eSports

How BETBY is enhancing the esports product

Published

1 year ago

August 7, 2023

How BETBY is enhancing the esports product

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Brands are placing more of an emphasis on enhancing their esports offering within and with the news of a new CS:GO game to continue the popularity of that title, we got the views of Ivan Sazanov, Project Coordinator at BETBY, to find out about the added importance of esports within the brand’s strategy.

How important is the esports offering to your brand and the wider gambling industry?

It is no longer possible for gambling brands to have a competitive sportsbook that does not have an esports offering that sits alongside that.

Moreover, as the popularity of esports increases, brands should capitalise on the popularity and provide content to significantly improve its product portfolio.

Naturally for us, esports is one of the most important elements of the modern sportsbook. BETBY’s fully-fledged product suite satisfies the demand of a diverse esports audience, currently containing about 20 sports, including classics with Starcraft and Warcraft III alongside mobile games like Mobile Legends, Wild Rift, and Arena Of Valor.

But in order for an esports offering to be considered high-quality and attractive to end users, it is no longer enough to cover just the most recognised titles like CS:GO, Dota 2, League Of Legends, FIFA and Overwatch. Aiming to broaden and strengthen esport offer, BETBY created a unique and special product – Betby.Games, a proprietary esports offering.

This unique collection, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), organizes tournaments across popular sports such as Football, Cricket, and Basketball. The game mechanics of well-liked gaming titles in Betby.Games are entirely controlled by AI, eliminating the need for any human interaction to sustain the tournaments. This aspect guarantees the longevity of the collection, making it an invaluable asset to our sportsbook offering.

Has the perception of esports changed?

I think it would be fair to say that esports has turned from a niche activity into a strong and competitive industry in its own right.

You only need to look at the budgets of the biggest esports tournaments, the sizes of the audience, the broadcast coverage garnered and other indicators that continue to grow from year to year.

There is however one important point. Over the years, when esports gained momentum, its audience was constantly replenished with young people. Naturally, that audience grew up with the games, as they entered adulthood.

Having this following has helped the esports audience become more financially reliable and solvent, which has a direct impact on the betting industry.

The time when esports in betting was perceived as something that was not very profitable is over. Experienced online bookmakers understand that the average user registering on their sportsbook will most likely depend on how good the complementary esports content is.

What further developments do you anticipate in esports betting?

The ratio of the number of bets and the total turnover on esports to regular sports will continue to grow. Esports has already become an integral part of the betting industry, but it can and will still develop.

I expect greater technological advancements to make esports more of a professional and sought after form of online betting.

This includes potential agreements with more data operators to enable real-time trading without delay, which is currently a key hindrance to esports becoming a more attractive proposition for players.

Obviously, the breadth of markets for esports events does not yet reach the classic sporting events, even considering the fact that in popular tournaments it is common to bet on ‘Player Props’.

Within the games, there is a huge amount of different information that can be used to generate various unique markets. There is a huge opportunity for the first company that can implement this effectively will make a splash not only in the field of esports betting, but in the entire industry.

CS:GO 2 has generated a great deal of interest in the global community. A new, updated game in this popular series will not only to attract new players and viewers, but also the return of old ones, which will increase demand in the market.

We expect an increase in the number of semi-professional tournaments and teams that are created not for the sake of increasing interest, but with the aim of profiting from dishonest play and ensuring matchups are competitive.

This is happening on a regular basis already, and it will require more attention from both the tournament organisers and the risk management departments of betting companies to curtail irregular activity.

Has having your own in-house product allowed you to stand out in the market, rather than relying on major competitions and tournaments for traffic?

Our competitive advantage is encapsulated with the Betby.Games product that we created during the pandemic.

Despite forecasts that with the return of real sports traffic would begin to decline and the content would lose its relevance, it continues to develop and attract an ever-increasing audience. This in large part is thanks to its flexibility and customer-oriented approach.

Betby.Games has turned from a part of our sportsbook into a stand-alone and in-demand product. By generating a large amount of traffic, it makes a significant contribution to our customers who use the sportsbook in its entirety, and to individual companies outside of BETBY, to which Betby.Games supplies its product as a feed provider.

What is needed to convince operators that a gap can be bridged between traditional sports bettors and esports bettors?

From my perspective, esports has become so firmly integrated alongside sports betting that there is practically no difference between players who bet on CS:GO and Soccer.

The Super Bowl, and the concluding tournament on the Dota 2 circuit, The International, will attract millions of people from all over the world. The audiences of these most popular events will not overlap with each other, and you must be able to find a solution that appeals to both audiences.

If an operator wants to attract a large audience and, moreover, to continue to compete with other betting companies, it must be able to provide users with a high-quality offering for both regular sports and esports to engage players.

The numbers do not lie. In the world of betting, esports already occupies a significant share of all sports. Bookmakers that do not pay enough attention to its esports products are already losing money, and it will only be more difficult for them to compete in the future.

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Gujarat Titans’ Inaugural “Titans Rising” BGMI Tournament Crowns Champion, Sets Stage for Future Esports Initiatives

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Gujarat Titans is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the first-ever “Titans Rising” BGMI tournament, held from October 6th to 27th, 2024. The tournament showcased the incredible talent and passion within the Indian BGMI community, culminating in a thrilling Grand Finale showdown on October 27th. The first ever Titans Rising champions were MOGO Esports.

In a unique gesture that bridged the gap between traditional sports and Esports, the selected players of the 2024 “Titans Rising” tournament will interact and play alongside Gujarat Titans cricket players in a special mixed-team event during the 2025 season. Marquee Esports athletes and gaming content creators like Tanmay “Sc0utOP” Singh, Deepak “Sensei” Negi and many others will be seen collaborating with Gujarat Titans for some exciting content projects in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. This initiative will not only provide a unique and rewarding experience for the winning team but also create exciting crossover content for fans of both cricket and Esports.

“Titans Rising” was designed to provide a platform for aspiring BGMI players across India to compete at the highest level. The tournament structure featured a tiered qualification system, starting with open qualifiers that were accessible to all. The overwhelming interest and reach of the tournament was evident with 2,048 teams registered for the open qualifiers. These teams battled it out with winners advancing through the pre-quarters, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. The pre-quarter finals saw the qualified teams pooled with 32 invited professional teams, raising the stakes and intensity of the competition.

Fans across the country had front-row seats to the action, as the entire tournament was broadcast live on the official Gujarat Titans YouTube channel. This broadcast generated impressive viewership metrics: 3.2 million views and 287,000 watched hours. Over 50 Million impressions and 2.1 Million engagements were recorded across GT’s YouTube and social media platforms during the tournament. These numbers underscore the significant reach and engagement of the tournament, solidifying Gujarat Titans’ prominent presence within the Esports community.

A substantial prize pool of ₹2,200,000 was up for grabs, rewarding the top-performing teams and players for their skill and dedication. Beyond the team prizes, individual awards such as “Most Valuable Titan,” “Man of the Maps,” and “Best IGL” recognized exceptional individual contributions and further fueled the competitive spirit. Apart from these gratifying accolades, the Titans Rising tournament honoured the hustle of young and aspiring e-athletes with awards like “Rising Titans” and “Rising Titans Squad” that aim to empower those who wish to rise in ranks within the world of Esports.

On the success of the first ever Esport tournament organized by any IPL Team, Col. Arvinder Singh, COO-Gujarat Titans said, “”We’re thrilled by the success of Titans Rising and the enthusiastic response of our fans. As the first IPL franchise to enter the Esports arena, Titans Rising created a unique experience that was enjoyed by a new set of fans while providing another avenue of engagement for our existing fan base. Gujarat Titans shall continue to explore new and contemporary avenues to further enhance engagement with our fans and supporters.”

Gujarat Titans is committed to nurturing the growth of the community and creating opportunities for aspiring players. “Titans Rising” is not just a one-off event but a cornerstone of Gujarat Titans’ long-term Esports strategy.

eSports

Th3Antonio announces retirement as a professional esports player

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The toplaner, legend of GIANTX, will continue as the club’s ambassador

Antonio Espinosa Bejarano, known as Th3Antonio, is stepping down from professional competition in League of Legends. A prominent figure in Spanish esports and a legend of GIANTX, he ends his player career and begins a new phase as a content creator and ambassador for the club. His career has established him as one of the most celebrated players in the history of esports in Spain.

Born in Badalona in 1999, Th3Antonio shared his reasons in a video, where he explained that he explored options in the LEC but ultimately decided that retirement was the best choice. “I explored my options in the LEC, but nothing came up. I had options in the Superliga, but honestly, what are the chances of playing Superliga and then getting another shot in the LEC? I don’t think it’s likely. So I had two choices: either Superliga or retirement,” he said. He added, “I could play in Superliga, but it doesn’t motivate me. Competing is about reaching the top, and in Superliga, the highest goal is winning the EMEA Masters. That’s fine, but I wanted to play in the LEC.”

GIANTX will maintain its connection with Th3Antonio, who will now focus on streaming for the organization. With a community of over 700,000 followers, mainly from Spain and Latin America, Th3Antonio has also found success as a content creator. José Díaz, co-CEO of GIANTX, commented on his departure: “Antonio’s decision is understandably sad; he’s been with us for a long time. But I believe he needs to keep building his personal brand because he has a lot of potential. He’s someone who entertains people. There’s no doubt about that for me. I think this is a step he needs to take in his career, and we’re very happy he’s doing it and continuing with us.”

After competing in the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), one of his main goals, Th3Antonio was a key player for GIANTX, helping to elevate the team’s performance and bringing them closer to the world stage. Starting in 2025, he will provide the official LEC co-stream from Berlin, offering commentary on competitions through his channels.

Nationally, Th3Antonio has won four Spanish championship titles and came close to winning a fifth Superliga. His achievements include two Iberian Cups, one Copa, and a runner-up title in the European Masters, along with several MVP awards. David Alonso, GIANTX’s sports director, highlighted Th3Antonio’s impact and explained the club’s strategic changes: “We want to scout players through data because we’re very good at it and have a system that sets us apart from other clubs in Europe. To become the next G2 or Fnatic, we need to recruit the next generation of stars like BrokenBlade, Yike, Caps. We focus on young talent and players who are very dedicated.”

Th3Antonio’s career began in his teens, debuting in the Superliga at age 16 with PAM. Shortly afterward, he joined GIANTX, then known as Giants, and has maintained a strong connection with the club since 2017. This collaboration has marked a milestone in Spanish esports, with Th3Antonio solidifying his place as the most successful player in the club’s history.

eSports

Intel commits to developing young talent in universities from the UK and Ireland through UNIVERSITY Esports

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Video games are one of the fastest growing sectors of the global entertainment industry, with revenues exceeding those of music and film combined. In the UK, gaming has remarkable potential: it is a business with a growing turnover of more than £4.5 billion and employs more than 47,000 professionals in the country, with a forecast to grow to 60,000 workers by 2025, according to data in Knight Frank’s (RE) Play Report.

Ireland is also notable for the development of its gaming industry. IDA Ireland that the domestic video games sector has been growing steadily. In 2022, the Irish government launched the Digital Games Credit: a way to encourage studios to set up or expand their operations in the country through refundable tax breaks equal to 32% of the expenditure incurred in the design, production and testing of a digital game, up to a limit of €25 million per project.

University students, who are part of Generation Z, have an undeniable interest in gaming. Different international studies indicate that young people represent around a third of the world’s population and their influence on the industry is becoming significant. It is estimated that more than 3 billion people will be gamers by 2025 worldwide.

Working in the world of video games

UNIVERSITY Esports, a grassroots esports organiser in the UK and Ireland operated by GGTech Entertainment, is bringing video games to young British and Irish people so that they can discover the advantages and opportunities offered by the gaming sector for their future professional careers. In the last academic year, over 110 universities took part in the project across the British Isles.

Physiotherapists, psychologists, marketing professionals or nutritionists are some of the professional roles in demand in the esports competition sector. Within the video game creation ecosystem, developer/programmer, designer/illustrator, motion designer, sound/audio designer and video game tester are five professions to watch closely.

Intel is committed to the development of young talent through esports and video games, while giving their support so that students can enjoy the best gaming experience during their time at university. To this end, this brand has announced a partnership with UNIVERSITY Esports for its Winter 2024 season.

The new season of UNIVERSITY Esports

Young university students from the UK and Ireland can now take part in the new season of UNIVERSITY Esports, which returns with new tournaments and activities for students in this 2024/25 edition. Through competition, entertainment and educational experiences, participants can have fun and learn alongside friends and peers.

The aim of UNIVERSITY Esports is to provide young people with an educational and entertaining gaming environment. Before the end of 2024, the project will have an extensive presence with the UNIVERSITY Tour, through in-person events on selected UK campuses. These face-to-face experiences, among wider activities, are intended to engage with students about the benefits of participating in the esports community both professionally and to have fun.

Competition details

League of Legends, VALORANT and Overwatch 2 are the games available to UK and Irish participants this season 2024/25. The Winter 2024 tournament will conclude in the week commencing 25th November, with broadcasts produced by students from the studios at Confetti X in Nottingham.