An age old discussion: Is esports a real sport or not?

The question whether esports should be considered as a real sport is one of the hottest debates in the modern age. Some say that the word ‘sport’ should be exclusive to physical activities. Others claim that it encompasses any activity where skill and cooperation are major factors. 

Although they are not physical recreations, pro video game players have a lot in common with activities like football and basketball. The similarities in their betting markets at Gamdom sportsbook are one of many examples. Others can be a bit more complex but here are some points to ponder about the topic of whether esports should be considered a real sport:

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Factors to consider to count esport as a real sport

The following factors are all arguments in favour of defining esports as sports. Each one caters to various interpretations of the word ‘sports’ with minimal needs to stretch the definition. 

• Skill-based competitions with team dynamic as a major factor
   

The most important definition for sports is that it’s a competitive activity between skilled players or teams. If it’s a match between groups, then team dynamic is one of the most complex aspects defining the event’s outcome. Everyone has positions to play in tandem with the strategies they wish to apply. They should also be skilled enough to determine which strategy should work best and when it’s best to try a new approach given the circumstances. 

The major difference between esports vs traditional sports is that the former doesn’t include physical prowess as one of the most important attributes in a match. It is more akin to chess where strategy and awareness are most important. It, however, shares emphasis on dexterity across popular esports games whether it’s a first-person shooter or a fighting game.

• Esports pro players are valued and drafted like sports athletes
   

One of the reasons people treat esports as real sports is how they see team drafts and management. Pro players can be replaced by coaches and managers to make the best team they can get for the season. Just like athletes, pro players usually come with individual rates based on how much sponsors are bidding for them. 

• Pro players dedicate time and resources to train every day
   

Just like muscles and form, skills in video games can degrade over time. Thus, players have to polish their senses for 8 to 14 hours a day. Many of them play on solo queue for individual sessions but group skirmishes can be arranged between two competitive teams for better match simulation. 

Pro teams have their own training studios like how sports clubs have stadiums and gyms. Although the facilities are different between esports vs sports, they still have the same function. Professional teams are trained by a coach and this daily exercise is paid by the manager. 

• Esports players are also prone to health concerns
   

Many overlook the possibility of burnout and health issues when using a computer all day everyday. Unlike athletes’ injuries, pro gamers are prone to long-term physical ailments like muscle weakness, back pain, headache, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The biggest concern with these kinds of health issues is, unlike sports injuries, these are gradual and chronic. Although they are non life-threatening, these can have a large impact on their performance. Many Gamdom bettors often track how long a pro gamer is playing non-stop and apply this knowledge on guessing events’ outcomes. This is similar to referring to an athlete’s recent injury reports to guess how well they perform in the next match. 

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• Major league tournaments are celebrated like traditional sports
   

What is esports without organised tournaments with spectators and prizes to win? Just like sports, esports comes with community, regional, national, and international tournaments. Each league is progressively at a higher-tier than the last and many circuits encompass all four stages. 

This is different from sports where athletes are likely to remain within the same league every team stays within the same league. By making teams required to play in community events, it is far more likely to see newer names appear alongside known legends in the major leagues. 

This difference offers an advantage for regional-level events to still have high viewership across streaming platforms thanks to high-profile teams participating in them. It also opens new markets for Gamdom bettors compared to traditional sports where only major leagues are viewed. 

Esports as a separate industry from traditional sports

It needs to be said that the esports industry is separate from sports. The biggest difference is the latter having local and national governments as sponsors for major events in most countries. Meanwhile, esports is primarily organised by private institutions like the publishers of the video games or companies dedicated to hosting tournaments. The only time that esports events become a project of national committees is when it is included in the Asian Games when esports makes its debut in 2022.

Importance of insisting that esports should be considered a real sport

Rather than just focusing on ‘why is esports a sport?’, it is also important to understand why it’s important to acknowledge it as such. Even if it were to be considered as one, bookmakers like Gamdom are still going to give them separate platforms for easier navigation. 

However, many countries limit esports betting because they aren’t given the same exception as traditional sports. Acknowledging that they are sports help bookmakers and streaming services to make video game tournaments more accessible to spectators. 

Such acknowledgement will also help the case for video games’ debut at the Olympics, thereby giving pro gamers as much prestige as athletes have. It will also encourage fostering passion among gamers to pursue a career in the competitive gaming industry. Acknowledgement as a sport also helps parents be more supportive of their children who aim on becoming pro gamers as a dream job. 

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Words: Clarence Clarke