Can Bangladesh's gamers make it big in the $2.1b global esports market?
What began as a hobby for young gamers has now grown into a career path. The government’s recent recognition of esports has sparked optimism that structured support could help the country compete on the global stage
When Revan first picked up his phone to play PUBG Mobile, he was simply trying to pass time with friends. Known in the gaming world as "Badrev," he had no idea that the hours spent on his couch would one day turn into a career path.
"I first started playing with friends just for fun," he recalled. "But in my first official tournament, the PUBG Mobile Club Open, I did really well and qualified for the Pro League. That is when people began to notice me."
The recognition he received from fans across South Asia motivated him to stream his matches online. Soon, the boy who once battled for screen time at home was earning money through sponsors and content creation. Gaming turned from a hobby into a profession. Today, he is one of the country's most celebrated esports players.
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Esports, or competitive video gaming, has grown from small local contests to a global industry worth billions. The global esports market was valued at around $2.1 billion in 2024. It is expected to climb to $7.5 billion by 2030, with yearly growth forecast at more than 23% between 2025 and 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Players compete in organised tournaments, watched by audiences both online and in arenas.
Badrev is not alone in this path — his story is similar to that of many young Bangladeshis who are turning their passion for gaming into something more serious. For years, what was considered a waste of time, is now shaping an industry that very few saw coming.
Local stage, global glory
Esports has long been booming in places such as South Korea, China and the US. Bangladesh, though late to the game, is now catching up. Internet access has expanded, mobile phones have become cheaper, and a younger generation has grown up watching streamers and international tournaments on YouTube and Facebook.
Local competitions are now organised regularly. Many brands sponsor tournaments, while small groups of organisers put together events with prize pools of up to a few lakh taka. Although modest by global standards, these contests have given local players the first taste of structured competition.
Mohammad Aliur Rahman, the founder of Zenetic Esports, has seen the transformation up close.
"There are all sorts of tournaments. Plenty of local championships take place, and almost every semester, university clubs organise competitions," he said. "The government has recently recognised esports as a sport, so I am hopeful this will bring positive change."
International exposure is also increasing.
Bangladeshi players have qualified for regional PUBG Mobile events, competed in Free Fire tournaments, and entered qualifiers for titles like Street Fighter and eFootball.
Street Fighter player SI Anik, who began gaming during the arcade era of the late 1990s, said the turning point came when he competed in a regional qualifier for Street Fighter VI in 2023.
"Official recognition as a sport has been a huge milestone for gamers like us," he said. "We are seeing opportunities to represent our country through regional qualifiers. These tournaments now offer structured prize pools, which motivate players and attract newcomers."
Once mocked, gamers are now being celebrated — a visible shift in how society perceives them. Parents who frowned upon their children's time spent on screens are beginning to reconsider when they see them win money or appear on news broadcasts.
While Bangladeshi players are performing regularly on the global tournaments, massive success is yet to come as the country is a newcomer in this field. However, the players are hopeful about the future, if some obstacles can be overcome.
Obstacles to global esports dominance
Gamers across Bangladesh point to three major barriers: perception, infrastructure and organisation.
The stigma around gaming has always been powerful. Badrev believes the older generation's misconceptions are the hardest to shake off.
"Many parents believe that gaming distracts their children from studies and leads to failure. But gaming can be a productive hobby and even a career when approached responsibly, just like any other sport," he said.
Another common misconception is to mistake esports for gambling. Popular Free Fire player Kaafi Kashfi has even faced problems at airports. "Immigration officers asked why we were travelling to play and kept questioning if it was gambling," he said.
"There are all sorts of tournaments. Plenty of local championships take place, and almost every semester, university clubs organise competitions. While I have no specific data about the market size of esports in Bangladesh, from my experience of working closely with this industry, it is safe to say that it is really promising. Some popular gamers and streamers can make several lakhs a month."
The lack of proper infrastructure is another serious issue. Internet connectivity is inconsistent, and many gamers complain of high ping (latency to reach the server, which is a crucial factor in competitive gaming), unstable servers and costly equipment. Professional grade PCs and gaming phones are often out of reach for ordinary players.
Then there is the absence of a regulatory framework.
With no central authority, tournaments are sometimes plagued by bias and a lack of transparency. Promising players find themselves sidelined, and sponsorship opportunities remain limited in Bangladesh. "Without proper rules and regulations, it is hard to build trust in the system," Badrev said.
Esports also struggles with fragmentation — unlike on-field games, there are simply too many games to play. While PUBG Mobile and Free Fire dominate the scene in Bangladesh, players of other titles often feel left out.
"I want all games to be given equal priority," said Anik. "Official coaches should be brought in so that new players can get training, and good players should be sponsored to attend international tournaments."
Acknowledgement from above
Change may be on the horizon. A couple of months ago, the government officially recognised esports as a sport and formed a committee to form a draft policy for it. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has already received the draft, which seeks to guide the industry.
Mohammed Aminul Ahesan, director of sports at the National Sports Council, confirmed this. "A policy has been drafted and submitted. The draft outlines how we may address the social stigma surrounding esports. It also discusses ways to prevent it from leading to addiction or causing harm," he said.
The government is cautious but optimistic. However, there are no immediate plans to establish an esports federation under the council, but if that happens, it will receive funding allocations like other sports, according to Aminul. That recognition would mean formal budgets, training centres and national level tournaments.
Industry insiders believe this would be a game changer. Esports, unlike many other sports, is already self-sustaining to a degree, according to Aliur. Streamers make money from ad revenue and donations, while professional players earn from prize pools and brand sponsorships. Viewers can support streamers by sending 'stars' on Facebook or donating directly through mobile banking apps.
"While I have no specific data about the market size of esports in Bangladesh, from my experience of working closely with this industry, it is safe to say that it is really promising. Some popular gamers and streamers can make several lakhs a month," said Aliur.
Formal backing would not only bring legitimacy but also encourage more investment.
Building a future
The future of esports in Bangladesh depends on how well the current momentum is maintained. On the one hand, there is a growing community of young players, streamers and organisers. On the other hand, the challenges of infrastructure, support and perception remain.
Badrev believes the government must play a stronger role.
"We hope to see well organised laws and regulations that protect and guide players, organisers and creators. Support from the state will improve the professional environment and help remove the negative perception in society," he said.
He and others envision training centres, scholarships for talented players, national level tournaments, and better internet access. They also hope for a surge in brand sponsorships. If these elements come together, Bangladesh could compete with top regions in the coming years.
The optimism is shared by many in the community. "We try to address misconceptions about gaming by showing people the creativity and opportunities it offers. We use news channels and social media to highlight these aspects," said Kaafi.
Esports has already changed the lives of players like him. Where once their parents doubted them, they now watch with pride as their children represent Bangladesh on international stages.
"To truly develop the industry and support aspiring esports athletes, more structured initiatives are needed," said Badrev. "If the government introduces proper rules and regulations, and if society begins to see gaming as a serious profession, then Bangladesh can compete with the best in the world and bring pride to the nation."
