Esports have been on the rise for several years, so it’s no surprise that there’s growing interest in betting on them. Numerous popular online bookmakers added eSports to their portfolios, but that’s not all. Punters can find stand-alone eSports bookmakers that only offer these options.
Due to the growing number of eSports betting sites, funding a suitable operator is a lot harder than before. Fortunately, this guide is about to show you which operators stand out. Furthermore, it will showcase everything you should know when choosing such a bookie.
The Best eSports Operators
Criteria for Choosing the Best eSports Betting Sites
To save time and have a better overall experience, users looking for the best eSports betting sites must pay attention to certain factors:
- Legitimacy and Licensing -The first and the most important one is the brand’s legitimacy and licensing. These two are among the key criteria we use when rating bookmakers, and they are incredibly important If a given bookie is legit and licensed, you can trust it with your private data and enjoy its services.
- Variety of betting options – Of course, all eSports betting sites must provide a solid selection of games to choose from. They should also have enough betting markets and features.
- User interface and experience – The user interface is another key aspect that users must consider. The same is true for the experience because online bookmakers who have been in this business know what to do to ensure an unforgettable experience for their customers.
- Bonuses and Promotions – It’s also vital to address the different bonuses and promotions. Learn more information about the welcome bonuses, regular promos, special deals, and so on.
- Payment Methods – No matter what you want to punt on, the bookie must offer you a good selection of payment methods. The good news is that most modern brands tick this box and have e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, cards, bank transfers, and others.
- Customer support – Although the customer support department may not be the most important factor for some, it plays a big role in choosing eSports sportsbooks. The best names in the business will always offer quality options.
- Security and Privacy – It’s no surprise that all eSports bookies you look for should offer you enough security options. Furthermore, they must ensure that all of your private data is secure.
Which are the Most Popular eSports Games?
At its core, eSports betting is the same as wagering on traditional sports. You must select a game, followed by an event, choose the eligible market, add the market to your bet slip, and wager an X amount of money.
The big difference between eSports betting and regular wagering, however, is in the available options. After learning when to bet on eSports, you will realize that there are many alternatives to choose from. Undoubtedly, the most famous eSports worth betting on are:
- League of Legends
- Dota 2
- Counter-Strike: 2
- Fortnite
- Valorant
- King of Glory
Of course, if you browse the electronic sports betting websites, you can come across betting options for FIFA, PES, World of Tanks, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and more.
Betting on MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games)
Even though MOBAs aren’t as big as before, they continue to be the go-to option for online betting. Their number grows, but some titles are much more popular than others.
Dota 2 is the preferred eSport for millions worldwide, including users interested in betting. The title has insane prize pools and a big eSports scene across multiple continents.
If you are looking for the best Dota 2 betting sites, you can check operators like, Betway, 1xBet, and 22Bet. All of them have quality options, and good features and will let you choose from many different competitions.
League of Legends is another game worth mentioning. It has always been one of the biggest eSports games, with millions of fans worldwide. You will encounter this title even when using betting operators that have little to do with eSports. In terms of choosing the best eSports betting sites for it, options like 22Bet, 1xBet, Betway, and GG.bet, are always good. All sites will offer plenty of markets.
Although it’s a mobile MOBA, the popularity of King of Glory (also known as Honor of Kings) is increasing. The game is not offered everywhere yet, but operators like GG.bet offer multiple events and markets.
Betting on First Person Shooters (FPS)
The FPS genre in eSports is extremely popular because people love betting on these types of titles.
CS2 is the successor of CS:GO, and it is as popular as its predecessor. When looking for the best sites to bet on CS2, you will come across Betway, 1xBet, 22Bet, and more. They all have quality markets and offer all sorts of Counter-Strike 2 events.
Valorant is Riot Games’s crown jewel and is very popular, and has a solid eSports scene. Although it’s not as big as CS2, all top-tier operators will let you wager on the hottest events. GG. Bet is a really good example of an eSports bookie, where you can come across all kinds of betting options.
Call of Duty is another title that’s worth mentioning. It is a game with rich traditions among betting fans. You can find the game across multiple platforms, including GG.bet, which has more alternatives than most of its counterparts.
Sports Simulators
Most top esports betting sites offer many different sports simulators. They are a great alternative to regular sports betting, and it seems that many people enjoy them.
EA FC has to be one of the most popular game franchises ever. It is available across many different platforms, including BC.Game, GG.bet, and others.
If basketball is something you like, NBA 2K is among the best overall games to put to the test. Should you choose this option for online betting, you will find it on several sites. For example, GG.bet and Betway usually have a solid selection of options.
Other games to try for esports betting
Since this industry is growing all the time, you can always find new options to put to the test.
Fortnite used to be extremely popular several years ago, but things are no longer the same. Nevertheless, the title continues to have fans who follow everything, which is why you can find it in several bookies. The best ones include operators like GG.bet.
Hearthstone is usually a game that people watch on Twitch when they want to relax. Nevertheless, some betting sites offer intriguing events and markets, allowing Hearthstone fans to wager on the people they like. The go-to site for this game is GG.bet.
Street Fighter is another iconic game franchise that has been around for ages. Although it’s not the most popular sports game for online betting, it can be found on various platforms, including 1xBet.
Top eSports Betting Sites for 2024
With so many eSports betting sites, finding the top operators isn’t always easy. With that said, there are a few operators that definitely stand out, so here’s what you should know.
Parimatch
Besides being an operator where eSports fans can find many games, good markets and high odds. It’s also among the few operators with sponsorship deals in eSports and it’s a brand that may have bonuses for these games.
The main disadvantage is that Parimatch is not available in all countries. Also, the site uses a different domain in some parts of the world, meaning there are differences between countries and the options users have access to.
Betway
Betway has always been a stronghold for eSports betting. The site has a rich tradition and is among the biggest sponsors of teams and events. Its main focus is Counter-Strike 2, but the brand offers loads of League of Legends, Dota 2 and Valorant betting options.
Betway often has the best odds for the most common eSports markets. It’s also among the few bookies with active eSports promotions. Regarding its disadvantages, the big one is that it focuses on specific countries, such as the UK.
GG.bet
If there’s one platform that can be regarded as the best eSports betting site, GG.bet will take the crown. This operator offers substantially more titles than any of its counterparts. Moreover, the number of events it covers, as well as the markets for them, is very impressive, even for hardcore fans.
GG.bet also has a wide selection of bonuses for some of the more popular eSports titles. There are also regular promotions that players can use when wagering on some of the other games.
There aren’t that many drawbacks for GG.bet besides availability. Users in some parts of the world may have difficulties accessing it.
How to Get Started with eSports Betting
Making your first steps into eSports betting can be challenging, especially for users with no experience. That’s why we have a detailed step-by-step guide to assist everyone who needs help.
- Choose one of the many top-tier eSports betting sites.
- Begin the registration process and go through all steps. The entire procedure can take up to a couple of minutes.
- Fund your account and visit the bonus section to see if there are any lucrative options.
- Choose one or more eSports titles and check the available events.
- After finding an intriguing option, add the market(s) to your bet slip and place the bet.
Wagering on eSports is very similar to punting on regular sports, but there are a lot of specifics. For example, it’s very important to understand the game that you want to be on. Just because you understand the markets, that doesn’t mean everything will go your way. Watch some gameplay, check out a few guides, or even download the game yourself. Do everything in your power to understand the game as much as possible.
It’s also vital to know the teams and players that you wish to punt on. Regardless of which teams you’re betting on, there are always publicly available stats and records. Analyze each team member’s performance, as well as how cohesive the team is all together. This should give you an idea of what to expect.
You should also check the news to see if there are any roster changes. Also, betting on best-of-one matches may not always be a good idea, especially if the tournament is important. Teams will usually do everything possible to win.
Overview of eSports Betting
Esports betting came into existence several years ago and it was a luxury found on a handful of sites. Nowadays, the number of eSports betting sites and regular bookmakers that offer these alternatives increases all the time.
Esports is a term for some of the world’s most popular video and mobile games. These titles are more special than an average video game because they have a professional league/tournament schedule. In other words, people bet on regulated events that have defined rules.
There’s a lot we can discuss, but we have a special beginner’s guide to eSports betting where you can learn about some of the key aspects. What’s important is that eSports wagering is growing, resulting in more exclusive markets, features, and bonuses.
Keep in mind that all big eSports events will come with a dedicated live stream because of Twitch. Bookies integrate the live streaming platform into their sites, allowing people who bet on live events to watch the action as it unfolds.
FAQ
Is eSports betting like traditional sports betting?
Yes and no. The bet-placing process for esports betting and traditional sports wagering is the same. However, there are differences in the markets (and usually the odds) and some of the features.
Is it possible to bet on other sports inside an eSports bookmaker?
Yes, it is possible to wager on other sports on an eSports betting site, as long as it has a traditional sportsbook. Most operators tick this box.
Is eSports live betting worth it?
Yes, wagering on live eSports events is definitely worth it. All operators will give you access to this service, which means you will find way more markets and options.