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Esports Betting

Esports betting

By Mikko Salonen

Esports betting refers to placing real-money wagers on competitive video gaming events. It has become a significant part of the betting industry, particularly among younger audiences. Bettors can wager on match outcomes, map wins, specific in-game actions, and full tournament results. Betting is available on regulated platforms in the UK and other jurisdictions.

How Esports Betting Works

Esports betting follows the same principles as traditional sports betting. A bookmaker offers odds for a range of markets related to a specific match or tournament. Bettors can choose from standard outcomes like match winners, or more specific bets such as total maps played, first kill, or number of rounds.

Most regulated sites offer:

  • Pre-match betting – Place your bet before the game begins.
  • Live betting – Wager during the match, with odds updating in real-time.
  • Outright markets – Bet on a team or player to win the entire tournament.
  • Special bets – Predict events like “First Blood,” “Map 1 winner,” or “Most kills.”

How to Bet on Esports

To start betting on esports, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a licensed betting site that offers esports markets.
  2. Register an account and verify your identity, as required by law.
  3. Make a deposit using an accepted payment method (e.g. debit card, PayPal).
  4. Navigate to the esports section and choose a game or tournament.
  5. Select your bet, confirm the odds, and place your wager.

Make sure to bet responsibly and only use sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

Where You Can Bet on Esports

Several regulated online platforms offer esports betting. Here are five examples:

  • Wildz.com – Offers betting on popular esports titles like CS2, League of Legends, and Dota 2. Markets include match winner, map totals, and tournament outright bets.
  • Betway – Known for a strong focus on esports, including live betting options for Valorant, CS2, and LoL. Betway also sponsors esports teams and events.
  • LeoVegas – Includes esports betting markets within its sportsbook. Offers wagers on FIFA, Dota 2, and Overwatch tournaments.
  • 888sport – Hosts odds for major esports tournaments including League of Legends Worlds and Dota 2’s The International. Offers live and pre-match bets.
  • Rizk – Includes esports alongside regular sports. Features betting options for Call of Duty and CS2 with outright and match winner markets.

Major Esports Events for Betting

The following annual events are considered high-profile and attract significant betting interest:

  • The International (Dota 2) – Held in October. Offers extensive betting markets including match outcomes, map results, and kill totals.
  • League of Legends World Championship – Held in October–November. Includes outright winner bets, map scores, and first blood bets.
  • CS2 Major Championships – Typically held in May or November. Popular for map winner, round total, and handicap markets.
  • Valorant Champions Tour – Held in August. Features betting on round wins, spike defuses, and overall tournament results.
  • Call of Duty League Championship – Held in summer. Betting markets include match winners, maps played, and series outcomes.

In the UK, esports betting is legal when offered by operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. All betting sites must follow strict rules related to player safety, age verification, anti-money laundering, and responsible gaming practices. Always check that the site is licensed before placing any bets.

Tips for Esports Bettors

  • Understand the game you’re betting on. Knowing team strengths and game mechanics improves your chances.
  • Start with pre-match bets before moving to live betting, which can be more volatile.
  • Track your bets and set a budget to avoid overspending.
  • Use licensed platforms only. Avoid skin betting or unregulated crypto sportsbooks.

All betting activity should follow responsible gambling practices. For more help, visit begambleaware.org.

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