TL;DR
- You can place bets on minor and major tournaments, but you will typically stand to make the most profit at tent-pole events.
- It’s important to research what you want to bet on, understand the stakes, and know what you stand to lose so you can make informed decisions.
- You can improve your chances by understanding a game’s meta, playing the game, and varying the teams you bet on.
Betting on esports is a fun hobby that can turn a profit if you understand the risk and reward of each wager. Dozens of betting platforms let you gamble on the winner of major tournaments and place prop bets on fun challenges, like how many eliminations a competitor will get in a match.
Whether you’re a seasoned sports gambler or just dipping your toe into the world of esports betting, this guide will help you get started with everything you need to know about esports betting odds and platforms to consider.
A beginner’s guide to esports betting
Esports betting is a new type of gambling that has only emerged in the last decade. States across the US and countries within Europe have been legalizing esports betting in the past few years, offering new avenues to gamble on your favorite players and teams.
Competitive multiplayer games are the primary titles you can bet on, like Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, and League of Legends. Minor and major tournaments are in the mix, but you’ll typically make the most profit during the bigger competitions. Online betting platforms, like BetUS, are where you’ll go to find and place wagers.
To get started in esports betting, you’ll need a couple of tips to make informed decisions. Betting tisn’t a complicated process, but it’s easy to misunderstand how odds work if you aren’t experienced in sports betting or gambling.
Understanding esports betting odds
You’ll find numbers, also known as odds, displayed on each wager when you visit an esports betting site. The odds can be displayed in three ways, which usually vary based on the country you’re located in.
We’ve laid out each type of odds below so that you can calculate the statistical chance of winning your wager.
- Decimal odds – Decimal odds are common in Europe but not too difficult to understand. If the odds are 2.5, then you’ll earn $250 for placing down $100 on an esports bet. Multiply your stake by the odds to find out how much you’ll win.
- Fractional odds – Fractional odds are the simplest of the three ways to determine odds, typically used in the UK. If the odds of a wager are 5/1, then upon winning, you’ll get back $5 for every $1 you placed.
- Moneyline odds – Primarily found in the US, Moneyline odds have positive and negative options. A number displayed as +300 communicates that placing $100 down will result in earnings of $300 once you win. If you see negative odds, like -150, then that means you’ll only earn $100 if you place a $150 wager on a team or athlete, for example.
How can I get involved?
It’s simple to get involved with esports betting, but you should understand how everything works first. Rushing into gambling of any type may result in a monetary loss, so it’s important to fully understand the impact of a bet before placing it.
Tips for esports betting
Between staying up to date with your game’s latest patch and considering external factors, there are a few guidelines to consider to maximize the possibility of placing a winning esports bet.
- Understand the meta of your game – The current patch of a video game makes a significant difference in how players perform. For example, if a player’s favorite character just received a major nerf, then it probably isn’t a desirable time to bet on them in a tournament.
- Play the game – In addition to staying up to date with the latest balancing changes, you should also play your chosen game to better understand how all the mechanics work. Sometimes, characters perform better on certain maps or game modes, but it’s hard to fully grasp those intricacies if you’ve never played the game.
- Don’t repeatedly bet on the same team – It’s not wrong to occasionally bet on a team twice in a row, but esports teams and gameplay rules change more often than in traditional sports. The constant shifting of esports in general makes betting on the same team riskier.
- Consider multiple betting sites – Different betting platforms have separate odds and promotions, so it’s often a good idea to check multiple esports betting apps for the best possible wagers.
- Consider external factors – Outside factors like jetlag and drama can all affect whether a team will win a match. Consider all factors surrounding an athlete or team before placing a wager.
- Don’t place bets based on emotion – When gambling, it’s best to take a step back and fully understand the money at risk. If you’re emotional for any reason that may impact your judgment, you can always bet another day.
- Consider prop bets – Though betting on who will win a tournament is the most popular wager available, you can also bet on other things, like most eliminations or the score at the end of a match. These bets can be high-risk but high-reward, so consider them if you’re looking for a new way to gamble.
Disclaimer: Gambling carries financial risk and can lead to addiction. Always gamble responsibly, play within your limits, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Where to bet on esports
Popular esports betting sites offer unique features, like promotional specials and built-in streaming services. All the platforms below grant easy access to esports betting, though availability varies depending on the country you live in.
- BetUS
- Bovada
- MyBookie
- 22Bet
- GG.Bet
- Thunderpick
Become a pro at esports betting
Experienced sports bettors will have a leg up betting on esports, though it’s a different field. Constant game updates and shifting rosters with new players can create difficulties when deciding if a wager is worth the risk, but understanding how to calculate odds and find the best suitable esports betting sites will help immensely.
Competitive video games will likely become bigger in time. Therefore, new games and players to bet on are on the horizon. If you can overcome the learning curve of esports betting, you stand a good chance of regularly placing winning wagers.
FAQs
You can bet on esports by visiting one of many betting platforms, such as BetUS. You can use predetermined odds to help you understand which wager is best for you.
The best esports betting websites will vary based on your country and personal preferences. GG.Bet, BetUS, and Thunderpick are popular options with competitive odds.
Many fans wonder how to bet on esports in the US. Some states prohibit sports betting or other types of gambling. Esports betting is mostly legal in the states listed below.
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington State
• West Virginia
• Wyoming
The best esports competitions to bet on will be different depending on your game of choice. The tournaments below detail the most popular competitions for esports.
• League of Legends – World Championship
• DOTA – The International
• Valorant – Valorant Champions Tour
• Rainbow Six Siege – Six Invitational
• Apex Legends – Apex Legends Global Series
• Counter-Strike – ESL Pro League
• Call of Duty – Call of Duty League Competitions
