The Rise of Women in Esports: A Global Phenomenon Led by the United States
America emerges as a dominant force in the realm of women’s professional gaming. A recent analysis revealed that the USA possesses the largest contingent of top-earning female gamers globally. This phenomenon extends beyond a handful of individuals; the United States commands the arena with two in five top-earning female gamers claiming American nationality. These women demonstrate remarkable talent, collectively amassing over $1.8 million in winnings.
Although the analysis illuminated individual narratives of achievement, such as that of Katherine Gunn (Mystik) who has garnered approximately $122,500, it also unveiled intriguing worldwide patterns. For example, while Canada may not lead in terms of absolute figures, it is the country of origin for the highest-earning female gamer ever: Sasha Hostyn, more widely recognized in the gaming community as Scarlett. This StarCraft II icon has accumulated over $300,000 from tournament victories alone.
This research, undertaken by the online slots platform ManySpins.com, scrutinized data from esportsearnings.com, concentrating on the leading 500 female earners. They examined the nations these players represented and explored which games proved most financially rewarding for women. The takeaway is evident: the world of professional gaming is undergoing a transformation, and women constitute a force to be acknowledged.
As expressed by Laila Shabir during the Take-Two presentation at this year’s E3, “Ninety percent of young individuals engage in video games – that’s not limited to boys, but encompasses everyone.” Although remarkable, this statistic doesn’t align perfectly with income figures. The top-earning male gamer, Johan Sundstein, known as “N0tail,” has amassed nearly $7 million from gaming; surpassing the combined earnings of the top three female players. “Therefore, we must acknowledge the impact of female gamers and demonstrate to the world that their talents and capabilities are receiving global recognition,” Rose emphasized. This period also holds significant importance for esports wagering, with an anticipated influx of substantial funds. Numerous individuals foresee it becoming the next thriving sector, mirroring the sentiments of former Luckbox CEO Quentin Martin, who conveyed his thoughts to Gambling Insider in October 2020.