In this guide, we go into detail about esports betting, covering everything you need to know about it, including how it works, the different esports titles available to bet on, and some important factors to consider before getting started.

What Is Esports Betting?

In esports betting, you place bets on competitive video gaming matches and win money if you correctly predict the outcome. Depending on the esports betting site, you’ll find many types of bets (or “markets”), including match winners, over/under, point spreads, and special props like first blood.

When you place a bet, you can choose a match from the available lineup, then select a market (e.g., which team will win, total kills in a round, or if the total maps will go over/under a line set by the bookmaker). From there, you enter your stake, watch the match, and receive payouts if your prediction is correct.

History Of Esports Betting

Most people still believe that esports betting is a recent trend, but it’s actually been around since the 1990s—a time when arcade and early PC competitions were held. It was only around the 2000s-2010s when the scene exploded, following the rise of larger international leagues and tournaments, and livestreaming.

By the 2020s, esports betting became a staple for sports bettors, with many events being broadcast on standard cable TV. This made it more accessible and famous than ever before. It has become a staple for sports bettors, with esports even being broadcast on standard cable TV, making it more accessible and famous than ever before.

In its early days, esports betting was relatively informal and unregulated. But as the demand, structure, and prize pools grew over the years, betting on esports became more legitimised and regulated to ensure more control and safety for bettors.

In terms of global revenue, the global esports market is predicted to reach at least $6 billion by 2029, according to Statista, which shows strong signs of growth and future potential.

How Esports Betting Works

As an esports bettor, you need to predict the outcome of a match winner, player stats, or even first blood in a Call of Duty match. You also need to have a deep understanding of the game and the specific markets to succeed in esports betting.

Below, let’s learn how to place an esports bet:

1. Choose a licensed sportsbook that offers esports betting. When you’re looking for a sportsbook, always check for valid licenses and user reviews to make sure they’re legitimate.
2. Create your account and complete the verification process. All licensed sportsbooks require you to verify your account using an ID and proof of address.
3. Fund your account. Use your preferred payment method; most websites offer a wide range to choose from. Some platforms also provide great esports welcome bonuses.
4. Choose an esports event to bet on. In the esports section of the sportsbook, you can choose a game or tournament from the matches they offer, which could include League of Legends, VALORANT, EA FC and more.
5. Pick a market and place your bet. Match winner, total maps, or specific in-game events are usually some of the popular options. Enter your stake and place your bet.
6. Watch the match and track your bet. The top sports betting sites offer live streaming that allows you to tune into a game and watch it play out. If your prediction wins, the winnings will be paid out to your account to withdraw.

Popular Esports Titles

There are many different esports titles to choose from when it comes to betting. With a range of markets to explore in each game, it’s worth doing your research in the hope of finding some value in the esports betting odds being offered by your chosen site.

League of Legends Betting

League of Legends is one of the most popular games to bet on – and it has been for a long time! There’s a passionate fanbase and massive global tournaments that drive this game right to the top of the pile.

It’s one of the most popular games in terms of viewership online, with peak viewing figures reaching over six million at one stage last year.

VALORANT Betting

VALORANT is a unique game that requires strategy and exceptional skill to win. It’s become especially popular in esports betting recently.

Betting markets such as match handicap, round handicap, match winner, number of kills for a specific player, and map winner are the most common. With live streaming available with some esports betting sites (wagering requirement dependent), you’re covered with the ultimate VALORANT betting experience.

EA FC Betting

EA FC (which used to be known as FIFA) is a massively popular pick for bettors who love traditional soccer. EA FC has been the top choice in soccer games for many years now, and competitive gaming has elevated the standard to an extremely high level.

You’re covered with many different EA FC events taking place regularly, and with popular markets such as total goals, match winner, and Asian handicap available, it’s relatively straightforward to understand EA FC betting.

Esports Legality and Regulation

In the US, esports betting is not regulated at the federal level. So, there’s no single national law that outright legalizes or bans esports wagering. The legality of sports betting depends on each state’s laws, with some states permitting it and others banning it. However, some are in grey areas where the law doesn’t clearly address esports.

As of 2025, there are 19 states that have legalized esports betting, including Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, and Tennessee, to name a few. You should always check your local state’s laws before getting into esports betting.

Esports Betting vs Sports Betting

Esports betting and traditional sports betting have a lot in common, but there are also some significant differences to keep in mind.

	Esports Betting	Traditional Sports Betting
Type of competition	Based on digital video game competitions such as League of Legends or VALORANT.	Based on real-world physical sports such as football, basketball, or baseball.
Betting markets	Includes unique markets like map winners, first blood, total rounds, and player performance.	The focus is more on traditional markets like moneyline, over/unders, and point spread.
Event frequency	Esports tournaments run year-round, globally and online.	Sports events are seasonal and often region-based.
Audience	A younger audience with a higher online presence.	Broader demographic, but usually older generations and tied to regional fan bases.
Data and statistics	In-game data is accurate and up to date with real-time insights.	Relies more on historical team or player performances and results.
Regulation	Still developing and depends on the region or game.	More established with governing bodies and legal frameworks.
Betting platforms	Online sportsbooks that offer esports platforms.	Available both online and in physical sportsbooks.
Market volatility	Odds can shift quickly with late changes in line-ups or patches.	More stable with fewer changes before the match starts.

Risks and Challenges

Esports betting comes with a couple of significant risks and challenges that you need to keep in mind. It’s important to understand these risks, as esports betting is no different to other forms of gambling in the sense that there aren’t ever guaranteed wins.

Problem Gambling

Like with any form of gambling, esports betting carries the risk of addiction. Esports is fast-paced, and there’s a constant stream of tournaments lined up and ready to go.

This makes it much more difficult for bettors to fight the urge, and chasing losses or betting impulsively becomes increasingly out of control. Responsible gambling tools and practices (such as betting limits, self-exclusion tools and forced breaks) are crucial for esports betting platforms.

Match Integrity

With esports tournaments mainly taking place online, it can be a real challenge to prevent match fixing or cheating. It becomes more difficult to monitor all players to ensure integrity and fair play.

Some players have been caught throwing matches for monetary rewards, which is not only unethical but also destroys the trust and reputation of the entire industry. To avoid this, look for sportsbooks that only cover verified tournaments and work with integrity organisations that monitor suspicious activity.

Pros and Cons of Esports Betting

With esports betting exploding in popularity and still growing at a lightning pace, it’s becoming a more popular option for everyone, even drawing in some established sports bettors. Nevertheless, like any form of gambling, esports betting comes with pros and cons.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Esports events run year-round.	Volatile betting markets.
Fast-paced and entertaining.	Lack of regulation in some regions.
Plenty of depth within betting markets.	It could encourage impulsive betting behavior with how regular games take place.
A large community in esports to gain knowledge from.	Match fixing and cheating remain a concern with online matches.
Lower minimum stakes are available to casual bettors.	Less historical data to analyze.

Conclusion

Esports is now an established industry, with tremendous growth potential. Esports betting is growing just as fast, rivaling traditional sports betting. However, there are some key differences between esports betting and sports wagers.

The main difference, of course, is that esports betting is based on competitive video games while sports betting is based on physical sports. Beyond that, esports betting is more fast-paced, featuring year-round, global, and online matches rather than seasonal and regional ones.

As for legality and regulation, there’s still a way to go for esports betting. The legality of esports betting varies depending on the state you’re in (in the U.S.), and some European markets also ban esports betting, while others allow it. Platforms are cracking down on cheating and match fixing in esports, and they’re becoming more regulated to create a safer and more trustworthy experience for bettors.

FAQs

What is esports betting, and how does it work?

Esports betting involves wagering on competitive video game matches, similar to betting on traditional sports. You predict outcomes such as match winners, map scores, or total rounds to win a payout.

Which games are most popular for esports betting?

League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, VALORANT, Call of Duty and EA FC are some of the most popular options for esports betting.

What are the most common types of esports bets?

You can bet on the match winner, map winner, over/under on rounds or kills, handicaps, and outright tournament winners. But there are also game-specific markets you could bet on, such as first blood or first goal.

How do odds work in esports betting?

Odds show the likelihood of an outcome and determine how much you could win. They’re usually displayed in American (+/-) odds, with favorable odds showing you potential profit, and negative odds showing how much you need to bet to win $100.

Can you bet on live esports matches?

Yes, most sportsbooks offer live in-game betting. You can wager on specific events happening during a match, and the odds will fluctuate based on the performance of the teams or players in the game.

What is the difference between traditional sports betting and esports betting?

While there are many similarities, the core difference between esports betting and traditional sports betting is that the former focuses on competitive gaming, while the latter focuses on physical sports.

Are esports betting sites safe?

Yes, licensed and regulated esports betting sites are safe to use. Always choose licensed sportsbooks that have proper security measures in place.

Is esports betting legal?

The legality of esports betting varies depending on the laws of your local state. Some states allow esports betting while others explicitly ban it. Always check your local laws before getting into esports betting.

Can you bet on esports?

Yes, you can bet on different matches, tournaments, and events through licensed and regulated sportsbooks.

How to bet on esports?

Start by choosing a reputable sportsbook and creating an account with it. Fund your account and select an esports match to wager on. Next, choose the market you want to bet on, place your wager and enjoy the game.

Where to bet on esports?

You can bet on esports through licensed online sportsbooks that offer esports markets. Always use regulated platforms to ensure fair play, security, and reliable payouts.

References

1. eSports market revenue worldwide 2017-2029 (Statista)
2. All-time popular esports games by viewership (Esports Charts)