The big money is still in South Korea where, according to the technology and industry department of the Samsung Economic Research Institute, there are 240 professional gamers, some of whom earn several hundred thousand dollars a year. Five South Korean teams make up to 2 billion won ($2,087,838) from sponsors, according to a Samsung research report.

But opportunities are opening up stateside as well, a trend that could accelerate as gaming tournaments in the United States find TV broadcasters and in turn bring in mainstream sponsors. International video game tournaments such as the World Cyber Games, Electronic Sports World Cup and other events give individual gamers the chance to earn more than $2 million in a year.

Craig Levine, 23, owner and manager of Team 3D, said there are now more than a dozen U.S. players who make as much as $70,000 a year. This year, Team 3D will likely see more than $500,000 in revenues from winnings and sponsorships.