You may often have heard iGaming and eSports and did not know if there was a difference between the two terms. This article will show you that there is.
What Is the Difference between iGaming and eSports?
Oftentimes, words that have a slightly different meaning will become used interchangeably. There is an expectation that they are close enough to one another that using the one word is the same as using the other.
This appears to be the case with the eSports and iGaming industries. People have heard these terms and naturally assume that they are the exact same thing. The question is, are they?
The Confusion Gets Worse
The problem with iGaming is that some here this term and are not associated with people playing online casino games or who are gambling on sporting events. This kind of confusion should be cleared up by government bureaucracy. For example, it is likely that if gambling is legal where you live that you have a regulatory agency that monitors and licenses those providing “gaming” activities.
So, some who look at the casino industry look at online casinos offered in Pakistan as presented on onlinecasinoinpakistan.com and think that players using these sites are “gamers.” Since it is on the Internet, they must be “iGamers” involved in “iGaming.” In this case, that would be true.
Confusion Through Popularity
This confusion has become even more prevalent because of the rise of the eSports world. With the technology development, this industry is growing rapidly, and terminology has become more convoluted because of its success. Thus, many who are participating in these eSports events are often considered as iGamers and vice versa.
It can be extremely confusing because the terms seem synonymous with one another. Since many are using them in this way, it seems like there is no difference whatsoever. So, is there?
What is iGaming?
Let’s start with iGaming. This term relates to an activity where a person places a wager on the outcome of some type of event or game, and they do so online. This is usually done using the Internet. The iGaming activity can stretch across many different types of wagers. This includes a person visiting an online casino and playing poker, roulette, or slot machines, or it can also be a person who is placing bets on sporting events.
So, What Are eSports?
This seems quite clear, but it is not the same as eSports. In this industry, there is a clearly defined type of competition that is going on. It is very much like a real sporting event, like football or basketball, but the competition is electronic instead of physically person to person.
These competitions have become quite extravagant. There are leagues where players and teams compete for the top position in the league, just like the Los Angeles Lakers would compete for the top spot in the NBA standings. These leagues often bring top players together for international tournaments where big money prizes are offered.
The Convergence of the Two
To use these terms interchangeably is not correct. There are clearly differences between the two. Where these two terms come together is when someone is placing a wager on eSports events.
That is one of the craziest parts about how the eSports industry has blossomed. Now there are sportsbooks that are taking wagers on these events across the planet. Because of the popularity of these tournaments and the fact that they now appear on television, there is a huge audience watching each and every event. Sometimes millions at a time.
With that kind of action, a recognizable group of players and competitions, and clear favorites, it is not surprising that the gaming industry has got involved in this as well. Now, a person is able to place a wager on an eSports event.
The Popularity of eSports
There is no doubt that eSports has grown to a level that some may have never envisioned even five years ago. It is even believed that these events are becoming so popular and so many people are competing now that they may surpass the most popular “real” sporting events like football, basketball, and baseball.
While there are several different games that have turned into competitive leagues, it is the ones that have been around for quite some time that have dominated eSports. These are the top five that are the most popular not only by number of players, but also by prize pools that were offered last year.
| Game | Prize |
| Call of Duty | $5 million. |
| Dota 2 | $4 million |
| Fortnite | $7 million |
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | $20 million |
| League of Legends | $9 million |
The great thing about eSports is that there are a number of different games that allow players of all makeup to participate in. The most popular leagues and competitions usually center around combat related games, but there are plenty of leagues competing in sports such as NBA 2K20, NHL, MLB, and Madden 20.
These are also attracting a large number of players because physical limitations do not deter a person from being successful. Where somebody who is 5’7” would have no chance of playing professional basketball, they can be exceptional at NBA games, competing in eSports to win big time prizes.
The Popularity of iGaming
It can be easy to trace what are the most popular eSports to play, but it is a little more difficult to put your finger on iGaming popularity. First of all, it would probably be appropriate to divide this industry into placing wagers on sporting events vs. playing casino style games, like craps, blackjack, poker, or slot machines.
The reasons behind this are easy to see. There are hundreds of millions of wagers placed on football each year. This far eclipses any other sport. It likely eclipses all casino style games, unless you group slot machines play together. After that, it is likely that more people play poker, blackjack, slot machines, and roulette then any of the other live sporting events.
For the purpose of this article, we chose to focus on casino style games. The five most popular will likely not surprise you:
- Video Poker
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Slots
- Baccarat
Again, while there are many other options that people enjoy, these are the five most popular.
Conclusion: Now That You Know
iGaming can include eSports but eSports is not the same as iGaming. In this way, iGaming is far more encompassing. This is a term related to gambling or wagering on just about anything as long as you are doing it through the Internet. It is true that eSports is also done electronically but is a competition much like any other sport.
Hopefully this has cleared things up for you. Now when someone uses one of these terms incorrectly, you will know how to correct them.
