Esports betting isn’t legal on a widespread basis in the US. However, it has made some inlets in certain states. It’s currently legal in Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington.
Some of these states include stipulations for esports betting that require all match participants to be 18 years of age or older. The notable amount of young esports pros has hampered competitive gaming from a betting standpoint.
However, esports are growing at such a rapid pace that most states will likely allow more-widespread gambling on them. When this happens, you can expect the following 7 things to happen.
1. Larger Esports Betting Bonuses
If there’s one thing that legal US sports gambling has shown, it’s that regulated online sportsbooks are quite generous with bonuses.
Of course, offshore betting sites—meaning those operating in unregulated markets—also offer bonuses. However, they don’t combine three different bonuses into a single welcome deal.
The same types of offers will likely be available when legal esportsbooks come about. Regulated betting sites will offer huge bonuses tailored specifically to esports gamblers.
But you have to be careful with bonuses on esports events, just like you have to be careful with bonuses on regular sports gambling and casino bonuses.
The first surprise is usually what you have to do in order to be able to cash out anything you win. Instead of just being able to get your money out, you’re going to have to meet some requirements.
These requirements almost always involve placing bets that total a multiple of your bonus. If you get a bonus of $200, you might need to place $2,000 or even $20,000 worth of wagers before you can request your cash.
Another surprise might be the maximum amount that you can cash out. Or you might have a limited amount of time to use your bonus or clear your bonus.
The good news is that there’s a simple way to avoid all of these potential surprises. All you have to do is read every word of the terms before you get the bonus.
If you’re too lazy to read the terms, you’re going to be in for a nasty surprise sooner or later. And if you don’t like the terms, find another book that has a better offer.
2. More Favorable Bonus Terms
Large esports bonuses are only as good as the terms and conditions behind them. You want favorable terms so that you’re able to earn bonus cash with less hassle.
Rather than needing to meet 6x playthrough on a deposit bonus, like with offshore bookmakers, you might only have to satisfy 1x. This means that you receive your bonuses after wagering their equivalent value just once.
Why would regulated esports betting sites be willing to offer such great deals? The main reason why is customer acquisition.
Therefore, they want to offer outstanding deals to recruit as many new customers as possible. This definitely favors you as an esports gambler.
3. Mainstream Advertising
No state in the US allows unlicensed gambling sites to advertise through mainstream outlets.
Regulated betting sites, on the other hand, are allowed to use mainstream advertising.
You’ve quite possibly seen a DraftKings billboard or two when traveling through a regulated gambling state.
Esportsbooks will have an opportunity to promote themselves through TV stations, news outlets, billboards, and more.
This type of advertising reaches more bettors. It also increases the size of esports gambling sites and makes them more apt to run larger promotions.
4. Wider Acceptance
As it stands now, esports gambling is growing out of its niche status. It mostly consists of younger adults who play video games and watch esports competitions.
However, the aforementioned mainstream advertising figures to help change this. It will promote esports wagering through common mediums that everybody is familiar with.
In turn, more people will accept esports gambling and even become interested in it. You’ll eventually see more websites and local media cover the matter.
5. More Lines & Prop Bets
Five years ago, it was tough to find esports betting action of any type. Most offshore bookmakers only covered the main events, such as the Dota 2’s “The International” and League of Legends’ “World Championship.”
The same scenario is likely going to repeat itself in regulated markets. Established and licensed bookmakers will capitalize on the popularity of esports by offering more lines. This trend will, in turn, give you more opportunities to gamble on esports.
6. Land Based & Online Esports Betting
The vast majority of esports gambling takes place online. That’s because most land-based sportsbooks in Las Vegas and beyond don’t offer esports lines.
This is another aspect that’s set to change, though, when more legalization comes about. At this point, operators will feature esports lines through both their land-based and online platforms. Of course, online esports betting is definitely the most-convenient way to place wagers. You simply need to grab your smartphone and visit a mobile bookmaker to start wagering.
But you may enjoy the land-based betting experience as well. Sometimes it’s nice to visit a local sportsbook/casino, place your bets in person, and watch the game there with friends.
7. One of the Most Popular Betting Markets
In many ways, the betting presence of esports doesn’t match the fanfare. Hundreds of millions of people from around the globe watch live esports streams on a daily basis.
Once esports wagering becomes more common in regulated states, it figures to eventually be among the most popular-markets like football, basketball, and baseball.
Conclusion
Esports gambling is already fairly popular throughout the US and beyond. It still has plenty of room to grow, though, especially as regulation spreads throughout America.
Some states haven’t even regulated sports betting to date. They won’t pay as much attention to esports wagering until they legalize betting as a whole.
Some of these same places don’t even put any restrictions (i.e. all pros 18+ years old) on the matter either.
Once most of the US does offer regulated legal esports betting, then you can expect lots of positive changes. Bigger bonuses, mainstream advertising, and more lines & prop bets are just some of the changes to watch for in the future.
