Should Online Casino Games Be Considered Part of eSports?

The world of sports is constantly changing. From discovering new sporting events around the world to the diversification of existing ones, sport looks different each decade. There has been much talk about eSports and how it could change the face of the industry. Some consider the gaming sector to be on par with traditional sports, while others disavow it for the lack of physical activity involved. This has led some people to suggest whether online casino games could be considered to be part of the eSports industry.

eSports Opened the Door

Considering eSports as a sport poses an interesting dilemma for puritans of physical activity. On the one hand, people argue that the competitivity of eSports and the fact that people can bet on it makes it a competitive enough sport to be considered on par. ESPN covers eSports tournaments, for instance. This has paved the way for some to suggest that online casino games also fit the bill. They are competitive, there are stakes, and some – such as the World Series of Poker – develop into high stakes tournaments. Many would argue that this is very much akin to sport.

Competitivity in Casino

Part of the sporting excitement of traditional games such as soccer and football comes from the competition between teams. There is equal competition in the world of online casino. As the Social Tournaments online casino reviews show, there are plenty of online casino sites to choose between, and also a variety of slots tournaments to take part in. This is a relatively new aspect of the casino industry and does put forward some interesting arguments when discussing the industry vs. eSports. These new tournaments illustrate that, now more than ever, there are many similarities between the two – so where’s the harm in giving these games the ‘eSports’ title?

Skills and Improvement

Many could argue that certain online casino games can’t be featured as a sport because of the elements of chance and luck involved. However, many game-changing and title-changing events in sports occur after a series of lucky manoeuvres. Many casino games, such as poker, are also based around skill and strategy. Even simpler games, such as blackjack, depend on a knowledge of strategies that could result in a win. If sport is defined by something that can be done competitively and something in which you can improve your skills, then online casino games fit the criteria.

Spectators Needed

Some may argue that, to be considered a sport, spectators or sports fans are needed. Online casino sites often have an interactive element. Jackpot games, for example, allow players to see the rolling jackpot increasing as others play. Some sites even have a leaderboard consisting of previous winners and how others are performing. Live versions of table games also add an element of spectating, as online players can play against others in games hosted by real dealers.
The acceptance of eSports has opened up a healthy debate about what else could be considered a sport. There is an argument for online casino games to be included in this, though, whether or not they will be added to the Olympics still seems to be unrealistic. However, arguably, this doesn’t matter, as the fact that these conversations are happening is helping to re-evaluate what we call sport in the digital age.