As technology and sports come together to create a dynamic betting experience, eSports, once a niche market, has grown to almost meteoric proportions in New Zealand. In this article, we will delve into the eSports world in New Zealand and explore how it is shaping the betting world.
What is eSports Betting?
eSports, also known as electronic sports, are organised gaming competitions where professionals play video games for large audiences. These competitions are streamed live, and millions of viewers all over the world tune in to watch their favourite games.
Just like sports betting, eSports betting allows fans and viewers to place bets on who they think will win. More and more NZ sports betting sites are offering eSports betting options to gamblers. Some popular eSports are Dota 2, League of Legends, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. Some of these betting sites allow players to watch their favourite gamers play against each other.
eSports Betting Regulation
Although the professional gaming scene in New Zealand is still in an embryonic stage, fans and viewers can bet on the biggest eSports leagues and championships all over the world. Now, the question of legality is one that has come up several times. Even though New Zealand gambling regulations are clearly defined, online betting is somewhat of a grey area.
The Gambling Act of 2003 forbids local operators from offering online gambling services. However, there is no ban on offshore eSports betting sites. So, Kiwis 18 and over can place bets on their favourite gamers confidently at any reputable overseas betting site.
eSports Betting Industry in New Zealand
Starting off as a very niche market, eSports betting has seen significant growth within the last few years. The eSports betting market’s annual income was predicted to reach US$10.0m by 2023. In fact, the market is expected to have a steady annual growth rate of 6.32% (CAGR 2023 – 2028), resulting in a projected market volume of US$13.6m by 2028.
This significant revenue increase is mainly due to leagues such as the New Zealand eSports Federation (NZESF) and platforms such as Twitch that give players the opportunity to capitalize on their gaming skills.
In terms of viewership, eSports events and competitions in New Zealand are bringing in large audiences. Most of these events are broadcast on popular streaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.
The Future of eSports Betting in New Zealand
As eSports continues to grow in popularity, it is set to become an integral part of the betting landscape. eSports betting is slowly detaching itself from traditional sports betting. In fact, the creation of betting platforms exclusively dedicated to eSports might be in the works.
When it comes to eSports, the NZESF is working to standardise rules and codes of conduct. This will give the market an extra layer of credibility. New eSports arenas and centres dedicated to competitive gaming are popping up, giving Kiwis more chances to explore this market.
Player Safety and Responsible Gambling at eSports Betting Sites
Just like every other form of gambling, eSports betting can be addictive if healthy gambling habits and boundaries are not properly established. eSports bookies have the duty to provide players with responsible gambling tools. Let’s have a look at some of these tools.
- Deposit Limits: Limit the amount of money deposited at an eSports betting site daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Time Limits: Limit the time spent playing at eSports betting sites. Players will be forced to take a break once this limit is reached.
- Loss Limits: Limit the amount of money players can lose on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
- Self-Exclusion: Players can ban themselves from accessing an eSports betting site completely over an extended period of time.