Prospects for the development of eSport in Ukraine

Abstract

ESports is no longer just an entertainment direction, but an entire industry. Prize funds of the largest international tournaments reach more than 10 million dollars. The demand for professional players in FIFA, DOTA and Counter-Strike can be compared to its appropriation in the selection of football players for the biggest football clubs in the world. In Ukraine, eSports can’t be attributed to the usual and mass phenomena yet. Anyway, it took his first steps in the 90s of the last century. Enthusiasts held eSports tournaments in computer clubs, and the prizes were just symbolic at that time. With the consolidation of tournaments, their holding was beyond the power of individual clubs (and the clubs had lost relevance and profits over time). However, since that time eSports had developed so much that it has become interesting for advertisers, computer equipment manufacturers and the sports betting industry. Companies began to sponsor competitions to make them more entertaining and to attract even more interest to this young direction. In addition, among the bets on sports disciplines, eSports is already in eighth place. According to experts, in 2018, eSports betting will bypass football, taking first place in the number and volume of bets in bookmakers.