It is very impressive to see how much the world has evolved over the past decade. When you think about it, eSports back then wasn’t really that popular, and there were so few online casinos that mainly had roulette games with terrible user experience.

Fast forward to today, and eSports has experienced a meteoric rise, while traditional casino games like roulette have gone through an overhaul making them more user-friendly and personalized.

We are living in times where everything is going digital, and people are playing more games than ever before. This means that the popularity of eSports is growing, and so does the popularity of online casinos.

But the big question is, which is more popular, eSports betting or Roulette? Well, competitive gaming is very popular at the moment, but the betting side of eSports is lagging behind. In other words, millions of people watch professional eSports events, but not all of them are placing a bet.

Why? Well, first of all, eSports betting isn’t available everywhere. Sportsbooks are still mostly focused on real-world sports. Plus, people still don’t know that you can actually place a bet on eSports.

On the other hand, online roulette is reaching all-time highs in popularity, and it is without a doubt, one of the top choices for online casino players.

So, which is more popular?

The Rise of eSports Betting

Although eSports has been available for quite some time now, its betting aspect started to rise in popularity in recent years. But why?

Well, there is a growing competitive gaming scene, and we’ve seen many new games that organize professional competitions. Back in the day, you had the choice of watching a Dota or a Counter-Strike tournament, but nowadays, you have League of Legends, Apex Legends, Rocket League, Valorant, and many other games.

More choices = more popularity.

Since these competitive game tournaments are reaching millions of people, and in some cases, they are even more popular than real-world sporting events, online sportsbooks have decided that they want a piece of the pie.

That’s why in the past couple of years we’ve seen a huge rise in online eSports betting as more and more sportsbooks include eSports betting. They now allow fans to place wagers on match outcomes, players’ performances, and even in-game events.

The thing is that we are still talking about a relatively new industry and an industry that is still growing. But things will change in the future.

We have a change of generations, and nowadays, Millennials particularly Gen Z are more inclined toward gaming culture than traditional casino games. This means that online casinos might be getting more action at the moment, but things will change 5 years from now, where people born in the era of games 2000s will be in charge of the entertainment sector.

So, what do you think, a person born in 2010 will be more interested in Apex Legends or traditional roulette games? Of course, Apex Legends!

Plus, the entire eSports system is more dynamic where we get many changes, patches, and new game releases, which makes the process more exciting.

Another interesting thing is that bettors can relate with professional gamers and they understand the games more. For example, in traditional sports betting like football, you are making a bet without ever trying to play the game in your life. With eSports, all of the fans that watch such competitive events have already played the game and they understand it fully.

The Enduring Popularity of Roulette

Roulette, on the other hand, remains a staple of online casinos. The game’s simplicity, fast-paced nature, and potential for big wins continue to attract players worldwide. With multiple betting options—from betting on a single number to broader color or section bets—roulette offers variety while maintaining its core mechanics.

Plus, according to YouBet, some of the best real money roulette apps offer many different versions of the game, which also shows advancements in the online casino world.

The availability of live dealer roulette has further enhanced its appeal, bringing the classic casino experience to online platforms.

Another advantage of roulette is its accessibility. Unlike eSports betting, which requires knowledge of the games and teams, roulette is easy for anyone to understand and play. The game’s historical reputation as a high-stakes casino favorite ensures its continued popularity among online gamblers.

Comparing Market Trends

In terms of revenue, eSports betting has been rapidly expanding. According to market research, the global eSports betting industry was valued at over $14 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue growing. Major sportsbooks have dedicated sections for eSports betting, and some platforms specialize solely in this market.

Roulette, while not experiencing the same explosive growth, remains a strong performer in the online gambling sector. It consistently ranks among the top-played casino games on major gambling sites.

The advantage roulette hold is its long-established trust among casino-goers, whereas eSports betting still faces skepticism in some regions due to regulatory concerns and match-fixing scandals.

Profitability and Risk Factors

Both betting options present unique risks and rewards. eSports betting can be highly unpredictable due to the dynamic nature of the games, frequent roster changes, and evolving meta.

However, knowledgeable bettors who follow the scene closely can find lucrative opportunities. Bonuses and promotions for eSports betting also tend to be generous, as sportsbooks compete to attract new bettors.

Roulette, on the other hand, relies entirely on luck. While players can employ betting strategies like the Martingale system, there is no way to influence the outcome. However, the game’s structure—especially in European roulette with its lower house edge—makes it a relatively stable gambling option with a well-defined risk-reward balance.

Final Words

At the moment, online roulette betting is far more popular than eSports, but things will change soon as eSports is growing in popularity at an incredible pace.

So, in the future, we will see eSports dominating the sportsbooks, and roulette games will be falling behind unless they don’t introduce a gamification element to make casino games more interesting.