The betting industry is evolving fast. With Esports growing at lightning speed and traditional sports betting still holding massive ground, iGaming marketers often face one burning question:
Where should we put our ad money. Esports or Traditional Betting?
Let’s break it down with real insight, so you can decide where your 2025 advertising budget will bring the most ROI.
Understanding the Landscape: Esports vs Traditional Betting
Esports Betting
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Fastest-growing segment of the iGaming world
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Popular among Gen Z and younger Millennials
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Driven by online communities, Twitch streams, and gaming tournaments
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Lower barriers to entry but often requires niche targeting
Traditional Sports Betting
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Huge audience, especially in football, cricket, and basketball
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Backed by decades of history and trust
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Works well with both online and offline channels
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Typically appeals to older Millennials and Gen X audiences
Audience Behavior: Who’s Betting Where?
If your brand wants instant volume, traditional sports betting still rules. But if you want future-proofed growth, Esports betting is where the fire is. Esports bettors are digitally native, mobile-first, and love edgy, interactive content.
Esports Bettors:
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Prefer memes, influencers, short videos
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Found on Discord, Reddit, Twitch, YouTube
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Want instant engagement, community, and social proof
Traditional Bettors:
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Prefer stats, betting tips, expert analysis
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Found on sports news sites, betting blogs, apps
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Want trust, history, and reliability
Ad Platform Performance: Where Do Ads Convert Better?
| Platform | Esports Betting ROI | Traditional Betting ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Ads (FB/IG) | High for Gen Z | Moderate for Gen X |
| Google Ads | Niche intent-based | Very effective |
| Twitch / YouTube | Extremely effective | Limited reach |
| Native Ads | Great for both | Excellent for trust ads |
Pro Tip: Use Google Ads for high-intent traffic (traditional), and Twitch or influencer platforms for Esports.
Creative Strategy: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
If you’re promoting Esports:
Use gamified ads, match-day countdowns, Twitch collabs
Use meme-style reels or “bet with your squad” hooks
Focus on retargeting using influencer-backed content
If you’re promoting Traditional Betting:
Use expert picks, performance-based creatives
Leverage live match betting, stats-based headlines
Use native ads and Google search placements
Budget Split Recommendation (2025)
Based on trends, here’s a suggested starting split for ad spend:
60% Traditional Betting (for volume and trust)
40% Esports Betting (for future scaling + youth engagement)
If you’re a newer brand targeting Gen Z or gaming-first users, flip it: 60% Esports, 40% Traditional.
Final Verdict: Combine Both Smartly
Don’t pick one and ignore the other. Instead, run parallel campaigns but tailor your message, audience, and creative.
Traditional betting brings steady income and loyal bettors.
Esports betting builds your brand for the future and social engagement.
Smart brands will A/B test, analyze their funnel data, and shift spend where cost per acquisition (CPA) is lowest and lifetime value (LTV) is highest.
Need Help Running High-Converting Betting Ads?
At Esports Marketing, we build data-driven performance campaigns tailored for both Esports and traditional betting brands. From influencer collabs to native ads and smart Google campaigns we help you win big, ethically and profitably.
Book your free strategy consultation today.
