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For more than a decade, esports organizations pursued success through star power. The assumption was straightforward: assemble elite players, win tournaments, monetize attention. While this approach delivered short-term visibility, it has increasingly failed to produce consistent results or sustainable business models.

For years, Tier-1 status was considered a moat in esports. Large fan bases, premium sponsorships, and guaranteed slots in top competitions insulated leading organizations from volatility elsewhere in the industry. That assumption no longer holds.

The global esports betting industry heads into 2026 poised for continued expansion, with market projections indicating revenue surpassing $3 billion amid maturing regulations and evolving publisher policies in key regions. Analysts anticipate sustained momentum from 2025's developments, including Riot Games' vetted betting sponsorships for League of Legends and VALORANT teams, as well as proactive integrity enhancements across Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.