Esports Must Prove Its Value to Betting Operators
Esports betting must deliver clear commercial results to secure a stronger position within sportsbooks, according to DATA.BET Head of Esports Bogdan Holovnov.
In an interview published on August 19, 2026, Holovnov said operators are now focused on proven results rather than promises about the future growth of esports.
Bogdan Holovnov, Head of Esports at DATA.BET, said:
The strongest argument isn’t a presentation, it’s performance.
He identified stable betting turnover, healthy margins, customer engagement and reliable event schedules as the main factors operators consider. Better cooperation between publishers, tournament organisers, data providers, integrity bodies and betting suppliers could also increase trust in esports products.
Holovnov described the wider esports market as more mature and sustainable than it was during its investment boom. Major teams and tournament organisers are now paying more attention to long-term business models and commercial partnerships.
League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Dota 2 and VALORANT remain among the leading PC esports titles. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang also has a major audience, especially in Asia.
However, the sector still faces problems such as high player salaries, limited lower-tier competitions and strong control from game publishers. DATA.BET plans to continue focusing on reliable data, product quality and broader esports coverage.
