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In 2023, esports continued its climb up the ranks in the sports betting industry, capturing the attention of bettors worldwide. SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, a key player in sports betting software, offers insights into the changing preferences and trends over the past year.
Football, tennis, and basketball have long dominated the top spots in sports betting. However, esports has made significant strides, moving from seventh place in 2021 to fourth in 2023, with Counter-Strike notably securing the sixth spot in terms of bet volume.
Alexander Kamenetskyi, the head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, shared his perspective: “Considering the rise of esports, we guide our partners to focus on cyber disciplines, engaging audiences beyond traditional betting demographics. Highlighting the cybersports potential for operators, Newzoo’s report projects 640 million viewers by 2025.”
The move towards placing bets via mobile devices is a trend that has shown consistent growth, with 80% of all bets in 2023 made on mobile, up from 70% in 2022 and 68% in 2021. This preference for mobile betting, particularly for live bets, has led to mobile platforms contributing 92% to operators’ GGR.
Kamenetskyi highlights the focus on mobile betting: “Mobile betting is one of our main focuses in product development. We put much effort into improving our mobile application and mobile website. It is specifically important for locations facing challenges with internet connectivity and regions like LatAm and Africa where internet coverage is still growing.”
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team has noted that major sports events, like the World Cup 2022, tend to result in a 10–20% reduction in online casino turnover. This observation suggests that many casino players temporarily shift their attention to sports betting during these events.
Kamenetskyi discussed the importance of integrating sportsbooks with casino platforms: “This pattern highlights the need for iGaming stakeholders to integrate casino ventures and sportsbooks. This strategy not only increases the appeal of casinos but also keeps players engaged during sports events. It’s worth noting that the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook works with any casino platform on the market.”