You might be surprised to learn that esports betting is the fastest-growing betting sport worldwide. Between 2016 and 2020, it grew by 134%.
The numbers are mind-blowing. Betting turnover on esports was set to hit $12.9 billion in 2020. Skins betting pushed these numbers even higher – five times higher!
Betting on esports shares common ground with traditional sports betting, but the digital world is more dynamic. Game updates and team changes shape betting outcomes and strategies. This makes the experience both thrilling and complex for bettors.
League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, Rainbow Six Siege, and Counter-Strike host major global tournaments that draw millions of viewers. On top of that, platforms like BetUS, BetWhale, and BetOnline give new players various betting options and welcome bonuses.
Live esports betting has caught on quickly. Players can now place bets during matches to get a better betting experience. Smart strategies like varying your bets, hedging, and backing underdogs can boost your winning chances by a lot.
Let me show you everything about betting on esports – from simple concepts to advanced strategies that help you win regularly. Let’s take a closer look!
Understanding Esports Betting Basics
Esports betting is different from traditional sports gambling in several ways. You need to understand these basic differences, the games you can bet on, and how tournaments work before placing your first bet.
What makes esports different from traditional sports
Traditional sports follow set seasons and schedules. Esports runs year-round with tournaments happening at the same time across different continents. This gives bettors more chances to place wagers throughout the year instead of waiting for specific seasons.
The digital nature of esports sets it apart. Traditional sports betting depends on physical performance, weather, and proven statistical models. Esports adds new elements like game patches and updates that can change competitive balance overnight.
Esports betting has more moving parts than traditional sports betting. The game moves fast, which means odds change quickly during matches. Bettors must make decisions faster. In-game or live esports betting has grown in popularity. Counter-Strike matches see 46% of bets placed during live games.
The target audience also sets these two apart. Esports betting draws younger, tech-savvy people. Gen Z (ages 18-27) makes up 44% of all esports bettors in 2024. Traditional sports betting attracts an older crowd who know established teams and betting markets better.
Popular games you can bet on
Several major titles lead the esports betting market:
- Counter-Strike: This game rules esports betting. It accounts for 64% of total betting handle in Q4 2024 and 58% of all real-money esports bets. ESL Pro League and Intel Extreme Masters are its biggest tournaments.
- League of Legends: The second most popular game for betting takes 26% of all esports bets in 2024. Mid-Season Invitational viewership peaked at 2.8 million.
- Dota 2: Famous for huge prize pools, “The International” tournament often tops $30 million. Dota 2 held about 10% of the betting market in 2024.
- Valorant: This new game (launched in 2020) has grown fast. Its market share doubled from 3% to 5% in 2024.
Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, and Apex Legends round out the popular games. Each has major tournaments and betting markets.
How esports tournaments work
Tournament formats shape how players perform and teams plan their strategies. You’ll see single-elimination, double-elimination, round-robin, and Swiss-system formats.
Big competitions like The International (Dota 2), World Championship (League of Legends), and ESL Pro League (Counter-Strike) attract huge audiences and offer big prize pools. Teams start in qualifying rounds and work their way to the main events to compete for titles.
Each game and tournament has its own match format. Early rounds often use best-of-one matches. Playoffs and finals step up to best-of-three, best-of-five, or best-of-seven series. These formats matter because they affect betting strategies and results.
Esports betting options include picking match winners, tournament champions, map winners, and special bets like first blood or total kills.
Teams change players more often in esports than in traditional sports. New players need time to fit into a team’s style and communication. Smart bettors factor this in before placing their wagers.
How to Place Your First Esports Bet
Ready to start your esports betting journey? Let me guide you through each step.
Creating an account on esports betting websites
You need a trustworthy platform to begin esports betting. The best betting websites have proper licenses and secure payment options. Sites like Rivalry operate under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission and follow strict regulatory standards.
Here’s how to set up your account:
- Pick a betting site and click its registration link
- Fill in your details, including name, address, and phone number
- Review and accept the site’s terms and conditions
- Complete registration and verify your email
- Confirm your identity by uploading identification documents
- Add funds using your preferred payment method
The platform will help you through each step. Once you’re done, head to the esports section, pick your game, and check out the available bets.
Exploring betting markets: moneyline, props, over/under
Your new account opens up several betting options. These are the most popular types:
Moneyline (Match Winner) – This basic form of esports betting lets you pick the winning team. Pinnacle explains, “The easiest way to think of Money Line betting is to imagine two teams presented in front of you (say, Astralis vs. Fnatic), and you get to choose who you think will win”. Your bet wins if your team wins.
Handicap Betting – This advanced version of moneyline betting evens out matches between teams of different skill levels. Bookmakers give underdogs a head start and favourites a disadvantage.
Over/Under (Totals) – You bet whether a specific stat will be higher or lower than the bookmaker’s set number. CS:GO bets might focus on total rounds, while Dota 2 or League of Legends bets often look at kill counts.
Proposition Bets (Props) – These bets focus on specific match events. You can bet on first blood, first to 10 kills, or whether the total kills will be odd or even.
Understanding esports betting odds
Betting odds show you both outcome chances and possible winnings. You’ll see three main types:
Decimal Odds – Europeans and Australians use these odds to show total returns per unit bet. A $10 bet at 3.0 odds pays $30 total ($20 profit plus your $10 stake). The implied probability comes from dividing 1 by the decimal odds (1/3.0 = 33.3% chance).
Fractional Odds – British bettors prefer these odds, shown as 5/1 or similar. A $10 bet at 3/1 odds brings $30 profit plus your original $10.
Moneyline Odds – Americans use positive (+) or negative (-) numbers. A +300 shows potential profit on a $100 bet, while -200 tells you how much to bet for a $100 win.
Decimal odds work best for beginners since they display your potential total return, including your stake.
Step-by-Step Strategy to Start Winning
Success in esports betting takes more than luck—you just need a methodical approach. These four steps will help you develop a strategy that works and boost your chances of winning.
1. Choose a game you know well
The best way to approach esports betting is to focus on games you really understand. According to experts, “The best eSport to bet on is the game that you know most about, and know most about the teams and players that play it”. Rather than spreading your knowledge across multiple titles, focus on mastering one game at first.
Specialising in a single esport helps you notice details that casual bettors miss. It also helps that betting on games you enjoy watching will keep you involved with the research process. Your deeper knowledge will help you spot betting opportunities others miss, giving you an edge over bookmakers and casual bettors.
2. Research teams and players
You should break down everything before placing a bet. “The more you know about the players, and the more you are aware of their current form, hot or cold, you may be able to find an edge and find those underdog winners before they happen”.
Think over these significant factors:
- Recent team performance (last five matches)
- Head-to-head records between opponents
- Map priorities and performance statistics
- Individual player metrics relevant to the game
- Team dynamics and recent roster changes
- Tournament importance and team motivation levels
Player mindsets can be understood through social media monitoring. “Social media and player interviews can provide clues about the mental state of players”, which directly affects performance.
3. Start with small bets
Keep your wagers modest while learning the ropes. “Start small with small bets to find your footing. When you are comfortable and have developed an effective betting strategy, increase your wagers responsibly”. This approach reduces risk while you develop your betting skills.
Set a specific betting budget and stick to it strictly. Next, divide your bankroll into units and keep individual bets to just a few units per match. Note that “it’s important to note that none of these methods guarantee success, and you should always bet within your limits”.
4. Track your results and learn from them
Your betting history records are a great way to get insights about your performance. “For a better understanding of your overall sports betting performance, you should track your results“. This helps you spot patterns in both winning and losing wagers.
Make sure to document these details for each bet:
- Date and matchup
- Type of bet placed
- Odds and wager amount
- Final result and profit/loss
The data analysis reveals your strengths and weaknesses. “By tracking diligently, you’ll gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, and also clarity on when you may need to adapt your approach”. This information lets you refine your strategy over time and steadily improve your win rate.
Advanced Tips to Improve Your Betting
You’ve learned the simple things, and now it’s time to lift your esports betting strategy. These advanced techniques can substantially improve your results if you implement them properly.
Using live esports betting to your advantage
Live betting dominates esports wagering. It accounts for over 70% of all esports betting handle during matches. This popularity exists with good reason too – in-play betting creates strategic opportunities that pre-match betting can’t match.
The best approach is to watch matches live through bookmaker streaming services. This practice helps you spot valuable details that other bettors might miss. Many quality betting platforms now offer integrated live streaming right next to betting markets. You won’t need to switch between websites anymore.
Timing plays a vital role in live betting. The match’s start brings opportunities in early markets like “first blood” or “first kill.” The middle stage lets you utilise your understanding of team momentum. The final moments help you find value in markets unrelated to the overall winner if the outcome looks certain.
Varying your bets across games and markets
Specialising in one game has its advantages. Yet experienced bettors benefit from strategic variety. A balanced approach emerges when you spread bets across different competitors instead of focusing on favourites.
Smart bettors sign up with multiple esports betting websites to compare odds and get the best values for each wager. Different platforms often show varying odds for similar events. This creates opportunities to maximise potential returns.
Major events grab most attention, but smaller competitions (Tiers 2-4) often present valuable betting opportunities. Bookmakers tend to analyse these matches less carefully.
Taking advantage of esports betting bonus offers
Almost every esports betting website gives welcome bonuses that can substantially boost your starting bankroll. Some platforms double your first deposit up to €500.
Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully. Key points to check include:
- Wagering requirements (how many times you must bet the bonus)
- Minimum odds requirements
- Time limits before bonus expiration
- Eligible games and markets
Many platforms also feature special promotions during major tournaments. Keep track of these offers across multiple sites to get maximum value throughout the year.
How to Choose the Right Betting Platform
Picking the right esports betting platform plays a vital role in your long-term success. Many options exist in the market, and knowing what features matter can make all the difference between frustration and reward.
What to look for in esports betting websites
Several key factors deserve your attention while evaluating esports betting sites. The user interface should be user-friendly and simple to navigate, especially if you’re new to betting. On top of that, it helps to check if the platform lets you watch matches through built-in Twitch viewers right next to betting markets.
You should check the platform’s reputation through user reviews and industry feedback. Sites that get positive reviews about payout reliability and customer service tend to give you better experiences. Make sure the customer support team knows esports well, not just general betting concepts.
Betting market variety matters just as much. Good platforms give you options beyond match outcomes and include prop bets and in-game events. Take time to compare esports betting across different sites before you commit.
Importance of licensing and secure payments
Security cannot be compromised when your money is at stake. Choose platforms licensed by reputable authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. These licenses mean the bookmaker follows strict rules for fairness, security, and responsible gambling.
Look for these payment features:
- Advanced encryption technologies (minimum 128-bit SSL)
- Payment methods you know and trust
- Quick and clear withdrawal procedures
- Easy-to-track transaction histories
Licensed bookmakers rarely try questionable practices like holding back payouts or creating unrealistic bonus conditions.
Comparing odds and features across platforms
Smart odds comparison across platforms can boost your winnings by up to 20%. Sign up with multiple betting sites to get the best possible value every time.
Look beyond odds at features like live streaming, cash-out options, and how well the site works on mobile. Some platforms give you special tools like odds calculators or stats about teams and players.
The best platforms reward players with deposit match bonuses, reload bonuses, and parlay boosters. Despite that, read the fine print carefully before you claim any promotion.
Esports Betting – The Conclusion
Esports betting has become one of the most dynamic sectors in the gambling industry. It offers exciting opportunities if you’re willing to learn how it works. This piece covers everything from simple concepts to advanced strategies that can help you succeed.
You need to understand the basics before placing your first bet. Game knowledge, tournament structures, and esports’ unique dynamics all play key roles in making smart decisions. Research into teams, players, and recent performance forms the foundation of strategic betting.
Smart bankroll management sets successful bettors apart from casual ones. Small initial wagers help you gain experience while keeping risks low. Tracking your results helps spot patterns and improve your approach over time.
Live betting gives you valuable chances to use your game knowledge during matches when you’re ready to advance. Your strategy becomes stronger and less risky when you spread your bets across different games and markets.
Your choice of platform shapes your betting experience. Licensed, secure websites with competitive odds and useful features boost your chances of success. Time spent comparing options pays off in the long run.
Successful esports betting needs patience, discipline, and continuous learning. No strategy wins every time, but using the principles outlined here will improve your chances by a lot. Above all, treat esports betting as an enjoyable activity where knowledge and strategy can lead to both fun and profit.
You now have the tools to start your esports betting experience with confidence. The ever-changing world of competitive gaming awaits – with this knowledge, you’re ready to place smarter bets and potentially win big!
Your Esports Betting FAQs
Q1. How does esports betting differ from traditional sports betting? Esports betting operates year-round with more frequent tournaments, focuses on digital games subject to updates, and attracts a younger, tech-savvy audience. It’s also considered more complex due to rapidly changing odds and the popularity of live betting during matches.
Q2. What are some popular games for esports betting? The most popular games for esports betting include Counter-Strike, League of Legends, Dota 2, and Valorant. Other games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Rainbow Six Siege also have significant betting markets.
Q3. How can I improve my chances of winning in esports betting? To improve your chances, focus on games you know well, thoroughly research teams and players, start with small bets to gain experience, and consistently track your results to refine your strategy. Additionally, consider using live betting and diversifying your bets across different games and markets.
Q4. What should I look for when choosing an esports betting platform? When selecting a betting platform, prioritise those with proper licensing, secure payment methods, user-friendly interfaces, and a good reputation for customer service. Also, compare odds across multiple sites, check for features like live streaming, and review the bonus offers available.
Q5. Is it possible to make consistent profits from esports betting? While consistent profits are not guaranteed, applying sound strategies can improve your chances. This includes thorough research, smart bankroll management, leveraging live betting opportunities, and continuously learning from your betting history. Remember to approach betting responsibly and within your limits.
