Esports Betting
News
France vs Spain prediction markets and preview: can Les Bleus reach another World Cup final?
Ben Boland
The 2026 World Cup in its extended format has provided one of the most memorable tournaments in living memory, but from 48 teams we are now down to the final four, and it is probably the four strongest teams remaining. The semi-final lineup in the United States sees France vs Spain and England vs Argentina with all teams having a strong shout to win the iconic trophy. The first match …
Esports Betting
Exclusive interview: How ESL is experimenting with TikTok broadcasts to reach new audiences
Wasif Ahmed
While most esports fans watch pros compete in their favorite titles on their PCs, laptops, or tablets, more and more fans are tuning into vertical esports broadcasts. That’s why tournament organizers such as ESL have to adapt and constantly implement new ideas to improve the vertical viewing experience on platforms like TikTok. During IEM Cologne 2026, we had the opportunity to pick the brain of EFG’s Senior Director of Media …
League of Legends
HLE’s MSI win may have proven that Gumayusi’s the GOAT
Hannan Mundia
With HLE winning the 2026 MSI tournament grand final against BLG, there’s a real argument that Gumayusi may be the best ADC player currently. This year’s MSI has finally concluded, and Hanwha Life Esports took home the winning trophy. While it was filled to the brim with ups and downs for every player, Gumayusi may be the only player who consistently performed in every game, regardless of which team was …
Esports Betting
MLBB Women’s International (MWI) 2026 at the EWC preview, teams, and format
Wasif Ahmed
There is only one game that has two tournaments in the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026—and that is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). With a separate women’s tournament, the MLBB Women’s International (MWI), is set to take place in Paris from July 14 to 18 with a prize pool of $525,000 on the line. Notably, the MWI was earlier called the Women’s Invitational, which was first held in 2022 with …
Esports Betting
Hanwha Life Esports vs BLG: Best betting odds and picks for MSI 2026 grand final
Hannan Mundia
Hanwha Life Esports and BLG will get to have a rematch in the 2026 MSI grand final, but which team will walk away as the victor? The first match between HLE and BLG didn’t really go well for the LCK team. The stakes are much higher this time, and the looming question is whether things will be any different this time around. Tournament: MSI 2026 Stage: Lower bracket final Game: …
Esports Betting
NA has a winning head-to-head against EU at MSI for the first time since 2018
Wasif Ahmed
LYON just beat G2 Esports 3-0 at the LoL 2026 Mid-Season Invitational. Right off the high of beating the six-time World champion T1, the LEC representative quickly came back to Earth as NA cut their run short. Now, North America is ahead of Europe in the head-to-head for the first time since 2018. After G2’s victories against Top Esports and T1, the predictions were split. Part of the community rationally …
Esports Betting
EWC Play 2026 guide: Pick’Em, Fantasy League, and $300,000 prize pool
Owen Harsono
For the 2026 edition, the Esports World Cup has released the EWC Play, which is a limited-time event that lets you predict match outcomes and build your dream lineups akin to Pick’Ems. It’s a great way to get involved in the action, but you’ll also have a chance to win real money in the process. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about the Esports World Cup Play event! The …
Esports Betting
Hanwha Life Esports barely beats LYON 3-2 at LoL MSI 2026
Wasif Ahmed
In a heartbreaking moment for North America, Hanwha Life Esports beat LYON in a close 3-2 in the MSI 2026 loser’s final. For South Korea, this means a rematch for HLE against Bilibili Gaming in the grand final, and a fourth slot at Worlds 2026. For North America, it’s yet another near-win against the East as they fall short for the third time in two years. The series between HLE …
Hanwha Life Esports vs LYON: Best betting odds and picks for MSI 2026
Hannan Mundia
League of Legends
The 2026 MSI lower bracket final will see Hanwha Life Esports take on LYON. Here’s our complete betting analysis and betting picks. After T1’s upset loss at the ongoing MSI tournament, G2 Esports was the next team to fall before reaching the lower bracket final. LYON looked extremely good against the LEC team, but does it have what it takes to take down arguably the strongest LCK team currently? Tournament: …
Xbox reveals Minecraft carried profits and restructures Mojang
Zachary Roberts
Minecraft
Minecraft has been a heavy hitter in the gaming space for a long time, thanks to its affordability and accessibility. Pretty much everyone has played the game at some point since its 2011 launch. It remains one of the most popular games even now. It is beloved, popular, and relevant, which is not true of most 2011 games. So perhaps it’s not a surprise that Microsoft just revealed that the …
G2 Esports proves that T1 has an over-reliance problem
Hannan Mundia
League of Legends
The MSI match between G2 Esports and T1 proved that the LCK powerhouse needs to take a good look at its strategy. For years now, the LCK has been a dominant force in the competitive League of Legends space. While the LCP has occasionally come close to the number one spot, that hasn’t been the case for long. In particular, T1 is easily the biggest name in the scene, especially …
Breaking down the Esports World Cup 2026’s HUGE $75 million USD prize pool
Michael Hassall
News
In more ways than one the Esports World Cup is the largest esports event on the planet, but by far the most dramatic way is the massive $75 million dollar prize prize pool. Split across 25 events in 24 titles, the individual pools represent some of the largest single payouts in each game. But of course, the $75 million isn’t weighted into a single game, or even just split 25 …
Valorant at the EWC 2026 preview, details, predictions, and more
Owen Harsono
Valorant
We don’t get too many international Valorant tournaments in a year, but the Esports World Cup is certainly one of them. 16 of the top Valorant teams gather in Paris to compete for millions of dollars. If you’re looking to catch the action, here’s everything you need to know about Valorant at the 2026 Esports World Cup. The Esports World Cup is one of the biggest Valorant tournaments of the …
World Cup 2026: As we reach the quarter-finals, what do the odds say?
Ben Boland
News
The 2026 World Cup has delivered one of the most thrilling tournaments in living memory, with the expanded 48-team format widely being praised for the competitive nature of the underdogs — particularly those like Cape Verde making their debut in the competition. July 8 is the first rest day in what has been a breathless opening four weeks, so it is an ideal opportunity to assess the remaining eight teams …
Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule
Hannan Mundia
Esports Betting
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup …
Dota 2 at the EWC 2026 preview, details, predictions, and more
Michael Hassall
Dota 2
A titanic 24 teams are set to compete in Dota 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025 in one of the largest events of the competitive season. These two dozen organizations are set to take over the Paris Convention Center, filling it with top-tier competitive Dota 2 action. With a $2,000,000 USD prize pool, the largest on the Dota 2 calendar, there’s everything to play for in the final major …
2026 World Cup last-16 odds: markets for Portugal vs Spain and more
Ben Boland
News
The 2026 World Cup is heating up nicely and the last-16 matches so far have been of an extremely high standard. Pre-tournament favourites France and England both overcame different challenges to reach the last eight, and they will soon be joined by four more teams before the tournament stops for its first day of rest on July 8. Portugal vs Spain starts today at 3 p.m. ET in Arlington, Texas …
Team Secret Whales stun Top Esports as LCP finally breaks the East’s Bo5 wall
Wasif Ahmed
Esports Betting
In the first massive upset of the tournament, Team Secret Whales beat Top Esports to kick them out of the lower bracket of MSI 2026. This is Asia-Pacific’s first ever Bo5 win against the East since the creation of the leagues in 2013. Now, only Bilibili Gaming is left for the LPL and the power rankings are all mixed up. TSW didn’t just beat TES, they completely outclassed them. Kicking …
Top Dota 2 combos to boost your MMR fast
Wasif Ahmed
Dota 2
Dota 2 is a complex and interesting game that requires skill, strategy and teamwork to be successful. Having said that, one of the best ways to improve your MMR is by learning certain Dota 2 combos that have proven themselves over time. It’s worth knowing that there are not that many Dota 2 combos that have survived the test of time because every new patch changes the game’s meta. Nevertheless, …
How to watch the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026
Owen Harsono
Esports Betting
The Esports World Cup 2026 is an event you don’t want to miss. The best players in various esports titles will all gather in Paris, France, to compete for millions of dollars and a shiny new trophy. If you don’t want to miss out on the action, here’s how you can watch EWC 2026 live. All matches in the Esports World Cup will be live streamed from the venue, meaning …
Over the last few years, esports betting has exploded in popularity due to the huge growth of the esports industry and the wider coverage tournaments and events are getting, plus the money involved.
While it doesn’t yet rival traditional sports betting, it’s not difficult to see a world where this could happen. If you’re a gamer, or an esports fan, and have wondered about esports betting, read on. We’ve created a comprehensive guide that details what it is, how it works, the popular video games you can bet on, and other useful information.
Esports Betting Explained
You’ve most likely heard of sports betting well, esports betting is exactly the same. Instead of betting on physical sports, you are placing wagers on video games like Call of Duty, League of Legends, StarCraft II, and VALORANT.
This was a logical progression for the esports industry and over the last years, betting on esports has exploded in popularity. You now have a range of dedicated websites that only provide esports betting. Also, many traditional sportsbooks have added esports betting sections to their already huge offerings.
Either way, the premise is simple – you sign up to one of the sites, deposit some real money in your local currency, and place wagers on your favorite esports teams and players. You then have the chance to get real money payouts in return.
Where to bet esports today
Most Popular Esports for Betting
The number of esports titles has grown significantly. New games emerge every year and with them an esports scene that acts as a way to promote the game, either directly by the publisher or through third party tournament organizers or both. The success of an esports largely depends on the sustainability of the scene and opportunities for players to go pro. Today, there are competitive gaming events for many different genres including FPS, MOBA, RTS, sports sims, battle royales mobile games, and trading card games.
With all these pro gaming events it’s no surprise that esports is now a popular betting option for many fans of the respective games. In the betting menus of possibly all sports betting sites you’ll now find everything from Counter-Strike 2 and
LoL betting. To give you an introduction, we’ve listed the most popular esports games that you can bet on in the below table:
| Esport | Overview |
| CS2 | Released in 2023 by Valve, and is currently the fifth entry in the iconic Counter-Strike series. Players or teams of players engage in tactical first-person shooter action using a range of military weapons. |
| LoL | Immensely popular MOBA created by Riot Games where players control units and try to control maps and defeat the opposing players. |
| Dota 2 | Legendary MOBA developed by Valve where players control a hero and units, and battle against opponents using special abilities, and strategies. |
| Valorant | Tactical Hero Shooter developed by Riot Games where players fight in intense battles using an array of weapons, perks, and abilities |
| Fortnite | Third-person Battle Royale game where players parachute down into the map and fight against 99 other opponents to try and be the last person or team standing. |
| Overwatch | First-person shooter game created by Blizzard in 2016 and still remains one of the most popular esports betting games due to its awesome action and strategical gameplay. |
| StarCraft II | The successor to one of the original esports games, StarCraft. This is a real time strategy game where players have a base, build units and structures, and must control their army to defeat their opponents. |
| NBA2K | Hugely popular NBA basketball video game where players control an NBA team and play full-length matches against their opponents. |
Types of Esports Bets You Can Make
You now know which games are popular for esports betting, like
Valorant betting, but what about the types of bets you can make? Generally, there are three core types of bets available at the best esports betting websites:
- Single selections:
Where you bet on one market.
- Multiple selections/accas/parlays:
Where you bet on multiple events.
- Bet builders/Same-game parlays:
Where you bet on multiple single markets from one match.
Within this broad spectrum of betting categories, you also have a range of common individual bet types which we’ve listed in the below table:
| Esports bet type | What it means |
| Outright winner | The most common type of bet. You are betting on the overall outcome of a game and who will win it. |
| Correct score | Where you pick what the final score of a game will be, such as the number of rounds, games, or maps, for example. |
| Team score | Where you predict the score of one team or player. |
| First frag/kill | More commonly used in FPS games like CS2 where you bet on which player or team gets the first kill. |
| Over/Under bets | Pick if you think the team/player will get more or less than the specified stat for a range of different categories. |
| First objective | Similar to first kill bets, but more aimed at MOBA or RTS games. |
How to Choose a Good Site for Betting on Esports
Some sites are better than others for betting on esports. We know how difficult it can be to find a suitable site due to the huge amount of choice, and promotions they bombard you with to make you bet with them. To help make your decision easier, we’ve used our knowledge to list seven key features you should look for when choosing which betting website to use.
Licensing
Whether you’re looking for site with
CS2 betting
options or any other esport, we will only ever recommend licensed online sports betting sites. Without a gambling license, a betting site is not bound by any rules, laws, or regulations, and you could potentially open yourself to scams. You can be assured that the sites featured on this page are all licensed, and they should be available for the region you are accessing this site from. You should check for licensing information in the website footer of a betting site.
Usability
A site could have all the features in the world, but if its usability is poor, you won’t have an enjoyable betting experience. Therefore, we suggest looking at the desktop website design and layout to make sure it works smoothly and allows you to easily browse the esports categories and betting markets. You can also check to see if the operator has a downloadable mobile app for whichever type of smartphone you use.
Supported games
This is down to personal preference, but you’ll most likely only want to make bets on a select few games – probably the games you play yourself. With that in mind, you can use the links and banners on this page to browse through the
best esports betting sites
and see what games they support. Go one step further and look at the tournaments, leagues, and events they support too.
Betting markets
It’s one thing for the esports online betting site to support the games you want to bet on, but does it have the types of bets you want to make? This is very important, particularly if you want to make prop bets such as destroying a tower or barracks in
Dota 2 betting. Think about what wagers you like making, and your potential betting strategies, and then browse the site’s betting setup before you register an account. It is also be worthwhile comparing the odds with other gambling sites.
Whether you’re
betting on Call of Duty
or any other esport, it’s worth looking at the betting bonuses that the site offers. Start by checking out the welcome bonus, which is an promotion directed at new customers only. This might include a deposit match bonus, free bets, or risk-free bets, for example.
You should then look at the promos for existing customers to make sure you can still get great value once you are registered. It’s also worth checking if betting sites’s VIP or loyalty program that can reward you, via a ranking system, with cashback and rakeback, weekly and monthly
esports betting bonuses, and even more exclusive perks depending on your VIP status.
Security
Site and mobile app security is also important and we want you to be safe when you are betting on esports. Top sites use industry-standard security features like SSL encryption and HTTPS connectivity. They will also allow advanced authentication for your account login such as 2FA. It’s also worth looking for the documentation they provide such as terms of service, privacy policies, and fairness documentation.
Responsible Gambling
Just because it’s esports and not traditional sports betting, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t gamble responsibly. We recommend checking the responsible gambling tools and support esports betting websites offer. Ideally, they should have some of the following features:
- Deposit limits
- Reality checks
- Timeouts
- Self-exclusion periods
- Betting limits
- Links to problem gambling support groups
Even if you don’t need to use these tools it’s still a great idea to understand how they work, and how you can access them if you feel like you are losing control.
How to Start Betting on Esports
Once you’ve selected a betting site you to join, you’ll need to register an account if you want to deposit real money and make your esports bets. The exact process can vary depending on the site, but it usually involves these steps:
-
Click the links or banners on this page to open the site.
-
Click the sign up or join button.
-
Enter the required personal details.
-
Enter a bonus promo code if needed.
-
Finish the registration form.
-
Verify your email or ID if required.
-
Log in using your credentials.
With your account created, and any verification complete, you can make your first deposit. Depending on your location, you’ll find a range of different payment methods such as Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal. Simply choose how much you want to deposit, enter your payment details, and hit the process button. Usually, deposits at esports betting websites are processed instantly.
After your account is loaded with some cash, you can start browsing the esports betting sections, find the games or events you want to bet on, and dive into the action.
Top sites for betting on esports
Online Esports Betting is Becoming Even More Popular
We hope you’ve found this guide on esports betting useful. You now have a better understanding of this industry and how the sites generally work. Whether you’re
betting on Mobile Legends, or placing wagers on FPS or MOBA esports games these online sites will facilitate the action and give you an seamless betting experience.
Remember to think about the legality of betting on esports in your location, and the attributes that make the an esports betting site the best. You can then check out the links, reviews, and banners featured here to find a site that suits your needs, get signed up, and make your first esports bet!
Esports Betting FAQs
🚀 What is esports betting?
Esports betting means putting money on competitive video game tournaments, matches or players. Here, you put money on which team is going to win a match, a tournament, what the correct score will be, player props such as total kills or other in-game events.
🤑 How to make money betting on esports?
The best way to make money from esports betting is by understanding the teams and how the game is played. You can make lots of money by analyzing drafts or finding opportunities in live betting.
❓ Which are the best esports betting websites?
This depends on what you want from your esports online betting experience. We recommend checking the banners featured on this page as they should show a host of popular betting sites for your region.
💰 Can you win real money betting on esports?
Of course. If you sign up and deposit funds to a real money betting site with esports markets then you can start to place wagers matches. If your bets win, your payout will be your initial stake, multiplied by the bet odds.
🥇 Which is the best esports game to bet on?
There is no “best” esports game for betting. Similar to traditional online sportsbooks, different people will enjoy betting on different games and they typically bet on games that they play themselves as they will have greater insight to how the game works and which teams or players are better.
📈 Which are the most popular esports for betting?
Globally, the most dominant games for esports betting are Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and Dota 2. All of these esports feature huge multi-million dollar prize pool tournaments, and have enough strategy for bettors to do research on.
🌍 Where is esports betting available?
This depends on your location and the legality of online gambling for the country, region, or state you live in. Always check eligibility requirements before signing up to one of our recommended betting sites.
⛔ Is esports betting rigged?
No, esports betting is not rigged because you’re betting on actual players competing in real tournaments. There have been match-fixing scandals, though they are quite rare nowadays thanks to significant esports integrity efforts and data sharing between stakeholders like data providers and betting companies.