FIFA’s evolution from a gaming platform usually played offline between multiplayers or a single player, to a competitive esports industry that caters for betting has been aided by technological developments, faster internet, improved graphics, and fast-tracked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When countries around the world embarked on lockdowns to curb the spread of the pandemic, the rise of esports was already on an upward trajectory, with thousands of players choosing it as a career rather than a hobby.
As more mainstream exposure to esports became prominent, so did football betting, with the ability to bet on virtual tournaments and matches in real-time, further melting the boundaries between traditional sports and digital competition.
Growth of FIFA Betting
FIFA betting’s appeal to gamers and sports bettors is a direct result of the closeness it resembles to traditional football. Looking at how far the game has come in terms of its overall quality, it is only natural that consumers would want to derive some benefits financially, putting their money on trusted gamers.
Another appeal is the opportunity to continue betting when football is in the offseason across the world. Betting platforms offer markets like those found in traditional football. For instance, a draw no bet market is available, double chance, handicap, match winner and others are available to choose from, all tied to the gamer of course.
FIFA esports tournaments have surged as well in recent years, with bigger prize pools and audiences. The FIFAe World Cup is said to be one of the biggest tournaments in the world and was recognized by Guinness World Records, as the largest online esports game. All this despite FIFA’s split with EA Sports.
Last year’s inaugural FIFAe World Cup was held in Saudi Arabia, in the console and mobile editions, and had peak views of 414,928 towards the end of the console edition’s final. And on average, there were 50,251 viewers, with 946,380 hours spent watching.
How FIFA Betting Works?
FIFA’s betting markets mirror traditional football betting markets, with a myriad of markets to choose from. The match winner market resembles that of traditional football, only difference here, is that you would have to familiarize yourself with the technical abilities of the gamer, and not so much on the team.
The same goes for other markets, know your player, increase your chances of winning. But that is not to say the strength of the team overall, and each player’s individual strengths as developed by the game designers does not count. So, knowing which version of FIFA is being played is also important.
Fans also derive the same excitement from live betting on esports as they do in traditional football. If the markets remain open, there is a chance to bet on your favourite during a match between two gamers.
Top Platforms for FIFA Betting
There are a lot of platforms available in the market for FIFA betting, such as Betway, Sportsbet.io and BC.Game, which offer several markets for betting enthusiasts including welcome bonuses and offers for the esports category. The odds offered by the platforms alluded to are competitive and give customers the opportunity to make significant returns.
The Connection Between Gaming and Betting
With advancements in technology, the graphics have gotten even better and give gamers, sports fans, and seasoned bettors a real feel for the game, as compared to earlier versions where play was more simulated and robotic in a sense.
For the seasoned betters, the assimilation was easier, seeing not only the technological advancements, but the professionalization of the industry, with gamers taking it up as a full-time job.
Such a progression enthused confidence in bettors to part with their money, looking to make good returns on the best betting platforms that undertook to provide the esports market.
Future Trends in FIFA Betting
Growth in FIFA betting is certain as esports is constantly incorporating improvements in technology and keeping its ear on the ground for developing trends such as augmented reality and virtual reality, which have seen a growth in hardware and software sales.
Such trends will see the industry grow over the years with FIFA’s new releases continuing their influence in the betting market.