Fast becoming one of the biggest betting companies in Britain and Europe the Kindred group includes Stan James, 32Red, Bingo.com and Maria. Unibet is of course the jewel in the crown, the Scandinavian brand has grown to become one of the biggest online betting sites with over 15 million customers. Top 100 Bookmakers was developed with an ambition to simplify the sports bettors the difficult and time-consuming process of selecting a bookmaker to bet with. Nowadays, there is overwhelming number of bookmakers operating online and to find the most suitable one can be a very tedious task. GVC Holdings is one of the largest sports betting companies and gaming groups. With its unique proprietary technology platform, GVC offers casino, poker, bingo, and sports betting under some of the industry’s most popular online betting brands including partypoker, CasinoClub, Betboo, Bwin, Foxy Bingo, and Sportingbet. Sports betting: Top betting sites will include a fully operational sportsbook. As a result, you can bet on any kind of sport from any part of the world at all times. These sites will also provide you with the widest range of sports betting and the best odds on all of this action. Casino games: Instead of having to brave the traffic.
Perfect for both experienced gamers and those who are new to the scene, Esports betting sites provide the opportunity for punters to bet on leading organisations, teams and players. Potential customers in countries around the world can take advantage of both traditional bookies and newly formed Esports betting sites, which are licensed and regulated by respected gambling authorities.
Esports has exploded over recent years, with the industry now delivering events and tournaments throughout the year, surrounding games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Overwatch. So, if you are looking for Esports markets, generous bonuses, competitive odds and live streaming, be sure to check out the list of our recommended platforms below.
How We Rate the Best Esports Betting Sites
With so many bookies having introduced Esports markets over recent times, separating the best from the rest is no easy task. However, the Esports betting sites listed above generally score highly across the board, with the following being the factors considered when rating such platforms:
Odds – No matter which game it is that you enjoy playing, watching and betting on, sites should offer odds that are competitive and offer value. Odds comparison platforms make it clear to see which Esports betting sites perform the best in this area, with our recommended bookies pricing markets fairly and accurately.
Live Streaming – Streaming is a huge part of the Esports scene. As with other sports, watching the action unfold live can aid the betting experience, due to the fact that viewers can see who is performing well, allowing them to potentially take advantage of live Esports markets. An increasing number of Esports betting sites now offer live streaming, with a small stake being required to gain access.
Promotions – Whether it be a welcome bonus, price boost, free bet or insurance off, promotions found at Esports betting sites can help punters in maximising profits and minimising losses. As well as this, terms and conditions surrounding such promotions should be realistic, rather than demanding strict wagering requirements and large qualifying deposits.
Markets – CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2, Overwatch, Starcraft II, Fortnite, FIFA, Rainbow Six, Call of Duty and Valorant are among the most in-demand Esports betting markets today. As such, the best betting sites will cover events from the vast majority, including both international and regional tournaments.
Mobile – With the target audience of Esports perhaps being younger than many other markets, it is important that betting sites make it easy for punters to stake on their favourite teams and players when on the go. Mobile apps and functional mobile betting sites are a must today, with iOS and Android users in particular having to be catered for.
Additional Features – Cash out is a popular feature for any type of betting, including Esports. However, it is just one of a number of additional features found at Esports betting sites today, with others being results pages, blog posts and betting academies.
Support – Ideally, customers at Esports betting sites should be in a position to receive support 24/7, via a number of avenues. Telephone, email, live chat, Skype and social media platforms are now all used to support betting customers, with speed and efficiency also being key.
Banking – Both deposits and withdrawals at Esports betting sites should be quick and convenient, whether it be through a bank card, eWallet, bank transfer, cryptocurrency or Pay By Phone. Meanwhile, there should also be no significant fees involved, which make betting less enjoyable.
Legal – All of the Esports betting sites recommended on our platform are licensed and regulated, however this does not mean that they are available to residents in all countries. So, be sure that Esports betting and potential bookmakers are legal where you live before signing up.
Is Esports Betting Legal?
While Esports betting in theory is legal, your location and legislation there may impact upon your ability to get involved. Just a small number of countries have actually made a definitive decision regarding the legality of Esports betting, with some questions remaining unanswered due to the fact that many of the players involved are under 18. The likes of New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Korea and Japan all allow Esports betting, despite not being regulated, while the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Australia have all come up with regulations, making it legal in such countries also.
Which Esports Games Can Be Bet On?
Whether you register with a traditional sportsbook or a dedicated Esports betting site, the following games are likely to be available to punters:
- Overwatch
- FIFA
- Call of Duty
- Fortnite
- Valorant
- Rainbow Six
How to Sign Up at an Esports Betting Site
Before you can start staking on Esports events and matches, signing up on your chosen betting site is required, with such platforms generally making it easy to do so. The registration process at Esports betting sites is likely to be something similar to this:
- Enter the Esports betting site.
- Click on the “Register” or “Sign Up” option.
- Enter your personal details, including your full name, date of birth and email address.
- Create a username and password where necessary.
- Read and accept the terms and conditions.
- Opt in for any potential welcome offer.
- Verify your account via email.
- Deposit cash for the first time.
- Place your first Esports bet!
Depending on your location and the Esports betting site itself, punters may be required to upload a form of Identification before bets are accepted. A copy of your passport, driver’s license or utility bill are likely to be among the documents accepted.
Live Esports Betting
The excitement and potential rewards make live betting hugely popular, with many Esports betting sites working hard to deliver in this area. The chance to stake on teams and players after an event is underway opens up a host of possibilities. For example, punters could place a bet on Fnatic to win the next map against Astralis or Tekkz to score the next goal in a FIFA match. For those who have a good understanding of games and the players involved, live Esports betting could be the way forward. With live streaming accompanying live markets in many cases, betting on Esports has never been so exciting.
Esports Bonuses & Promotions
While factors such as markets and odds are more important, it is always worth checking out the bonuses and promotions available at Esports betting sites. Most will offer some form of bonus in an attempt to attract new customers, while ongoing offers surrounding specific markets are also likely to come into play. In order to qualify for a welcome bonus or free bet, a deposit or bet will normally be required, while other conditions surrounding minimum odds must also be met. Meanwhile, ahead of major Esports events, whether it be The International or DreamHack Summer, betting sites may introduce dedicated promotions, whether it be free bets, insurance offers, price boosts or money-back specials.
Mobile Esports Betting
The popularity of smart phones and other handheld devices has led to a change in how bets are placed, with the demand for speedy and convenient platforms having also increased. As such, Esports betting sites are having to adapt accordingly in order to cater for this new breed of customer. Whether it be through a dedicated app or Esports betting mobile website, markets and other features can be accessed on iOS, Android and Windows devices in most cases, with minimal effort required.
Esports Betting Tips
No matter what your goals are when it comes to Esports betting, the following tips will help you in being as successful as possible:
1. Stick to What You Know – Being successful in betting on CS:GO, Dota 2, FIFA and Call of Duty is unlikely, so be sure to stick to a select few markets in which you have a good understanding of. With roster changes, ups and downs in form and rivalries all potentially having an impact upon the result of an Esports match, it is almost impossible to have your figure on the pulse across the whole industry.
2. Stick to Your Budget – Betting on Esports should ultimately be an enjoyable process, with just a small proportion of your disposable income being used to fund it. So, do not go crazy with your stake, while also consider using the deposit limits in which many Esports betting sites have in place.
3. Don’t Be Sentimental – If you have been following Esports for a while then you are likely to already have your favourite organisations, teams and players. However, where betting is concerned, there is no room for sentiment. Don’t be afraid to bet against the team you follow, with your hard-earned money being of greater importance.
4. Understand the Game – Especially important for beginners, it is vital that you understand how Esports games are played, as well as all actions and rules. Whether you do this by playing the game yourself, watching the pros on live streams or reading info online, this is a must! Doing so will help punters in finding value in the market.
5. Carry Out Research – While factors such as form, roster changes and head to head records are not the be all and end all when it comes to Esports, such information can often be useful ahead of placing bets. It is easy to find stats and news surrounding upcoming matches online today, so there is no excuse to not do your homework.
Esports Betting – FAQ
Good Esports betting sites deliver when it comes to a number of areas, including odds, markets, live streaming, bonuses, support and banking. All of the platforms recommended on this page score highly in such areas.
Esports betting is legal in a number of countries today, however the main thing to worry about is whether a potential Esports betting site is licensed and regulated to operate where you live. Gambling authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission and Government of Curacao distribute licenses, allowing bookies to target customers in different regions.
Yes. In order to bet on Esports, punters must deposit real money using their preferred payment method. As a result, successful bets will result in real money being returned as winnings.
Esports events such as The International, League of Legends World Championship, ESL One, DreamHack and Intel Extreme Masters are among the biggest during the season, which also earn major attention from betting sites and punters alike.
Yes! Most of the top Esports betting sites offer live streaming on both desktop and mobile, meaning that there is never the need to miss out on the action. Streams can be accessed by placing a qualifying bet or having a positive account balance in most cases.
CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Overwatch are among the Esports betting markets commonly found on betting sites. However, a host of additional titles are also available and gaining in popularity, including Call of Duty, Starcraft II, Valorant, FIFA and Rainbow Six.
While Esports has grown massively over recent years, it is still seen by some as an emerging market. As such, Esports markets may not be available on all betting sites, however it is a discipline that had certainly grown enormously in the gambling industry.
Bottom Line on Esports Betting Sites
The number of Esports betting sites available to punters on a global scale is increasing rapidly, however it is important to remember to sign up and wager only on platforms that are legal, reliable, competitive and rewarding. So, check out our recommended Esports betting sites for yourself, before deciding which one best suits your needs.
The esports betting industry doesn’t just bear importance in the esports world but in the online betting sphere as well. It has already developed beyond experts’ initial expectations. Esports betting sites keep growing in numbers, following alongside growing viewership and investment numbers.
Rank | Bonus | Bet Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Betway Esports | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site |
| 2 | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site | |
| 3 | Spin Sports | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site |
| 4 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site | |
| 5 | Guts Sports | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
However, not all esports betting sites are worth the hassle. Increasing numbers aren’t capable of providing decent user experiences. They either take massive cuts on odds, don’t have the depth, or lack proper customer support channels. Heck, some of them are outright scams. Which is why we have taken the time to put this page together on the best esports betting sites.
That said, it’s of utmost importance to pick a bookie you know you can trust. Unfortunately, finding such bookies is becoming increasingly more difficult with each passing year. The market is overflooded with lousy, subpar esports betting sites that are chasing potential esports bettors away.
If you want the best possible betting experience, only opt for the biggest, most prominent bookies.
What Are the Best Esports Betting Sites in 2021?
- Bovada – Safe online betting site that has been around a long time.
- BetOnline – Offers competitive lines and odds for esports betting.
- MyBookie – Online sportsbook with some of the best bonuses out there.
- BetNow – Offers betting on the biggest esports events.
- Intertops – Variety of trustworthy banking options for placing esports bets.
Why Trust Our Recommendations?
First of all, we here at TSG use all of the above-listed esports betting sites! If that’s not a valid reason, I’m not sure what is! Most of us are passionate sports betting enthusiasts, while some of us can’t go more than two weeks without placing one or two esports wagers.
On top of that, our list features some of the biggest names in the online betting niche, massive betting platforms known across both sports and esports spectrums. All of our picks are 100% legit, possess all necessary licenses for online gambling, pack the greatest esports bet variety, and have proper customer service. And don’t even get me started on their generous welcome bonuses…
Key Factors That Make the Best Esports Betting Sites
- Ease of Use
- Quantity of Esports Markets
- Variety of Additional Betting Options
- Esports Specific Bonuses
- Quantity of Payment Methods
- Customer Support Service
- Reputation
Ease of Use
Ease of use is the key element for all first-time users. Bookies that have mastered the ease of use segment do great when it comes to acquiring new bettors. But what does the ease of use factor represent? Well, let’s divide it into three parts—speed, polish, and intuitiveness.
Real money esports betting sites that feel polished, load fast, and don’t require manuals for page-to-page navigation are the true ease of use champions!
Quantity of Esports Markets
What good is an esports betting site if it only has LoL, CS:GO, and Dota 2 bets to offer? These days, the key to conquering the esports gambling sphere is having a multitude of esports markets, including the less popular ones such as Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Rocket League. Of course, event depth needs to be present too, since the demand for esports betting doesn’t fall after the biggest, most prominent events.
Variety of Additional Betting Options
In addition to an abundance of esports markets, the best esports betting sites also have a proper variety of options. We’re talking about additional betting options that go alongside the typical match-winners and moneylines, including but not limited to specials and live bets. The more, the merrier!
Esports Specific Bonuses
Unfortunately, esports specific bonuses still aren’t available on most online betting sites. Those that do offer them aren’t really good at emphasizing them, so esports bettors often overlook them. That said, esports-specific bonuses aren’t as important as the rest of the factors here, but will gain importance as time goes on and more big names start experimenting with them.
Quantity of Payment Methods
Back in the starting days of online wagering, payment methods were a massive hassle. Nowadays, most online gambling sites offering esports bets have numerous payment methods to choose from. There are those that work with only a handful of niche options, such as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Typically, people want diversity and that’s exactly what we had in mind for our list above.
Customer Support Service
Having a proper customer support service can make or break new bookies. Bettors want long-term stability and someone who can help resolve any issues they might stumble upon. Customer support staff, as well as customer support channels, greatly affect the overall customer satisfaction levels, and as such, they should not be overlooked!
Reputation
Even though we’re living in a world where the biggest online review sites are outright scams, it doesn’t mean online reviews don’t matter. They do matter, as they still have the ability to build (or destroy) the reputations of anything available on the internet, including esports betting sites. Take online reputation with a grain of salt, though, and it can be tampered with very easily.
Biggest Esports Titles to Bet On
How to Sign up at Esports Betting Websites
- Select one of the reliable esports betting sites listed at the top of this page.
- Navigate to the main bookie page and click on that shiny register/join button.
- Fill in your account information and confirm your email and identity.
- Safely complete your initial deposit and get ready to place your first esports bet.
Optionally, you can skim through your bookie of choice to see if it has any ongoing bonus offers. Welcome bonuses are most common. Since many beginners still don’t know much about them, we made a separate section explaining how they work.
Understanding Welcome Bonuses for Online Esports Betting
When you sign up at an esports betting site you can expect to see some esports betting bonuses. Here’s how they work:
Deposit Bonuses
Welcome bonuses based on users’ initial deposits are most common these days. They work in a simple manner, awarding users with bonus funds based on the percentage of their initial deposit. No, you can’t deposit $5000 and get a bunch of money in your bonus budget since all bookies enforce a fixed cap.
For instance, one of the above-featured bookmakers has a 50% initial deposit bonus up to $200. That means you get half of your initial deposit in your bonus budget, with $200 being the maximum amount you can get. It sounds complicated but it’s simple once you see it in action.
No-Deposit Bonuses
No-deposit bonuses offer a fixed sum of bonus funds you can use in any way you see fit. These are typically handed out via coupons or bonus codes that players obtain. When it comes to the fine print, no-deposit bonuses are even more drastic than deposit bonuses, making it almost impossible to cash the money out.
Freebies
Finally, some online sites offer free bets without requiring you to make a deposit. Some even go out of their way and offer free bets to already registered users as a part of special promotions during key dates in the calendar. Free bets are similar to classic no-deposit bonuses, but offer fixed-stake betting tickets. As you’d expect, they have a strict rulebook when it comes to cashing out the funds, so you’ll have to reroll the money before you can treat yourself. Remember to always read the fine print!
Esports Betting Sites With the Fastest Payouts
This is it! You’ve finally won a heftier sum, and you’re ready to cash it out and give yourself a nice treat. But how long will you have to wait to get your hard-earned cash? If you have to wait a week or more for your winnings, the wait takes the thrill out of the equation. Such a long waiting period takes the fun out of betting and that’s not what you want from your esports betting experience.
What’s the Typical Payout Speed?
Typically, you can expect to have your winnings in your bank account (or crypto wallet) within 48 hours of initializing the cashout/withdrawal request. However, the waiting game could take a bit longer, depending on several factors.
Last but not least, your bookie’s internal transaction also affects the overall payout speed. Believe it or not, some bookies don’t really process your withdrawal request immediately, hoping you’ll change your mind, cancel the request, and gamble away all your winnings. If you’re looking for safe esports betting sites with the fastest payouts, check out our fast payout esports betting sites page.
Safely Betting on Esports
Esports betting online is as safe as you make it! In other words, it’s safe if you use well-known bookmakers, such as the ones portrayed above. You can rest assured your private data (name, email, bank account info, etc.) is in good hands and far from the reach of hackers. However, if you stroll to the wrong neighborhood (read, if you use shady betting platforms), your personal information will be at risk!
Is Online Esports Betting Legal?
Yes, online esports betting is legal as long as you’re using legit platforms featured at the top of this page. If, however, you opt for the shady approach (read: skin betting), not only will you be partaking in illegal betting activities, but your personal info may be at risk. If you want to stay on the safe side of things, the above-featured list of the safest esports betting sites is your safest bet… pun intended!
Biggest Betting Sites In America
Are All of Our choices Legit and Possess All Necessary Licenses?
All of the above-featured esports bookies possess all necessary licenses needed for facilitating online gambling. In other words, they are 100% legit, and you have nothing to be afraid of. Not only do they possess necessary licenses but they also go out of their way to protect their users’ private data with sophisticated encryption systems that keep the bad guys out.
So, yeah, if you want a 100% worry-free experience, one of the above-listed esports bookmakers is the obvious choice!
Skins Betting Sites vs Esports Betting Sites
If you’re looking to bet on esports matches, esports betting sites are the obvious way to go. However, they’re not the only way to go. You see, there are online sites that don’t feature real money bets. They’re called skin betting sites because they use skins instead of real money.
Skins used on skin betting sites usually come from two games, Dota 2 and CS:GO. In fact, these two games kickstarted the whole skin betting industry, which developed into a real problem that could’ve seriously hurt the esport industry’s integrity.
The worst thing about skin betting sites isn’t the fact they’re illegal, but the fact that they facilitate underage wagering. Yep, you’ve read that right! Skins sites have no security measures that prevent children and teenagers (which are plentiful in Dota 2 and CS:GO communities) from partaking in gambling activities. Plus, these sites are known for bearing little to no attention to their users’ personal information, which is a massive security issue.
We do not recommend visiting skins sites to bet on esports. If you’re interested in betting on CS:GO, LoL, Dota 2 or any other matches, safe esports betting sites like the ones featured at the top of this page should be your first option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Betting on Esports
Why Do You Favor These Esports Betting Sites?
As mentioned above, we favor these esports betting sites because we use them on a regular basis. We’ve already grown accustomed to them and know for a fact that other bookies offer a subpar experience. Whether we’re talking about esports market diversity, event depth, or payout speed, you can rest assured it doesn’t get much better than the above-listed esports betting sites!
Why Don’t All Online Betting Sites Feature Esports Markets?
This question baffles us, too! The only reasons we can think of are a lack of resources and the inability to acquire necessary licenses and influential partners. Less popular online betting sites might not have enough resources to invest in a whole new category.
Plus, the esports betting industry is as complex as they come, meaning it requires partners with the proper know-how to make the platform (and the category) work properly. While the demand for esports wagering is still at an all-time high, some bookies are straight out ignoring it, hoping it will turn out to be nothing more than a short-term trend.
What Sports Betting Sites Do You Recommend?
Thus far, all we’ve been talking about are esports betting sites. But what about their sports betting counterparts? After all, this website is called The Sports Geek, not The Esports Geek.
If you’re interested in sports betting too, feel free to check out our sports betting sites guide. It offers a ton of valuable info on everyone’s favorite pastime and will bring you up to speed on everything you need to know before you make your first bet. Sports betting, just like esports, doesn’t require too much time but can yield solid returns and be a highly entertaining time-waster.
What Are the Most Popular Esports Events to Bet On?
When talking about the most popular events to bet on, Dota 2 The Internationals immediately come to mind. They are the most lucrative events out there, bringing forth massive prize pools and worldwide viewership. Alongside The International, we also have to mention League of Legends World Championships as the most viewed events. League of Legends betting is still going strong so it’s no surprise LoL Worlds belong here.
Biggest Betting Sites Usa
When it comes to CS:GO, there are popular events throughout the year. We’re not just referring to CS:GO Major Championships but other events like ESL One, Pro League, Intel Extreme Masters, BLAST, and similar. The CS:GO esports calendar is a hectic one, but we’re guessing that’s why people love placing bets on CS:GO matches.
Why Aren’t There More Esports Games to Bet On?
Another tricky question that doesn’t really have a proper answer. Let’s be real here, do we even need more esports titles? Take Fortnite and PUBG as the perfect examples. Both are relatively new but went from zero to massive popularity in no time. This pushed their esports scenes into existence but was unable to generate long-term sustainability.
Biggest Online Betting Sites
From our perspective, the esports industry is already oversaturated. There are two main MOBA games (LoL and Dota 2), three popular FPS titles (CS:GO, CoD, and R6S), accompanied by a few marvelous mixtures (Overwatch and Rocket League). Combine that with the likes of Super Smash Bros., FIFA, and the good old StarCraft II, and you’ll realize there’s not that much space left for new contestants.