How to Bet on Esports?

Computer games were once seen purely as entertainment. However, technological progress has made real competition possible in a fully virtual environment. People now compete both individually and in teams. Today, prize pools in some esports tournaments reach several million dollars. Therefore, bettors can place pre-match and live bets on esports in licensed bookmakers.

Which Esports Disciplines Do Bookmakers Accept Bets On?

It’s hard to imagine how many computer games exist today. In principle, any of them can be used for competition. However, a core list of about twenty disciplines has formed, and bookmakers accept bets on these games.

These include:

• CS:GO;
• DOTA 2;
• StarCraft 2;
• League of Legends;
• Call of Duty;
• King of Glory;
• Valorant;
• FIFA, and others.

To understand how to correctly bet on esports, it’s important to know the mechanics and principles of each specific discipline. Ideally, you should be a player yourself, familiar with the virtual games you’re betting on.

Reasons for the Popularity of Esports Betting

Many people today are looking for where they can bet on esports. The reasons for its popularity are several:

• Video games have become massively popular on their own;
• Gaming software companies conduct powerful promotional campaigns;
• Bookmakers actively promote esports betting and run bonus programs to attract players;
• Bookmaker websites offer strong lines and detailed markets;
• Esports teams are sometimes even more popular among young audiences than traditional sports clubs.

The growth of betting in this field also has technical reasons. Most esports disciplines have clear rules, with associations organizing competitions under unified standards. This allows bookmakers to offer pre-match and live bets on esports with structured, measurable parameters.

Pros and Cons of Esports Betting

Unlike traditional sports, many aspects of esports come with both advantages and drawbacks for bettors.

For example, a player may have an excellent understanding of the teams’ strength rankings and easily predict the likely favorite. However, in esports, underdog newcomers often win, due to gameplay nuances and the sudden emergence of new talents.

The advantage is that an experienced bettor can analyze a game as well as — or even better than — a bookmaker’s analyst. This opens up wide opportunities for finding value bets.

The drawback is that you should only start betting after you’ve gained in-depth knowledge of the specific game and spent years playing it yourself.

Another major advantage — nearly all matches are broadcast online.

Moreover, viewers can watch from different camera angles — third-person view, player’s perspective, etc. This makes live betting more immersive and informed.

The downside, however, is that most bookmakers offer a very limited live market, which shrinks dramatically once a map begins. Therefore, the question of where it’s best to bet on esports remains relevant. Another advantage is the growing number of tournaments. Competitions are held worldwide, and bookmakers’ lines now feature esports events around the clock.

The disadvantage is that many matches in less prestigious tournaments can be fixed, making it difficult to rely on fair play and objective outcomes.

What to Consider When Betting on Esports

When learning how to bet on esports, always follow the general principles of responsible betting:

1. Play strategically. Choose a specific area and analyzed markets. Avoid random betting — stick to a pre-defined plan.
2. Maintain financial discipline. Choose a bankroll management strategy and follow it strictly. Place bets using only a small percentage of your total funds.
3. Study your chosen game thoroughly. Follow news about top teams, their tournament goals, and motivations. Today, numerous online media outlets are dedicated to esports coverage.
4. Analyze statistics. Teams and players develop distinct playstyles reflected in data. Many information platforms aggregate and provide detailed esports statistics.

When analyzing and selecting a market, pay attention to the following factors:

1. 1. Rules and regulations. Even within one game, organizers often apply different systems — map or character selection order, bans, the presence or absence of LAN finals, etc.
   2. Team playstyle. This is one of the hardest parts of analysis. Each player and team has their own preferences for characters, units, and maps. These choices are often made right before the match, which means the balance of power can change minutes before play begins.
   3. Team lineup. Teams participating in many tournaments throughout the year often use “stand-ins” — substitute players for lower-tier events. It can be difficult to find out in advance, but knowing such inside info allows you to take advantage of value odds.
   4. Insider information. Follow esports players on social media and YouTube. You’ll learn about their motivation, team strategies, and gameplay plans. Many players openly share their expectations before upcoming matches or tournaments.

Important tip! Always account for the element of unpredictability when betting on esports. In traditional sports, class differences usually determine the result, but in esports, a total newcomer can easily defeat a top favorite.

How to Choose the Right Bookmaker

Before you begin betting on esports, determine where it’s best to do so. Most major bookmakers today offer decent lines for esports tournaments. However, the depth of available markets varies: some bookies provide extensive detail, while others limit themselves to basic outcomes.

When choosing where to place esports bets, consider the following criteria:

• Bookmaker reputation and reliability – some unlicensed platforms even allow skin betting, but offer no consumer protection;
• Line and market coverage – choose between wide event coverage or a smaller range suited to your strategy;
• Odds and margins – esports margins are generally higher than traditional sports; aim for a margin around 8–10%, as higher commissions make betting unprofitable;
• Technical features – prioritize bookmakers that offer live streaming of virtual matches.

Tip: There are several specialized esports bookmakers globally with broader lines and better odds.

Pre-Match and Live Modes

When selecting a bookmaker for esports betting, evaluate both the pre-match and live interfaces. In pre-match betting, variety is key — the more markets offered, the better. Look for options beyond basic outcomes, including individual map and statistical markets. In live betting, assess the match center detail and presence of live streams. Also, monitor how quickly markets are updated or suspended.

Popular Esports Betting Markets

Esports markets are smaller in scope than those for football, basketball, or tennis. However, bookmakers try to diversify available options as much as possible. Below are the most popular betting markets:

1. 1. 1×2 (win/draw/lose). These bets apply to both the overall match and individual maps. In games divided into stages, you can pick the winner of a particular period.
   2. Totals and handicaps. All in-game actions are automatically tracked. Bets can be placed on various performance metrics, such as the number of maps won or total kills.
   3. First achievements. Depending on the gameplay, you can bet on which team gets the first kill or destroys the first structure on a map.
   4. Statistical markets. Bookmakers aim to offer the widest possible variety — for example, duration of maps, number of destroyed structures, or total kills.

Common Player Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes beginners make when betting on esports:

First mistake – overestimating one’s knowledge and abilities. Esports is far less predictable for analytical forecasting than traditional sports. Strategy and risk management are just as important as team analysis.

Second mistake – emotional betting. Esports attracts younger bettors, who often struggle with restraint and lose large sums impulsively.

Third mistake – relying on so-called “expert” advice. Remember, most of these commentators are simply creating content to attract audiences.

Fourth mistake – betting indiscriminately. Don’t place bets on every available event. Numerous random bets across tournaments quickly deplete your bankroll — even without major losses — due to bookmaker margins.