E-sports betting is growing at a tremendous pace and whether you are an experienced or novice bettor, it is worth trying out Dota 2, LoL, CS:GO and Fortnite betting. Our guide gives you a comprehensive overview of the best e-sports betting sites, game genres, game types and steps to get started with e-sports betting. In addition, this guide features the best e-sports betting sites reviewed and rated by our experts.ca
Overview
E-sports (abbreviated as e-sports) may seem complicated, but it is like any other style of sport. There are fans who follow teams/individuals, watch the matches and then bet on who will win in a multi-player video game competition. Simply put, e-sports are video games in an organised, competitive environment. Professional gamers face each other as teams or individually in tournaments (or leagues), playing games such as Call of Duty, The Counter-Strike Series, League of Legends, Fortnite and others.
Esports history
Until the late 2000s, the culture of video games was mainly amateur gamers competing against each other. However, with live streaming of events, we have seen a huge increase in the popularity of e-sports, which has attracted a huge interest worldwide.
Until 2010, in the videogame industry, professional gamers attended organised events and tournaments and leagues were watched by huge audiences.
Today, e-sports is a well-organised sporting event where game developers are actively involved in the development of games and in the funding of tournaments, competitions and many other events.
E-sports betting
Thousands of sportsbooks offer video and console betting in their e-sports section, and for beginners it can seem overwhelming. In this GGBet Casino summary, we explain the intricacies of e-sports betting and what you need to know to start enjoying and betting on e-sports events online.
Go to the e-sports section, which will be highlighted and categorised; select a sports genre, then a market with attractive odds. Finally, select the type of bet (e.g. series or match winner) and place your bet.
Most betting sites offer great welcome bonuses and offers and reward loyal players. In addition, the esports betting sites that we recommend to gaming fans have received our endorsement. We assess sports betting against a strict checklist of criteria and only recommend licensed betting sites that are regulated by strict gambling laws and are safe to bet with.
E-sports has developed rapidly in recent years and has become popular with players, but not all sports betting has caught up with this trend. Check out our list of the most popular betting sites that offer e-sports betting.
How to choose the best e-sports betting site
The growing popularity of e-sports has led to the emergence of many bookmakers offering video game betting. Gamblers choosing a trustworthy broker are now faced with a paradox of choice. In order to make the right choice, it would be best to rely on licensed and regulated betting intermediaries. There is simply no reason to take risks when there are so many verified e-sports betting sites. In addition, the reliability and speed of payment methods should be key criteria when choosing an e-sports betting company.
Any reputable e-sports broker will offer live betting on popular games. The best ones also offer live streaming on their website, so you don’t have to switch to streaming platforms such as YouTube or Twitch.
Another thing to look out for when choosing such a bookmaker is the quality of the odds on the main and special markets. A wide range of betting options should be expected, especially for famous games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Call of Duty or CS:GO.
The most popular e-sports game genres
Three gaming genres stand out from the rest in terms of popularity and global reach. Multiplayer online battle arena, first-person shooters and real-time strategy games are enjoyed by millions worldwide.
MOBAs – League of Legends and Dota 2 – are the most popular games in this genre. The former has the largest number of players and the latter has the highest-paying tournament: ‘The International’.
FPS – Counter Strike Global Offensive and Call of Duty dominate the first-person shooter genre. „Overwatch and Valorant follow close behind with their original tactical shooting elements.
RTS – StarCraft 2 is currently the only real-time strategy game played at the highest level. It is dominated by South Korean players but remains popular worldwide.
The most popular e-sports games
Using online technological tools, it is easy to determine how popular an e-sports game is. By looking at the number of hours streamed for each game, especially on YouTube, Twitch and other streaming sites, EsportsCharts can provide you with real-time up-to-date information on the actual figures for the most watched esports games.
Statistically, the most watched e-sports games are League of Legends (over 500 million hours), Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Dota 2, Overwatch and Arena of Valor (over 70 million hours viewed).
Live streaming online has become a key part of esports’ growth and popularity. It has been estimated that 85% of viewers are male and 15% female, with the majority of viewers aged between 18 and 34 years.
How to get started
Now you have a good understanding of esports you can start betting! Here are some tips on how to get started, how to place your bets, and which strategy to choose.
1Familiarise yourself with the genres
If you’re interested in e-sports betting, you’re probably a gaming enthusiast yourself. So the only sensible way to familiarise yourself with the rules, terminology, and overview of the game is to play it yourself. Our selection of the best esports betting sites offers a wide range of free games for you to download to try out and practice.
2Meet the teams and players
As with many other sports, the advantage is to bet on a game you know. Study the strengths, weaknesses and success stories of the team and player to understand which team or player to back. Past statistics are a great reference to predict a possible future outcome.
3Watch the match live
For the best understanding of esports, you should watch as many live matches as you can. Like any other sport, you can learn about esports by watching live games. As the action unfolds, watching the action (and listening to the commentary) will give you valuable tips and strategies. In addition, some bookmakers or websites, such as Twitch and YouTube, have live streams of past games, so you can study the results of past games.
4Find the best esports bookmaker
Now that you’re ready, it’s time to choose your preferred bookmakers. Our list of the best esports bookmakers is a great place to start, and all our recommendations will give you the best chance of becoming an experienced esports bettor.
5Never bet more than your budget allows
Esports is a fascinating and exciting sport, and a bettor can get as involved as in any other sport. Set a budget and stick to it, as responsible gambling should always be your priority. It is best to aim for long-term success and not let short-term excitement cloud your judgment.
