With the growing number of new, exciting titles, there's also likely to be an increase in the number of esports fans who bet on the outcome of the game. In fact, it was found in 2022 that around 20% of people aged 18-24 in the US, UK, Australia, India, Germany, and Canada were interested in betting on esports. Added to the growing number of esports bets is ever-changing legislation across the US, with more and more states allowing betting on both physical sports and gaming all the time.

For example, Kentucky was one of the latest states to launch sports betting at the end of last year. While many gamblers there still enjoy their favourite games, with around 55% of the adult population gambling, there's a growing interest in less common sports like volleyball and, of course, esports (the University of Kentucky even has an esports lounge). North Carolina is also set to join the long list of states that allow sports betting any day now, as it was legalized in June 2023. NC is thought to be the 23rd most-obsessed-with-gaming state, so it's not unreasonable to expect a surge in esports betting when sportsbooks launch in the state this month.

So, with both esports gaming and betting on the outcome of it on the rise, now is the time to take a look at the best esports games for 2024, and start to understand the rules so you know what you'll be betting on and how you can increase your chances of winning.

First, Embark Studios threw "The Finals" into the mix on December 8, 2023. This high-octane team shooter, pumped with hero elements and mind-blowing verticality, crashed onto the scene and became an instant hit. Picture this - a stadium setting, hundreds of thousands of players, and bam, you've got The Finals, turning gaming into an experience that's hard to resist for esports players, fans, and bettors alike.

Battlestate, the genius behind Escape From Tarkov, gifted us "Escape From Tarkov Arena" in December 2023. It's like inheriting all the cool stuff from the OG Tarkov - realistic mechanics, crazy maps, and intense combat. Now, Tarkov Arena steps up with its session-based, team-oriented modes, seamlessly blending into the esports landscape. We will have to wait and see if this can compete with the hype that its extraction shooter counterpart has garnered.
Ubisoft's "Rainbow Six Mobile" is the rising star in the mobile esports world. This free-to-play gem, backed by the mighty "Rainbow Six" legacy, taps into the success of Rainbow Six Siege. No one knows when it's going global, but we're all on the edge of our seats, waiting for this mobile edition to keep the tactical esports legacy alive. Esports players and bettors alike are excited about Rainbow Six Mobile.

Riot Games is throwing a curveball with "VALORANT Mobile," gearing up for a big reveal towards the end of 2024. Imagine taking one of the most successful esports titles and squeezing it into handheld devices. VALORANT is ready to rival even Counter-Strike, making waves since its debut in 2020. It's like bringing the esports arena into your pocket.
For fans of competitive fighting games, "Tekken 8" is hitting the stage on January 26, 2024. In a year filled with new Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter releases, Tekken 8 completes the trifecta, ushering in a new era for the legendary fighting game.

In the realm of real-time strategy (RTS) games, "Stormgate" emerges as a game-changer from Frost Giant Studios. Powered by Unreal 5, this gem aims to challenge the big players like StarCraft and Age of Empires. PC-exclusive with an 'ever-evolving campaign,' Stormgate is gearing up to breathe new life into the RTS genre within the esports scene, and players, enthusiasts, and bettors are ready for it.

The creators of PUBG, KRAFTON, are teasing us with "PUBG: Black Budget." Expected to pop up towards the end of 2024, this mysterious project has the gaming community buzzing. With PUBG's track record, expectations are high for this addition to the extraction shooter genre.The game is KRAFTON's way of telling fans they're not yet done making waves in esports and are ready to build on the massive success of their earlier release.

PlayStation's playful take on Splatoon comes with "Foamstars," a creation by Toylogic set to drop in 2024. Characters battling with foam instead of ink? It's like a quirky twist on a beloved game. While Foamstars may not reshape the esports world, it's like a breath of fresh air and promises hours of fun and entertainment once released.