Research shows gamblers turning to esports in wake of the coronavirus

New research has revealed an increased number of gamblers are turning to esports following the cancellation or postponement of global sporting events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An online survey conducted with more than 1,000 gamblers by consumer and market research agencies 2CV and ProdegeMR found that more than two-thirds of respondents had reduced spending on sports betting, with 54 per cent halting spending altogether.

Just under one in three of those surveyed had looked for new things to bet on, with one in four having already done so. In all, 36 per cent of respondents were said to have bet on esports in the last three months, with 30 per cent of them starting in the last month.

Of those surveyed who had not yet tried esports, 62 per cent said they needed more information, 45 per cent felt they "did not have enough sports-based games", while another 45 per cent assumed esports were "more inclined to being fixed".

Martin Bradley, a research director at 2CV, said: "The coronavirus outbreak has led to many forms of sports associated with gambling being cancelled or postponed, but it is also a big opportunity for esports to get in front of this audience.

"Short-term growth is likely to come from sport-based games, but there are huge opportunities to make this more long term, as long as consumers are educated properly on esports and what it can offer, as well as considering which kinds of events are best suited to a particular audience."

The research began on April 3 and had 1,028 respondents in five days, all of whom had gambled via any means (not counting the National Lottery) in the previous three months.

There was an increased number of bets placed on esports with Betfair last month but returning sports, such as the PDC Home Tour, and racing in Australia and US have remained far more popular.

"Initially there was a bit of interest in esports but since other sports have started to come back online, such as the darts, they seem to be garnering far more interest," said Betfair spokesman Barry Orr.

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