The eSports industry is already big and constantly growing, as more and more people are attracted by the prospect of winning significant amounts while doing the thing they love. Elite players are thriving, but not all professional gamers are making a fortune playing video games. Their income varies greatly, depending on their game of choice, their popularity as streamers, but also the sponsorship deals they sign. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how much they earn and which is their main source of income.
eSports Professionals are Millionaires
The best eSports pro-players make in excess of $1 million, with the best paying games belonging to the multiplayer online battle arena genre. Kuro Takhasomi who plays Dota 2 and Lee ‘Faker’ Sang Hyeok, a prominent League of Legends player are some of the names at the top of the list. They had the chance of choosing the highest paying games, so they win a seven-digit figure exclusively from salaries. As punters bet ever larger amounts on eSports, the money they spend at bookmakers acts as a catalyst for the industry.
South Korean players and their Chinese counterparts who play at the highest level also lead the pack of eSports professionals. Some of the best paying tournaments take place in these countries, with prize pools that consist of millions of dollars. The winning team will divide the main prize between five or six members, as well as the coach. Those who win Major events such as the Dota 2 International and League of Legends Worlds will claim a seven-digit figure for each team member.
The vast majority of pro-players have significantly lower salaries, but even they win nearly $100,000 per year. Because of the competitive nature of the eSports industry, it is difficult to stay at the same high level for many years. As a result, becoming a millionaire is nearly impossible for a regular professional player if he was to rely exclusively on his salary. Even if we add the occasional bonuses, players are hard-pressed to diversify their source of income.
Casino & Gambling Sponsors and Streaming Make the Difference
Professional gamers rely heavily on sponsors, who provide a significant chunk of their yearly income. Most of these sponsors are energy drink producers, betting sites, manufacturers of game peripherals, but also organizations that have nothing to do with eSports. Many of the best new slot sites and casinos are already sponsoring eGamers. In exchange for displaying their logos and using their products, these companies will guarantee a steady income to eSports professionals.
The vast majority of those who play video games professionally will also stream their daily games on YouTube and Twitch. Their fans can subscribe to these streaming platforms to watch the games as they unfold and also to check with their favorite players. Depending on the platform where they choose to broadcast the games, streamers can receive half of the money or less. At the end of the month, the most successful players will receive tens of thousands of dollars. The best-known streamers in 2018 have made millions broadcasting popular games such as Dota 2, League of Legends, Fortnite and PUBG.
