eSports has blossomed into a wildly popular gaming industry segment, growing rapidly in recent years to the stage where audiences from all over the world tune into major events. Professional gaming is becoming increasingly more accepted as a mainstream sporting activity, even making an appearance in traditional sporting events like the Winter Olympics and the UK’s Commonwealth Games.
Alongside the explosion of pro gaming activities has come the eSports betting industry. More and more online bookmakers are offering betting markets in games like Dota2, Fornite and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, among various others. For gaming fans, betting on their favourite player or team can take their experience of watching them play to the next level.
Since eSports betting is still relatively new, you likely have many questions about what it involves and how it differs from betting on traditional sports. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from how to find free bets and wagering offers to the events that you can bet on.
eSports Betting vs Traditional Betting
eSports may look radically different from traditional team sports and athletics, but when it comes to the process of betting, there aren’t many differences at all.
Sure, the eSports market is new and less developed, meaning that not all bookmakers offer opportunities in the same events, unlike horse racing or football, where the “industry consensus” sees most bookies including the same events in their selections.
Additionally, the more complex bets that you’ll find in traditional sports aren’t always offered when wagering on eSports. However, in the coming years, we can expect the market to expand even further, which will see bookies offering a wider selection of bets on a greater selection of events.
The actual process of making bets doesn’t differ at all when you’re betting on eSports. You select an event, select the team or player you want to back, choose the amount of money you wish to wager and, hey presto, you’ve made a bet on eSports!
What eSports Events can I Bet on?
As we mentioned above, not every bookmaker will offer the same betting markets, so it’s always worth comparing different sportsbooks to see what’s available and where. For the most part, you can expect to find betting opportunities on the following:
eSports Tournaments
The best type of events to look out for when you’re just getting started with eSports betting, tournaments are structured in a similar way to traditional sports competitions. A set number of teams or solo players compete against each other in structured rounds, with each round getting smaller until only two are left to compete in the final.
Some tournaments can be spread out over days, with individual rounds lasting for several hours. That’s great news for eSports fans, since they get to watch uninterrupted gaming action.
eSports Leagues
eSports leagues provide a more sustained experience for audiences and potential bettors. Typically operated by third-party organisations, who then sell the streaming rights to matches, leagues can take place across a season and even include international events, as well as local ones.
The most high-profile eSports leagues to follow are the ESL Pro League, League of Legends World Championship, Fortnite World Cup, The International and Overwatch League.
Although eSports league events stretch on for a longer timeframe than tournaments, they’re great for diehard gaming fans because in most cases matches can be watched online for free. Of course, it’s still possible to attend events in person, but for those supporters who want to view how the entire league plays out, streaming platforms are the best solution.
eSports Betting Types
There are currently several different types of bets that can be placed on eSports events. As we’ve already stated, not every sportsbook will have a comprehensive selection at such an early stage in the lifecycle of eSports, but for the most part, you can expect to find the following:
- Moneyline bets: Basic eSports bets, where you simply pick the team or player you think will win the match.
- Handicap bets: These bets involve giving one team a virtual lead (handicap) to level the playing field.
- Totals (aka over/under bets): These bets involve predicting whether the total number of points or rounds in a match will be over or under a certain amount (set by the bookie).
- Prop bets: Creative bets that enable you to wager on specific outcomes within a match, such as the number of kills or the first team to reach a specific score.
- Live betting: Placing bets on a match while it’s in progress, with odds that change in real time based on the action on the screen.
- Outright betting: Predicting the overall winner of a tournament or league rather than just a single match.
I'm a published author and proud US Army veteran who happens to be a gamer, so I decided to combine the two and love every minute of it! Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments and I'll be sure to get back to you.
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