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How esports betting works
If you’ve ever seen a televised broadcast of the world’s best gaming experts in action, then you’ll know just how exciting it can be. Combine that with bets on the outcome of those games and you’ve got yourself an awesome niche with huge winning potential.
Like any other sport, it’s possible to wager cash on the results of a contest between teams. And within those games, there are various achievements that can also present a betting opportunity.
It may not be as big as football betting, for example. But the possibilities are growing by the day. And there are now esports betting sites happily offering egaming markets to their customers.
Popular esports and betting markets
There are several big-name titles that capture the attention of fans across the globe. They are well-known games with a huge following. And this has led to massive interest in esport betting on every aspect of the entertainment.
Some games enjoy much wider exposure than others. And this is simply because they have the biggest following internationally. These titles will naturally present far more esports betting UK options than lesser-known games.
Here are a few of the biggest esports that you can enjoy a wager on right now.
Counter Strike Global Offensive – CS:GO
As far as first-person shooters go, they don’t get much more epic than this. It has a massive global following with an average of 700,000 people logging on every month. And it’s hugely popular with csgo betting sites too.
It features a familiar battle between good and evil. 2 teams fight it out with their role as a military unit facing off against their opponents who assume the role of terrorists. The consequences are as thrilling as they are deadly. And only one team can emerge victoriously.
The game offers several csgo bets throughout each contest.
CS:GO markets
- Match winner: the eventual match winner bet is probably the easiest to get involved with. Simply decide which team you think is stronger and place your CSGO bet
- League champions: many teams play in leagues that produce an eventual champ at the end of the season. Study your stats, head over to one of the csgo gambling sites and make a prediction
- CSGO roulette: as a player, you can enjoy this classic table game but with a twist. Instead of cash, you put your guns and other equipment up as capital
League of Legends – LoL
A fantastic alternative to the familiar military-style battles that we’ve grown to love over the years. LoL presents a multi online battle arena challenge between two teams. There is a dark fantasy feel to the production and players have special and sometimes mystical powers.
Your mission is to successfully make your way to the opposition’s base and blow it sky-high.
LoL markets
- Match-winner: the main esport betting market that is enjoyed with this game is the outright winner of any matchup between two teams
Fortnite
Fortnite enjoys an unbelievable following. It’s thought that anywhere between 8 and 10 million players are actively logged into their accounts on a regular basis.
There are various challenges to undertake. Some involve blowing the opposition to smithereens. While others are more creative and less violent.
Fortnite markets
- Battle Royale: who will be the only player left at the end of the battle? A maximum of 100 players fight it out to kill off their challengers. Contenders can use weapons, vehicles and other equipment to seal their victory
- Party Royale: If the fast-faced fight to the death isn’t your bag, then this could be a perfect alternative. You can bet on players undertaking various games and challenges
- Creative: Players get to create their own games and challenge each other
Call of Duty – CoD
This first-person shooter game emerged in 2003 and is now part of a huge franchise of games. The basic premise is to undertake various military missions and destroy your target. Call of duty adds to the excitement with advanced technical assistance in the form of AI.
Your mission enjoys the support of other computer-controlled characters that learn as you play. You can take part in various single-player or team challenges and betting on all the action is possible
CoD markets
- Search and Destroy: 2 teams battle it out to defeat the opposition. One team tries to defend a bomb site while the other team tries to destroy it
- Hardpoint: Teams challenge each other to reach a specific point on a map and take control of the area
What makes a great esports betting site?
As with all other types of esports betting sites, the best esports site must have a variety of different things. No one element can make a top place to play on its own. It needs everything to come together perfectly to provide fantastic action for the customers.
We spend a long time assessing and reviewing many different betting sites. And they aren’t all created equal. Some are lacking in certain areas, while others will excel in one or two elements. We look for a great all-rounder that can provide a service that our readers are looking for.
Many different esports to choose from
Most esports fans are looking for a top selection of markets. And their chosen betting site should be able to provide this.
There are many different things that you can wager on in this niche. Many of the games provide several different betting opportunities. And you don’t want to have to bet on the same thing every time. Therefore, a great choice and widespread selection are key.
Some esports betting sites go the extra mile and provide a vast array of betting markets for top esports fans. And they always grab our attention.
Bonus offers and free bet promotions
Welcome deals and bonus offers are another incredibly important aspect. Sites should not overlook the fact that competition out there is tough. And to get new customers on board they need to show a bit of generosity.
One way to attract new clients is to offer up top deals and promos when they create a new account. Always keep your eyes open for bonus cash that could make its way into your balance.
You can use this to place bets and enjoy all the gambling entertainment. You may even find that you can pick up some free bets as well as part of a sign-up offer.
Varied selection of payment methods
Getting money into your account as quickly and safely as possible is vital.
When you have decided on a bet that you wish to place, you don’t want to wait for days to get your cash into your betting account.
You need to transfer your funds as soon as possible so that you can take full advantage of any betting opportunity. There are loads of great payment methods available. And we like to see a site with a great range of payment platforms.
Live streaming and in-play betting
If a site wants to be considered as one of the greats, then it needs to offer live streaming and in-play betting. This form of gambling entertainment came along a few years ago and took the niche by storm.
Watching everything unfold in real-time on your laptop or mobile is imperative if you wish to place bets as the action happens.
In-play betting is a truly exhilarating way to place a wager on any given contest. You can see how the game is progressing and decide what the likely outcome of the match will be.
UKGC licensed
And for any players from the UK wanting to get involved, they will need to play at a site that has a valid UKGC licence.
Any operator offering gambling services within his jurisdiction simply must have one of these licenses available. It is completely illegal if they do not.
You can tell very quickly if a site is conforming to the law. Take a look at the home page and scroll down until you see the UKGC licence number. This can always be cross-referenced with the Gambling Commission’s register.
If you decide to pick a site that does not have the correct paperwork, then there are no guarantees that your money or personal data are safe.
Player promotions in esports betting
As we mentioned before, to grab the attention of new customers, a site needs to make it attractive to sign up for a new account.
There are several ways in which a gambling operator can achieve this.
Some bonuses require a customer to part with some money before they see the freebies. But others will come your way for simply creating a new account.
Let’s take a look at the different deals available and see how they might prove to be a great choice for you.
Free bets without deposit requirements
If you are still unsure about where you would like to play in the future, then a free bet bonus that doesn’t require a deposit is a fantastic risk-free offering.
You may find that you can land some free bets to place on any of the top esports games that you wish.
You will have to do little more than create a new account to see the bonus come your way. But remember, any offers that provide this kind of deal will have some rules attached to them.
You may well receive any winnings from that bonus as future bets to place on other games.
Free bets on deposit
If you would like to get your hands on some of the larger welcome deals, then you will need to spend some cash first. Bonuses that require a deposit can grow to some eye-watering levels.
There may be hundreds if not thousands of pounds worth of bets available for those who are prepared to pay a decent sum of cash into their new betting account.
Again, there will be restrictions on how you can use bonus money and how you can treat any winnings. So always read the terms and conditions very carefully.
Promotions specific for esports
Some welcome deals are presented by generic betting sites. They may be available across a range of different sports and not just esports.
However, it may be possible to find a deal that is solely aimed at fans of this niche. These are fantastic as they will be geared up to provide the very best value betting opportunities.
Important T&C’s
There are many rules and regulations in place when collecting a welcome deal. Here are a few of the most common caveats that you will come across.
- Wagering: any winnings that come your way as the result of placing a free bet may need to be gambled with a number of times. Wagering requirements dictate the minimum set for that deal
- Max cashout: if you are lucky enough to win some cash while playing through a bonus bet, then you will need to bear in mind that you probably won’t be able to withdraw all of it
- Time limits: all good things must come to an end, and the same is true for welcome promos. You will need to use your bonus bet or cash within a fixed amount of time. If you do not, then you may well lose the freebies
How to start betting on esports
Getting started with this type of betting is incredibly simple. But it is understandable that the first time you place a bet, you will be wondering how to go about it and how it all works.
The great news is that if you are already a fan of esports, then you will have a head start. Part of enjoying a successful gambling session with this form of betting is knowing what you are wagering in. And if you have been following this genre for a while, then you will have a fair idea of the kind of things that you are interested in.
Here’s a quick guide to getting off to the best start possible.
Use our lists to find suitable bookmakers
Firstly, you need to decide where you want to play. There are many different esports betting sites offering this type of betting activity. Some are dedicated purely to this niche. While others are more general betting sites.
And the best place to get all the information on any of these sites is right here on this page.
Our team of reviewers is continuously searching the net for great places to play. And if they think that site can provide you with all the best gambling entertainment, then they will get their details up here straight away.
Take advantage of free bets and bonuses
And one way to decide where might be the best place for you and your money is to take a look at the bonus offers available for new customers. As we mentioned before, there are many different places to play. So operators are keen to hand out decent freebies for new players.
It’s a great way to get you through the door and can lead to a long-time loyal customer.
But don’t always simply pick the largest bonus value. Always read the terms and conditions to make sure that that deal works for you and your cash.
Bet on the esports you have knowledge of
One of the most important elements when betting on specialist areas such as esports is knowing what you are betting on.
Having an interest in the games that you wish to wager on puts you in a good position. There is no point in simply guessing at a new game or competition as it will take time to build up expert knowledge in this area.
Stick to what you know and you can build it up from there.
Search for value bets
And remember that the bookies don’t always get it right when it comes to the odds. In general, they do have a fantastic idea of how a competition might go. And they will need to present odds for each of the markets accordingly.
But it is entirely possible that they will offer prices that are slightly too generous. And if you know your stuff, then you will be able to take advantage of that. Finding value in a bet it’s a top way for a savvy gambler to make extra cash.
Esports betting in mobile/tablet
One of the best ways to enjoy all the action is to take it with you everywhere you go. Playing on mobile devices gives you the freedom to pick up where you left off any time of day and any place you decide.
The vast majority of top operators will offer this kind of service. They understand that customers like the comfort and convenience of betting on their phones as well as their laptops. So you will find that mobile offerings are always completely optimised to give you the perfect experience.
And getting involved can happen in one of two ways on your mobile phone.
Downloading a betting app
Playing on a dedicated application is an awesome way to enjoy this form of betting.
You simply download the app to your phone and when you want to get online you just click on the icon. It is quick and simple and your basic details are saved on your device along with any essential software needed to power the app.
These applications are generally available across Apple and Android.
Look out for any operators offering a specific bonus to entice players to download an app at that site.
Betting directly in your mobile browser
The alternative to downloading an app is to simply play through your mobile browser. By this, we mean click on the internet browser on your phone and go to the esports website.
It is a perfectly secure way to play but you may find that it is slightly slower to reach the site. And if you are in a hurry, then this is something to consider.
You may also find that the layout of a mobile optimised website is slightly different to the full-size web page. Things sometimes need to be altered to make sure that everything works as you want it to.
Not every site will offer an app so you may only be able to use the browser-based version. But either way, both are a great choice for enjoying all the fun that this genre has to offer.
New bookies for esports betting in 2024
A few years ago, it was unheard of to be betting on these types of games. But over the years, the options for people who love this type of entertainment have become more varied.
And now this area has exploded in popularity, there are more and more sites offering betting options.
On this page, you will find some of the very best operators involved in these markets.
eSportsbooks
Some bookies have started up specifically to offer this type of betting. They recognised the potential and created a betting website around it.
These sites won’t be as large and well-established as some of the other more general bookies.
But what they lack in longtime experience, they certainly make up for in variety of bets and attention to detail.
By focusing all their efforts on this one type of betting, they are able to offer a large variety of markets. As well as some of the best prices out there.
Regular bookmakers that offer esports
This niche is not as large as some of the others in the e sports betting industry. So it can be hard for a betting website to survive on just this type of gambling alone.
Therefore, many larger, more general bookmakers will offer sports betting for a variety of different sports and have a separate section for esports as well.
You still get a decent array of markets to choose from. But you also get the added bonus that these guys have been in business for a long time and know exactly what they are doing.
Payment options for esports gambling
When getting your money in and out of your betting balance, time is of the essence. You don’t want to hang around for days waiting to get your hands on your cash or to get it into your account and start placing your bets either.
There are many different payment options available and a great betting website will have plenty of them at your disposal.
They each come with their own benefits and drawbacks as well. And what works perfectly for one person may not necessarily work brilliantly for you.
So it is worth considering what type of payment you wish to make. And always check that the betting site you want to play at will accept that form of payment.
Paypal
PayPal has been around for a long time and it played an important part in getting e-commerce off the ground.
Before they came along, it was very difficult for businesses to accept payments from their customers online in a cost-effective way.
And now pretty much everyone in the world has heard of this company. Moreover, it is very simple to use the product.
You can add funds to your account using cash from your bank or from another source. Or you can alternatively attach the debit card details for your bank account.
When you make a purchase at any website, including your favourite betting site, you simply decide whether you want to take funds from your PayPal account or for PayPal to facilitate the direct transfer of funds from your bank account.
Neteller
Neteller works in a very similar way to PayPal. But this product was designed from the ground up with gamblers in mind. Therefore, privacy is of the highest order with his payment platform.
Getting money into your Neteller account will cost you 2.5% of the transaction value. However, making payments into your betting account should be free. But always check the website details to make sure there are no hidden costs.
Skrill
Another electronic wallet product that appeared around the year 2000 is Skill. Along with Neteller and PayPal, Skrill emerged to help bridge the gap between customers and businesses online.
They make it very simple for people to transfer money in different currencies around the world. And this includes payments to gambling sites as well.
The fee for topping up your Skrill account is just 1%. So this works out slightly better than some of its competitors. You also have the option of getting a prepaid debit card. You can use this to make purchases anywhere you see Visa and Mastercard advertised.
VISA, Mastercard and other debit cards
Debit cards are one of the most popular ways to get cash into gambling sites.
They take money directly from your bank account and move it instantly. They are extremely secure and fast-moving. The only downside is that you do need to remember your card details and this can entail searching through your wallet at the final moment when making a purchase.
But this isn’t a hardship when you consider all of the fantastic gambling entertainment that will be coming your way as a result.
You are able to use debit cards to make withdrawals as well. And this is fantastic news as some other payment methods do not allow this. However, you will need to wait a little bit longer to see your cash using this payment platform. Where deposits may well be instant, withdrawals can take a couple of days to complete.
Bank transfer
Bank transfers are generally one to avoid if you are concerned about the speed at which your money moves.
It is an extremely secure process and only involves you entering the bank details for the betting site. And you can do this by logging onto your internet banking and making a payment.
However, it can take a few days to complete this process. So if you are interested in getting started straight away, then this may not be the payment method for you.
FAQ
Hopefully, you have found all the info you need regarding esports betting UK on this page. But if there is anything you have missed, you may find it below.
