Welcome To The Modern Era Of Sports Betting – Betting On eSports!
Welcome To The Modern Era Of Sports Betting – Betting On eSports!
In the world of sports betting, esports has gradually earned a name for itself and has already been attracting a significant number of punters from all across the globe. Regardless of your expertise in the competitive gaming field, you can also take part in esports betting and place a wager on your favourite players to win massive rewards. With weekly tournaments taking place featuring world-class players, this may be the very moment for you to indulge in this adrenaline-driving form of sports betting.
To help you turn into a master of this arena, at esportsbetting.net, we offer the ins and outs of betting on esports, latest esports news, available markets, odds, betting tips, and more!
Simply sit back, relax, and glance over our website as we take you through a ride into the magnificent universe of esports betting.
While esportsbetting.net is not a sports betting platform where you can place bets on esports, it caters to all your needs regarding the background and latest updates on the most trending esports happening all over the world. Here you can learn about the basics of esports betting along with available markets and the odds offered on these markets.
We will also give you an insight into the esports betting types, and arm you with necessary tips and tricks to make your punting knowledge even more fruitful.
Last but not least, at esportsbetting.net, we have the best esports betting sites sorted out for you so that you can take part in legal betting in a safe and secure gambling environment.
Even if you feel like taking time before making a move on the arena, you can keep an eye on the news updates at our site to find the ripe moment for your step into esports betting.
What is Esports?
If you are familiar with live video game streaming, then you probably already have a glimpse into the esports ambience. The genre became widely known in the late 2000s with the hype of live streaming and skilled gamers stepping into the scene.
With massive public engagement and generous funding from the game developers, many regional and international esports events were highlighted with professional gamers participating from different corners of the world. The gaming procedure was simple – compete in a virtual battle against another player, either solo or as a member of a team.
Fast forward to the present day, esports comprises of a few gaming types that occur in real-time. First Person Shooter (FPS), Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), Real-Time Strategy (RTS), card games, fighting games, Battle Royale, etc. to name a few. Featuring titles belonging to these genres, esports events take place both at regional and international levels.
In fact, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) discussion of the potential involvement of esports in the leading worldwide sporting event clearly indicates how esports has marked its territory in the vast industry of sports betting.
When it comes to the most recognised esports titles, the names League of Legends, Dota, CS: GO, Starcraft, Overwatch, etc. pops up. Many of these online games have multiple tournament events under their belts, such as League of Legends is renowned for its international tournament event, League of Legends World Championship. Pro gaming tours like the Intel Extreme Masters also arrange esports series in different countries to bring the best-skilled players under the spotlight.
To enjoy an esports event, you can either visit the event location or keep track of its actions via live streaming platforms at the comfort of your home. Currently, Asia and Europe along with North and South America have been recognised as the leading esports hubs.
Tournaments in these regions offer a massive reward package to the winners, often including millions in cash. As a result, it is not surprising that enthusiastic sports bettors and keen bookmakers have also been eyeing this sector in recent years.
Compared to regular sports betting markets like football, cricket, basketball, etc., esports is still a newcomer in the betting world which promises endless possibilities in an unexplored area. Betting in this sector means that you can start from the bottom and gradually brush up your knowledge as you progress.
While betting on esports, the first criteria you need to fill up is having a basic knowledge of how these sporting events work. You can also research popular participants, analyse their gaming style, and place wager accordingly.
Speaking of this, there are two choices you can make when it comes to making bets. You can either go for cash-based esports betting sites or skin-based esports bookmakers. Fantasy esports is another sector that may pique your interest.
Each of these betting types is offered in a range of markets available in that particular event. Odds are also given at the bookie’s site. You can compare different bookmaker platforms to find out the odds that work the best for you. If luck in on your side, you may walk away as a winner of your long-awaited esports tournament.
Is Esports Betting Legal?
Theoretically, esports betting is legal; however, the statement largely depends on your residential region. Depending on government rules and regulations in your country, esports may or may not be legal for you. Therefore, before you make up your mind to place bets on an esports event, be sure to check out whether your region allows sports betting or not.
For the lucky punters who fall in the legal betting zones, we have the best esports betting sites enlisted for your convenience. All the mentioned esports bookmakers at esportbetting.net are safe, licensed, and regulated by renowned gambling organisations.
Before joining any of the esports betting sites recommended in our site, be sure to check the terms and conditions, especially the legality aspects. Also, ensure that you pass the age restriction condition that usually ranges between 18 or 21 years.
Who Regulates Esports Betting?
As esports consists of an array of championship and tournament events happening scattered across different regions, generally the host organisations regulate the events. Major League Gaming, Riot Games, ESL, DreamHack, ELEAGUE, etc., are some of the top-tier gaming organisations that are currently in charge of these roles.
However, in the near future, there may be a specific regulatory body to take control of the esports betting sector.
As for now, reputed gambling organisations like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Government of Curacao, etc. regulate the sports betting markets and authorises licenses accordingly. So, any esports event you choose to bet on in a licensed sports betting site, you will be under the regulation of any of these respected gambling commissions.
Which Esport Games Can You Bet On?
Due to the worldwide ever-growing popularity of esports games, there is a high chance that you have also come across a few, especially the hyped ones like League of Legends, Dota, StarCraft, etc. While there are new games occurring in the market every year, not every game has reached this position to be featured in the esports betting industry. The criteria depend largely on the popularity of the game, how globally versatile it is, area of coverage, and its betting potential. When all aspects are aligned, the game is most likely to appear in a sports betting site for your exploration.
To understand which esport game is trending and which are great for betting purposes, you need to research the popular sports betting sites and pinpoint your market. If you do not feel like spending extra time and effort in all these, we have got you covered. As per our esports experts, here are the top best esports games that have a wide range of markets and a high betting potential.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Betting
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, also termed as CG: GO, is a multiplayer FPS (First Person Shooter) game that is the fourth instalment in the Counter-Strike franchise. Originally launching in 2012 in various gaming platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox 360, Windows, etc., the video game still boasts of a large fan following resulting in global esports competition in recent years.
Manufactured by game developers Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment, CG: GO allows the players to compete in teams and engage in actions revolving around new maps, challenges, weapons, etc. Players can choose different game modes to complete the given objectives. Due to the wide versatility offered in the game, CG: GO features a large number of markets for placing a wager.
CS:GO Betting at GG.bet
Dota 2 Betting
Dota 2 is another popular MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game from Valve that was launched in 2013 on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS platforms. The game features heroes with special abilities who are controlled by each player of a 5-member team that protects and captures different maps. Points and items are rewarded based on performance throughout the match, and the match ends when one team destroys another’s base while killing the opposition’s heroes in single combats.
The worldwide popularity of Dota 2 has led to game-specific global tournaments like The International, where players can win cash prizes worth millions. Similarly, the markets and odds offered for Dota 2 are quite generous as well.
Dota 2 at Betway with nice Freebet offer
League of Legends Betting
League of Legends may be the oldest game in this list but not less popular by any means. In fact, this widely recognised MOBA (Multiplayer Online Betting Arena) game launched by Riot Games in 2009 holds one of the major esports titles and offers a wide array of betting markets for punters.
The game features various champions armoured with destructive weapons and special moves. Each champion is controlled by a player who takes part in single or team combats against the opposing player or team of players.
Some of the League of Legends betting markets and odds at GG.bet
StarCraft II Betting
Launched almost a decade ago, in 2010, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is an RTS (Real-time Strategy) game from the top-tier video game developer Blizzard Entertainment. The storyline of the game highlight 3 supernatural species with unique abilities and include 29 missions placed in different maps. This game also has its own global championship events, including DH SC2 Masters and Global StarCraft II League.
Some of the betting markets at GG.bet
What Markets are Available in Esports Betting?
Match Winner
Match winner is a popular betting type where you can place a wager on the team/player that you think is going to win the match. In most games, this market allows you to bet on a certain player.
Group Winner
This is one of the most common betting markets that you will find in most game events. In this market, you will be placing bets on the overall winning group of the tournament. Regardless of the actions occurring in the series of matches, only the final winner will determine a successful bet.
Group of Winner
If your chosen esports game ends with a single winner defeating every other player, then you can take advantage of this market. Here you can place a bet on the group from where the overall winner will come from. For example, if you have eyes on a potential winner from the beginning of the match, place a bet on the entire group to win in this market.
Draw
Draw is a betting type where you will place a wager on the condition that the match ends in a tie. However, this market is not always available and is usually offered only during selected matches.
Map Winner
In games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, etc. where matches take place based on maps, this market is offered. In this, you can place a bet on the winner of each map.
Tournament Winner
In global tournaments like the League of Legends World Championship, you can put your stake on the tournament winner. This is a popular betting market and usually approached by the punters who want to win big.
Handicap Betting
Like any regular sports, when it comes to esports betting, one team is considered a favourite and another an underdog. This market is not offered on every esport game, but only when there are two competing teams in a certain match.
In this betting type, the bookmaker sets a line with extra advantage to the underdog team, thus setting the game on a balanced footing. Therefore, you can place a wager on your chosen team with handicap losing or winning.
For example, Team Trojans may have a 3-rounds advantage against Team Maximus. The match outcome is 7-9, but with the extra rounds, Team Trojan will gain a revised record of 10-9, and you will win the handicap bet if you placed a bet on Team Trojan.
Handicap betting may be a bit challenging for the new punters; however, with proper research, you can gain an upper hand on this betting type.
Region of Winner
In international esports events where skilled gamers from all over the world participate, you may find this market to test your luck on. In the region of the winner market, you can determine the region from where the winner player or winner team may be, and place a bet accordingly.
Over/Under
Over/ under is another popular betting type in which the bookmaker will set a certain number of kills completed by the participants, and you have to place a bet on whether the parties will achieve more or less than the mentioned number. This market requires proper research on the gaming capabilities of the teams so that you can make a prediction based on their previous performances.
Total Rounds
In this market, the bookmaker will set a certain number of rounds that the match may extend to. You need to place bets on whether the match will go over or under the mentioned number.
First Blood
When you are confident enough about a particular player or team, you may try betting on this popular market. This betting type is usually offered on competitive action-based games like the League of Legends and Counter-Strike. In the “First Blood” category, you can place a wager on the team which is most likely to perform the first kill in the match.
Knife Round/ Pistol Round
Like the “First Blood” market, the “Knife Round/ Pistol Round” allows you to places bet on the first kill performed by a knife or pistol.
Esports Betting Odds
Esports odds work like odds on regular sports events like football, basketball, cricket, etc. This is basically the amount the bookmaker will pay you given that you win the bet, along with the placed wager.
Whenever you choose a bookmaker to start betting on an esports event, you will also have to keep these terms in mind: bankroll and odds format. Bankroll is the amount of real cash that you can use to place a wager. On the other hand, the odds format is how the odds will be paid out to you. Different bookmakers offer different odds, so you may have to compare a dew before you can settle in one.
Let’s take an in-depth look into esports odds here:
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds indicated the amount one will gain from each $1 wagered on the winning team. Widely offered at European sports betting sites, it shows the entire payout along with the profit. For this reason, it becomes easier to calculate the payout, especially for new punters.
For example, if Team Trojan is to defeat Team Maximus at 3.00 odds, the punter with $100 wager placed will win $300, together with the initial bankroll and profit.
American Odds
With American odds, also termed as Moneylines odds, you can understand how much you can gain from every $100 wagered. Usually offered in US-based betting sites, the bookmaker sets a positive (+) sign for the underdogs a negative (-) sign for the match favourites. The higher the difference between the odds, the greater is the probability of the favourite team winning the match.
For example, if Team Trojan is set at +385 and Team Maximus is set at -560, one needs to bet $100 on Team Trojan for a potential win of $385. If Team Trojan, being the underdog, ends up winning, you will receive the initial stake amount of $100 along with the profit of $385, making a total winning of $485.
On the contrary, if you place a bet on the match favourite Team Maximus, you will have to wager $560 to win $100. Given that Team Maximum wins the match, you will receive a total of $660, including the initial stake and the profit.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are more common in UK-based sportsbooks where it indicated the returns from the placed wager. For example, if you place a £100 stake on Team Trojan to beat Team Maximus at 10/11, you will win £90.91 in profit. Considering that you gain back your initial stake amount, your winning total will be £190.91.
How do You Place Esports Bets?
As the number of fully dedicated esports betting sites is still quite low, you may have to start your esports betting journey from a traditional online sports betting site. However, once you have mastered this sector and want to progress further, you can also sign up at skin betting sites, cash betting sites, fantasy betting sites, or social betting sites.
Depending on the bookmaker you choose, you can take part in esports betting accordingly. However, still, the most common site to place a bet on esports is a traditional sports betting site that offers a significant number of esports markets.
As mentioned above, many traditional sports betting sites now offer a wide variety of esports markets due to the ever-growing popularity of this category. In fact, some bookmakers also cover major esports tournaments and offer markets related to pre-match betting, in-play betting, and outright betting.
Many seasonal and veteran punters choose the traditional bookmakers due to the high-security level and the credibility they come with. Although the betting environment is a bit less versatile than the dedicated esports betting sites, the idea of safety and fairness leads many users to traditional platforms.
How do You Deposit to Bet on Esports?
Whether you opt for a traditional sports betting site or a betting site dedicated to esports, you will find a number of payment methods offered for your convenience. While you can easily choose one while placing a wager, we recommend you check the available payment systems even before you sign-up at the site.
You can also check whether your selected payment method charges additional fees or not. At many traditional bookies, certain eWallets are not eligible for the welcome bonus scheme, so you may want to check this factor as well.
Once you have chosen a deposit method, select a certain amount, and make payment in your user account. In most cases, deposits are instant; however, if you are using methods like bank wire transfer, it may take up to 3 days for your account to be credited.
Now that we have covered the basics, you need to know to place a bet on esports events, let us take you through some of the most common payment methods available in online esports betting sites.
Visa/Mastercards
Visa and Mastercards are globally used transaction services, and as a result, most online sports betting operators offer these payment methods to their clients. That being said, you may not find credit card funding options when it comes to UK-based betting sites as these are banned in this region.
If you are from a different region, you will have to use these financial services to make payments and enjoy your journey betting on your favourite esports events.
eWallets
eWallets are undoubtedly one of the most popular payment systems when it comes to betting online. This is mostly because deposits are instant and withdrawals take less time than the regular methods. eWallets like PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Maestro, Paysafecard, etc. are most common in betting sites. Some region-based eWallets are also available in well-established bookies.
Although eWallets are widely used due to the safety, security, and user convenience they offer, they often require extra fees in certain betting sites. Therefore, before you opt for an eWallet in a specific site, notice whether any charge is added.
Bank Wire Transfer
Time-consuming but safe – this is one of the major reasons why many punters opt for bank wire transfer. In fact, this is one of the best methods to avoid unsafe transactions if you are betting with high stakes. While this may be an old-school payment method, almost every esports betting site offers bank wire transfer. Regardless of the area you reside in, there is a high chance that you will be able to take advantage of this payment system.
Pay by Phone
Pay by Phone is yet another payment method that has been gradually gaining popularity among the sports bettors. This works especially well if you are a mobile gambler or stay away from tour desktop for long hours. In the “Pay by Phone” system, you can add credit to your account directly from your phone and enjoy punting no matter where you are.
Cryptocurrencies
While the use of cryptocurrencies has seen a drastic growth in recent years, its availability in online betting sites is still relatively low. However, you may come across a few esports betting operators who feature this transaction method. Before you jump on the offer, be sure to read the terms and check the details first.
Other Forms of Esports Betting
The area of esports is wider than it is seen at the first look. The market emphasises on products first and then caters to currencies. By currencies, it indicated skins and real cash. Before we get into details, let us explore a bit more to gain an insight into the other forms of esports betting.
Fantasy Betting
Fantasy betting works as a great escapade for punters who can not take part in regular sports betting due to their regional legal issues. This type of betting is most popular in USA-based sportsbooks where one can indulge in fantasy League of Legends or CS:GO fantasy, fantasy racing, and other similar games.
In a fantasy betting match, you can create your own fictional team of champions to battle against other players’ teams within a certain budget. Based on the performance of the champions, points are awarded to the punter. The one who reaches the top of the leaderboard wins the ultimate high payout.
Skins Betting
Skins betting, also known as items betting, is a popular esports betting type where you place a wager to win in-game items. Generally, almost every competitive online video game manufacturer releases new skins, weapons, or collector’s items for the players. If these interest you, you can take part in skins betting to get your hands on attractive armours or special abilities.
Initially, skins betting caters to gamers’ needs and interests; however, many choose to exchange the winnings for real money via third-parties. If you are not up for extra hassle, you can also exchange the winning items with other players to get rid of extra or unwanted equipment in your inventory.
Cash Betting
In cash betting sites, punters can win real money instead of skins or items. As a result, these types of betting platforms are more popular among the bettors outside the video game community. That means, even if you are not into video gaming, you can still analyse the esports markets and place bets in a cash betting site to gain real money.
Social Betting
As the name suggests, social betting is a type of betting where you once wager between a certain community, mostly among your friends from social media platforms. Here you can bet cash, skins, or items revolving around a match or a tournament outcome. While it may seem lucrative and entertaining, we recommend taking part in it for recreational purposes only so that you can avoid potential risks regarding safety and security.
Esports Betting FAQ
What are esports?
Esports are competitive online gaming events that are participated by teams of expert gamers from different parts of the world. However, regional esports events feature local teams that compete in tournaments against each other.
With massive prize pools involved in these championship events, players can also enjoy the attention of hundreds and thousands of spectators watching the match progress.
Some of the major esports titles are held by League of Legends, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, StarCraft II, etc.
How does an esports tournament work?
An esports tournament usually consists of two stages: Group Stages and Playoffs/ Knockout Stages. After each match in the group stage, the winning team progresses to the next level. In the Knockout stages, teams take part in single-elimination brackets or double elimination brackets. The one team remaining is crowned as the champion team.
Do I have to pay taxes on my esports betting winnings?
Depending on the region you live in, you may or may not have to pay taxes on your esports betting winnings. To learn more regarding this, you can check the rules and regulations of your area before placing a large stake that may potentially win a larger sum. However, for residents in the UK, there is no tax applied to their winnings from esports betting.
Is live streaming available on esports matches?
Yes, many bookmakers offer live streaming on popular esports events. Even if your chosen sportsbook does not offer live streaming, you can enjoy the match live on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.
Is learning about games before betting on esports necessary?
Like every other sports market, by having some prior knowledge on the game, you will enhance your probability of winning on whatever it is you are betting on. Even if you do not have a first-hand experience of playing the game yourself, you can check live gameplay in various platforms to understand how it works. You can also keep an eye on our betting tips and latest news to remain updated on the matter.
Is esports available in my country?
Unless your region prohibits online betting entirely, there is a high possibility that esports are available in your country. Due to the less strict regulations on esports, it is supported by a larger number of countries.
Esports Betting Tips
While we have a dedicated section about betting tips related to specific esports, here we have tried to cover a general concept that you need to keep in mind before you get into esports betting.
When you are playing without real cash, you may not need to abide by the aspects; however, if you are betting with real money, then you need to plan your esports betting strategy accordingly. Here’s how you can get a heads up on the matter:
Know Your Game
Before determining a bet on a specific esport event, as a rule of thumb, learn about the game. A foolproof method to do this is to play the game yourself. Another way is to check the gameplay via live streaming or YouTube videos.
Keep in mind that although two games may fall in the same genre, they may have different sets of rules to begin with. You can also follow a certain favourite’s gameplay to gain a better knowledge of that particular game.
Do Proper Research
If there is one thing that we cannot stress enough, it is performing proper research before placing bets. Even if you have been following a certain player or a team, you may want to check the latest stats, news updates, and ranking charts to find out where the other players stand at.
You should also keep an eye on the players’ recent performances, roster changes, and single combat results to finalise your decision.
Compare Different Odds
You may have signed up at a great sportsbook site and noticed higher odds than its competitors. However, you may still need to research other betting sites to check whether better odds are offered. A simplified approach to this method can be done by keeping a tab on our recommended esports betting sites. As these are safe and licensed, you can instantly sign up and place a bet even at the very last minute.
Look for Market Value
Instead of sticking to a certain favourite player, you can explore the other offered markets and bet on one that offers better value. You can use your knowledge on the specific game and place a wager on a market that gives higher odds in your opinion.
Go for the Right Market
While there is “No” specific right market, there should be a few markets that work the best for you. This usually depends on your expertise in the area, such as if you are confident about a certain team winning the match, you can bet on “Group Winner” or the “Match Winner”.
Track Your Bet Outcomes
To ensure improved strategies by learning from your previous bets, you can keep a record of the bets you made. While this may cause you extra work, you can reap the rewards by making more potentially successful bets. You can also see for yourself the markets that have been proved lucrative for you and avoid the ones that resulted in constant losses.
Set a Budget
Betting on esports can be exciting, but often it may make you lose track of time and money spent on different events. Therefore, gaining enjoyment should be the key outcome from betting on esports rather than focusing largely on monetary gains. We suggest that you set a fixed budget that you will be betting on esports events. Also, have a mindset of not chasing your losses if you lose a bet.
Esports betting is a rising marketplace in the online sports betting industry. Here at esportbetting.net, we work tirelessly to provide proper insight into esports betting so that the punters, both beginners and experts, can take a look at esports markets, odds, betting tips, expert reviews, latest news, and more!
Overall, we offer an all-in-all esports betting guide for fans of League of Legends, Dota 2, CG: GO, StarCraft II, and other online gaming fans. So read up and enhance your winning chances today!
What are esports? 