It is easy to figure out why the Chinese show a high aptitude for gambling. Chinese people have a long history with gambling, with records showing that gambling was practiced in the first dynasty, some 4,000 years ago, and has been recorded in each dynasty since that time. This can be further evidenced by the fact that some casino games played today originated in China.
China has had it rough as far as becoming the world's number one esports country goes. Back in the 90s, the Chinese viewed video gaming and esports as taboos. Things changed fast, and China is now regarded as a force to reckon with in this realm.
Before 2009, esports were painted in a negative light. These games were often considered obscene, ineffective, and deficient in cultural refinement. In light of this, harsh laws were instituted to protect the young population from the seemingly corrupting industry.
Many video and esports games were outlawed in China, while domestic games attracted all manner of restrictions, including official warnings and fines, which forced developers back to the drawing board. However, the popularization of video games never yielded to these external pressures.
The “Dark Era” in esports betting
The past decade also saw the professionalization and commercialization of competitive esports. gaming companies, PC hardware vendors, and online streaming platforms are just among the many players in the industry that were quick to grab a share of the esports market. These players were keen to tap into this lucrative market.
As the numbers increased, there were real concerns about the social and health costs of the esports industry. While a few pro players enjoying big amounts of money were at the top of the pyramid, there was a growing concern about the sustainability of these careers. Also, there were increasing cases of internet gaming addiction and a host of other related incidences, including daylight robbery.