ANALYSTS AT esports and gaming-

some of the biggest M & A deals of all

Ready , Player One ?

Visit the iGB Esports Betting Calendar

focused investment bank Drake Star called 2022 a “ record year ” for investments , consolidation and diversification .

As of 30 September 2022 , the esports and gaming industry had already witnessed $ 123bn in deals across 976 transactions , surpassing the figure of $ 85bn across 1,159 transactions made in the whole of 2021 .

Consolidation

Much of this has been the result of mergers and acquisitions . Drake Star said the first half of 2022 has seen

time , such as Microsoft ’ s announced ( but not yet closed ) $ 69bn acquisition of Activision *.

According to the data , as of Q3 , there is already $ 102bn in announced or closed M & A deals across mobile , PC / console and esports . Meanwhile , approximately $ 11.5bn was raised in public markets and $ 9.6bn was raised in private investment rounds , with $ 2.1bn of these deals being made specifically in esports .

According to David Harris , managing director of esports and entertainment investment firm

* The US Federal Trade Commission has reportedly sued to block Microsoft ’ s acquisition of Activision Blizzard on the grounds that the deal would threaten competition within the gaming industry .

Esports report 2023