Over the past few decades, the gaming industry has evolved from a niche hobby that made a select few developers a decent amount of profit into a bonafide career path with the potential to make players themselves millions.
Today, this multi-billion-pound industry is one of the entertainment world’s biggest money spinners and while people across the globe continue to enjoy casual gaming simply as a way to pass the time, a new generation of elite players are pulling out all the stops to be the very best that they can. Travelling the world to participate in tournaments and competitions and often coming away with eye-watering wins, it’s not just about earning enough to be able to quit their day jobs. In fact, the potential spoils of professional gamers and gamblers are enough to completely transform their lifestyles so that they rival even those of Hollywood A-listers, putting them right up there with some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
From opulent homes to high-end sponsorship deals, the world of professional gaming is one where hard work and dedication are richly rewarded – and a little bit of luck always helps too. Here, we take a look at how the most successful gamers globally are raking in the cash, and it doesn’t all come down to winning that next big jackpot.
Historic wins
For professional gamers, the financial rewards can be nothing short of staggering, with major tournaments such as the League of Legends World Championship and The International for Dota 2 offering prize pools in the millions.
But it isn’t all about skill, because a sprinkling of luck also comes into play for casino aficionados who have a large proportion of their fortunes through winning games like poker, roulette and blackjack at some of the best-known competitions, striking gold at the tables and walking away with truly life-altering sums. Whether playing at traditional land-based casinos or online on sites like casinosherlock.com, it’s true that having experience and a well-thought-out strategy plays a key role in how successful players are in pursuits like these. Nevertheless, they are still ultimately games of chance – although it doesn’t take away from their winnings.
One of the most notable casino wins in history was scooped back in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker (yes, really), a 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles, turned a $39 satellite tournament entry into $2.5 million at the World Series of Poker. His victory not only made him a millionaire overnight but also sparked a global poker boom, showing the world that with a bit of skill and a lot of luck, anyone could achieve a similar outcome.
Just a few years later in 2011, British soldier Jon Heywood walked away with a jaw-dropping £13.2 million in his pocket after striking it lucky on the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot, having placed just 25p on a spin. Even today, it’s one of the biggest slot jackpot wins ever, and needless to say, Heywood’s life has never been the same since.
Competition and sponsorships
But whilst it’s true that tournament wins contribute substantially to the wealth of top players, they aren’t the only way they make sizable amounts of money, with major brands often seeking them out for sponsorships and endorsement deals that make those wins we mentioned suddenly pale in comparison.
From sportswear giants like Nike and Adidas to luxury watch brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, as well as major tech companies like Apple and Samsung, we’re not just talking about any old brands here, but some of the biggest and best-known in the world. They can afford to pay handsomely for associations with those they perceive to be the ‘right’ people – in other words, individuals who are in alignment with their brand values – and pay, they do. As well as the substantial payments on offer, many such names often shower those they collaborate with with free products and equipment, too – and when you package it all up together, it all equals a major life upgrade, right there.
Many professional gamers don’t stop there, either; in addition, they also earn substantial incomes through streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, where they are paid based on the number of viewers and subscribers they attract.
All in, this lucrative combination of competition winnings, sponsorships, and streaming income allows top gamers to amass significant wealth, and many of them will never need to work a traditional job ever again.
Living the high life
With their impressive earnings, professional gamers can afford to live in some of the most luxurious homes in the world – and often, they’re in the dreamiest of locations. These aren’t just ordinary residences; we’re talking about sprawling mansions equipped with state-of-the-art technology, private gyms, swimming pools, and home theatres, located in exclusive enclaves in sun-soaked sunshine destinations – or plush penthouse apartments in the most sought-after areas of thriving cities, with a team of staff on hand to ensure residents are left wanting for nothing.
Take, for example, Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, a Dota 2 player who resides in a £5.4 million mansion in Lisbon. This 17-bedroom estate is not only his home but also serves as a base for his team, complete with all the amenities needed for both relaxation and rigorous training. Some players, though, opt to go even further, splurging on acres of land or even their own private islands where they can enjoy exclusive living in complete seclusion and privacy. After all, when money is no object, the sky is the limit.
On that note, many professional gamers also spend big on travel, splashing out on First Class flights and even private jets to get them to gaming events and various luxury holiday destinations throughout the year. Once they get there, they check in at the world’s best hotels or the most sophisticated private villas, with no expense spared in pursuit of luxury.
Despite the fact that they can easily afford it themselves, when travelling for competitions, gamers’ expenses are typically covered by sponsors, allowing them to experience luxury without dipping into their own pockets. It’s another added bonus and a privilege that comes with status for the most esteemed players from all corners of the globe.
Hard work pays
While the lifestyle of a professional gamer may seem glamorous, life at the top doesn’t come easily. Although it’s fair to say that for some casino winners, it really has been as simple as placing a lucky wager, for the world’s top professional gamers, hours and hours of practice each day and an unwavering dedication to being the very best are essential.
Becoming a successful gamer requires mastering complex strategies as well as maintaining peak physical and mental condition, and not everyone has the grit and determination required to make it. The most accomplished gamers often train as intensively as professional athletes, and with such fierce competition, doing so is crucial – but thankfully, for a select few, it certainly seems to pay off.
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