Betting consultant NJGames.org research revealed that wagering on esports is the "fastest-growing betting trend in sports gambling" with punters around the world expected to bet up to $12.9B on gaming by '20, according to Nazvi Careem of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. Rough estimates put market capitalization for worldwide sports betting at $250B. And according to Statistica, licensed online sportsbooks account for more than $40B of the pie. Online gambling on esports’ share of the market, according to NJGames, was valued at $5.5B in '16. NJGames Content Manager Onur Unlu said, "The growth of esports is based on overall viewership and the amount of money that curiosity generates is huge. Sponsorships, larger prize money, advertising will all be larger as the interest in esports increases. People bet on esports the same way they would bet on traditional sports -- through a sportsbook or online casino." Although gambling is becoming "increasingly linked" to esports, Unlu said that he was "confident the competitive aspect would remain the foundation of its popularity," while esports exponents will one day "gain recognition" among traditional sports fans (NJGames.org).
