Casinos and Esports: A Growing Relationship

It isn’t a stretch to say that Esports is one of the fastest growing sectors in sports and entertainment. This world of competitive and organized videogames has slowly but surely become a household name, garnering millions in revenue and attracting countless dedicated online fans and live spectators worldwide.

At the same time, online casino gaming is continuing to spread, gaining regulation in different territories around the globe and giving more people a chance to take part in the classic games they know and love, but in a virtual environment. Brick-and-mortar casinos are also becoming increasingly advanced in their game offerings, aiming to stay as relevant as possible for new generations of players.

So, what does the intersection of these two bustling industries look like in the modern gaming sphere, and how are they finding synergies in order to develop their respective customer bases? Here we take a deeper look at the growing relationship between casinos and Esports.

Esports-style Online Casino Games

Online casino providers know that many of their customers are also Esports fans. Both designers and developers take this into account when thinking about new game releases, ensuring that the titles on their platforms reflect what their target audience expects to see.

For example, now we see some slot games gaining inspiration from popular Esports titles such as Overwatch, Dota 2, and Apex Legends, having them appear graphically more like video games rather than traditional fruit machines. This proves that casino platforms are prioritizing Esports communities and their preferences now more than ever before.

High-Profile Competitions in Casino Venues 

The online casino environment is not the only place we see hints of the Esports industry. The sector is partnering with land-based casino locales to host Esports events in their spaces. For instance, in March 2018, one Las Vegas-based gaming venue, the Luxor Hotel and Casino, opened a 30,000 square foot Esports arena called HyperX right inside its casino doors.

Today, this Esports-casino project is just one shining example of how the two industries complement each other, attracting gaming fans of all types to enjoy unique entertainment experiences in the entertainment capital of the world.

Like online casino games, many of the most popular Esports titles are made for PC or mobile play

Marketing Through Sponsorship Deals

Just like land-based casino names are becoming venues of high-profile Esports tournaments, they are also some of the first places that Esports brands look to for sponsorship deals. It is now common to see partnerships between well-known casinos and premier Esports organizations, with both parties boosting their incoming clientele as a result.

These types of sponsorship relations are also widespread in sports betting, with leading online providers partnering with Esports teams to promote their products and services amongst like-minded customer bases.

What Could the Future Hold?

By now it is clear to see why Esports brands are making their way in the casino world, and vice versa. Thanks to major technological developments and innovations, the future is only forecasted as bright for both sectors, especially if they work together. If both industries continue to flourish, this relationship is bound to become even more interconnected.