What are iGaming companies doing to dominate the esports betting market?

As you may know, the overall iGaming industry is extremely competitive. Take a niche sector like sports betting, for instance. Data from Grand View Research shows that the global market has already hit $100.9 billion and is on its way to reaching $187.39 billion by 2030. That will be an annual growth rate of about 11% in just five years! One factor fueling this growth is the increasing popularity of online platforms.

Online platforms offer a heightened level of convenience, ensuring more bettors can participate from anywhere at any time. But as the number of online platforms increases, so does competition. This puts pressure on sportsbooks to become more innovative and strategic in order to stay ahead of the curve.

Interestingly, one strategic move could be to integrate esports betting. According to Business Research Insights, the global esports wagering market peaks at $16.29 billion in 2025 and could surge to $51.74 billion by 2034. For iGaming companies seeking to reach new audiences, this high-potential industry offers a golden opportunity to expand your reach. But how can you start and ensure you are ahead in this fast-growing space?

Prioritizing mobile-friendly experiences

You can agree that people use mobile devices to do almost everything. In fact, there is a high chance that you could be reading this blog using your smartphone. And even statistics by Statista agree. In an early 2025 report, the institution stated that more than 96% of the world’s internet population used a mobile device to go online. This is a big part of why MobiLoud says over 62% of the global internet traffic comes from these devices.

This mobile consumption trend could even be more pronounced in esports, given the growing number of bettors who may want to engage on the go. As a forward-thinking company, you don’t want to miss out on such a population. That’s why you may have spotted many responsive designs in this industry.

Responsive designs provide seamless mobile experiences using flexible layouts that auto-adjust to fit multiple screen sizes. This eliminates the need for continuous pinching or zooming of clunky websites, even on devices with smaller screen sizes. Providing sites that work well across all devices keeps bettors more connected and can even result in high retention rates. UXCam says such platforms can convert over seven in ten visitors into loyal consumers.

Making the experience engaging

Bettors won’t just visit your platform to wager on the outcome of different competitive video game matches. They want excellent surrounding experiences if they are to remain loyal. And this is where features like bonuses come into play. Take the Fanduel casino promo code, for instance. Such incentives help attract first-time users and encourage repeat engagement, which ultimately translates to building a loyal community.

Bonuses and gamified rewards tap into the same psychological triggers as esports, fueling motivation through achievement and recognition. Think of them as tiered loyalty programs that reward consistent play or achievements tied to specific events. Such experiences create a sense of belonging within the platform.

Personalization is another strategic way of improving competitiveness. The days when consumers would be okay with generic encounters are long gone. Today, they expect websites to understand their unique preferences and provide matching recommendations.

To appeal to such bettors, use artificial intelligence to deliver customized content based on a user’s favorite teams or games. The content could include personalized odds or even targeted promos. Once a bettor feels you understand their interests, they will be more likely to stay engaged and explore new betting opportunities.

Never ignore online security

If you’re targeting such a high-potential market, you can’t afford to turn a blind eye to online security. After all, it’s not just innovators who want to take advantage of the booming esports betting scene – cybercriminals do too. Looking at the statistics, SecurityBrief UK says the general gaming industry experienced a 94% surge in cyberattacks between 2023 and 2024 alone. With cybercriminals expected to advance their strategies, you can imagine what this figure could translate to in the next few years.

Consumers, including bettors, are increasingly aware of these trends and only want to interact with secure platforms. You may actually be surprised to learn that, according to Innovacious, over eight in ten could leave a site if unsure about its security. At a time when acquiring new customers is becoming super expensive, you wouldn't want to incur such losses.

This is where integrating features like two-factor authentication (2FA) comes in handy. 2FA keeps malicious actors at bay by requiring an extra layer of verification before granting access – typically through a one-time code sent to the user’s mobile device or email.

You could even go the extra mile to integrate AI-based security protocols. The beauty of AI is in its ability to gather and assess patterns across multiple data files, which can be handy in combating suspicious moves in real time. When bettors spot such security features, they become more confident, causing them to stay and even mention your platform to their friends.

The esports wagering market is as competitive as many other markets, meaning standing out won’t just come by being average. However, the opportunities are massive for companies offering player-centric experiences like seamless mobile access. After all, modern bettors want something beyond just placing wagers. Aligning with their shifting preferences improves your reputation and positions your platform as one that understands the need for both entertaining and seamless experiences.