Beginners Guide to eSports Betting

Remember the good old days, when the pinnacle of eSports was your weekly LAN party at a friend’s place? When would people laugh at you for saying you like playing video games? Yup, we remember to. Well, things have changed a lot. Believe it or not, the eSports industry is projected to reach $1 billion in value in 2021, and eSports sports betting is one of the main factors behind this. Who’s laughing now?

Kristiyan Kyulyunkov
By Kristiyan Kyulyunkov
  2. Betting Adacemy
  3. Betting on eSports

Right as eSports blew up and became a global phenomenon, bettors realized that they could actually bet on their favourite pastime. And that’s why we at NostraBet love taking punts on CS: GO, LoL, and all kinds of other games, too. It’s basically following things you already love but with a chance to earn a pretty penny from it.

So, how does that sound to you? Are you willing to take the plunge and enter the wonderful world of eSports sports betting? If the answer is yes, we have everything you need. From the rules of the most popular games to the best sites and competitions, you’ll learn a lot.

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Understanding eSports

esports playing a game

A common misconception about eSports sports betting is that it doesn’t involve real sports. You’ll often hear people say things like, ‘well, footballers actually run, while eSports players just sit around all day.’ This can’t be further from the truth! When you take a step back, you’ll find that professional gaming has all the traits traditional sports have. Don’t believe us? Here, take a look:

  • It takes a certain level of skill to be successful.
  • eSports players, just like physical athletes, train every day and work on their craft. They also have to exercise and eat healthy to be efficient.
  • They get paid handsomely if they’re at the top of the game.
  • They have to strategize, think, and overcome obstacles in their respective games.
  • Sponsors such as Red Bull, Monster Energy, Honda, Coca-Cola, and even the US Air Force are more than happy to finance players and teams.

When you look at it like this, legendary DOTA 2 players such as Dendi and Puppey don’t seem so different from LeBron James or, let’s say, Cristiano Ronaldo, right? Exactly.

What’s even better is that eSports aren’t hard to understand, even if you’ve never played games before. Most of the terms used aren’t all that different from football or basketball. You have things such as wins, losses, ties, over/under, and others. So, it’s straightforward to get in and become proficient. With that in mind, here are some of the most popular titles in eSports sports betting.

Esports Games and Their Rules

Currently, there are tens of thousands of video games you can play. However, not every game is suitable or popular enough for competitive eSports fantasy betting. That’s why our advice is to focus on these 8 games. Not only are they the most popular, but they are easy to understand and get into.

League of Legends

In LoL, two teams of five players each battle it out in an arena-like environment. They get to pick one of the 140 available champions, which all have special abilities and perks. Some work well against others, while some don’t. There are different roles and tactics, too.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)

Everyone’s favourite first-person shooter, CS, has been a staple of eSports sports betting for years now. You have two teams; one plays as the terrorists, while the other is composed of counter-terrorists. The objective is to kill all the opposing team members or plant the bomb/defuse the bomb, depending on the team you’re on.

DOTA 2

Defense Of the Ancients (DOTA) originally started as a mod for Warcraft III and is known as the influence behind LoL. You also have champions, non-playable characters, and special abilities, equating to millions of different tactics and avenues to victory. While the original DOTA game was a mod, DOTA 2 is its own separate game owned by Valve.

Overwatch

Think of Overwatch as a mix of CS:GO and DOTA. It’s a first-person shooter, but you get to select a hero that has his/her own unique abilities and powers. It fuses the excitement of FPS titles while adding some much-needed variance in the form of different heroes.

StarCraft 2

A sequel to the iconic StarCraft game, SC2 is still one of the most sought-after titles for eSports sports betting in both the USA and Asia. It’s a strategy game where you have to build up your base and your forces and eradicate the enemy player that shares the map with you.

Heroes of the Storm

A close cousin of DOTA 2 and LoL, HoS is also a MOBA game. You pick a hero and fight in teams of five against the other team. Unlike the other two titles, HoS also has some neat side objectives, making it worth checking out.

Call of Duty

While CS:GO lets you be a terrorist or a counter-terrorist, Call of Duty eSports sports betting revolves around a battle between actual historic factions. Depending on the expansion, you can play as an American, a Nazi German, a Soviet, or even a modern SWAT team member. Another great FPS.

FIFA

It’s basically simulated football. It can be played in several modes, ranging from 1v1 to 4v4 and beyond. You pick a team that exists in reality, composed of players with stats relative to their real-world performance. If you know and watch football, you’ll be able to start with FIFA eSports sports betting right away.

Where to Find eSports betting Websites?

Bet365Rating: 5.0/5
Bet365 review
  • Different bonuses
  • Cash Out
  • Different payment methods
  • High odds
Open Account Offer Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code BBCODE can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way. +18 | Terms & Conditions #Advertisement
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Bet £10 & Get £50 in Bet Credits
Get your bonusGo to Bet365
BetwayRating: 4.9/5
Betway review
  • High odds
  • Great markets
  • Superb support
  • Welcome offers
New customers only. Min Deposit: £10. First deposit matched up to £10. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Terms apply 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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Free Bet £10
Get your BonusGo to Betway
888sportRating: 4.6/5
888sport review
  • Fantastic bonuses
  • Good sportsbook
  • Amazing casino games
  • Many payment methods
+18 | Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets are credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes are not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days, wins are capped at £/€/$500 • To withdraw bonus/related wins, you must wager the bonus amount up to 40 times its value within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Casino Bonus can be used on selected games in casino only • Restrictions apply to withdrawals, payment methods & countries & full T&Cs apply | begamblingaware | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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Bet £/€10 Get £/€30
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BwinRating: 4.7/5
Bwin review
  • Big range of sport betting options
  • High odds
  • Casino games
  • Poker platform
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Pace 1 sport bet (3+ selections) } Excl Horse Racing| Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min odds 1/5 (1.5) for each selection | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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LadbrokesRating: 4.6/5
Ladbrokes review
  • High Odds
  • Good Mobile Apps
  • Reliable Customer Support
  • Quick Payments
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Certain deposits and bet types excl. Min £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x /€5 free bets. Free bets valid available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Rrestrictions + T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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Up to £20 Welcome Bonus
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William HillRating: 4.9/5
William Hill review
  • Wide range of casino games
  • Hundreds of sports betting markets
  • Lots of other betting options like bingo and poker
  • Cash Out option
New customers using Promo Code P30 only, min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15 (30 days expiry), free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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£30 Welcome Offer
Claim £30 bonusGo to William Hill
KarambaRating: 4.4/5
Karamba review
  • Excellent promotion package
  • Convenient payments
  • Mobile apps for iOS & Android
New customers only. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. Real money bets required for Karamba battle. Participants subject to timeout. £1000 Winner cash prize guaranteed. 18+ | | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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£10 Welcome offer
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BetUKRating: 4.6/5
BetUK review
  • Great selection of sports betting markets
  • Competitive Odds
  • Various Betting Features
  • Android and iOS mobile apps
Full T&Cs apply. New customers on mobile only. 7 days to claim and stake £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater to qualify. Free, void, cashed out or partially cashed out bets do not qualify. Max 3 x £10 Free Bets credited when you opt in by clicking the claim button on my offers page. Once the offer is claimed, place your qualifying bet, after the qualifying bet is settled, you will receive your free bets. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections and are non-withdrawable and stake not returned with winnings. 7 day expiry. | 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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Virgin BetRating: 4.6/5
Virgin Bet review
  • Great selection of sports markets
  • High-level Odds
  • Casino Games
  • Excellent Betting Features Included
*New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Register before 17:59 8/04/20022 and after 18.00 9/04/2022. Win part of the E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. 18+ T&Cs Apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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Bet £10 Get £20 in Free bets
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CoralRating: 4.6/5
Coral review
  • Good looking website
  • An operator with a long history
  • Great selection of sports
  • Helpful customer support
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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UnibetRating: 4.6/5
Unibet review
  • Good bonuses
  • Big range of sports betting options
  • Different casino games
  • Mobile apps
New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply | 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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InterbetRating: 4.6/5
Interbet review
  • Huge amount of promotions
  • Live dealer and casino games
  • VIP program
  • Helpful customer support
New Players Only. Free bet is a one-time stake of €/$/£10, minimum odds of 1.5, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: €/$/£20. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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NovibetRating: 4.6/5
Novibet review
  • Attractive Odds
  • Fun bets available
  • Cash-out feature
18+ | UK new customers only | KYC verified | Min £10 bet | Max £20 free bet (2 x £10) full amount awarded on losing first bet only | Min odds 7/10 (1.70) | Free bet stake not returned | Certain Markets/sports/payment methods restrictions apply | Cashed-out and Bet Builder bets are excluded from this offer | Qualifying bet must be made within 30 days | Free bet valid for 30 days | T&C's apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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BetfredRating: 4.5/5
Betfred review
  • Odds promotions
  • Good sports betting
  • Opportunity to watch the games live
New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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Welcome Bonus - Bet £10 Get £40
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BetRegalRating: 4.5/5
BetRegal review
  • Many betting markets
  • Cash-out option is active
  • Superb website design
  • Fantastic casino section
New customers only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller, Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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£10 Bonus for New Players
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10betRating: 4.5/5
10bet review
  • Good welcome offer
  • Active cash-out option
  • Plenty of sports
New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager 8 times deposit + bonus, max qualifying bet equal to initial bonus amount; valid for 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles or 2/5 per acca leg; Some bet types excluded; See full terms; 18+ begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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50% up to £50 for UK players
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VStarBetRating: 4.6/5
VStarBet review
  • Big list of sports
  • Great betting features
  • Variety of casino games
  • Nice payment options
New Players Only. Minimum stake €/£/$10, minimum odds 1.5, stake not refunded. 10X wagering the winning from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Maximum conversion: €/£/$20. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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BetNeptuneRating: 4.5/5
BetNeptune review
  • Variety of sport markets
  • eSports and Virtuals in place
  • Cash-out option available
  • Helpful customer support
New Players Only. Minimum £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £10, minimum odds of 1.50, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: £20. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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Get £10 New Customers Offer
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Parimatch UKRating: 4.7/5
Parimatch UK review
  • Licensed bookmaker and casino
  • Trusted brand
  • High odds on sports
  • Professional Support
18+ Opt In, bet £5 (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. No cash out. Get 2x £10 Free Bets, set events odds 2.00+ & £10 Slot Bonus selected games, wager 35x to withdraw max £250. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Please gamble responsibly
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BetTargetRating: 4.5/5
BetTarget review
  • Competitive Odds
  • Great range of betting markets
  • Exclusive Features like Bet.Battle
  • Various Payment Methods
New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not Eligible. T&Cs Apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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Bet £10 & Get £10 Welcome Bonus
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GatobetRating: 4.5/5
Gatobet review
  • Good welcome bonus
  • A ton of sport markets
  • Casino games in place
  • Helpful customer support
New Players Only. Minimum £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £30, minimum odds of 2, stake is not returned, maximum Conversion £30, 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Valid for 5 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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HopaRating: 4.5/5
Hopa review
  • Great selection of sports
  • Casino games available
  • Helpful customer support
  • Competitive odds
New customers only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus toket with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not eligible. Real money bets required. First bet required to opt into next tournament. T&Cs apply. 18+. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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BetitonRating: 4.5/5
Betiton review
  • Generous bonuses
  • VIP program for punters
  • Lots of features for Sports & Casino
  • Great payment methods
New Customers only. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. T&CS APPLY. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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€/£10 Free Bet for New Players
Welcome OfferGo to Betiton
MoPlayRating: 4.5/5
MoPlay review
  • Rich Sports betting section
  • High Odds
  • A lot of betting features
  • Mobile apps
18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | Play Responsibly
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Get £30 Welcome Bonus
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SkybetRating: 4.5/5
Skybet review
  • Amazing sportsbook
  • Offers a welcome bonus for new customers
  • Provides applications for iOS and Android
FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £5 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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£20 Welcome Offer
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BetBullRating: 4.4/5
    New users only. Min deposit £20. Place qual. bets of £20 to £50 (min odds 0.5/1, 2+ legs) in first 7 days after deposit to unlock free bets. Free bet rewarded as 4 free bets that total first deposit amount. Min odds 1/1, 3+ legs, 7 day expiry. Winnings credited in cash. Full T&Cs apply. | 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    £100 Bonus
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    Mobile WinsRating: 4.4/5
    Mobile Wins review
    • Excellent website design
    • Rich Sportsbook section with betting options
    • Cash out feature
    • Live streaming video
    New Players Only. Minimum stake £10, minimum odds 1.5, stake not returned. 10X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: £20. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
    bonus icon
    100% up to £/€/$10
    Claim £/€/$10 bonusGo to Mobile Wins
    Bet DukesRating: 4.4/5
    Bet Dukes review
    • Awesome bonus campaign
    • Lots of sports markets
    • Great odds to choose from
    New Players Only. Minimum £/€10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £/€10, minimum odds of 1.5, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max. conversion: £/€20. Valif for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    Get up to €/£10 Free Bet as a New Player
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    Sporting IndexRating: 4.4/5
    Sporting Index review
    • Trusted and Licensed brand
    • Great betting exchange
    • High odds at the Sportsbook
    • Various bonuses
    New UK & Eire clients only. 50% cashback on cumulative net losses on qualifying spread bets placed and settled within 7 days of account opening. Fully, partially or reverse closed bets do not qualify. Max cashback £500. Full terms apply. Spread betting involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits. Always bet responsibly | 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    £500 Cashback Welcome Offer
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    SportNationRating: 4.4/5
    SportNation review
    • Great selection of sports
    • Cash-out and live streaming
    • Live betting available
    • Helpful customer support
    Key Terms: New customers only. Place the 5 specified bets to earn Free Bets. Each leg must have minimum odds of 1.8 (4/5). Applies to bets on sport only. Valid once per customer. Free Bet valid for 7 days. Free Bet max winnings is 20x Free Bet stake. Free Bets must be accepted in popup messages once their qualifying bets have settled. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    Get your OfferGo to SportNation
    JeffBetRating: 4.3/5
    JeffBet review
    • Many betting options on sports
    • Cash Out is available
    • Good sports bonuses
    • Follows Esports
    New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply.
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    Paddy PowerRating: 4.3/5
    • Excellent promos
    • Offer quality games and user experience
    NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. Promo code YSKA00. Place your FIRST sports bet and if it loses we will refund your stake in cash, up to £/€10. Only deposits made using cards or PayPal qualify. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    MrRexRating: 4.3/5
    MrRex review
    • Great selection of Sports betting markets
    • Wide range of Casino games
    • Cash out function is available
    New customers only. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. T&C's apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    Bethard Rating: 4.3/5
    • Offers a real live casino
    • Secured with SSL encryption
    • Proven fair by independent audits
    • Live chat support provided 7 days a week during most hours
    18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    100% Bonus Up to €100
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    BetSteveRating: 4.3/5
    BetSteve review
    • List with many sports events
    • Attractive casino section
    • Many live dealers games
    • Live Streaming is available
    New Players Only. Minimum stake €/£/$10, minimum odds 1.5, stake not refunded. 10X wagering the winning from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only wagering stats from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Maximum conversion: €/£/$20. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    SwishBetRating: 4.2/5
    SwishBet review
    • Extraordinary website design
    • Great sportsbook
    • Professional and reliable customer support
    • Huge range of casino games
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    FansbetRating: 4.2/5
    Fansbet review
    • Various sports betting options
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    MrGreenRating: 4.2/5
    MrGreen review
    • Cash out option is available
    • Modern and stylish approach
    • Huge selection of games from several providers
    Bet £10 Get £10 Free Acca Bet | T&Cs apply. New players only. Qualifying bet(s) must have minimum odds of 4.0 and must be settled before triggering free bet. Free Bet must be used on an accumulator with 3 or more selections. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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    Show More

    If you want to start taking punts on eSports online, the best way to find the best bookies is to check out our list of the top-rated bookmakers for eSports betting. We did all the research and the testing just so you wouldn’t hate to waste countless hours of your valuable time. All the bookies you’ll see on the list have top-notch eSports sports betting odds. Some even provide their own tips, statistics, and other helpful tools. So, take some time, explore the list, and take your pick!

    Which Are the Most Popular Tournaments?

    esports playing joystick

    While every game we mentioned has tons of small, regional tournaments, the big competitions are the way to go. Our team had an internal debate over which comps are the best choice, but we ultimately managed to settle on the following:

    LoL World Championship

    Watched by 100 million people in 2018, this is the most popular eSports competition. The best players in the world battle it out of the 32-kilo Summoner’s Cup and eternal gaming glory.

    The International

    Organized every year in August, this is the cream of the crop when it comes to DOTA 2. The most recent prize pool was $34 million and is expected to rise even further.

    Dreamhack

    Commonly known as the eSports Olympics, the Dreamhack features 10+ gaming competitions and some of the best players and teams in the world. It’s basically an eSports sports betting holiday.

    Battle.net World Championship

    This is the tournament organized by Blizzard, and it features competitive World of Warcraft (both classic and retail) and Starcraft II gameplay. It has changed form several times over the years.

    Electronic Sports World Cup

    One of the oldest eSports tournaments in existence, it was founded in France way back in 2003. The games featured constantly change, depending on current trends. Fortnite has been included in recent years.

    Overwatch League

    Unlike other competitions on this list, the OWL isn’t solely a knockout tournament. It has a regular season and the playoffs, akin to leagues such as the NBA and the NFL. 20 teams, each representing a city, face off every season.

    Call of Duty League

    Similar to the OWL, the CDL also features city-based teams and a playoff format after the regular season. What’s interesting is that there are minimum salaries, benefits, revenue sharing, and many other things which were thought to be unthinkable in eSports.

    FIFA Interactive World Cup

    What makes the FIWC so unique is that it has an open qualification format. So, if you decide to play the current version of FIFA and are good at it, you can realistically find yourself on the big stage.

    Short History and Facts

    The first-ever eSports tournament took place in 1972 when Stanford students faced off in the then-popular game Spacewar. Things were a bit slow until the 1980s saw actual TV shows where players would sit in front of live cameras and play 8-bit games in an effort to see who will have the highest score.

    However, these weren’t actual multiplayer games, as people would sit in front of separate computers/devices. Street Fighter II (1991) is widely credited as the first game to allow competitive, player v. player, tournament play. Ever since then, eSports have been growing non-stop.

    Federations were being formed in the 1990s and 2000s, which made the cultural exchange and promotion much easier to accomplish. As the internet and computers became truly commonplace, eSports became a mainstay in people’s lives and popular culture alike.

    Final Thoughts

    eSports sports betting is an entirely unique phenomenon in the world of sport. It fuses virtual environments with real-life skills and actions, allowing for an activity that can take place anywhere. You just need a computer and the internet. This has caused bookies to start offering various markets. Even though the 2020s are well underway, the industry is still expected to grow. So, it’s safe to say you’ve picked the right time to join the party. Good luck and be smart!

    FAQ

    How to bet on eSports the right way?

    There’s no universal strategy that will earn you money. Approach it like any other sport. Don’t take too many risks and watch your budget.

    How do you win an eSports bet?

    Do research beforehand, compare the odds across different bookies, and find the best risk/reward ratio.

    Should I play some games before starting with eSports sports betting?

    Definitely! Most of the widely popular games are either free or relatively cheap to purchase. Learn the ropes, and you’ll find yourself understanding every market with relative ease.

    Is it a good idea to bet on futures in eSports?

    It depends on the tournament. Futures are always risky, so don’t wager too much and don’t hope to win all the time.

    Can I prepare for big competitions by watching gameplay footage?

    Yes. Follow players on Twitch, Mixer, and YouTube. There, you can watch them do their work in real-time. Plus, you can also interact with the community.

    Which eSports sports betting game is the easiest to understand?

    For a complete novice, Counter-Strike is probably the most straightforward game. There aren’t a gazillion spells, abilities, and strategies to learn. It’s just good ol’ shooting.

    Where can I find good Counter-Strike odds?

    All the bookmakers recommended and vetted by NostraBet have consistently great CS: GO odds. Compare them to find the best deals.

    Author

    Kristiyan Kyulyunkov
    Kristiyan Kyulyunkov
    Certified Betting Expert
    Kristiyan Kyulyunkov specializes in bookmakers’ analyses. He has years of experience betting online and always keeps an eye on the different operators. His tasks in Nostrabet include writing, editing and publishing expert reviews.