1. Talk us through your vision for Esports 2022 – what’s going to be key this year – growth or retention?
Esports is growing, and Altenar is making decisive moves to expand in this space, such as integrating Oddin’s Esports catalog. The key for Esports and Altenar is the exponential growth of this niche, which has only accelerated as a result of the pandemic. There’s a shift taking place, and we envision Altenar becoming one of the leading providers of Esports content for our ever-expanding audience.
It seems that greater adoption of Esports is attracting a younger demographic to the world of sports betting, and that presents Altenar with an opportunity to adapt to the challenges that come with it—like selecting the right content and, to some extent, anticipating trends and patterns in different countries. We expect this to become even more prominent in the coming months as more nations embrace Esports content.
2. Looking back at the last 24 months, what major milestones have you seen that you believe to be key to powering the vertical’s transition from niche to mainstream?
The pandemic has been a significant milestone—it helped push Esports from niche to mainstream. Gamers found it easier to access virtual gaming than traditional sports events, which simply couldn’t take place during that period.
A growing culture of content-driven, media-heavy industries has empowered the niche. It’s now as easy to switch from a Netflix tab to a League of Legends match on your phone or desktop. Mobile usage has surged, and this accessibility has driven the rise of on-the-go and commute-time gaming.
These past 24 months have drastically increased demand for Esports access, and Altenar has recognized and embraced this shift.
3. Most Esports suppliers would make the case that data is the major differentiator when it comes to setting your brand apart from the competition – how essential do you believe it to be?
Data is essential in Esports and serves as a major differentiator—but that applies to all sports betting. It’s the intersection of data, content, and user experience that truly sets a brand apart.
That’s one reason Altenar is so well received—it’s the tech that operators need and the experience that bettors want. Plus, we have access to several data providers, which is a major factor in what makes us stand out.
4. What sets different Esports data providers apart? Are the likes of Genius and Sportradar leaders in this field, and how far has the integrity of data come compared to other live sports in the last two years?
The content and data a provider offers are what distinguish them. Betgenius, Oddin, and Sportradar are definitely leaders in this field, and that’s the level Altenar aims to reach with our Esports offering.
Since the games being bet on are virtual, the data, outcomes, and minute-by-minute play are less prone to manipulation. Additionally, there’s a significant improvement in latency times.
Over the past two years, both new and seasoned bettors have developed greater trust in Esports results and data, which is likely one of the driving forces behind the niche’s journey to the mainstream.
5. Last but not least, looking ahead to 2023 and beyond – what’s your vision for the vertical and its growth? With a current average of up to 30,000+ live events each month, how much do you see this multiplying?
It’s going to keep growing. Even now, more people are identifying with Esports and the abundance of content within the vertical, including synthetic football. Of course, live betting will always be relevant in sports betting, but we foresee continued and greater adoption of Esports in 2023 and beyond.
If the vertical holds steady or continues to expand, the number of live events could easily double. Because it’s a virtual space, entirely new games or event formats can be developed—ideas that haven’t even been imagined yet—and that’s incredibly exciting.
