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. Esports betting. Pinnacle offers the best Esports odds and high limits for Esports betting.

• Best Esports Betting App
• Esports Betting Best Sites

One of the biggest growth industries in the world of sports betting today is that of esports betting. If you’ve never heard of esports, we’re willing to bet that within a few years, you will.

In this article, we’ll give you everything you need to know about the esports industry.

We’ll include how you can bet on it with an ever-increasing number of the highest profile and reputable bookmakers in the industry, as well as a number of specialist esports betting sites that are being formed.

Let’s begin however by examining the most obvious question which is: what exactly is an esport?

Best eSports betting sites for March 2021

What are esports?

The phrase esports stands for ‘electronic sports.’ It basically refers to a type of computer or console game that is played by an individual, or team of players, against other individuals or teams either over the Internet (an online game). It can also take place over a local area network (LAN). This is termed an offline game.

Of course, there are many games nowadays on PC and consoles that facilitate multiple players playing online from around the world, or LAN play. But what marks esports out as different from these games (such as the recently released Star Wars Battlefront) is that these events attract major sponsorship from companies. They also have a clear tournament structure and organisation.

As a result, esports events also tend to attract the best gamers in the world. Many of these are amateur players. However, an increasing number—especially in the Far East in South Korea and China—are professional gamers who earn a living playing in esports tournaments.

There are a number of games that are viewed as esports games. Some of the most commonly played include:

• StarCraft 2
• League of Legends
• Hearthstone
• Counter Strike: Global Offensive
• Heroes of the Storm
• Defense of the Ancients 2 (commonly shortened to Dota 2)

This list is not exhaustive. There are other esports available, though finding betting on esports not on this list is far more difficult.

As an online medium, esports has grown massively in popularity in recent years, not just with players but with viewers also. Many follow the events in a major tournament via the Twitch live streaming service. It didn’t take bookmakers long to realise that there was a potential for betting markets on this new and evolving phenomenon.

Do people really bet on esports?

At first, to a punter not familiar with esports, the idea of betting on a player or a team in a game on a computer or console sounds somewhat preposterous. However, esports gaming is now a fully regulated and worldwide industry. So really, it’s not as strange as it sounds.

With the growing popularity of esports, it’s a natural progression to go from playing to watching to facilitating bets. It is, after all, what happens with sports all over the world.

In the past two years, the esports betting industry has grown. There is an increasing number of companies offering esports betting. When you consider that 205 million people played esports in the past 12 months, it’s easy to see why people are eager to bet on their favourite games and gamers.

Many of the top online bookmakers are now offering regular esports betting alongside traditional sports offerings.

Can you bet on esports at the major online sportsbooks?

Yes you can. An increasing number of the major sports betting sites offer esports alongside traditional sports betting.

The list of major sportsbook sites that offer esports betting includes:

• Pinnacle Sports
• 888 Sport
• Paddy Power
• William Hill
• Betfair
• 10Bet

In addition, the newly formed, eSport-specific site Unikrn offers an extensive range of esports betting. At the moment in the UK, Coral, Betfred and Stan James do not offer esports betting.

How similar is esports betting to regular online sports betting?

Apart from the differences we’ve already outlined, betting on esports is exactly the same as making a bet on any other sporting event.

On any of the sites listed that offer traditional sports alongside esports betting, you make your selections in esports. Then you’ll select your stake and make your bet in exactly the same way as you would for a traditional sporting market.

Furthermore, once the outcome of your esport bet is decided, winnings are paid with the same level of expediency as a sports bet.

In terms of the mechanics of placing a bet on esports compared to traditional sports, there is no difference.

How is esports betting different to regular sports betting?

In truth, the only difference between esports and traditional sports betting is that in one you are betting on individuals competing in a computer game, whereas in traditional sports it is a physical or mental contest between two teams or individuals.

Of course, there are differences in how the odds for the markets in each are drawn up. Online betting sites will have their own experts within the esports industry. They advise them on which events to offer bets on and what odds to have the selections at.

Other than that though, there is very little difference between the two forms of betting.

How do I know that esports matches are not rigged?

Of course, one of the key considerations for any punter when dealing with a relatively new industry to bet on is how to ensure that competitions between two players are not rigged. You also don’t want collusion between the players to ensure that one wins and the other loses.

The reason why this is not an issue at the highest level of esports (where all the betting markets are focused) is that this is essentially now a professional industry. It has its own code of conduct, rules and regulations. The professional players get paid for results.

What this means is, just like a football match where one team is heavily favoured over the other, there is no incentive for the losing or underdog player not to try and win. Pride, their place in their chosen esports team, and the riches that comes from being the top esports gamers will ensure that at the highest level, every match is fought to the maximum of each player’s ability.

In addition, with so many gaming experts watching events on screen—plus a host of fans watching via live streaming services such as Twitch—if any player did ‘give up’ or collude to lose, this would be easily discovered. The player would be sanctioned. (And likely all bets on the outcome declared void and your stakes returned.)

Essentially, esports betting is as safe in terms of matches being rigged as any other sport you could consider. Indeed, given the issues some sports have faced of late, it may even be less of an issue in esports.

How do I bet on esports using my mobile?

Betting on esports via your mobile is simply a case of loading up any of the sites listed above that offer esports betting and logging in to your account.

Find the esports betting section on that site. Then click on it to bring up a list of current esports betting events and markets available.

Simply click on an event, make your selections and place your bet. It’s that simple. You can then even log in to Twitch and watch the match unfold on your mobile if you so desire.

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.

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

1. Select one of the reliable esports betting sites listed at the top of this page.
2. Navigate to the main bookie page and click on that shiny register/join button.
3. Fill in your account information and confirm your email and identity.
4. 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

Best Esports Betting App

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!

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.

Esports Betting Best Sites

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.

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.

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.