Have you ever seen how a catchy song spreads like wildfire, with everyone around you humming the tune? Similarly, esports affiliate marketing has captivated millions of iGaming professionals, quickly turning into a phenomenon that affiliates can’t ignore.
This fast-growing trend has created a ripple effect across the betting world. The momentum offers a clear opportunity for the iGaming industry to tap into a vertical that proves profitable time and again.
From Niche to Billion-Dollar Mainstream
The explosive rise of esports has pushed the industry’s value to over $1.6 billion in 2024. Once seen as a niche interest, esports now attracts a mainstream audience of fans, players, and bettors.
Moreover, this is no passing fad. Esports has triggered a major shift in the betting landscape, opening new doors for engagement and revenue across sports wagering platforms.
The Numbers Game
The growth of esports has been nothing short of remarkable. Its market value rose from $957.5 million in 2019 to around $1.64 billion today. That marks an increase of more than 70 percent in just five years.
Games like Dota 2, CS, and League of Legends dominate the scene. With massive prize pools and record-breaking viewership, they are the backbone of esports betting.
Strong Affiliates is positioned as a leader in esports affiliate marketing, giving partners the tools they need to succeed.
Cashed, Casinoly, and Powbet are ideally placed to benefit from this trend. These platforms offer wide esports coverage and appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience. Many of these players prefer fast-paced, dynamic betting experiences. In-play betting and prop bets, especially popular in esports, provide a thrill that traditional sports betting often lacks.
Riding the Wave: Esports Betting Trends
The global reach of esports betting makes it one of the most lucrative opportunities in the iGaming space. In fact, audiences from the United States and China to South Asia and Norway are engaging more than ever.
Esports betting is projected to grow at a yearly rate of 7.3 percent, reaching $3.5 billion by 2031. Strong Affiliates enables partners to tap into this momentum through competitive commissions, lifetime player value, and dedicated campaign support.
In addition, modern bettors expect fast and flexible payment methods. Strong’s brands cater to that demand with options including cryptocurrency, which supports speed, security, and anonymity.
Event-Driven Engagement: The Esports Calendar
The esports calendar is packed with major tournaments, offering a steady stream of betting opportunities. Events such as the League of Legends World Championship and The International (Dota 2) pull in millions of viewers and generate substantial betting volume.
This rhythm of competition keeps fans engaged and maintains strong betting activity throughout the year.
Capitalizing on the Esports Boom
Several key factors are fueling the growth of esports betting. First, the audience is expanding rapidly, particularly among younger demographics. This rise in interest naturally boosts engagement.
Second, the ongoing professionalization of esports— through structured leagues and consistent scheduling—creates a more stable environment for betting.
Additionally, the availability of esports markets on mainstream platforms plays a big role. So does the integration of live streaming and mobile-first features. These innovations make esports betting more accessible and more attractive to newcomers.
Just as important, the perception of esports as legitimate entertainment continues to strengthen. This cultural shift is helping the market grow even faster.
This is a golden era for esports affiliate marketing, driven by structured leagues, tech-savvy audiences, and mainstream visibility.
The Opportunity in Esports Affiliate Marketing
By partnering with Strong Affiliates, you can plug into the growth of esports and offer a future-facing betting experience to your audience. With personalized affiliate support, advanced tracking tools, and real-time data insights, you have everything you need to optimize your campaigns.
Esports is no longer a trend. It is a movement. Affiliates who act now have a chance to ride the wave while it’s still building. Strong Affiliates makes it possible to scale smart and scale early.