Ladbrokes shuts down eSports services
With no previous announcement, eSports betting offering was dropped out of Ladbrokes portfolio.
UK.- Ladbrokes, the leading sports betting operator in the UK that sets tendencies in the sector, decided to reduce its portfolio by dropping eSports services, without a previous announcement. On the contrary of the worldwide trend, Ladbrokes is no longer offering wagers on the four larger virtual games: CS:GO, Dota 2, LoL and StarCraft 2.
eSports players are also unable to bet on World of Tanks games. According to international studies and businesses plans, eSports betting is growing steadily among younger generations of players and could set the future of the gaming industry.
Although Ladbrokes did not release an official statement, nor explained the decision, a reply by the gaming company to a customer question on the issue communicated: “It has been taken away currently, a decision has not been made yet on its return.” Some media sources are speculating that the exit is temporary in anticipation of the launch of a new eSports betting platform.
Ladbrokes in also in process of merger with Gala Coral, which could be completed this week. This business strategy will generate a bigger company with market capitalisation of £2.3 billion (US$2.8 billion). The merger will impact with strong presence in online and land-based gambling. As the future of the company expects an increment in its finance position, the eSports decision could not be related to economic strategies, which leads to the reason to believe Ladbrokes may publish soon an exclusive platform for this modality of gaming.
