and software developers regularly delighted gamers with brand-new releases or improvements of already existing titles. At the same time, several bookmakers implemented the possibility of placing bets on this discipline. For many, it was something completely new and incomprehensible, but punters are known to accept risks and challenges gladly. The number of Italian online sportsbooks constantly increases, providing users with more and more opportunities. The same concerns esports events – fans can explore loud international tournaments or smaller local contests and support their favourite players by placing their bets.
Popular Esports Titles in Italy
Esports is a dynamic discipline since the gaming world is constantly developing. Multiple titles and many exciting events are available for Italian fans – they can access them from any device, wherever they are. However, some games are more popular due to years in the market, insane customer demand, and constantly improving gameplay. Even those far from the esports world might have heard of CS: GO, the global industry leader. It’s not the only popular title, so let’s explore some more games Italians prefer to bet on:
League of Legends, MOBA game involves 5-member teams competing to destroy opponents’ bases and win
CS: GO, a first-person shooter, is the most popular title worldwide; players aim to detonate the bomb and kill their rivals
Dota 2, a multiplayer game with a 5x5 competition, where participants choose their characters with special features and join the battle
The top three games are most widespread among Italian gaming and betting lovers. Most online sportsbooks offer these titles during loud championships with multi-million prize pools. The lucky punter can hit the jackpot when placing a bet on their favourite, so not only professional esports players can benefit from tournaments.
Impact on the Betting Industry
Many say that esports is reshaping the future of the betting sector, and we can agree with this opinion. Even though online sportsbooks have become incredibly in demand in recent years, gaming has brought a fresh breath to this pastime. Real-time betting is the latest trend among Italian adrenaline seekers, and it has become simple with esports, where all events are broadcast live. Punters can explore relevant statistics and recent changes at any moment, having more opportunities to make informed predictions. This trend also touched traditional sports events, so many bookmakers offer live betting to their customers. More and more bookmakers are accepting this market, offering users multiple possibilities.
Future Outlook and Challenges
Do you doubt that esports betting will experience further advancements and development in the following years? We are confident that the industry won’t lose its popularity and engage even more excited customers. The thrilling gaming world constantly evolves, with providers delighting users with exceptional titles and more players engaging in the sphere.
At the same time, esports betting in Italy faces some challenges that have yet to be resolved. The first point concerns the discipline itself; some people doubt its integrity due to possible deceptions and technical bugs. However, industry players constantly work to guarantee transparency and fairness, which is more than possible considering the number of innovations.
Safer gaming practices are another issue that raises concerns among experts. Unfortunately, betting can be addictive, and thousands of people in Italy, especially youngsters, suffer from related harm. However, AAMS, the main regulatory body in the country, has already addressed this problem and implemented measures to minimise risks and ensure a safer environment for bettors.
Final Insight
The betting industry has grown significantly in the last decade, and esports has made a huge contribution to its development. Italian punters are often inspired by the chance to try something new and broaden their horizons; in this case, making predictions on dynamic Dota 2 tournaments or thrilling CS: GO contests is the perfect opportunity. Multiple online bookmakers have already accepted this trend, covering multiple esports betting markets and offering limitless fun to their customers.