Some of the biggest eSports competitions of today, like EAFC, had very humble beginnings. FIFA eSports competitions have been around since the early 90s, but you’d be forgiven if you only started to notice them during the 2010s.
Nowadays, EAFC games are among the most streamed and played titles, and the active player count reaches above 100,000. Additionally, sportsbooks have eSports markets for these games and younger bettors actively wager on these events. So, let’s see what combination of factors has led to a surge in virtual football betting for EAFC eSports events.
Increased Visibility of Online Sportsbooks and Casinos
First, the rise of betting and gambling in general is due to the wide availability of casino sites. The market has been growing since the early 2000s, and it’s a hobby that has become more accessible and affordable.
Because dozens of brands are competing in a single market, gamblers have a plethora of options and promotions to boot. Just take a look at the round-up list of online casino Netherlands brands and you’ll see that top performers have a flashed-out sportsbook section.Not only are there markets for EAFC matches, but there are promotions up for grabs that bettors use to gamble risk-free. Furthermore, there are lots of casino games that feature football themes, so the idea of gambling on football is just further reinforced.
Casinos are promoted on streams, they host eSports events, and most importantly they support major football clubs. So, even if someone isn’t an avid gambler it’s hard to imagine they won’t recognize casino brands.
Advancements in Game Design
As stated, FIFA games have been around for over thirty years, and that’s more than enough time for any franchise to gain more “depth,” let’s say. EA has constantly tweaked and strived to improve the formula and make those games seem more realistic.
In the older installments, players’ stats were merely a cosmetic touch, but in current releases, stats play a big role. Ball control, kick accuracy, and aiming require extensive practice before players fully master them. In other words, plenty of factors can impact the skill gap between two competitors.
EAFC Competitions and Betting Dynamics
It’s common knowledge that football competitions attract the most viewers globally, and the highest number of bettors by extension. A video game that tries to simulate this is bound to perform well. EAFC ranks among the top 10 most popular eSports, and the prize pool for these competitions now exceeds half a million dollars.
Another thing to note is that EAFC matches don’t last as long as the actual football match. The fast paced dynamic makes the whole betting experience very enjoyable and less stressful, compared to football. That said, other competitions like League, Counter-Strike, and Valorant get more traction, and what makes them different from EAFC is team play.
This might indicate that the old formula is ripe for a change. Football is a team sport yet EAFC matches fail to capture this. So, it’s not impossible that at some point EA might change the multiplayer feature, and allow up to 5 players to compete on each team. They might even create a new game using a different engine, who knows?
Streaming
Another reason why virtual sports betting is huge is because pro gamers also stream. They build dedicated fan clubs, and these groups love it when their heroes square off against one another. Betting on their favorite streamer is just another way to add some skin to the game and make the match more exciting. Keep in mind that hundreds of thousands watch the streams, and a decent chunk of those viewers love to place bets.
