From Casino to Console: The Rise of eSports Betting in Kenya

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Have you ever heard about eSports? This phrase ought to be familiar to you if you are among the younger generation of gamblers. Every aspect of our lives has been impacted by technological advancements since they first appeared in our world, and sports betting is no exception, given how heavily the internet and other innovations have influenced this sector of the gaming industry. Over the past few years, new technologies have allowed the sports betting industry to evolve significantly. 

You probably have already seen “betika login Kenya” or other advertisements online regarding sports betting platforms. New betting platforms are now available on the Kenyan market, along with new betting opportunities and, most importantly, new sports that are actively gaining popularity. Learn how the popularity of esports has increased to the point where it is almost on par with that of traditional sports betting. 

1# What Are Cybersports?

Let us first define cybersports for you before moving on to the topic at hand. They are essentially computer games, but because of how exciting and competitive they are, they are frequently referred to as sports. The goal of these computer games, whether played by a team or a single player, is to compete against one another; this is the same objective as in any other sport, which is why they were placed in this category. 

Cybersports competitions are frequently held as part of sizable tournaments and events that can be followed online by other cybersports fans using streaming services like Twitch, for instance. Teams frequently compete for money, which adds to the intrigue and excitement of competition. 

Dota 2 is one of the most well-known eSports today, and whether you are a more seasoned bettor or a much younger one, we can guarantee that you have already heard of it. Here is a list of additional very well-liked online sports that are rapidly gaining popularity, especially on websites that offer sports betting.

 

  • Mobile Legends
  • League Of Legends
  • Counter-Strike: GO
  • Valorant
  • Apex Legends

2# The History

Despite being quite new and contemporary, the history of cybersports is incredibly fascinating. However, do not think that it is as recent as you might believe; in fact, the first video game tournament was held in 1952, ushering in a new era of competition in sports and technological development. But let us skip over that and get to the part where eSports started to gain real traction and develop into what is now known as cybersports. The console era undoubtedly signaled the start of this brand-new movement and made the biggest contributions to cybersports as we know them today.  

In 1972, the first console was released, opening up digital gaming to the general public for the first time. This idea gained enormous popularity and helped competition emerge with the introduction of arcades. A major development for the market was the ability for players to compete against one another, and as soon as score lists started to appear, challenges and tournaments started to take shape. 

The U.S. National Video Team was subsequently established in 1983, becoming the first professional gaming team in the entire world. Following this, similar organizations started to spread throughout the world. In order for eSports fans to compete with one another and share their love of video games, the market began to grow, and an increasing number of international tournaments were held. 

Consoles were quickly replaced by PCs and new entertainment as time went on. The competitive gaming industry shifted to PCs and networks in the 1990s, and new game genres started to appear. Despite the fact that the networking systems developed to allow players to compete with one another were rather small and restricted in comparison to those we have today, it was a significant advancement for gamers and an incredible opportunity to test out something new. The emergence of eSports leagues and the beginning of professional gaming in the 1990s completely changed the gaming industry and caused video games to change from being considered games to being considered sports. 

This entire movement gathered steam in the 2000s as more and more sizable competitions and tournaments were held as a result of the growth of the internet and improved networking. The popularity of international contests and championships has spread throughout the world and continues to grow actively nowadays.

Let us not overlook the role that betting played in all of this. As soon as eSports were made accessible to the general public, the betting industry and community saw them as an opportunity to grow into something fresh and alluring to the general public. As more and more video games appeared and gained popularity, new betting sites started to appear online. These two activities developed together and continue to do so today.

3# Esports in Kenya

Esports were only recently introduced in Kenya in the 2000s, thanks to the technology’s incredible growth. Around 2007, the first video game was developed in Kenya. At the same time, the internet and video games were becoming more and more well-liked by the general public as something fresh and appealing. The nation’s first video game development started during this time period as well. However, it’s hard not to mention that even though Kenya’s gaming industry was actively developing during this time, massive and popular international eSports were taking over the local market and the betting industry. 

If you enjoy this type of activity, you should be aware that the Esports Kenya Federation is the only Esports Federation in the nation with a government license. Even though it is a relatively new organization—it was only founded in 2018—it has already made a significant contribution to the growth of the local market. A significant development for this entertainment industry is that Kenya has started to appear on the map of the world’s esports scene. If you are unaware of the significance of the eSports gaming sector in Kenya, allow us to provide you with some data: in 2019, Kenya was ranked as the eighth most well-liked gaming hub in Africa. 

The enormous availability and popularity of this type of activity among bettors undoubtedly contribute to a complete transformation of the market, making eSports more alluring and fascinating for some sports betting enthusiasts than traditional sports like football, which is unquestionably also very popular. The emergence of new betting sites like Cyber Bet and the integration of new sports into well-known sportsbooks’ platforms may unfortunately still seem overly contemporary to traditional bettors, but they are definitely part of a totally new era for the industry. 

4# Best Esports Betting Sites

It is impossible to ignore the significant changes and expansions that have taken place in the local sports betting market as a result of new technologies and innovations. The local betting industry is rapidly growing as new platforms appear at breakneck speed. Because there are so many options, it may be challenging to choose one that meets the bettor’s preferences. This may seem like a problem for many. However, you do not need to worry because we will share with you a list of our favorite betting sites in Kenya where you can engage in eSports betting activities and have the most successful experience. 

 

1xBet MelBet
Cyber Bet Mozzart Bet
22Bet Betika

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that even though cybersports are a relatively new field of sports betting, they have a ton of potential and will probably outperform traditional betting in the near future. The history of this genre of sports is fascinating because it underwent a massive evolution and underwent changes over a period of nearly 70 years to become what it is today. 

Speaking of Kenya, the nation recently experienced a rise in these sports during the 2000s, a time when the industry was at its height globally. The nation also joined the eSports community by creating the Esports Kenya Federation, and as a result, it is now one of the most active participants in the world, with a rapidly expanding player base in this industry. 

A growing number of local websites are incorporating this kind of betting into their selection of options, and there are many sports betting platforms in Kenya that allow users to wager on eSports for free online. 

If you still haven’t tried betting on eSports online, then we suggest you give this activity a try and have a successful experience! 

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