After a host of esports betting partnerships and launches last week, we caught up with Peter Ivanov, Head of Esports Trading at UltraPlay to discuss what lies ahead for esports wagering in 2018.
The Bulgarian based firm offers odds on 25 esports titles, and they recently launched eGold, a cryptocurrency focused on the esports betting space. Below, Ivanov shares some thoughts on the challenges faced in the esports betting world in 2018, the issues with data and the potential of live betting markets.
Esports Insider: What do you see as the main challenges for esports betting in 2018?
Peter Ivanov: There are a number of challenges that can be outlined for 2018. The improvement of eSports betting is going on an exponential rate such as the eSports sector itself. But there are still some games that are too complex to be priced correctly in real-time. Esports betting can be a profitable product for any online gambling operator if they work with the right company that specialises in eSports betting rather than ask an in-house trading team to do it.
“It’s a very specific gaming vertical which requires in-depth analysis and years of experience in order to reach optimal results”
It’s a very specific gaming vertical which requires in-depth analysis and years of experience in order to reach optimal results. Lack of proven game data sources is another challenge that company’s as UltraPlay with a proven track record of delivering highest quality product to its customers can overcome with the right knowledge and solid partnerships built over the years. As the leading eSports betting data and platform provider, we set the standards in eSports by creating new markets and presenting new game titles that players can bet on. This is a strong advantage that can be seen as a challenge at the same time. When you are the first providing a new solution or betting option you should be really confident and prepared to make the maximum out of it. Our experience so far gives us the confidence to embrace new opportunities and deliver our advanced betting solutions to our trusted partners.
“We recorded a huge interest towards the first offering of FIFA Interactive World Cup that we provided last year”
The last one is more as an advice that we at UltraPlay would like to share with anyone interested in eSports betting and considering to enter this fast-paced market – attract the attention of eSports’ fans and treat them as your main target for that product. That can be easily and effectively achieved by an experienced partner by tailoring the offerings in an eSports way – visually, market naming, special “game based” markets and so on.
ESI: How do you think live betting will progress this year? Do you think the limitations in data availability will hold it back?
Peter: I believe that live betting potential will develop rapidly. New gaming and tournament concepts are expected to revolutionise betting on eSports.
“It’s true that live odds are changing too often to catch up with game development and that some games are not ready to be offered “live”.”
It’s true that live odds are changing too often to catch up with game development and that some games are not ready to be offered “live”. On the other hand, the cooperation with eSports organisations and the experience we have on the market sets new opportunities on games that weren’t considered as in-play options before. We recorded a huge interest towards the first offering of FIFA Interactive World Cup that we provided last year and we are looking forward to our next innovative eSports betting concepts that will be launched this year.
Disclaimer: This is a part of a sponsored content series with UltraPlay