SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Australian gambling operator Tabcorp is set to enter the burgeoning esports market, by announcing a global partnership with eSports entertainment provider Unikrn. The partnership will see the launch of a new eSports platform where gamers can placy and safely bet on organized, sanctioned multi-player video game competitions from around the world.
At launch, Unikrn will provide access to live viewing, live discussions and competitive odds to gaming fans globally, including in the US. In addition, in legal sports betting jurisdictions, Unikrn users will be able to bet on the outcome of matches and tournaments, with further bet types to follow.
Built on a massive community set to reach more than 10 million gamers in over 100 countries worldwide in 2015, Unikrn has taken steps to ensure its customers experience a safe and legal wagering environment through its partnership with Tabcorp’s Luxbet platform. As the global gambling industry leader in the annual Dow Jones Sustainability Index, with a 100 percent rating in the ‘Promoting Responsible Gaming’ category, Tabcorp will control the geographic areas where wagering is offered and will also handle all account
“eSports is one of the largest sports globally, attracting viewer numbers that are on par with traditional sports such as American football and basketball,” said Rahul Sood, CEO and co-founder of Unikrn. “We couldn’t have found a better partner than Tabcorp to drive innovation and bring wagering to the fast-growing eSports market. Tabcorp’s track record as a global leader in responsible betting and its experience running an integrated wagering and media business provides Unikrn with the platform to build a secure, legal and fun arena for adults to gather, game, and bet on eSports.”
The eSports market continues to boom in popularity. In total, the League of Legends World Championship 2014 saw 288 million cumulative daily unique impressions across all stages. The global audience on Twitch.com saw 16 billion minutes of live gaming streams watched per month last year on average, with the number growing rapidly month over month.
“Tabcorp is proud to be partnering with Unikrn,” said Tabcorp Managing Director and CEO, David Attenborough. “Unikrn is delivering a global gaming community platform that reaches millions of gamers around the world, with a proven record of innovation and success. As an investor in Unikrn, Tabcorp is connecting its Luxbet platform to Unikrn’s gaming and eSports communities.”
