The gaming industry has been taken by storm. This guide is dedicated to exploring this storm and understanding everything about it. When you are finished with this detailed guide, you will be familiar with Esports betting sites, game genres, game types, and betting options. You will also become familiar with giants such as Dota 2, LoL, CS:GO, Fortnite, and the best sites, based on the reviews and rankings of our experts, that host their bets.
Electronic sports, or esports as they are colloquially known, have had an unprecedented rise in popularity during the last two decades. What started off as an obscure hobby based mostly in cold basements and shady venues has turned into a multi-billion-dollar industry with the highest production value imaginable. Modern Esports is based around first-class hosts, professional teams, and dedicated gamers who awe audiences with unfathomable feats. The latter include superhuman reaction times, deadly accuracy, and military-grade communication.
Esports leagues, tournaments, matches, and events were first broadcast on a then-obscure site known as Twitch. The latter has evolved into an entertainment giant and has given game developers the motivation to explore independent event organization. Said events are not only a spectacle in skill and entertainment. They are also the perfect backdrop for various types of betting.
These bets come in various shapes and sizes but differ based on the game in question. Bets placed on the likes of Call of Duty differ from those surrounding League of Legends and so on. It is, therefore, crucial that you know not only the ins and outs of your chosen game but also its associated bets. Join us on this exciting journey and learn everything you need to know about esports betting.
Everything started off in the late 2000s with the slow emergence of streaming and smaller organized gaming events. These grew steadily, and by the 2010s, the industry was filled with professional gamers, coaches, teams, events, leagues, tournaments, and crowds of adoring fans. Esports is not only a brave new frontier, but it is also the gaming culture of a generation.
Not everyone is familiar with the world of video games or online gaming, which is why we at OnlineCasinoReports have decided to break things down and help you ease into this exciting betting genre.
Your chosen sportsbook will offer various video and console bets in a multitude of subsections within its dedicated esports section. You can use these subsections to filter by video game, genre, odds, and markets. Once you narrow down the selection, you will have to choose between a betting type, so either series or match winner, for example, and place a bet.
But the fun does not end there. The majority of betting sites will offer some form of bonus, be it a welcome bonus, a promotion, or a loyalty reward. This sort of motivation is commonplace at our recommended sportsbooks, and it is also something that you should expect of any licensed, regulated, and fair gaming venue.
While esports has taken the world by storm, some sportsbooks have not managed to catch up. We, therefore, recommend having a gander at our selection of OCR-approved betting sites that include various exciting esports betting options.
The online world of esports betting has been flooded by countless bookmakers that offer services of varying caliber. Some are even predatory phishing sites that scam their patrons. It is, therefore, paramount that you only play at trustworthy venues with a proven track record and all the legal bells and whistles that such a site should have.
When evaluating your next esports betting site, ask yourself the following:
Some of these questions will be easier to answer than others. However, should you find yourself in a time crunch or simply unwilling to research these topics, have a gander at our list of recommendations and pick a first-class site in minutes!
Expect first-class Esportsbooks to have live betting and live streams. You should not have to rely on external sites such as YouTube or Twitch. Furthermore, any given sportsbook featuring esports bets needs to at least cover the industry giants such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Call of Duty, and CS:GO.
Fun fact! Twitch has over 31 million daily active users tuning in to live streams in over 100 categories. While YouTube sees roughly 3.7 million videos uploaded daily. This means that the internet is flooded with esports content on a daily level!
If you were to walk up to the average producer just a few decades ago and exclaim that video games would draw in crowds bigger, more diverse, and more adoring than the NFL, he would have called you insane. However, this is now a reality that no one can ignore. Take it from Steve Bronstein, the former CEO of ESPN and the NFL Network.
eSports will rival the biggest traditional sports leagues in terms of future opportunities. – Steve Bornstein
When talking about esports, we eventually run into the question of genres. The main three are multiplayer online battle arenas, first-person shooters, and real-time strategy games. Think of these as your conventional slots, poker, and blackjack games that come in a variety of themes but retain their initial foundations. Let us quickly break these three main genres down.
A multitude of view counters, viewer retention tools, and other analytical mechanisms allow us to easily determine the popularity of each individual Esports game. When you combine this in-depth data with generalized information, such as the number of hours poured into game streams on YouTube and Twitch, you get a legitimate estimate of current and future popularity.
By looking at dedicated sites such as EsportsCharts, we quickly see that the most viewed Esport is League of Legends, with a whopping 500 million hours. It is followed by Counter-Strike:Global Offensive, Dota 2, Overwatch, and Arena of Valor, which all boast over 70 million hours of watch time.
As with conventional sports, esports viewership is dominated by men. The split osculates based on the game and event in question, but it is generally around 85% men and 15% women. Note that your average viewer is aged between 18 and 34, which is to be expected of an industry based on modern technology.
While many find the esports industry to be funny, the potential prize pools that it offers to tournament winners are nothing to be scoffed at. The following table shows the 5 most popular games, along with their prize pools and associated statistics.
|
Rank |
Game |
Prize Pool |
Players |
Tournaments |
|
#1 |
Dota 2 |
?15 304 914 400,03 |
4272 |
1619 |
|
#2 |
CS:GO |
?7 159 385 455,92 |
14748 |
6120 |
|
#3 |
Fortnite |
?6 068 438 079,26 |
4931 |
750 |
|
#4 |
League of Legends |
?4 933 454 686,34 |
8076 |
2677 |
|
#5 |
Arena of Valor |
?2 435 318 786,38 |
976 |
97 |
Your average Esports betting site will have a multitude of sections, each dedicated to a certain Esport that make navigation easier and quicker. You can expect everything from first-person shooters to real-time strategy and multiplayer games. The most common video game genres include:
|
Game |
Description |
|
MOBA |
There is something about competing with a team of exceptionally skilled tacticians with remarkable game knowledge that draws people in like moths to a flame. Multiplayer online battle arena games are the most popular and highest-paying competition games in the business. Their kings are League of Legends and Dota 2. |
|
FPS |
These tactical fast-paced first-person shooter extravaganzas are the source of unparallel fun. The main ones include Counter-Strike:Global Offensive (known as CS:GO), Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Valorant. |
|
RTS |
Real-time strategy games are a unique mix of strategy and skill. Their lead is StarCraft 2, which is most popular in South Korea. However, it has fans the world over. |
|
CCG |
This genre might be less exciting than the rest, but it fills an interesting niche. Collectible card games have been on the rise since 2020, with the appearance of Hearthstone and Overwatch League Series 1 Trading Cards. |
|
Battle Royale |
This relatively new game genre is usually represented by Z1 Battle Royale, Real Royale, and Fortnite Battle Royale. |
|
Autobattlers |
This is a lovechild of the humble CCG and the thrilling RTS. It makes card gaming more dynamic and opens up new forms of entertainment. It has steadily developed since 2019 with games such as Dota Auto Chess, Dota Underlords, and TeamFight Tactics (TFT). |
|
Fighting Games |
These games are typical of consoles, such as the Playstation 4/5 and Xbox series. However, they retain a considerable audience on PCs. Titles such as Street Fighter V (Champion Edition), Emon Slayer, Mortal Kombat 11, and Dragon Ball FighterZ have vast audiences the world over. |
?
We have hinted at and mentioned Esports events, and it is now time to break these down. These leagues, tournaments, and championships are becoming more popular by the year, so you would be missing out if you ignored them.
|
Event |
Game |
|
The International |
League of Legends |
|
Fortnite World Cup |
Fortnite? |
|
LoL World Tournament |
League of Legends |
|
LoL World Championship |
League of Legends |
|
Olympic Virtual Series |
Virtual Sports |
?
The knowledge that you have hitherto gathered regarding Esports will help you immeasurably once you decide to dive into betting. However, we would like to introduce you to a few helpful tips regarding betting and overall gaming strategy before you make this big step.
This point might be irritating to those of you who are already familiar with video games. However, we are aware that not everyone is a gamer and that some have never even heard of the video games that we are discussing. We, therefore, suggest that you supplement guides and terminology glossaries with hands-on action. Most of the games that get featured in esports betting are free to download, so you can easily explore them on your own.
Nothing can supplement insights such as the strengths, weaknesses, and histories of teams and their individual players. This knowledge will help you gauge their future success and make predictions based on previous statistics.
If you do not feel like playing the games yourself or if you simply do not have the time to do so, simply watch matches. It is advisable to watch as many as you can since you never know when valuable information or insights might appear. If you find the match at hand boring, switch to another game. You are highly unlikely to run out of options anyway! Moreover, pros use strategies and game knowledge that you might lack. These matches are subsequently amazing classes that can elevate both your betting and gameplay. Note that there is an almost endless supply of such content on sites the likes of YouTube and Twitch.
Now that you have all the prerequisite knowledge get ready to register with a bookie and get the action started. We recommend checking out our list of the best Esports-focused bookies that will get your esports betting session off to a wonderful start.
It is very easy to get swooped up by Esports and feel like you need just another bet to win big and potentially make up for any prior losses. We recommend that you set a budget before playing and do not exceed it at any point. Your bets should be harmless side-fun. If you find yourself in emotional distress, simply walk away and take a break.
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Not everyone is an Esports betting pro, which is fine! We have compiled an array of superb tips that are often used by professional punters. While luck plays a role in any esports outcome, there are things such as game knowledge and team insights that can tip the scales. Become familiar with the following tips and make the most of your bets!
There is an ocean of sportsbooks out there, and finding a reputable esports bookie that truly cares about its patrons is difficult. Esports bookies are specialized gambling sites that have to have all the bells and whistles of conventional gambling sites. Our in-house criteria used to formulate our list of recommended sites are superb at finding the best sites. Said criteria can be found in this quick checklist:
License and Reputation We only ever recommend sites that have licenses, certificates, solid reviews, and are audited by industry leaders. This first-class service should also extend to dealing with your personal information.
Top-notch Bonuses Bonuses are a way for esports bookies to show their appreciation for their patrons. A solid operator will provide you with a plethora of bonuses, including but not limited to welcome bonuses, free bets, and various cashback offers.
In-play Betting Options There is nothing quite like in-play betting, and it is something that every punter should attempt at least once. The thrill of seeing the success of your wager in real time cannot be compared with anything. Note that several venues offer live streams that simplify your viewing.
Competitive Odds Odds fluctuate during the pre-game and the actual action. However, our recommended sites will always offer you the best esports odds, which may prove quite useful during betting.
Available Esports There is nothing worse than being starved for choice. You should expect your esports betting venue to host dozens of games in several genres. The bare minimum that you should expect are Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter-Strike:Global Offensive, StarCraft 2, and Dota 2. Have a gander at the long list of the most popular esports at the end of this page to see a breakdown of each title.
Banking and Payouts You should never have to worry about the availability of your favorite payment method. The best bookies in the business offer everything from conventional card options (such as Visa and MasterCard) to e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. Every punter should be given quick and easy deposit and withdrawal methods.
Customer Service We all hope that we will never need to use customer support, but it better be superb when we do. It is, therefore, advisable to stick to sites with 24/7 assistance. The sites that we recommend passed our customer service stress test.
We would be remiss not to cover the most popular esports games in a little more depth. This section is, therefore, dedicated to learning more about each individual game and its history.
League of Legends This exciting multiplayer online battle arena game was launched in 2009 by Riot Games. It then quickly became one of the most popular online games, and various tournaments quickly followed. It is not only a popular esports game but also a beloved backdrop to esports betting.
CS:GO The fourth installment in the Counter-Strike series, the infamous Counter-Strike:Global Offensive, is an unforgettable multiplayer first-person shooter released in 2012 by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment. Its global popularity was almost unmatched until titles such as Rainbow 6 Siege and Valorant appeared.
Call of Duty The Call of Duty series began in 2003, and it changed gaming history forever. Activision's greatest hit continues to churn out exciting games with even more riveting betting options.
Fortnite This video game was initially a flop, but it quickly became a household name when the battle arena concept was introduced. It began in 2017, and nowadays, you can bet on three distinct game modes.
Dota 2 This is the second installment in a series released by Valve. Its predecessor was Defense of the Ancients, which experienced considerable success.
Overwatch Overwatch takes the concept of a team-based shooter and transports it to a futuristic Earth. The gameplay is filled with unique heroes, exciting abilities, and breathtaking action that can keep you entertained for hours.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds PUBG, as it is known among gamers, took the battle royale genre by storm. Its flexibility in terms of team size, either 1 or up to 4 members, made it especially beloved among groups of gamer friends. Nowadays, you can bet on over 392 tournaments all over the world.
StarCraft 2 Initially released in 2010 following development by Blizzard Entertainment, StarCraft II, a science fiction video game classic, boasts a whopping 6403 tournaments with hundreds of betting markets.
Hearthstone Hearthstone takes the concept of a card game to a brand-new level. It was initially launched under the name Heroes of Warcraft and remnants of this baseline can still be found in the elements, characters, and relics.
Rainbow 6 Siege The online competitive shooter genre would not be the same without Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. Ubisoft Montreal delivered something spectacular with this game.
Rocket League Psyonix blew its competition out of the water with this spectacular vehicular soccer game. It was initially released in 2014, but its popularity has only slightly wavered.
VALORANT Riot Game made another video game hit when they released this free-to-play first-person shooter. Its initial name was Project A, and it first appeared in October 2019. This announcement was followed by a closed beta in April 2020 and an official launch on the 2nd of June 2020.
Call of Duty Warzone 2020 was a year of free-to-play battle royale classics. Warzone took the world by storm, but it is yet to reach the likes of Xbox, PlayStation 5, and various mobile devices.
Apex Legends Apex Legends is another free-to-play battle royale hero shooter that caters to FPS enthusiasts. It was developed by Respawn Entertainment and released in 2019 by Electronic Arts. Note that there is also a mobile version called Apex Legends Mobile.
Smite We cannot end this list without mentioning this exciting third-person online game with a battle arena twist. It was developed and released by Hi-Rez Studios, and it is often an overlooked gem.
Esports are an exciting new genre that offers all of your typical sports betting options along with unique ones based on the game in question. Dive into a brand-new world of exciting betting options, skilled professionals, and riveting matches.
This depends entirely on the venue at which you place your bets. Licensed, regulated and audited bookmakers offer safe environments and protect your sensitive financial information, so stick to those. Note that there is no way to protect yourself from losing bets. However, you can check out various articles and guides provided by OCR and improve your approach.
There are two ways of going about this. You can either explore the Internet on your own and look for a combination of betting options, betting markets, competitive odds, generous bonuses, vast game libraries, and other vital features. Or you can simply have a gander at OCR's list of recommended Esports books and save yourself the hassle.
These types of markets are advisable only for veterans and those with in-depth game knowledge. New punters or casual gamers should stick to mainstream betting markets.
Yes, you can! You can actually expect the same treatment that a conventional bookmaker would offer. Note that bonuses vary and that some reward initial registration while others focus on rewarding loyalty. Be attentive to the associated terms and conditions, as these may bog down your experience later down the line.
These are competitive video game matches that are organized into larger tournaments and events, just like any other sport. Fans have their favorite teams and players. They watch matches and tournaments and bet on who they believe will win. Most gamers are familiar with esports based around games such as Fortnite, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Counter-Strike.
Live esports streams are usually found on dedicated sites such as Twitch or special site sections such as YouTube and Facebook Gaming. You can also expect the best sportsbooks to offer in-house streams on their sites.
We recommend our list of dedicated LoL betting sites that not only provide a superb betting experience but also offer a first-class service. The latter has all the expected bells and whistles, such as a multitude of markets, competitive odds, and 24/7 customer support.
While you generally cannot go wrong here, most players tend to stick to the giants. These include League of Legends (LoL), Dota 2, and Counter-Strike:Global Offensive (CS:GO). We would be remiss not to mention Call of Duty, StarCraft 2:Wings of Liberty, and Overwatch, which each fill their respective niche.
The most useful starting resource is definitely this guide. When combined with our other dedicated esports content, you get a general idea of what is going on. Once this is achieved, you can move on to sites like Twitch and YouTube, where you have countless videos and streams available.
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