Nearly 60% of Esports Revenue in 2026 Will Come from Betting

In just five years, the esports industry has more than doubled in value, soaring from $2 billion to a staggering $4.7 billion in 2025. A significant share of that growth comes from esports betting, the industry's largest and one of the fastest-growing revenue streams. Fueled by the rising popularity of competitive gaming and its massive audience of young, tech-savvy fans, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, according to data presented by SkinsLuck.com, esports betting is expected to drive nearly 60% of the total industry revenue in 2026.

Esports Betting Market Share Up 15% Since 2018

The global esports audience has grown tremendously over the past years, doubling from 385 million viewers in 2017 to 772 million in 2025. This massive fan base, engaged by the competitive and immersive experience of esports is a natural fit for betting growth, which is why esports betting has long been the industry's largest revenue stream. Moreover, its market share has surged over the years.

Back in 2018, around 24 million esports fans placed wagers on match outcomes or made more specific bets like in-game events (e.g., first kill, map winner, total kills). That year alone, esports betting generated $625 million in revenue, accounting for 45% of the industry's total. Just two years later, the numbers soared — the market reached 36 million users, grossed over $1 billion in revenue, and made up 50% of the esports industry's total. Statista data shows it only went uphill from there.

By the end of 2023, the global value of esports wagers had doubled, surpassing $2 billion, while the number of users jumped to 67 million. That same year, esports betting accounted for 56% of the industry's total revenue, marking a 12% increase in just five years. But the growth didn't stop there.

Statista projects that esports wagers will generate a massive $2.79 billion in 2025, making up 58.4% of total esports revenue. Over the next twelve months, that figure is expected to jump over $3 billion, pushing the market share to a record 59.8%, or 15 percentage points higher than in 2018. Although industry revenue is forecast to continue climbing, reaching an estimated $3.46 billion by 2029, the esports betting market share will slightly dip, falling to 58.3% by the end of the decade.

Only 10% of Global Esports Fans Will Place Wagers in 2026

While over $3 billion in revenue, a 59.8% market share, and a projected 85 million users in 2026 are impressive figures, the esports betting segment still has plenty of room to grow. That user count means only 10% of global esports fans will wager on games and tournaments.

Driven by the rise of user-friendly and innovative betting platforms and the surging popularity of esports itself, this young, tech-savvy community will continue growing in the years ahead. Statista market projections show that 10 million new bettors will join the market by 2029, pushing the total user count to 95 million. Every fifth user will come from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and South Korea as the next two major markets.