Since 2016, with the introduction of eSports betting on sportsbooks, a growing number of fans have been drawn to this exciting new realm. It’s a unique “universe” when compared to traditional sports betting, which requires specific expertise but is equally engaging.
In this review, we’ll explore the most popular eSports tournaments and the types of bets available. We’ll evaluate the odds offered by various American bookmakers, bonuses, and the exciting live streams of events. We'll also share tips on the most effective strategies for betting on eSports. Are you ready to embark on this adventure?
Placing a bet on eSports is a process that doesn’t stray far from usual practices, similar to betting on the NBA. It involves selecting a bookmaker among the growing number that offer betting on electronic sports. To check if an online bookmaker lists eSports in their offerings, you need to look for the discipline in the list of available sports.
Usually, you’ll find it in the left sidebar, just below the more common sports like football, tennis, and basketball. Some operators have begun to create dedicated sections for each eSport game. Once identified, you can choose your favorite game from those available. Among the most recognized eSports, you’ll find a wide range of tournaments, often organized by geographic region. [1] Select a BookmakerThe first step is to choose a bookmaker that allows you to bet on eSports. [2] Choose the eSport and MarketThe next step is to select the type of tournament and the market where you want to place your bet. [3] Enter the Amount and ConfirmThe final step is to enter your stake and confirm your bet by clicking the 'Bet' button.
Once you’ve identified the game and tournament you want to bet on, select the market to place your wager. Later in this review, we’ll explore some features of eSports betting markets. For now, it’s important to note that there are differences from what we’re used to. After selecting the odds, the last step, as always, is to enter the amount you wish to wager.
Now all you have to do is click the “Bet” button to confirm your wager. You’ve officially entered the world of eSports betting! It’s vital to note that, unlike the simulated competitions available on virtual football betting sites, behind an eSports event are real teams of professional players, ready to use their skills to defeat their opponents.
The Most Significant Tournaments at Top eSports Betting Sites
It’s time to dive into the world of eSports. Their popularity has skyrocketed to the point where more and more celebrities are sponsoring eSports teams and academies, such as Team Gullit. But what are the most popular video games and tournaments? Below, you will find the 10 most significant eSports to bet on, ranging from military strategy titles (CSGO, Call of Duty, PUBG, Fortnite) to fantasy multiplayer games like Dota 2 and League of Legends. Click on the titles to access their detailed pages.Betting on eSports: find what you’re looking for with just one click Dota 2 Betting League of Legends Betting CSGO Betting StarCraft Betting Fortnite Betting Call of Duty Betting PUBG Betting Hearthstone Betting Overwatch Betting Rocket League Betting, the most sought-after titles, to give you an immediate overview of which ones to choose if you want to try your hand at betting on them. Check the eSports betting odds from the top operators for main games. Bookmaker DOTA 2 LoL CSGO Starcraft 2 SNAI Yes Yes No Yes Planetwin365 Yes Yes No No William Hill Yes Yes No No Eurobet Yes Yes No Yes Sisal Yes Yes No Yes
The table above shows some of the most popular eSports and licensed bookmakers that allow you to bet on them. It’s no surprise that the top spot in our special ranking of the best eSports betting sites is held by the well-known UK bookmaker William Hill. This London-based operator is one of the few with such an extensive eSports offering, and the only site in the .it domain to provide its users with Dota 2, LOL, CSGO, and SC2.
Other bookmakers like SNAI, LeoVegas, and Planetwin365 only offer odds for Dota 2 and LOL, albeit with a notable variety of tournaments and a good selection of markets. Now, let’s explore the features of each of these games, which we’ve dedicated customized sections to, highlighting their key aspects.
DOTA 2
Defense of the Ancients 2 is one of the most renowned video games in history and has certainly become a top choice in the world of eSports betting. Dota 2 boasted the highest prize pool in 2016 and 2017 and is among the most highly-rated eSports by bookmakers. It's a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) developed by Valve. Set in a fantastical ancient world, it features two teams of five players each, whose goal is to battle and conquer the opposing fortress.
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS
LOL is the common abbreviation for the fantasy video game League of Legends. This MOBA eSport is produced by Riot Games and competes directly with Dota 2. It's the third highest-earning eSport in terms of prize money, but it's likely the most popular overall. Players can engage in one-on-one matches or multiplayer games with teams of 3 vs. 3 or 5 vs. 5, with the main objective of destroying the Nexus, which is the enemy’s base.
COUNTER STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a first-person shooter eSport classified as an MMO (massively multiplayer online). It can be played in one-on-one matches or team formats and ranks second only to DOTA 2 (which it shares production with, Valve) in terms of prize money at global tournaments. It's a strategic shooter that features various maps and four game modes: Assault, Support, Camper, and Sniper. CSGO tournaments primarily take place in the summer.
STARCRAFT II
StarCraft II, abbreviated as SC2, is a real-time strategy game where players compete to build armies and dominate the battlefield. A strategic approach is essential. To assemble an army, you can choose from three races: Terran, Protoss, and Zerg. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, it ranked seventh in the 2017 prize pool standings. It’s the second installment of a trilogy that’s still being completed.
eSports: Odds and Payouts from Top Bookmakers
After this interesting overview, let’s take a closer look at the odds and payouts provided by licensed eSports bookmakers in the U.S.: visiting the section on our site featuring the highest odds could be misleading, as this is a unique sector.
It’s challenging to compare eSports odds, and it's not particularly meaningful to compare them with those of other sports offered by traditional bookmakers, since they involve very different types of betting. Even the odds compilers at traditional operators needed time to find the right balance. In our analysis, we examined the most popular video games in the U.S. Here are the minimum and maximum payouts for the most played eSports games:
- DOTA 2: 90.4% – 93.7%
- LoL (League of Legends): 89.4% – 92.9%
- CS:GO (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive): 91.7% – 94.0%
- StarCraft: 90.9% – 92.4%
- Call of Duty: 89.8% – 94.5%
- Hearthstone: 90.1% – 94.1%
- Overwatch: 90.1% – 94.5%
- Fortnite: 91.6% – 96.1%
- PUBG (PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds): 91.2% – 95.2%
- Rocket League: 94.2% – 95.4%
With maximum payouts reaching up to 96.1% (similar to the RTP of the best slots on online casino sites) and minimums at 91.6%, the most attractive option is Fortnite, which offers above-average values. The maximum payouts for Dota 2 have also lived up to the game's reputation, reaching up to 93.7%, alongside those of PUBG and Rocket League, which surpass 95%.
So, these are the payouts for the tournaments most favored by U.S. bettors. Here, you can find the eSports bookmakers with the highest average payouts for 2025:
- Planetwin365 – 92.80% average payout
- Eurobet – 93.90% average payout
- SNAI – 92.40% average payout
- William Hill – 94.15% average payout
- Sisal – 94.00% average payout
- Betclic – 93.90% average payout
- BetFlag – 93.45% average payout
- Lottomatica – 93.40% average payout
- bwin – 94.10% average payout
- Betsson – 92.53% average payout
The Main Betting Markets Available
We've already touched on the eSports betting markets in the U.S. Compared to traditional sports like football, the betting options currently available in eSports are still limited, but with their exponential rise in popularity, this gap is sure to close. That said, let’s take a closer look. For example, one of the most common markets offered in eSports is the Match Winner. However, as mentioned earlier, this differs from the Final Outcome in traditional sports. Let’s clarify the main markets currently available.
Match Winner
In soccer, a match is won by the team that scores more goals than the other team, while in tennis, it's the player who first wins two or three sets. In the context of eSports betting, this market refers to a slightly different concept, unless it involves video games that simulate real sports, like FIFA or PES. In Dota 2, for example, the winning team is the one that destroys the opponent's base by taking down their towers. Reaching the Nexus, the opponent's base, is also the objective in League of Legends (LOL) and marks the final event that determines the winner. As with traditional betting, in this market you can bet both pre-match and live. A draw is not an option in a match.
Map Winner
While the terminology diverges from the traditional sports we're used to, we can draw some comparisons to clarify what it's about. When we discuss the Map Winner market, particularly in regard to League of Legends, the eSport that most betting is focused on today, we're referring to something similar to the Halftime Result market in soccer or Set Winner in tennis. The gameplay of LoL is divided into three phases, each set on a different map, known as Map 1, Map 2, and Map 3. Some bookmakers even offer the option to bet on the Exact Map Score market.
Team to Strike First
The betting market for the team that strikes first is typical and characteristic of major eSports available for betting in the U.S. This is a partial market, perhaps the most straightforward among those offered. When we compare this type of bet to traditional sports, it can be likened to the "Team to Score First Goal" in soccer or "Winner of the First Game" in tennis. This market is present in Dota 2, League of Legends (LOL), and StarCraft II (SC2): the outcome depends on which team first lands a hit and deals damage to the opponent. There are also other similar partial markets; for example, in LOL, there is a bet on the "Team to Destroy the First Tower."
eSports Betting Bonuses
If you're new to eSports betting, you'll need to learn a few new concepts, such as market types and teams. A great way to get started is by taking advantage of the welcome bonuses for eSports that top bookmakers offer to American bettors. With free bets, you'll have the chance to learn all the strategies of betting on electronic sports without the risk of losing money. The best eSports betting sites offer attractive bonuses with high limits and sometimes even specific promotions for this type of betting.5/5 SNAI
Welcome Bonus: $515 Excellent coverage for LoL events High odds on eSports Generous welcome bonus Visit Site
Among all the offers, we selected the one from the operator shown in the banner above, as it provides favorable limits and conditions, along with the best odds on eSports and accepts PayPal, a fast, easy, and secure payment method. In this regard, we can’t overlook the enhanced odds for eSports regularly offered by William Hill. As for promotions dedicated to League of Legends and similar games, we should also mention SNAI's consistently appealing bonus: besides an unbeatable welcome offer, it often features very intriguing enhanced odds.
Betting Strategies for eSports
Betting on eSports in the U.S. is a relatively new phenomenon, and as you've probably noticed, the same strategies and tactics used in traditional sports don't always apply. Whether you're a seasoned bettor familiar with the NFL draft, global sports tournaments, or niche competitions, keep in mind that we're discussing a whole “different universe” here, where dynamics can shift frequently, yet there are still well-known stars and consistently performing teams.
To bet effectively in this arena and hope for winnings, you’ll need to follow some guidelines, always remembering that easy profits don’t exist in betting. It’s crucial to closely research the teams and their rosters, review statistics and recent results, ideally in relation to the maps they will compete on. In this context, it can be very helpful to view and analyze some videos of previous matches of the teams you're considering betting on. Generally, having a solid understanding of the video game you want to bet on aids in making informed decisions.
How to Bet on eSports
Here are some tips for betting on eSports with the major bookmakers in the United States. Estimated time: 03:00. Required devices: Computer, tablet, smartphone. Recommended resources: Wikipedia, YouTube, the official eSports league websites. Study the maps.
The first piece of advice for betting on eSports is not to rely on abstract reasoning, but to study the maps, formats, or tournaments that may influence team performance. Pay attention to new teams.
In eSports, the favored teams don’t always prove to be the best bet. New teams might surprise you, even when competing in high-stakes tournaments. Focus on a few tournaments.
Especially if you’re new to betting on eSports, avoid betting on too many different tournaments; concentrate on a select few events to learn more quickly. Gain a solid understanding of the game.
eSports is an emerging field, so broaden your knowledge as much as possible. Forums, communities, and specialized sites are great resources. Watch the highlights.
Basing your bets on emotions doesn’t work well here. To be better informed and act with more confidence, watch the highlights of previous matches. They can give you valuable insights.
If you’re looking to bet on eSports for the first time, we recommend avoiding certain behaviors or being mindful of specific situations. For instance, don’t rely solely on numerical data. Depending on the map or the tournament, teams may perform differently. This also applies to new teams participating in a major tournament for the first time; they may not behave like newly promoted soccer teams in the Premier League.
Initially, focus on a few tournaments and video games rather than trying to cover everything to become an expert quickly. Finally, since we’re talking about a new discipline that emerged with the internet, you have a huge advantage: a vast community of gamers who share insights on blogs, forums, and various sites where you can gather news about the teams in play.
Live Betting: Where to Find Streaming and Stats
Thanks to .com bookmakers, you can now place live bets on eSports. However, it’s still not possible to stream the most significant international events live on the platforms of these operators. This market is still in development. Nevertheless, major updates are expected soon.
So, don’t worry: eSports have an advantage over traditional sports, and the technology is on their side. We wouldn't be surprised if Bitcoin betting sites were the first to implement live streaming, considering it’s an advanced payment technology. In any case, if you want to follow eSports tournaments live, you’ll have plenty of options. Operator ggbet Twitch Preview Live Streaming Over 4,000 events annually Over 55,000 events annually Optimal Resolution 1080p 60fps 1080p 60fps eSports 10+ eSports All types of eSports Mobile Compatibility iOS 14 or later and Android 5.0 or later iOS 14.2 or later and Android 5.0 or later Requirements Windows 8.1/10, Mac OS 11, Chrome/IE/Firefox/Safari Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS Chrome/IE/Firefox/Safari
Platforms like Twitch, ggbet, and YouTube offer numerous HD events daily, many of them free. In particular, Twitch offers a wide schedule of events, which has contributed to its growing popularity in recent years. Traditional TV networks are also starting to pay attention to the eSports phenomenon, and we might soon see entire tournaments broadcast on mainstream channels.
As for statistics, there are many sources to find valuable data. The bookmakers' websites already provide much of the information you need. At the same time, you can also check out numerous dedicated eSports statistics sites, which are easily accessible online.
eSports Betting in Italy and Around the World
While eSports are still a relatively new phenomenon in Italy, their popularity has been steadily rising worldwide for several years now. Atari held the first Space Invaders tournament in 1981. The roots of sponsored video game tournaments trace back to the 1990s, when the first contests featured Nintendo consoles.
At the dawn of the new millennium and into the early 2000s, the phenomenon gained global traction thanks to the Internet, attracting a growing fanbase. It became especially popular in certain Asian countries like China and South Korea, where the establishment of organizations such as the Korean eSports Association helped regulate and further enhance its growth. In 2011, Twitch.tv emerged, which greatly contributed to the spread of eSports.
The ADM and Regulation of eSports Betting
The betting industry has recognized the huge potential of professional gamers and has begun regulating the sector. In 2015, the UK Gambling Commission allowed betting on eSports in the UK. Since 2016, betting on eSports has been legal in Italy, following regulations established by the Customs and Monopolies Agency.
In the future, it will be possible to bet on electronic sports like PES and FIFA, which simulate real-life sports, once this market is regulated as well. The future looks promising: the IOC has officially recognized eSports, and there are already proposals to include these disciplines as Olympic sports.
eSports: A Rapidly Growing Phenomenon
It's a widely acknowledged fact: eSports are a rapidly expanding phenomenon, and this trend is set to continue in the coming years. This is not just because they primarily attract a young audience.
Online video gaming boasts an audience nearing 200 million people, far surpassing viewership numbers of major traditional entertainment networks like Netflix, HBO, ESPN, and Hulu combined, and it also enjoys remarkable popularity in the Asian market. For example, in February 2017, there were 100 million hours of League of Legends gameplay watched alone.
Twitch reached 55 million monthly users in 2012 and was later acquired by Amazon; by 2023, it hit 35 million daily viewers. On the economic front, in 2021, eSports represented a market worth over a billion dollars, with forecasts indicating continued growth.
Getting Ready for the Future of Betting
By the end of this review, one thing is clear: when it comes to betting, the future is closely tied to technology. This is already evident from the surge of virtual betting platforms and further confirmed by the explosion of eSports.
The combination of a growing young audience and the ability to stream live events in HD creates a product that captivates all bookmakers. Licensed operators in the U.S. are gearing up for the launch of the eSports betting market and are investing significant amounts to make the experience more engaging.
FAQ
In this eSports review, we've aimed to provide all the essential information for American bettors: if you have any further questions, feel free to email us at info@sitiscommesse.com, and our team of experts will be happy to assist you.
🔝 What Are the Best Websites for eSports Betting?
To identify the top eSports bookmakers, we evaluated the breadth of their offerings, the number of markets available, payout rates, specific promotions, and other factors. From this careful assessment, the top 5 are Planetwin365, Eurobet, SNAI, William Hill, and Sisal.
⚖️ Is Betting on eSports Legal?
Yes, since 2016, betting on eSports has been legal in Italy, and the ADM has regulated the industry in detail.
🎥 Do sportsbooks stream eSports live events?
Yes, some sportsbooks do offer live streaming of eSports, but we recommend using platforms like YouTube and Twitch for this service.
📱 Can You Bet on eSports from Your Mobile?
Yes, all the top-rated eSports bookmakers allow you to place bets through their mobile apps.
📈 What Are the Betting Odds on eSports?
Even though it's a relatively new type of betting, the odds and payouts for eSports are generally good, especially for games like Dota 2 and CS:GO, often exceeding a 94% threshold.
🏆 What are the Major eSports Tournaments?
When it comes to popular eSports like Dota 2, the most significant tournament is definitely The International, while the World Championship stands out as the most prestigious event for League of Legends fans. eSports Betting Sites
