A recent report from DATA.BET indicated that up to 30% of esports betting profits come from low-tier events. It raises the question of whether the focus on small events poses an integrity risk to the sport or an opportunity for the industry to grow.
In its 2026 sportsbook report, DATA.BET highlights “low-tier events as an increasingly important and underleveraged source of betting revenue.”
“Often overlooked in favor of Tier-1 tournaments, this low-tier segment delivered strong results, generating up to 30% of total esports profit across all tiers combined,” the company stated.
DATA.BET expanded its range of markets to include more in-play prop markets last year, which contributed to profits for the company and its partners.
Casino operators looking to move into sports betting can maximize profits by targeting lower-tier events as a source of revenue, the company said.
Increased Betting Could Present Integrity Risk
While this may increase profits for betting companies, it could also be detrimental to esports. The increased focus on low-tier events could pose an integrity risk to events, as players are increasingly targeted by those seeking to manipulate betting markets.
Last month, Counter-Strike 2 player Dmytro “nifee” Tediashvili was found guilty of match-fixing and banned for four years. Bettors targeted low-key markets, such as Nifee’s total kills in an ESL Pro League contest.
“This case is significant because it addresses manipulation risk associated with prop betting markets: markets that target discrete in-game incidents rather than match outcomes,” said the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) when announcing Nifee’s punishment.
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) flagged an increase in suspicious betting alerts in esports for the first three months of this year.
More Players Could Carve Out Living From Esports
At the same time, the increased attention of bettors on low-tier events could provide vital revenue sources for players.
While elite CS2 and Valorant players in North America and Europe can command high salaries, over 70% of professional gamers globally now earn between $12,000 and $60,000.
With Riot Games relaxing its rules around betting sponsors last year, there are likely to be more opportunities for players to supplement their income with gambling sponsors.
DATA.BET’s latest report encourages gambling companies to pay attention to events outside the majors.
After failing to qualify for several consecutive world championships, Team Astralis has enjoyed a return to form since signing a deal with Stake in March.
Not only that, but if bettors are increasingly tuning in to events, then it can also attract companies outside the gambling industry to advertise in the space. This could, in turn, drive up prize money and allow more esports players to make a living from gaming.
It’s a fine balancing act for the industry, but the latest report from DATA.BET indicates that there is growing interest in low-tier events, and it will be up to esports teams to harness this interest for their own benefit.