Your Complete Guide to eSports Betting
eSports have boomed in popularity in recent years. Because of this, many popular titles are listed on leading sportsbooks, with a wide range of options that may seem overwhelming initially. We’ve put together an article aimed at helping such individuals, providing explanations of eSports odds, markets & lines, and more.
Overview of eSports Betting
Technically, eSports wagering has been around in one form or another since the late 20th century, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the first markets appeared at formalized bookmakers. In the fifteen years since, wagering on eSports has become increasingly popular, with an ever-growing number of sportsbooks listing top video game titles.
Most Popular Markets and Games in eSports Betting
When eSports first appeared on sportsbooks, there weren’t many options to choose from. Now, many more gaming titles appear on bookmakers, each with their own variety of markets and wagering options. Let’s break down five of the most trending games.
How CS:GO Betting Works
CS:GO is a tactical first-person shooter. Players value its fast pace and gameplay that is based on the player’s skills. During matches, teams work to fulfill a variety of objectives, be it planting bombs or rescuing hostages. There are several bet types you can place on these games:
- Map Winner. You place bets on which team will win the map.
- First Kill/ You wager on who will be the first to kill another player
- Player-specific bets. This type includes most kills, MVP awards, etc.
Strategies for Dota 2 Betting
Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. In it, teams compete to destroy towers and kill each other’s Ancients. With over 120 heroes, an in-depth knowledge of the current game meta is very advantageous to bettors. Popular wagering markets include:
- Total Towers Destroyed. You bet on the total number of towers destroyed in a game
- Region Winner. You place bets on which region will produce the outright winner
- Total Kills Over/Under. Here you predict whether the total number of kills will be under or over a given amount
Understanding League of Legends Betting
LoL is another popular MOBA where two teams fight to destroy each other’s turrets and Nexus. There are 170 champions in LoL, each with their own range of abilities. Familiarising yourself with their mechanics will make it easier to place more strategic bets:
- First Dragon/Baron. Players bet on which side will meet the first major objective.
- Total Maps Over/Under. You need to predict whether the total number of maps will be over or under a set amount.
- Special Bets. Wagers are placed on in-game events, like gold earned, fastest game, pentakills, etc.
The Rising Popularity of Valorant Betting
Valorant is another tactical first-person shooter game that has enjoyed massive popularity since its release. This has led to tons of wagering opportunities at online sportsbooks, with many bookmakers offering a diverse selection of markets:
- First Spike Plant. Bets are placed on which team will be the first to plant the spike
- Most Kills. You place wagers on which player will get the most kills in a match
- Agent-Specific Bets. Here wagers are related to specific agents (e.g., most kills with Jett)
What to Consider When Fortnite Betting
Fortnite is a battle royale game where players fight to be the last one standing. There are 100 players in each match, so markets work a bit differently from standard team-based eSports. Some popular markets include:
- Top Placement. You can bet on a player placing in the Top 3, Top 5, Top 10, etc.
- Head-to-Head Player Bets. You wager on which of two players will rank higher
- Highest kills. You place a bet on which player will score the most kills
How to Find the Best eSports Betting Sites
If you want to try out eSports wagering, you need to find a suitable website. This platform should have all the necessary features, as well as really attractive and reasonable odds. In this section, we’ll explain what you should look for in a bookmaker, so you can be better prepared.
Key Features to Look for at eSports Betting Sites
When looking for a sportsbook to join, you should always put your safety first. To that end, we recommend sticking to bookmakers with valid licensing from a recognised authority. You should also look out for competitive odds, which lead to better payouts and higher chances of winning. A varied selection of bonuses is another must-have. Finally, if you enjoy in-play stakes, make sure to check whether or not the site in question offers live betting features.
Understanding eSports Betting Odds
In eSports wagering, odds are used to express the probability of a particular outcome. They also let you know your potential payout. In eSports, they might be affected by things like recent team performance, roster changes, meta shifts, and match conditions.
The Benefits and Challenges of Live eSports Betting
Real-time play allows you to hedge your bets, make better-value wagers, and take advantage of unique markets – but it has its drawbacks, too. Fluctuating odds can make it difficult to lock in a good price, you have limited time for research, and it’s a lot easier to fall into the trap of emotional gambling.
In Conclusion
eSports betting presents bettors with many unique stake options and fun specialty markets. To stand the best chance of making a profit, however, you should do a good amount of research into current game meta, odds, and markets. You should also be sure to approach all gambling with a healthy and responsible attitude, taking the necessary steps to protect yourself from addiction.
Temps de lecture : 4 minutes
Date de publication : 04.04.2025
