Best Esports Betting Sites
Join and place a £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. Once the bet is settled, get a £10 free fixed odds bet, a £5 free Total Goals football spread bet, a £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bet and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. The second £10 free fixed odds bet, £5 free Total Goals football spread bet, and £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bet will be credited 24 hours later. 18+ only. Full Terms & Conditions apply. Welcome Offer: New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. Acca Club: T&Cs Apply. Promo runs Mon 09:00 to Sun 23:59. Opt-in required. 50% profit boost on 7+ Acca selections. Max stake £20. Max winnings £1,000. Up to 5 boosts per customer per week. Exclusions apply.18+ BeGambleAware.org. 18+ New customers only. Min/max stake £1. Free bets credited on top of winnings within 72 hours. First single & e/w bet only. 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org 18+ only. Register a new online account with Betgoodwin. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. The day finishes at 23:59 on day of registration. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets non withdrawable Free bets to be credited within 24 hours. This offer can not be used in conjunction with any other Betgoodwin promotion. If your free bet is subsequently voided it will be replaced within 24 hours. Cashed out bets do not count towards this offer. This offer is limited to a free bet award per person/household/IP address. Betgoodwin reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this offer only once the full duration of the promotion has been completed. Full Terms and Conditions apply. New customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. *New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply New Customers only Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* & £10* to your account & bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value & they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet & payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. New UK customers only. Min £10 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5 and get £10 upon settlement. Further £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours and a further £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Full T&Cs apply.18+. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ | New Customer Only – Promo Code: NEWWELCOME100 required | 50% back on net LOSSES over your first 3 calendar days | requires min 3 x£10 qualifying bets in same 3 days| Min return £1 free bet | T&Cs apply | Available until 01/09/24 at 23:59 | UK residents using debit card | Please gamble responsibly 18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
There are few betting mediums growing as quickly as eSports. The major bookmakers now have a massive offering on a sport that is already a top 10 sport to bet on in volume and will continue to grow. Below is a list of offers from the top eSports bookmakers;
Spreadex
Bet £10, get £40 in free bets
Bet Goodwin
Get 50% back as a free bet up to £25
Betfair
Bet £10 on Sportsbook, Get £50 in Free Bets
Betway
Get a £30 Matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses + 100 Free Spins
Bet365
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
Ladbrokes
£25 in Free Bets when you £5 on sports
Top Best 10 eSports Betting Sites: An In-Depth Review
In only two decades, eSports has gone from nothing to a global behemoth with 532 million viewers in 2022. It’s no surprise, then, that gambling on eSports has grown just as quickly. Knowing where to turn if you want a bet on eSports is essential. The below is where you should be looking first.
BetVictor
BetVictor is one of the older bookmakers, but they have quickly moved with the times. They have one of the most extensive eSports offerings, with League of Legends, Counter Strike Global Offensive and Dota 2 all available pre-event and in-play. Match winner, map winner, handicaps, correct score, and kill totals are all available on the relevant games. Their offering is among the widest, making them an eSports leader.
Spreadex
While most bookmakers will offer fixed odds on eSports, Spreadex (as the name suggests) also offers spread betting. This makes them unique, offering their predictions on games with bettors tasked with choosing to buy or sell on point spreads. Spread betting is very niche and needs to be fully understood before participating.
BetUK
While many bookmakers concentrate on immediate action, you can bet on eSports for a week in advance with BetUK, which has a neat-looking calendar of upcoming action. They boast one of the widest ranges of games anywhere, so they are a great place to bet on Rocket League and Valorant.
Sky Bet
The bonus club with Sky Bet is renowned. Bets on all sports count as long as they match price requirements. As such, those who bet regularly on eSports can gain free bets for the future. Aside from that, they offer one of the broadest ranges of League of Legends divisions out there.
BetGoodwin
A relative newcomer to the online market but a company starting to make waves. They concentrate primarily on League of Legends. As the most prominent game out there, that is not a surprise, and they will likely offer more as they expand. Prices are solid, and they are certainly one to watch.
Betfair
Betfair offers something a little different with the exchange on offer and the sportsbook. Getting matched on the exchange is more challenging, but as the sport grows in popularity, it’s easy to see this as the outlet for successful eSports bettors to take one another on.
Betway
Few can rival the volume of eSports markets that Betway offers. You can bet in-play with them and stream live on your phone wherever you are. All the big named competitions are on there with coupons which make acca betting easy. Security is important to Betway, taking enormous pride in their SSL encryption and keeping their players safe.
bet365
The biggest bookmaker in the UK, they are the market leader in eSports. With their size, they can provide some of the best odds available anywhere. There are some niche games on the site with Esoccer and Ebasketball featured. The biggest plus is the boosted multiples on a banner towards the top of the screen.
SBK
Similar to Betfair insomuch as you can bet on the sportsbook or with Smarkets exchange. With a lower commission rate than Betfair, their exchange offers good value to bettors, though they have fewer markets to bet upon than some.
Betzone
Simplicity is the order of the day here, with eSports betting on the main events. The odds are competitive compared with their rival bookmakers, and for a site that only launched in 2021, there should be better to come from them.
Other eSports Bookmakers Worth Mentioning
There are three other big names that need a shout-out when it comes to eSports betting.
Ladbrokes
Part of the Entain group, they are one of the biggest bookmakers. They have plenty of matches on offer, but generally, they are short on markets bar overall match winner. Despite that, the volume should be enough for novice eSports bettors.
William Hill
There is a huge coupon of match prices with Hills on eSports. They could do with setting things out a touch better into different games, but the volume on offer means that bettors won’t be short of something to get involved with.
Betfred
The bigger events get good coverage with Betfred. Offerings on kills, maps, and outright, Betfred are a decent place to turn for the major tournaments, though they lack a little in day-to-day action.
Understanding eSports: A Brief Overview
ESports are competitive games played on computers. League of Legends, Dota 2 and CS:GO are the most popular. If you want to get involved with betting on eSports, it is vital to understand the game you want to bet on. The stronger your knowledge, the better chance you have of being successful.
The Thrill of eSports Betting
The growth of eSports has been exceptional. In 2021, the worldwide stakes on eSports betting hit 46 billion euros, making it the sixth biggest sport in the world in betting volume. It is still some way off the likes of football and horse racing, but at current rates, it will be on their coattails by the end of the decade.
The beauty of eSports betting is that it appeals to the instant gratification lifestyle. A map on CS:GO doesn’t take long to play, and some bookmakers will break games down as far as the team to draw first blood on map 1.
Markets are easy to navigate, and while it’s important to understand eSports to bet on it, there is not the same level of knowledge required compared to betting on something like horse racing. Simplicity makes it popular with its target market of under 30s.
Criteria for Evaluating eSports Betting Sites
How to judge bookmakers who offer eSports for yourself is crucial. Getting the top prices on your selections is vital if you want to make a long-term profit, so shop around for the bookmaker with the best odds.
If your favourite game is not one of the bigger names, you must look for a betting site with a wider variety of games. They can give you what you are looking for and some slightly more unusual bets.
A site that is intuitive to what bettors want is helpful. Easily laid out so you can find what you are looking for quickly is a big plus. Those with a helpful customer service team can be helpful, and of course, those who offer a secure place to bet.
How to Bet on eSports: A Comprehensive Guide
Knowing precisely what you are doing before you place your bet on eSports is essential.
That means that you know your way around bookmaker’s sites, what markets are available and completely understand how odds work.
Once you are confident, it is time to strategise how to bet on eSports successfully. Watch as much of the action as possible and start by noting what happens to teams and players. Give yourself an imaginary £X and plot out what you would have put a bet on. Do this for a few weeks to tweak what games you play and ensure you are confident that you know enough before playing for real.
Keep things simple, to begin with. Pick one game and start with singles. There are not the same flashy wins as betting big accas, but a steady return while still learning is key. Once you know what works for you, you can strategise overs/unders and kills across multiple games.
Placing your first bet on eSports is no different to placing a wager on any other sport. Simply find the winner of a game and the bookmaker offering the best odds. This is where an odds comparison site can help you. Take the best odds that you can find.
The invention of being able to bet in-play on sports has been one of the biggest wins for the industry in recent years. Esports perfectly lends itself to betting on live matches, with the action easy to watch. If eSports is your passion, in-play betting is the way to go, as your expertise can spot what’s happening before the bookmaker’s traders.
Payment Methods for eSports Betting
Bookmakers have their different ways of accepting payments. Some, like debit cards, are accepted across the board, with PayPal, Skrill and Neteller widely accepted. More modern banks like Revolut and Monzo, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, are also used. The last two can be used to deposit but not for withdrawals.
Some bookmakers will accept cryptocurrency payments as well. These tend to be the smaller, lesser-known names, so ensuring they are secure is important. SSL data encryption technology should be in place with all odds suppliers as a bare minimum for security. Debit cards and e-wallets are the safest methods when it comes to payment.
Legalities & Regulations of eSports Betting: An Overview
Anyone over 18 can gamble on all sports in the UK, including eSports. In the USA, that is over 21 and only in certain states. In South Korea, where eSports are so popular, it’s 19. Some countries have different rules on sports and casinos, so always make sure you know the local rules if you are travelling and want a bet on eSports. It is illegal in some countries like Thailand, mainland China and Indonesia.
Top Betting Tips & Strategies for eSports
As with betting on any sport, studying before gambling is crucial. It’s best to watch games for a while to understand how teams play and their strengths and weaknesses.
It is essential to understand each game – knowing the quirks of League of Legends and how CS:GO maps work will give you a solid understanding. Betting in-play is widespread, and it’s a great way of managing pre-match risks. You can see which team is on top and in pole position to win, and you can change your betting position if need be.
The Importance of Responsible Gambling
Gambling should always remain fun, so it’s essential to do it responsibly. Don’t gamble if you’re feeling down, have been drinking or are stressed. Change in attitude, lack of appetite, mood swings and ignoring loved ones are all signs of a problem.
There is plenty of help if you or someone you know is struggling. There are surveys from the NHS to see if you have an issue. If you need help, speak to GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous.
Understanding eSports Betting Analytics & Statistics
Statistical analysis is hugely important in any sports betting. There are many stats sites where you can compare the likes of individual players’ kills or a team’s performance on each map. Being able to pick out the essential stats
eSports Betting Vs Traditional Sports Betting: A Comparative Study
While game and tournament winners are similar to a typical sports betting market, eSports has some differences. The likes of map-by-map betting and kills by a player or team are markets that can only be found in eSports.
As the games are fast-moving, punters must be active when looking at live game prices. Prices change swiftly, making for a hugely volatile market that can be dangerous for those not paying attention.
That dynamic speed is one of the big pluses for many eSports bettors. It makes for a fascinating betting medium that will continue attracting new punters. As the world moves towards AI, the growth in those who play and bet on eSports will explode along with it.
Traditional sports are often struggling for viewers because they can move slower. There is no such issue in eSports with non-stop action from the start right to the end. Games are high-intensity and have a quick turnover, so expect eSports betting to take more and more of the market in years to come.
The Most Celebrated eSports Tournaments
As with all sports, there are specific tournaments where champions are crowned. Below are four of the biggest and most popular out there.
The International (Dota 2)
Twenty teams line up in The International. It used to be a summer tournament but has moved to October post covid. Held in Seattle for six consecutive years from 2012-2017, it has been seen in Shanghai, Bucharest and Singapore more recently. OG are the only team to win it twice, going back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.
LoL World Championship (League of Legends)
Another autumn classic, T1 has made at least the semi-final stage seven times in the last decade, winning on three occasions, a tournament record. The tournament is split over several host cities, each hosting a different stage. More than 5.1 million tuned into live streams for the 2022 grand final, the highest final in tournament history.
Overwatch League (Overwatch)
Played for the first time in 2018, as the name suggests, it is a league format with playoffs to decide the champions. The San Francisco Shock are the only team to have won the league more than once.
CS:GO Majors (CS:GO)
These are slightly different, as there have been as many as three a year in the past. Astralis has won four majors, with Fnatic having three wins and a finals defeat. Team Vitality is the most recent winner in Paris in May 2023.
Prominent eSports Teams & Their Performance
There are a lot of successful teams in eSports, but these are some of the cream of the crop.
Team Liquid
The Dutch outfit has teams in 14 different games currently. They have earned more in prize money than any other team in the history of eSports. Established in 2000, Team Liquid is a wide-ranging super team who takes enormous pride in its influence and reach within eSports.
Evil Geniuses
The Seattle-based team has been in action since 1999. With more than 180 tournament wins over their 20+ years, they have enjoyed plenty of success. Their fanbase is one of the most diverse in eSports, with 46% of their fans people of colour, 36% women and 17% identifying as LGBTQ+. Their importance on the world stage cannot be understated in terms of inclusivity.
Team Spirit
Younger than the two teams above, they were formed in 2015 and are based in Moscow. They concentrate on fewer games than some of the bigger teams, but this has brought them early success in both Dota 2 and CS:GO. They won $18 million at The International in 2021 when their Dota 2 squad were victorious.
Fnatic
2004 saw the birth of Fnatic, the team to win more tier 1 game tournaments than any other team. They include seven LEC titles in League of Legends, three global offensive majors in CS:GO, and other prizes for more than $16 million in prize money. With headquarters in London, they are naturally well supported by UK residents.
T1
Hailing from South Korea, they house the most famous eSports player – Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. League of Legends is the game that has made them famous, which still remains the centrepiece of their organisation.
Top eSports Players to Watch
If you are interested in watching eSports, this list of some of the top players and where you can find them playing is for you.
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok (League of Legends)
The South Korean is a triple world champion. He made his debut for SK Telecom T1 2 a month shy of his 17th birthday and made an immediate impact. He was the world champion that year (2013) as well as 2015 and 2016.
Still a part of the T1 setup a decade later, he is now a part owner of the team. Inducted into the eSports Hall of Fame in 2019, what Faker has achieved in just a decade is almost beyond belief. ‘Old’ by eSports standards at 27, but he shows no signs of slowing down.
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein (Dota 2)
A four-time Dota Major Champion for OG, he started playing professionally at 15. One of the biggest earners in eSports history, he took things a little easier in 2022, spending time mentoring younger players. Still active on the Dota 2 tour, he is a huge draw wherever he plays.
Anathan “Ana” Pham (Dota 2)
Announced a shock retirement at the age of 21 when part of the OG team but has subsequently joined T1. Twice an International Champion in 2018 and 2019, he has achieved more than most at a remarkably young age.
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (CS:GO)
Born on the 9th of November 2000, he was called the chosen one as that was the original Counter-Strike game’s release date. The French national is in a battle with s1mple for the best CS:GO player at present, three years younger than his Ukrainian rival. Herbaut plays for Team Vitality and recently won MVP when his team won Major Champion in Paris.
Future of eSports Betting: Trends & Predictions
There is only one way that eSports betting is going, and that’s up! Attracting an audience at a young age has helped contribute to eSports’s already meteoric growth. With the growth in AI, there will be more games, more players and even more money on offer within the next decade. There are few sports with a future as bright as eSports, set to become a top five sport by betting volume worldwide very soon.