Esports gaming in Austria began during the 1970s. That was when early video games were released, such as Invaders and Asteroids. However, gaming was mainly for entertainment purposes. As time went by, the electronic gaming market became too competitive. More and more games were introduced into the market annually, with newer ones being more advanced.
Computers and gaming consoles became a lot more accessible during the 90s, which marked the start of a different era of electronic sports gaming. Punters began playing on local area networks. Soon after, players could connect their computers and consoles to the internet to enjoy multiplayer games without geographical restrictions.
However, it was not until the 2000s that betting on electronic games began getting traction. At the time, no recognized organizations regulated the eSports gaming industry, which made betting providers shy away from offering betting markets. That gradually changed as streaming became popular and more reliable organizations sprang up to organize reputable events and tournaments. Austrian punters became among the first to embrace eSports betting as eSports was already popular in the country.
Future of esports in Austria
Many experts predict that eSports gambling will continue soaring in popularity in the future, probably at a higher rate than is currently. That is because the laws are generally supportive of eSports betting. Advances in technology will also see the eSports industry welcome advanced and more entertaining electronic games. That will attract more interest in the gambling world.
However, the increasing popularity of eSports betting in Austria will more than likely welcome new regulations to protect Austrian punters from the effects of gambling corruption and addiction. The government will also look for ways to increase revenue from the industry as it continues to grow.