Surely this can only turn out well
Popular podcast advertiser and fantasy sports betting service DraftKings introduced a new feature to let fans bet on eSports. The company, which is projected to give away $1 billion in prize money this year, released a video this morning outlining its new “eSports” betting service, which currently only includes League of Legends.
When there are eligible events to bet on, anyone over the age of 18 can download the app and will be able to pick a standard team. This team consists of the five roles (top, mid, jungler, AD carry, support, and jungler) as well as two flex players, and an already-established team. The service uses a salary system to limit teams like regular fantasy sports. When players get kills, support, or take objectives, they receive points, which then count towards your team’s progress.
The legal daily fantasy sports betting phenomenon has been rapidly growing over the past few years, so it makes sense that these companies would want to expand into eSports. The only reason you might know what DraftKings is maybe from its ads on popular gaming podcasts. And if you’re deep into eSports, the idea of betting on competitive gaming might be appealing.
The truth of the matter is that eSports are full of even more variables than regular sports betting, which already require hours and hours of analyzing to be successful at.
Let’s say you pick your favorite AD carry that is playing a qualifying match today. If the other team ends up counter-picking/banning that player and kills are worth the most points, you’re ruined for the day. So while it’s interesting to see organizations like DraftKings take an interest in eSports, you have to remember to set realistic expectations going in.
It’s a lot easier to bet rares on a game than it is your rent money.
