☆ Top Best eSports Betting Sites - United States 2024

What is Esports Betting?

The term, “Esports”, is short for “electronic sports” and it is used to refer to competitive video gaming. It’s e-gaming that’s also a competition and there’s a variety of ways and places to play. It also involves a vast range of video games, from ball games like NBA 2K to shooter games like Call of Duty. Esports betting is something that exists because competitions attract gamblers and with money and professionalism in the mix, it just goes up from there. Millions of people around the world watch esports tournaments, live and via the Internet.

In simple words, esports betting involves placing bets on competitive video gaming and it’s a really big thing now, in some places at least. For something that’s still kind of low profile, its growth has been so upward that the world esports betting market is estimated to be valued at close to $30 billion by the end of this year.

Popular Esports Games and Providers

Esports involves a diversity of games, some of them popular and some not so much. The top 10 esports games include:

• League of Legends
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Dota 2
• Call of Duty
• Fortnite
• NBA 2K

Of the top 10 esport games, League of Legends by Riot Games, is the most popular with an average viewership of 250,000 people and over 100 million active players in 2020 alone. It is similar to Dota 2 as it uses the same multi-player online battle arena (MOBA) game system. Each team has 5 players, each player facing one champion and the goal is to destroy the other team’s home base while protecting yours.

Dota 2 was developed and released by Valve in 2013. It is an adaptation of DotA, the original game which was released in 2003. It works almost the same way League of Legends does, with teams of players competing to destroy a defended structure but here, players have characters with special abilities. It’s a famous game in the esports betting scene with a prize pool that reached $34 million in 2019.   

Call of Duty is a fast-paced shooter game developed by Activision, a branch of Blizzard. It is a game almost everyone has encountered either directly or indirectly. Competitive Call of Duty has been in existence since 2010 and now has a prize pool of $6 million.

Fortnite is a battle royale game developed by Epic Games. Like Call of Duty, it is a fast-paced game but with facilities for players to build survival structures in open areas of the map. It is one of the most famous of the top 10 esports betting games and it reached a prize pool of close to $65 million in 2019.

Thanks to the internet, Esports betting has continued to thrive despite the recent pandemic situation across the globe as the competitions can be streamed via platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.

Famous Esports Betting Events 

Esports has loads of exciting events year-round. Widely known esports betting events include

• Blizzcon
• League of Legends World Championship
• FIFAe World Cup
• CFS World Championship
• The International

The League of Legends World Championship (LoL Worlds) is the most popular of these events. It is an annual tournament hosted by Riot Games and it sure draws the people. It’s a leader in the esports betting events world; proof being the almost 4 million viewers of the last event. It is no surprise the demand for LoL Worlds betting online is always high.

Blizzcon is a yearly gaming convention held by Blizzard Entertainment to promote its major franchises and celebrate the development of epic games for the esports community. It takes place in November at the Anaheim Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, and had an average attendance of 40,000 people in 2018.

FIFAe World Cup is an annual tournament organized by FIFA in partnership with EA SPORTS. The first edition was held in 2004 in Zurich. Players compete online for eligibility to win the FIFAe World Cup at the end of the season.

The most popular events associated with Dota 2 is the International. This is a big gaming tournament that comes up annually. It involves 18 teams battling it out for the coveted cash prizes. The prize pool for 2019 went as high as $34 million. Prize table goes as far as the 18^th position, with the first position taking home as much as $15 million dollars.

These are some of the biggest esports betting events you’ll find. To win from betting at these events, you have to watch a couple of matches to understand the strategies that teams may employ in the course of a match as well as the gameplays.

Esports Bet Types

Do you have a favorite esports game? If you do, that’s great! If you don’t, don’t stress, you have a lot of time to figure it out. There are different ways to bet on your most preferred esports game, or games, and it is important to understand them before you start betting. The most popular types of bet on esports include Money Line, Handicap, Outright, Accumulator, Totals, and In-Play betting.

Money Line betting

This simply means betting on a particular team to win a game. It does not involve the gap between the points of the teams or any other thing, just the team that wins. It is one of the easiest types of bets you can make so it’s an okay choice for first-time bettors.

Handicap betting

This is common in points-based sports like football and basketball, and it is only available before the season starts. Also known as line betting or Asian handicap, this type of betting involves the bookmaker turning an event with varying esports betting odds into an even one. It involves giving a “handicap”, like a head-start, to the team that’s most likely to lose, to make the esports odds more even. In points-based sports, this is done by adding more points to the disadvantaged side.

Outright betting

Outright betting is a term used to refer to the process in which a bet is placed on the overall result of an esports tournament. Outright bets can be placed any time before the tournament ends and produces a winner. Usually, it involves or three more competing teams and before the tournament starts, esports betting odds are set for each competitor. These esports odds may change during the tournament due to changes in the performances of the competitors.

Accumulator betting 

This is a high-risk bet type. An accumulator bet combines four or more selections into a single bet and a return is gained only if all parts win. It’s an all or nothing type of bet. It involves having a stake in multiple games and it is common in football esports betting because, during the football season, multiple matches hold simultaneously. The combinations of different esports betting odds create a potential for massive wins but it’s a very risky bet. The excitement does draw some people though.

Totals betting 

This involves betting on totals (obviously). A total bet, also known as an over/under bet, is a bet on the total amount of points scored in a game, that is, the sum of all the points or goals scored by all the competitors, or whatever is used to denote points in the game. This bet type lets you bet on the flow of the game and the winner of the game doesn’t matter. You choose to bet over or under and this means you either bet that more than x points will be scored in total or less than x points.

In-Play betting 

This takes place after an event has begun and up to the end. Also known as live betting or in-running betting, it is common in football, cricket matches, and horse races. It allows you to take your time to assess what’s going on in the event and get information that a lifetime of reading stats won’t give you. This way, you have an idea of the teams’ performances before placing your bet.

Picking Best Esports Betting Sites

Are you a lover of esports betting? Are you an esports fan that wants to delve into the betting online world but is unsure where to begin? Well, either way, you need to possess knowledge of how to pick the best esports betting sites. You must carefully consider certain criteria when deciding the betting site to go with, and most of them are explained here.

Welcome Bonus Packages

Most esports betting sites offer some form of a sign-up bonus offer. These offers differ from site to site and the underlying terms and conditions vary too. The differences make it kind of difficult to compare the values of the bonuses each site offers, but with further investigative work, you eventually fish out the ones that offer better incentives.

All esports betting promos or bonuses have terms and conditions that players are encouraged as every line is of utmost importance. Some of these T&Cs involve expiration dates; the bonuses are made available for a limited period. Some involve a playthrough; you’re required to bet a certain amount before the bonus can be used. A good example is 888sport’s Bet £10, Get £30 sign-up offer.

Mobile Compatibility

For the best bookmakers, letting you be able to play regardless of your device type is a priority. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to make money from betting online anywhere you are, even while on the move? Mobile betting sites give you this option. Top betting sites compatible with mobiles include bet 365, novibet, BETHARD, CAMPEONBET. If you’re someone who likes to bet on the go, you should consider this when picking an esports betting site. Mobile betting is fun and simple, and you can make money wherever and whenever even during a meeting at the office.

Game Selections

While determining the best esport betting sites, this is a major deal for most fans of esports betting. Offering a wide range of esports games doesn’t mean all the games will be quality products, let this ring. The top betting sites offer a variety of quality esports games, combining quality and variety to give you the best.

Most sites offer big esports games like Dota 2 and League of Legends. However, the best sites offer a colorful range of esports games from Fortnite to Overwatch, Call of Duty, FIFA, covering both minor and major events. Since most users of esports betting sites have multiple interests, top sites try to provide diversity, eliminating the boredom of monotony.

Customer Care 

You really should consider this. It’s easy to ignore the issue of customer care until you find yourself in need of it. If you run into a problem while betting online, you need a solution as soon as possible. The best esports betting sites offer around-the-clock support to customers so if problems arise, you can get them resolved quickly and resume your betting, making the experience an almost bump-free one. The top betting sites offer you a variety of customer support options including email and telephone support, live chat, with 24/7 access to quality customer care.

Payment Methods

Most betting sites offer easy methods for making deposits and withdrawals such as credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, or bank transfers. Only a few websites accept payments via PayPal or Paysafecard, so ensure you consider this when choosing the site to sign up with. Some betting sites are beginning to accept payment in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP partly because cryptocurrency is gradually gaining a foothold in the economy and also because it provides a high level of security for both betting site and user. This brings us to the matter of security.

Security

The betting site’s security for esports bettors is a very important thing to consider. What is the site’s policy (or policies) concerning player funds? How easy is it to request withdrawals? What are the experiences of frequent players like? The answers to these questions and more is significant in picking the best esports betting sites as player security is integral to making the betting experience a wonderful one. Carry out a reputation check before you decide to trust a bookmaker with your information. Funds are also a security matter; reliable esports betting sites make use of secure payment systems to process funds of players and this involves the use of highly secure online wallets and the 3D Secure system.

Competitive Odds

Competitive odds, the most important aspect of all the criteria that have been mentioned. Odds are key to bets and the key to making the most profit from betting is to look for the best odds. Always. Checking and cross-checking odds across several sites will help you figure out which sites offer the most competitive odds so make sure you do that. This should be a major determiner in the decision of which betting site to use. Sites with the best esports betting odds (the most competitive betting odds) give you a better chance at successful sports betting online.

Esports Betting Tips

The most important of the esports bet tips we can give you is to continuously improve your betting skills. This is the parent of all esports bet tips. To earn well, you must develop a strategy that outplays other bets and practice it. Learn the value of odds by studying them as odds are different with different payouts. You must have a basic understanding of math as esports betting requires you to have a grasp of the numbers of each entry so you can make changes to your betting formula when needed.

Also, high paying odds are attractive but get a hold of your emotions before betting on them, to avoid mistakes. Create a sensible budget for your betting. You should also try risking betting for not-so-popular entries occasionally. Last but not the least of esports bet tips is be patient. Embrace hard work. Betting esports is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires a lot of work but if you put in the work, you get the gain.

Esports Betting: Legal Landscape in the World

Online esports betting across the globe is fast-changing, and the level of acceptance is rising by the minute. This explains why there may be a need for some form of regulation to protect both bookmarkers and players. In this multi-billion dollar gaming industry, the legality of gambling is an important topic to be examined. we will take a look at the different legal views on esports betting in countries like the USA, Canada, UK, and New Zealand. we will also see what regulations are in place to protect gaming enthusiasts. 

USA 

In the US, before May 2018 sports betting was governed by an act that made it unlawful in the country, except in a few states. It was said that the Professional and Amateur Sports Security Act (PASPA) of 1992 violated the US states’ freedom to rule themselves, so it was repealed. This occurred in 2011, and a referendum was held in New Jersey, which resulted in the discovery of the role of people on legalized sports betting. 

In 2018, the US Supreme Court voted to lift the federal ban on sports betting, allowing each state to enact rules on punting practices, including sports betting. Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, West Virginia, and New Mexico began authorizing individuals to bet safely months after this decision was made, and other states quickly followed suit. 

Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Texas, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Utah are states where sports betting is still not legal. We recommend firmly that you wait for the legalization of esports betting before participating in bets if your state does not yet allow sports betting. Technically, making bets on offshore bookmakers is not illegal for US citizens, but there are lots of risks involved, so you are advised to wait. This is not a big upside, but betting on fantasy sports such as the League of Legends is in a category other than regular sports betting, and in all states except Idaho, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington, it is permitted.

Canada

Canada’s esports betting space is growing rapidly. This is majorly due to the increase in popularity among youths and millennials alike. Esports betting in Canada is perfectly legal and is open to individuals who are 18 years and above. Bookmakers are highly regulated by provincial authorities and must obtain license certificates to operate. However, it is also legal for Canadian citizens to gamble at offshore esports bookies. Laws regulating online betting, in general, do not apply to offshore online bookmakers. 

Canada is a diverse country of provinces and territories. Provinces include Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Alberta, and New Brunswick. Each province and territories have different laws and regulations regarding online betting and, by extension, esports betting. For instance, in Ontario, gambling laws allow citizens to gamble online once you are 19 years of age and above. Gambling is regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

In Quebec, online gaming sites not approved by Loto-Quebec cannot offer betting markets, including esports, to Quebec residents. The Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming commission regulate online gambling in Quebec. Gaming and Liquor Act, which was revised in 2013, regulates online betting In Alberta. The legal gambling age in Alberta is pegged at 18 years. Furthermore, in British Columbia, online betting is regulated by the Gaming Control Act instituted in 2012. The legal gambling age is 19 years and above. Although Licensed online gambling sites are limited, British Columbia residents can patronize offshore bookies offering esports betting market. 

Residents of Manitoba can also bet on esports once they attain a legal age of 18 years. Manitoba Lotteries Corporation regulates gambling in conjunction with the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba. The legal gambling age is 19 years for other provinces like New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan.

Canada territories include Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest territories. Online gambling, including esports betting, is mostly done with offshore esports bookies. It is legal to wager on the betting market with offshore bookmakers from any Canadian territory. 

United Kingdom

Esports in the UK is on a surging rise. The betting landscape is also stunning green since the introduction of the 2005 Gambling Act. In the Uk, for instance, A discussion paper was released by the UK Gambling Commission detailing the need for strict gambling laws to be implemented on eSports, which align with the regulations to which traditional sports are subject. 

There are countless licensed sports and esports bookies for the UK market. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission regulates online gambling and operators. The UKGC has made gambling safe and conducive for punters to enjoy esports betting.  If you wish to enjoy betting on esports in the UK, it’s advisable to search out bookies with the official UKGC seal of recognition. This ensures that you are betting with a credible bookie.

Australia

In Australia, the Interactive Gaming Act of 2001 governs gambling activities.  This Act allows licensed sports bookmakers to take bets on specific official eSports tournaments and contests. Online gambling regulations are more lenient for citizens than for bookmakers. To be eligible to bet in Australia, you must attain the age of 18 years and above. There are numerous=s licensed online bookies in Australia where you can enjoy some betting action. However, if you are not satisfied with offered betting markets, you are at liberty to use offshore bookies as this is perfectly legal. 

The Interactive Gaming Act, however, frowns at in-play betting. It prohibits bookies in Australia from offering in-play betting markets. Once more, this can be circumvented by players who enjoy the thrill of esports in-play netting. All you need to do is place bets at a licensed offshore bookmaker. 

New Zealand

Esports betting in New Zealand is also legal. The gambling scene in New Zealand comes with stiff regulations for both bettors and operators. The New Zealand Department of internal affairs is the body in charge of regulating gaming and betting. The allowable gambling age is pegged at 18 years and above. 

To control the harmful effects of uncontrolled gambling, the Gambling act of 2003 was bright in to play. This prohibits operators within New Zealand from allowing remote gambling with the use of electronic devices. There are no strict laws against offshore online bookmakers. So as a New Zealand citizen, you can choose to bet on esports with any offshore bookie of your choice.

Conclusion: Welcome to the World of Esports

Esports betting has been around for a long time and the involvement of the Internet has made it even more serious and lucrative. Esports betting is gradually becoming one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.  With media companies now taking interest in this industry and broadcasting the events, esports betting appears set for continued success. To be successful in betting on esports, follow all the tips in this article faithfully, and don’t forget to stay tuned to calendar updates and changes in odds.