News

The esports betting industry continues to navigate evolving integrity challenges and selective market expansions amid persistent regulatory caution in key regions.

Oddin.gg has appointed Martin Lycka as Vice President, bringing his extensive experience in regulatory affairs and responsible gambling from Entain to the esports betting data provider. This move strengthens Oddin's leadership in delivering integrity-focused solutions to global operators. It underscores the growing priority on compliance and player protection in esports betting markets across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Valve is set to face a landmark UK class action lawsuit after the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled that a claim seeking up to £656 million in damages can proceed. The case alleges that Valve abused its dominant position in the PC games distribution market through its Steam platform, resulting in inflated prices for games and downloadable content purchased by UK consumers. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of an estimated 14 million UK users, represents one of the most significant legal challenges to a major games platform operator in Europe and carries implications for the wider esports and digital gaming ecosystem.

Riot Games has announced that the 2026 LCK Cup Finals will be held at Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong from February 28 to March 1, marking the first time in the league's history that a finals event occurs outside South Korea. The decision positions Hong Kong as a key hub for expanding the LCK's global reach in Asia, with the event receiving "M" Mark recognition from the Hong Kong Major Events Committee for its contribution to the region's international sports and entertainment profile. For the esports betting ecosystem, this international relocation boosts visibility and engagement in Asian markets, where LoL betting volumes remain robust under regulated frameworks.

The esports betting industry continues to see momentum in sponsorship integrations and structural updates to major titles that underpin competitive integrity and betting viability.

ESL FACEIT Group has named CHEXX as its official betting partner for Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 tournaments throughout 2026.

G2 Esports has secured a multi-year partnership with French operator Winamax, designating it as the official betting partner for the organization's League of Legends roster. The deal focuses on the European and global LoL competitive scene, excluding any US elements, and aligns with growing integration between esports teams and licensed betting providers in regulated markets.

Esports betting markets depend heavily on historical performance data to shape odds and expectations. However, as competitive ecosystems evolve at an accelerated pace, those numbers are increasingly failing to reflect what actually happens in matches.

Some esports matches appear settled before they begin. The favorite is clear, recent results are consistent, and the odds suggest limited downside. These are often framed as low-risk scenarios within betting markets.

Skill remains central to esports competition, but in betting markets, it is no longer the dominant variable. As competitive esports ecosystems evolve rapidly, the timing of a bet increasingly determines its value and risk exposure—often more than raw player skill or team reputation.

Industry leaders predict esports betting will surpass virtual sports in several major non-US markets in 2026, fueled by youth adoption and mobile trends.

Esports betting markets are more sophisticated than ever, yet certain matches continue to produce results that defy logic, data, and odds. As betting volume grows and algorithms become more advanced, one issue remains persistent: esports competition does not behave like a stable, model-friendly ecosystem.

BETBY has significantly expanded its AI-powered Betting Tips product to include broader esports event coverage. The enhancement comes in response to surging demand for reliable, data-driven insights in the esports vertical. This development strengthens operators' ability to deliver competitive pre-match and live betting markets across key global regions.

Riot Games launches the Americas Cup, a new cross-regional League of Legends tournament connecting LCS and CBLOL teams.

GG.BET closes UK platform following license expiration, signaling intensified regulatory scrutiny.

Riot Games has announced the release of VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026 team capsules, expanding its in-game monetisation programme for partnered organisations ahead of the upcoming competitive season. The capsules allow fans to purchase team-branded cosmetic bundles, with a portion of revenue shared directly with participating VCT teams.