At The Casino Marketing Shop, we help forward-thinking affiliates and iGaming brands stay ahead of market trends. In 2025, two verticals stand out as the next frontier for scalable growth: eSports betting and Virtual Sports betting. With Gen Z audiences embracing competitive gaming and bettors seeking 24/7 entertainment options, these segments present an untapped opportunity for affiliates who want to diversify traffic, improve retention, and stay future-proof.
This comprehensive guide explores how eSports and Virtual Sports are changing the affiliate marketing landscape—what they are, who they’re for, and how you can effectively monetise these verticals with smart, compliant, and mobile-ready campaigns.
What Is eSports Betting?
eSports betting involves wagering on competitive video game tournaments. Popular titles include:
- League of Legends (LoL)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
- Dota 2
- Valorant
eSports has gone mainstream. Top tournaments have multimillion-dollar prize pools and viewer numbers that rival traditional sports leagues like the NBA or Premier League.
Affiliate Insight: The eSports bettor is typically:
- Under 35
- Active on Twitch, Discord, Reddit, and gaming communities
- More digitally savvy and socially engaged
- Looking for transparency, authenticity, and value
This means you need more than banner ads—you need content that connects, speaks their language, and shows up where they hang out.
How to Create High-Impact eSports Affiliate Content
Winning in eSports affiliate marketing means creating content that’s fast, visual, and niche-relevant. Skip traditional SEO fluff and focus on:
- Game-specific betting guides (e.g. “How to Bet on LoL Worlds”)
- Tournament previews with odds comparisons
- Bonus reviews tailored to popular titles
- YouTube Shorts, Reels, or TikToks with betting tips, meme content, or streamer shoutouts
Pro Tip: Collaborate with Twitch streamers or influencers to feature your affiliate links during tournaments or live Q&As.
What Are Virtual Sports?
Virtual Sports are simulated sports events with 3D graphics and RNG-driven outcomes. These include:
- Virtual football
- Virtual horse racing
- Virtual tennis
- Greyhound racing and more
Unlike real sports, virtual matches are always on. They offer fixed odds, run 24/7, and complete within minutes.
Why Affiliates Love Virtual Sports:
- Zero downtime—no reliance on real-world events
- Great for late-night, international, or filler traffic
- Fast betting cycles = more frequent commission opportunities
- Perfect for programmatic display ads and automation-driven funnels
Smart Monetisation Strategies for eSports & Virtual Sports
Operators are investing heavily in these verticals—and that includes their affiliate programs. Here’s how to monetise:
eSports Monetisation Tips:
- Promote exclusive game-based bonuses (e.g., CS:GO odds boosts)
- Build tournament hubs that rank seasonally
- Create betting calendars for major eSports events (The International, LoL Worlds, etc.)
Virtual Sports Monetisation Tips:
- Push autoplay features and fast-cashout promos
- Offer “always-on” bonuses for virtual leagues
- Integrate content with casino or sportsbook promos to increase LTV
Affiliate Strategy: Segment your users. eSports fans should see dynamic, influencer-led promos. Casino traffic can be cross-sold to virtual racing or tennis using autoplay funnels.
FAQs: eSports & Virtual Sports Betting for Affiliates
What’s the best platform to promote eSports betting content?
YouTube, Twitch, Discord, and Instagram Reels are top choices. You’ll reach users where they already spend their time.
Can I use traditional sportsbook funnels for Virtual Sports?
Not effectively. Virtual Sports require tailored messaging. Highlight the always-on nature and instant results.
Are eSports bonuses different from regular sports offers?
Yes. Operators now offer niche bonuses—like map-specific bets or team odds boosts. Use these to differentiate your content.
Does Virtual Sports convert better than regular sports?
It depends on the user base. Casual players and casino users love the simplicity and speed. Use A/B testing to compare.
Are there regulatory concerns?
Yes. eSports and Virtual Sports must still comply with regional laws. Use 18+ disclaimers, responsible gambling links, and ensure offers are legally available in each GEO.
How to Future-Proof Your iGaming Affiliate Business
Don’t wait for these niches to get saturated. The affiliates winning in 2025 are already:
- Building eSports content hubs around top games
- Launching bonus alerts and tournament calendars
- Partnering with influencers and streamers
- Creating mobile-first funnels with deep linking and real-time offers
Keyword Tip: Target long-tail, low-competition phrases like:
- “Best sites to bet on Dota 2 2025”
- “CS:GO betting odds UK”
- “Virtual greyhound racing tips”
This helps you rank fast and drive traffic before big affiliates flood the niche.
The Opportunity for Ethical, Scalable Growth
These verticals are more than a trend—they represent the next generation of iGaming growth. By focusing on user intent, mobile habits, and compliant promotions, you position yourself for:
- Higher conversion rates
- Improved retention via niche LTV
- Early-mover SEO advantages
- Stronger operator partnerships
At The Casino Marketing Shop, we help affiliates build tailored campaigns in emerging iGaming segments—from eSports sponsorships to Virtual Sports cross-sell funnels.
We also recommend partnering with an experienced casino marketing agency to maximise reach, compliance, and monetisation across new betting verticals.
Get in touch with The Casino Marketing Shop today to build smarter funnels and gain early advantage in these fast-growth iGaming verticals.
