Esports is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors in betting, with an estimated compound annual growth rate of eight percent. Yet it often attracts less attention than traditional sports betting.
In this exclusive guest feature, Bogdan Holvonov, Head of Esports at DATA.BET, leverages real-time trading data across multiple markets and tournaments to provide a behind-the-scenes analysis of the esports betting landscape in Q1 and Q2 2025.
His examination draws on actual betting volumes, user behaviour patterns, and market trends to forecast the industry’s trajectory in the upcoming months.
And with the Esports World Cup just around the corner, his strategic insights are not to be missed.
The Data
DATA.BET’s Q1 and Q2 2025 performance significantly outpaced the broader esports betting market, which itself grew from US$2.6 billion (£1.92bn) in 2024 toward a projected US$4.5 billion (£3.32bn) by 2031.
The coverage discussed spans around 30+ competitive titles across Tier 1-4 tournaments, combined with down-to-one-second bet delay through official data partnerships, positioning DATA.BET at the forefront of the industry’s transformation.
Q1 2025: Tournament Density Drives Record Performance
Despite the traditional January mid-season break, Q1 2025 delivered remarkable results for esports betting operators.
“The quarter opened quietly but transformed rapidly with the return of League of Legends and Valorant regular seasons in mid-January,” observes Holovnov, while noting the substantial increases in trading volume and user-engagement that followed.
Q1 2025’s performance can be attributed to an unprecedented concentration of Tier-1 tournaments across multiple disciplines. This tournament density created sustained betting engagement throughout the quarter, effectively eliminating traditional seasonal dips.
Counter-Strike 2: Market Leadership Solidified
Counter-Strike 2 commanded 57 percent of global esports betting volume in Q1 this year, cementing its position as the dominant esports betting title.
The quarter featured two major tournaments: IEM Katowice 2025 (January 29-February 9) with a US$1.25 million (£921,000) prize pool, and PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 (February 14-23) offering another US$1.25 million in prizes.
According to DATA.BET internal data, average bet sizes increased by 23 percent compared to Q1 2024.
VALORANT: The Breakout Vertical
VALORANT experienced explosive growth with a 175 percent year-over-year increase in betting activity, catalysed by Riot Games’ January 2025 policy change that permitted betting sponsorships for the first time.
The timing proved perfect as VCT Masters Bangkok became the first major tournament to showcase betting sponsor logos on team jerseys, creating viral moments across social media when T1 and other franchised teams unveiled their new partnerships.
The Bangkok event itself marked VALORANT’s ambitious push into Southeast Asia, featuring local language broadcasts in Thai, Vietnamese, and Tagalog, which opened the game to millions of new viewers who previously struggled with English-only coverage. This regional focus paid immediate dividends as local betting patterns shifted dramatically.
League of Legends: Sustained Dominance
League of Legends maintained its strong position, accounting for 26 percent of global esports betting volume.
The first quarter of 2025 marked significant milestones for esports betting markets, with South Korea’s LCK Cup 2025 and Europe’s LEC Winter 2025 showcasing divergent, yet impactful, trends.
Q2 2025 Maintains Momentum with Strategic Tournament Coverage
As Q2 2025 progresses, DATA.BET’s network continues to demonstrate robust growth with stake sums across partners increasing 22.53 percent, year-over-year, adjusted for seasonal patterns. This momentum has translated into improved profitability.
“While representing a seasonal adjustment from Q1’s peak, these figures demonstrate solid market strength,” explains Holovnov.
The Q2 tournament landscape presents unique opportunities across all competitive tiers.
Tier-1 events, such as IEM Dallas 2025 and the ongoing regional League of Legends Summer Splits, are delivering consistent high-volume betting activity, with CS2 maintaining its dominance through back-to-back premier tournaments.
Dota 2 completes the Tier-1 tournament list with DreamLeague Season 25 driving significant betting volumes as teams compete for The International 2025 qualification points.
What makes Q2 particularly interesting is VALORANT’s Tier-2 ecosystem undergoing a complete structural transformation.
Regional leagues, such as NODWIN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2025, have adopted a three-split format with an INR 1.13 crore (US$129,600/£95,533) prize pool, while ACE VALORANT Challengers NA 2025 introduced a promotion/relegation system and integrated academy teams like Sentinels Academy, creating a robust pipeline for grassroots talent development.
Operators should pay particular attention to the mobile esports segment in Q2, especially tournaments for titles like King of Glory and Mobile Legends, which are experiencing unprecedented growth in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
The Esports World Cup preparations in Saudi Arabia are also creating a halo effect, with increased betting interest in Middle Eastern tournaments across all tiers.
“This shift from the traditional concentration in Europe and Asia creates a continuous betting opportunity cycle across time zones,” Holovnov notes, explaining how geographic diversity benefits operators.
He continues: “We adapt to geographical variety by restructuring our trading team and implementing AI-powered systems to ensure comprehensive coverage.”
For Tier-4 tournaments, the key opportunity lies in their high frequency and predictable scheduling. These events now account for a significant share of total betting volume, despite lower individual match values, making them essential for maintaining user-engagement between major championships.
Q3 2025 Predictions: Strategic Opportunities in Peak Tournament Season
Q3 2025 is shaping up to be a watershed moment for esports trading, anchored by the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh (July 8 – August 24).
This eight-week spectacle, with its US$38 million (£28.02m) prize pool distributed across 25 titles, represents more than just another tournament series – it’s also a great betting engagement opportunity that could fundamentally change operator strategies.
The event’s structure, featuring US$1.25 million for VALORANT, US$3 million each for Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, creates multiple high-stakes moments throughout the summer, essentially eliminating the traditional mid-year lull.
“Exact predictions are difficult, but growth indicators are unanimous,” affirms Holovnov.
“Premier tournaments are multiplying across CS2 and Dota 2. As elite competitions expand, so do market opportunities and our trading capabilities.”
What makes Q3 particularly compelling for DATA.BET partners is the convergence of established Western tournaments with emerging market championships.
While the CS2’s fall season maintains its betting volumes, the real growth story lies in the geographic and demographic expansion.
Mobile esports tournaments in Q3 are projected to generate more betting volume than Q2, driven by championships in India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, where smartphone penetration far exceeds PC gaming adoption.
The quarter also presents unique challenges and opportunities in market diversification.
Tier 2-3 tournaments, often overlooked by other operators and providers in previous years, are becoming increasingly profitable due to improved streaming quality and dedicated regional fan bases.
“Success in this market requires understanding both the technical aspects of esports and the cultural elements that drive engagement,” Holovnov emphasises, noting that the Esports World Cup’s appeal extends beyond prize pools to its role as a cultural phenomenon.
“Operators must balance data-driven approaches with community understanding to maximise their potential in this dynamic industry,” he says.
The key is understanding that Q3 isn’t just about the big events – it’s about creating a 24/7 betting ecosystem that captures value from Riyadh to Rio, from mobile MOBAs to tactical shooters, ensuring that there’s always a compelling market available, regardless of time zone or preference.
