The world of esports betting is growing rapidly. You may have heard of the pioneers of this industry – major sports like football and basketball. Their athletes are already reaping big rewards from sponsorships and marketing linked to betting activity. However, it’s not just attention and exposure that sports can reap from a betting venture. There is also a huge potential for real revenue at stake. But how can lesser-known and niche sports also get a piece of the action? The opportunity lies in capitalising on the enormous reach of esports betting.
The opportunity lies in esports betting
Esports betting is about far more than just the most popular sports. In fact, the range is huge and today covers everything from chess and darts to hobby horse racing and extreme endurance competitions. No matter how niche or alternative your sport is, there’s probably already an active betting market for it. It just takes the right strategy to capitalise on the lucrative opportunities. Just take a look at the Top South African Casinos at the Telecomasia website and you’ll remember quite fast the sponsorship deals it associates with in your head.
Once a sport establishes itself as betting target-friendly, a market of sponsors will emerge, vying to associate their brands with the sport. Think of how bookmakers, gambling companies and gaming operators are constantly looking for new betting opportunities to offer their customers. If your sport manages to generate enough interest and credibility, you can expect lucrative sponsorship deals.
How to make your sport betting-friendly
To attract interest and activity from the betting industry, your sport must first and foremost be entertaining to follow. Action-packed matches and fast-paced competitions work best to keep the audience’s attention. A clear and easy-to-understand scoring structure is also a must. The clearer and more transparent the rules are, the easier it will be for bettors to set fair odds.
Build an engaged fan base
A loyal following of dedicated fans is worth its weight in gold for any sport that wants to make itself attractive to the betting industry. The more enthusiastic and passionate supporters, the greater the interest and potential for betting activity. Encourage your fans to engage on social media, discuss tactics, share clips and support their favourite athletes unconditionally. A lively online fan base makes your sport much more betting goal friendly.
Visibility is paramount
To attract major sponsors and serious betting money, your sport needs optimal visibility. Utilise the power of live streaming to expose your sport to a global audience. Actively seek media attention with spectacular performances, eye-catching personalities and impressive records. The more attention your sport can generate, the more attractive betting opportunities arise.
In addition, increasing the amount of betting activity around your sport will also generate increased revenue from advertising, merchandise and TV rights. The greater the awareness and audience, the greater the potential for revenue.
Betting operators are your allies
Build close relationships and partnerships with large, established betting companies. They have the resources and capacity to professionally market your sport and handle even very large bets effectively. At the same time, give them access to your data, statistics and insider analyses to make their betting as accurate and legitimate as possible. A symbiotic relationship between your sport and the betting industry can be hugely profitable for both parties.
Use media coverage wisely
Once your sport starts to get media coverage, it’s important to use the coverage wisely to promote the sport. Seek out interviews and offer analyses to explain the tricks of the trade. In this way, you can help define the narrative of the sport and increase its appeal to the betting public. Identify star performers that fans can relate to and the media can follow. The more characters and drama you can build around your sport, the more interesting it will be to bet on.
For niche and alternative sports, this new revenue stream from betting activity can be crucial to the long-term sustainability of the sport. With increased revenue comes the opportunity to invest in development and facilities. Talented athletes get better conditions and more funding. The breadth of participants and talent can grow, cementing the future of the sport.
Take action now
The right strategy can open up new avenues for alternative and niche sports. Actively making your sport betting-friendly creates the potential for increased exposure, bigger sponsorship deals and more surrounding attention. It requires a focus on delivering entertainment, building a dedicated fan base and seeking visibility. But seize the opportunity and you could see your sport flourish in a way you never dreamed possible. The future lies in the growing reach of esports betting.