Bets on Lower-Tier Tournaments Generate up to 30% of Bookmakers’ Profits in Esports

Lower-tier tournaments are becoming an increasingly important source of revenue for bookmakers, although many operators continue to underestimate the segment, according to a report by betting solutions provider DATA.BET.

The company said lower-tier events can generate up to 30% of overall esports profit revenue in the esports betting segment.

These include matches outside major tournaments, such as semi-professional and regional leagues, which take place regularly and provide a steady flow of betting activity. In Valorant, about 43% of all bets were placed on semi-professional matches.

Overall, the esports segment recorded strong growth in key metrics in 2025:

• gross gaming revenue (GGR*) rose by 78.2%;
• betting turnover increased by 77%;
• the number of bets grew by 41.7%.

In traditional sports, lower-tier tournaments already account for the largest share of events:

• lower-tier — 38%;
• top-tier — 36%;
• mid-tier — 26%.

This structure is linked to competition calendars, with lower-tier events held more frequently and spread evenly throughout the season, while major tournaments are concentrated in specific periods.

The report also noted that expanding betting offerings through lower-tier events boosted user activity in 2025:

• monthly active users increased by 105%;
• daily active users rose by 82%;
• total active users rose by 91.2% over the year.

In addition, the report outlines key industry figures for 2025. The European gambling market’s GGR is estimated at €123.4 billion, up 4% year-on-year. The largest markets remain the United Kingdom (€30.8 billion), Italy (€25.5 billion), France (€17.8 billion), and Germany (€17.7 billion).

Earlier, Gambling Park reported that prediction markets are displacing bookmakers in the United States, according to a study by Trust Securities.

* GGR (gross gaming revenue) is a financial metric calculated as the total amount of bets placed minus total winnings paid out.