Ladies and gentlemen, the days of Project Mbappe are over. We’re officially in the era of Project…Faker?
Although esports isn’t quite on the same level as professional sports just yet, there are signs that may be changing.
Esports is swiftly gaining ground on traditional sports in Ukraine, as highlighted by a dynamic panel hosted by homegrown betting brand GGBET.UA during the SBC Summit Ukraine 2025 in Kyiv.
The message was clear: the digital arena is no longer just the future, it’s the now.
Hosted at the innovative tech hub Unit.City, the event brought together top minds and key players in the online gambling industry. Their goal? To bust long-standing myths about esports and spotlight its rising impact on Ukraine’s sports and betting scene.
Challenging Myths and Perception
Titled ‘Ukraine in Esports: Facts and Fakes’, the panel marked a milestone moment — the first-ever professional conversation on esports at the SBC Summit Ukraine.
The panel didn’t shy away from controversy, diving straight into three stubborn myths: that esports isn’t a “real” industry, that it can’t compete with traditional sports in terms of popularity, and that it’s somehow easier to succeed in than classic athletics.
Esports: A Niche Pursuit?
Yevhen Zolotarov, CEO of NAVI, Ukraine’s powerhouse esports club, was quick to set the record straight. He highlighted how today’s top esports organisations are built on solid business foundations with smart, diversified revenue streams.
In many ways, he noted, they’re even outpacing traditional sports when it comes to digital reach and fan engagement.
Adding to that, legendary esports commentator Vitalii ‘v1lat’ Volachai pointed out a telling stat: NAVI’s CS2 World Championship final in 2024 ranked among the top three most-watched sports events in Ukraine, only edged out by the country’s biggest football clashes.
No small feat for something still considered a ‘niche pursuit’ by some.
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Making a Social Impact
Further reinforcing this, Viktor Proniakin, Head of Product at Esports Charts, revealed that even qualifier matches now pull in 30,000 to 50,000 Ukrainian-language viewers. A hefty figure for the local population.
The panel also touched on esports' growing role beyond entertainment. Andriy Hryshchenko of the Ukrainian esports Federation shared how the industry is being used to support the reintegration of veterans and soldiers, underlining its increasing social impact.
Esports Now A Top 10 Betting Pursuit
GGBET.UA, one of the top esports betting sites, leaned into the moment, curating a mini-museum of trophies and milestones celebrating Ukraine’s esports legacy.
As a licensed bookmaker and premium summit sponsor, the brand made its point clear: esports is now a major player. In fact, CS2 and Dota 2 rank among the top 10 sports on the GGBET platform.
“We have collected assumptions about esports that are widely held, but controversial. This enabled us to facilitate a lively and open discussion.
“For a long time, esports has had its fans, its system of tournaments, its structure and partnerships, and disciplines such as CS2 and Dota 2, which are now included in the top 10 sports on GGBET UA.”
Esports Betting: Sky’s The Limit
With the winds of change now blowing at high speeds, it’s only a matter of time before esports takes another dramatic step in an industry that awaits with open arms.
The event wrapped on a high note with a raffle of exclusive CS:GO record books, a fitting tribute to the vibrant bond between Ukrainian fans, esports, and the betting world.
So next time someone laughs at you for placing League of Legends bets, just smile, check the odds, and remind them: your fantasy team’s not the only one putting in work this weekend.
