In 2025, Latin America is redefining the global esports landscape with its vibrant mix of cultural fervor, historical ties to gaming, and a burgeoning regulated betting market. This region is rapidly becoming a leader in the esports arena, driven by a unique blend of passionate fans and a young, mobile-first population.
Latin America has positioned itself as a dynamic hub for esports, where gaming is not just a leisure activity but a cultural phenomenon. In cities like Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City, esports has evolved from a niche interest to a mainstream lifestyle, deeply rooted in local communities. DATA.BET’s experts, Bogdan Holovnov and Mykola Shymko, provide insights into the factors shaping this growth.
“Esports in Latin America are intertwined with culture, history, and accessibility,” explains Bogdan. The popularity of games like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Free Fire reflects a diverse market where local passion and affordability converge. This diversity has created a fertile environment for esports betting, an aspect that operators around the world can no longer ignore.
The roots of esports in Latin America can be traced back to the early 2000s, with Brazil establishing itself as a stronghold for Counter-Strike. The country’s gaming cafés became breeding grounds for talent, culminating in MIBR’s (Made in Brazil) triumph at the ESWC in Paris in 2006. This victory marked Latin America’s first major international esports trophy, setting the stage for future successes. The return of MIBR in 2018 and endorsements from football stars like Neymar further fueled the game’s popularity.
League of Legends followed suit, with Riot Games investing in the region since 2013. The creation of Liga Latinoamérica (LLA) and the strengthening of Brazil’s CBLOL league have attracted significant investment and talent, positioning the region as a competitive force. The shift to a franchise model in 2021 solidified this status, drawing major investors and establishing stable player contracts.
Free Fire emerged as a cultural phenomenon due to its accessibility on budget smartphones, offering children in underprivileged areas a gateway into esports. Teams like LOUD and Corinthians Free Fire amassed huge followings, with Corinthians clinching the 2019 World Championship. The 2021 Free Fire World Series set a record with 5.4 million viewers, highlighting the game’s massive appeal. “Free Fire became the people’s esport,” Mykola notes, emphasizing its role in democratizing esports.
In terms of betting, Counter-Strike and Dota 2 dominate, with CS being most popular in Brazil and Argentina, while Dota 2 leads in Peru. League of Legends, though a global niche, finds a significant audience in Mexico. Additionally, Rainbow Six has gained exceptional traction in Latin America, capturing 21% of global betting volume and 38% of profits. Brazilian teams like w7m have excelled on the international stage, further cementing the region’s position.
The momentum of esports in Latin America continues to accelerate. The Brazil League’s Stage 1 in 2024 became the most-watched Rainbow Six regional competition, reaching 45.4K peak viewers and 1.8 million hours watched. This growth, spurred by teams like FaZe Clan and FURIA Esports, underscores Brazil’s pivotal role in the global esports ecosystem.
Historically, Latin America’s esports scene was modest, with limited professional infrastructure and small prize pools. However, the region has transformed, producing globally recognized teams and players. FURIA and paiN maintain competitive Counter-Strike rosters, while LOUD’s victory in the 2022 Valorant Champions Tour demonstrated the region’s potential. Even lesser-known teams like MIBR and Imperial make significant international strides.
A key factor in Latin America’s esports growth is its connection to traditional sports. Football stars like Neymar actively participate in the esports scene, attracting fans from the sports world. This crossover was evident in 2024–2025 when Neymar participated in the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, sharing the stage with icons like Kaká and Ronaldo.
The integration of esports into traditional sports culture extends beyond individual athletes. In Latin America, football clubs such as Corinthians, Flamengo, and River Plate have launched esports divisions, leveraging their fanbases to fuel esports adoption. This club-driven approach contrasts with Europe, where celebrity athletes often create or invest in esports organizations independently.
Localization is another crucial element. Regional tournaments and influencer-led events attract significant interest from bettors, as seen in May 2025 with DATA.BET’s exclusive Dota 2 tournament coverage. This event resulted in a 2.5× increase in betting volume and a tripling of bets, demonstrating the power of localized content.
Despite these advances, challenges remain. Although Brazil legalized esports betting in 2025, infrastructure and organizational capacity lag behind the rapid audience growth. The region’s ability to host top-tier events is limited by the absence of major tournament operators. “LATAM’s audience is growing faster than the infrastructure can keep up,” Mykola observes.
Nevertheless, Latin America’s passion for esports and its emerging betting ecosystem position it as a formidable market on the global stage. “Latin America still has a long road ahead, but it’s already evident this region will be a key driver of global esports in the years to come,” Bogdan concludes.
Brazil leads the charge, accounting for about 40% of the South American esports market in 2024. Other countries are poised to follow, with Argentina’s young betting demographic and legislative changes in Colombia and Mexico indicating broader regulatory developments. DATA.BET’s recent certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) in Brazil reinforces this trajectory, paving the way for sustainable growth and the next stage of esports betting in Latin America.
