A Beginner’s Guide To Betting On Esports

Esports is undoubtedly one of the biggest phenomena of the modern age but it’s also been a logical extension of gaming itself. That said, its origins do go back further than many would imagine with the first ever video games tournament taking place at Stamford University over 50 years ago in 1972. The game was called Spacewar! and the first prize was a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.

Today it’s a very different story with teams and individuals competing for seven-figure prizes and all the trappings of real-world sports like sponsors, official kits and the like. Naturally, it’s now also attracted that other activity that’s become inseparable from sport and that’s sports betting. This is now huge with an estimated $2.8 billion expected to be spent on esports betting in 2025 – and even more in 2026 – and if you look around you’ll find no shortage of betting tips for esports.

While there are many similarities between these two forms of wagering there are also some notable differences which, hopefully, you’ll understand by the end of this article.

The most popular games to bet on

There are five clear leaders when it comes to the most popular esports to bet on and leading the way is undoubtedly Counter Strike 2. Over 2024 it has consistently been responsible for over 60% of all the money wagered on esports with nearly 50% of that being spent on live in-game betting. This is because it’s a fast-moving game where momentum can quickly shift from one team to another.

Next up is League of Legends. As a game with around 130 million players every month it also holds the biggest championships of the year. The 2024 World Championship, won by Korea’s League of Legends Champions team, was responsible for 19% of all esports betting for that quarter. Then it’s Valorant. Although it only attracts 5% of betting in esports this is a figure that’s steadily rising and the fast-changing fortunes of teams in the actual gameplay mean that it offers plenty of potential.

Fourthly, it’s DOTA 2. It’s a complex game that means that it’s one that needs a considerable amount of knowledge to bet effectively. Teams that compete in The International are also playing for one of the biggest prize funds in esports, a fact that means it’s also a major betting event.

Last up it’s Call of Duty Black Ops which may have quite a lot of growing to do if it’s going to become one of the truly key titles, but it’s well on its way.

So how does betting on esports compare?

There are many online gambling options available today, from traditional sportsbooks and online casinos to esports-specific platforms. Whether you’re exploring a new game or following a major tournament, it’s worth sticking to licensed operators to ensure a safe experience – the online gambling options available listed in review sites are a good place to start. Like sports betting, esports involves predicting a particular result or outcome, with odds set by the operator. You can bet on overall winners or on specific in-game events, such as the first team to reach a certain score.

Because esports is less established than traditional sports, you’ll often rely more on recent form than historical records, which can make outcomes and odds more volatile. Responsible bettors focus on games they know well, monitor betting fluctuations, and avoid chasing losses. This approach allows you to enjoy esports betting while maintaining control and making informed choices.

There will also be a number of different betting choices you can go for. These will include not just the overall winner but also key events within the game itself. To give an example, in sport betting it might be the next footballer to score a touchdown while in esports it might be the first team to hit a certain number of points in a game.

However, where it differs from sports betting is the amount of data at a gambler’s disposal when it comes to making decisions.

It can also be a great deal more volatile in terms of odds and outcomes and this is due to its greater popularity with younger adults who may be faster decision makers than an older person betting on physical sports. So it’s important to be super reactive and alert to betting fluctuations.

In terms of the particular games to bet on you can be led by the list already provided but it’s generally better to focus on ones with which you have direct knowledge as you’ll have a better feel for spotting the true star players.

So hopefully this has given you a good insight into the ins and outs of esports betting as well as the confidence to try it for yourself. Now it’s just a question of picking the game.