With global interest in lucrative esports competitions, the best esports betting sites are thriving, experiencing astronomical engagement for numerous livestreaming events and a yearly increase in punters betting on the unpredictable action. Read on to discover how to join in on the fun and choose from the top esports betting sites in the UK!
- 1 Best Sites We Recommend To Bet on Esports
- 2 Our Favourite Esports Betting Sites Reviewed
- 3 Introducing Esports Betting
- 4 The Most Popular Esports To Bet on
- 5 The Most Popular Esports Betting Markets
- 6 Are There Any Esports Betting Bonuses?
- 7 How To Bet on Esports
- 8 Esports Live Betting
- 9 Esports Key Milestones & Facts
- 10 More Sports Betting Articles
- 11 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 12 Esports Betting Resources
- 13 Esports Betting FAQs
Best Sites We Recommend To Bet on Esports
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Bonuses
Payment methods:
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Bonuses 18+ New Customers Only. Opt In, bet £10 on any esports (odds 1.50+) within 7 days. No cash out. Get 1x £15 free bet for any esports, and 1x£10 free bet for football esports battle plus a £5 Live Casino Bonus, 20x wagering to withdraw max £125. Bonuses expiry 7 days. Offer valid from 10:00 UK time on 31/01/2023. Card payments only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £10 Get £30
Payment methods:
Bet £10 Get £30 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Payment methods:
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £5 get £20
Payment methods:
Bet £5 get £20 18+ New UK+ ROI Customers only. Deposit & Bet min £5 as first bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £20 Free Bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets
Payment methods:
Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
£10 Weekly ACCA Free Bet
Payment methods:
£10 Weekly ACCA Free Bet 18+, UK only. Place a minimum 2x £10 pre-match 4 leg acca cash bet where odds accumulate to 3.0 (2/1) or more and get a £10 bonus funds to use on multiples (3 or more selection, min odds per selection 1.5 (1/2)). Cashed Out, Asian Handicaps, Draw no Bet wagers or bets with void legs do not qualify for this promotion. Free Bet credited every Monday by 12pm. Maximum 1 free bet per customer per week available from this promotion. Full T&C's apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus
Payment methods:
100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus 18+ New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £50 Get £50
Payment methods:
Bet £50 Get £50 18+ This promotion is available to new customers only, who register using the promo code “GET50”. To qualify for free bets, the new user must place and settle £50 on Matchbook markets only. The user must bet on at least 4 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Up to £50 in free bets
Payment methods:
Up to £50 in free bets 18+ Free bets and spins must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet/spin stake not included in any winnings. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets
Payment methods:
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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Our Favourite Esports Betting Sites Reviewed
You will always find excellent value and a vast variety of markets when wagering at a leading esports betting site. Let's take a look at why these have surfaced as our top choices, and how their features can enhance your esports betting experience.
1. Parimatch — Vast Choice of Odds Formats
Parimatch provide plenty for fans of the adrenaline-fuelled arena of esports. They offer a highly competitive selection of betting markets with first-person shoot ‘em up games, real-time strategy/battle arena type games, and virtual sports titles.
The key feature of Parimatch is that you can pick your odds formats to bet on esports, and these include American, British, European, Hong Kong, Indonesian, and Malaysian.
Looking to have a punt on more general esports markets? The operator has these too, allowing you to choose between finest total, handicap map1, imperial total map1, total kills, total map 1, total odd/even, winning method, and many more.
- Competitive odds for esports
- Esports-specific promotions
- Wide range of esports betting markets
- Customer services is limited and scripted
- Lacks great esports community
2. bet365 — Extensive Esports Titles
Without a doubt, bet365 is easily one of the best online esports betting sites in the UK, with a substantial set of betting and market options for punters.
The esports selection features far more than rival sportsbooks, including all the most popular titles and even better in-play options. Highlights include their FIFA and NBA options, which offer livestreaming and some outstanding markets.
bet365 defines itself as a top-notch esports provider by offering generous bonuses and odds, free of charge deposits/withdrawals, and high limits on wagers.
- No additional fees for deposits/withdrawals
- Terrific coverage of UK esports betting markets
- Vast esports betting options
- Has been known to limit accounts
- Uses own platform for livestreaming rather than Twitch
3. BetVictor — Great Customer Service
As one of the titans of the betting industry, it comes as no surprise that BetVictor is popular for betting on esports online. Yet, major game markets are limited to Call of Duty, CS:GO, Dota 2, FIFA/Esports, King of Glory, League of Legends, NBA2K, StarCraft 2 and Valorant.
BetVictor provides highly competitive odds, as well as generous promotions and bonuses, for live esports betting markets. You can pick from an extensive range of payment methods and fast withdrawals.
The real standout feature of this operator is their ease of use, and often instant, support service via email and live chat, which reflects BetVictor’s long-standing commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Competitive odds for esports betting
- Extensive esports betting programmes
- State-of-the-art features for live betting on esports
- Lack of livestreaming
- Live chat only available in English
4. Betway — Spot on for Esports Promotions
Betway are one of the best esports bookmakers, providing extensive coverage of all major leagues and games. Their vast array of esports markets is impressive and comparable to their coverage of regular sports.
You will be impressed by their excellent set of odds and betting markets for all the popular shoot ‘em up and tactical/battle games, which makes them one of the best betting sites for esports. You can also enjoy price boosts on matches and competitions, especially for major leagues on Call of Duty and League of Legends.
- Good esports betting odds
- Great set of esports promos
- Impressive livestreaming
- In-play feature could be improved
- Some esports titles offer only main betting markets
5. The Pools — Solid All-Rounder
The Pools does everything well and provides punters with a creditable set of solid esports betting options and markets. You will find competitive odds, live betting, and strong multinational markets; but one feature you may miss from this UK betting site is livestreaming.
The esports coverage impresses with a comprehensive offering of events that include CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, Rainbow 6, StarCraft 2 and Valorant.
- Competitive esports odds
- Good set of esports events
- Great multinational sports markets
- Debit card payment only
- Lacks esports livestreaming
6. Kwiff — Boosts Odds Once Bet Placed
With Kwiff, bettors are in for a real treat. Although the operator’s standard odds are already pretty good, when they randomly boost them, these become unbeaten in the betting market and are referred to as being supercharged “Kwiffs”.
The only drawback is that you don't know whether you have been offered a potential bigger payout until you have placed your bet.
When it comes to their esports offerings, Kwiff falls short in comparison to their main competitors, because just eLeagues for basketball and football are up for grabs. Forget the real-time strategy/battle games and shoot ‘em up games with this bookie.
- Betting odds can be “Kwiffed”
- Cash-out can be supercharged
- Good promos and loyalty club
- Limited banking options
- Very small set of esports
7. Unibet — Unibet TV Streaming
This operator arguably has the edge over rivals with their access to the incredible Unibet TV, which offers live betting and livestreaming for esports. You can tune into the action while placing an in-play bet.
You will immediately see their high-quality livestreaming service, a live Twitch stream, when going on the Unibet esports section — a feature that makes it one of the best gaming sites. Unibet, committed to delivering an impressive esports offer, provides highly competitive odds and excellent markets for each esports game and tournament.
- Excellent customer service
- Great choice of payment methods
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals
- Esports coverage could be expanded
- Could focus on boosting odds for specific esports games
Introducing Esports Betting
Esports betting is one of the fastest growing and most innovative ways to take a punt on sports across the globe, perfect if you fancy a flutter on cutting-edge action. The biggest esports tournaments are massive, attracting generous sponsorship deals — prize pools that can run into multi-millions and billions wagered on the outcome.
Professional gamers compete in the lucrative tournaments, viewed by millions worldwide. Yet, for first-time punters, it is advisable to stick to esports games you're familiar with, knowing that you will find a vast range of events and markets on esports betting websites.
Although there are hundreds of esports games out there, the hike of betting options is tailored towards 5v5 gameplay events that include Dota 2, Overwatch 2 and Valorant.
Why Bet on Esports?
The ever-evolving esports industry is rapidly growing with whopping figures for gamers, viewers, and sponsors. Everyone is catered for with various games and competitions, which are played year-round and, just like regular sports, can be totally unpredictable.
You will find most markets for esports matches, such as basketball and football, identical to those on regular sports. The option of backing a moneyline is the same as going for a winner market in sports, while first blood is similar to betting on the first goalscorer in football.
What makes it so fulfilling for esports bettors is that developers constantly improve shoot ‘em up and tactical gameplays. These tweaks, which cleverly tap into emotions and grab our attention, are the reason why top-level esports — streamed for free by various operators and/or platforms such as Twitch — can captivate so many players and pull in audiences of tens of millions.
The Most Popular Esports To Bet on
While almost any multiplayer video game can be used for esports betting, there’s no doubt that some are simply much more popular than others. If you want more information, we have a complete esports guide for beginners to help further your understanding.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular titles for gambling enthusiasts on esports betting sites:
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Call of Duty: First-person shooter provides plenty of competitions across its games, including the Call of Duty Championship and Call of Duty League.
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Counter-Striker: Global Offensive (CS: GO) & CS2: Classic team-based, first-person shooter, known for its intense tactical gameplay. CS2 is the upgrade of CS: GO, but there are mixed reviews because many game modes and content from CS: GO have been removed.
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Dota 2: Massive prize pools and vast audiences for this Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) giant. Two teams of five players try to destroy each other’s base, known as an Ancient, to succeed.
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FIFA Betting: The biggest and most successful football video game franchise ever. On esoccer betting sites, you will find numerous markets the same as a live football game, such as first goalscorer and player to get booked.
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League of Legends (LoL): A colossus MOBA battle arena game that holds a huge community, with a peak daily player base of around 25 million recorded in December 2023. Check out our list of the best bookies to bet on LoL.
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Overwatch 2: First-person shooter with an enormous amount of variety and depth. The 5v5 gameplay events to bet on include the Overwatch League (OWL) and Overwatch World Cup (OWWC).
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Rocket League: Unique competitive blend of cars and football. You can wager on the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) with leading betting operators, offering some livestreamed games.
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StarCraft 2: It may have slightly waned in popularity, but this real-time strategy sci-fi game is still adored by millions.
Esports Tournaments To Look Forward to in 2024
Esports Tournament | Esports Game | Esports Date | Esports Venue |
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CCT Global Finals 2024 | CS2 | 16-25 May | Europe (online) |
Call of Duty League 2024 – Stage 4 Major | Call of Duty | 20-23 June | Charlotte, United States |
Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Major 2 2024 | Rocket League | 20-23 June | London, England |
Riyadh Masters 2024 | Dota 2 | 1-11 July | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
Esports World Cup 2024 | Various | 17 July–11 September | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
The International (TI) 2024 | Dota 2 | 10 September | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2024 World Championship | Rocket League | 10-15 September | Fort Worth, United States |
2024 League of Legends World Championship Finals | League of Legends (LoL) | 2 November | London, England |
BLAST Premier: World Final 2024 | CS2 | 13-17 November | London, England |
Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 | CS2 | 1-15 December | Shanghai, China |
The Most Popular Esports Betting Markets
There are two main types of esports: the simulation of real-life sports and classic esports games. You will find a wide range of markets and competitive odds for any titles you play and competitions you follow.
Outright positions on winners and placings on major leagues and tournaments are popular wagers and commonly available on the best live betting sites, yet there are many more creative types of esports betting.
Fantasy Betting
You pick a roster and gain points based on different achievements, a format that suits passionate esports bettors by strategically building and managing virtual teams.
First Blood/Kill Betting
You predict which team will draw the first blood or make the initial kill.
Handicap Betting
When the favourite or long shot is given a virtual disadvantage or advantage to level the playing field, which can make it a tempting bet to back.
In-Play Betting
You can place a wager once the markets are open and live, but you will often have to wait for the event to start before you can place your bet.
Match Betting
When you back who will win the match or event, with Moneyline (the outright winner) or Handicap (odds have been adjusted).
Match Winner 2-Way Betting
When you make a flutter on just two possible outcomes to an event or match.
Match Winner 3-Way Betting
When you place a wager and there are three possible outcomes to an event or match — usually the win, lose, or draw options.
Map Winner Betting
You try to choose which team will win a specified map rather than winning the whole match.
Outright Winner Betting
You try to pick the winner of a specific esports competition or tournament.
Proposition Betting
These are wagers that operators prompt and can pop up on screen. It could be whether a shot will be made or whether a certain tactic will be successful.
Pool Betting
When you contribute to a collective pot by pooling all bets on a particular market, with the total amount divided between the winners.
Skins Betting
You use a different form of stakes rather than money — virtual goods that you have in-game to gamble with.
Social Betting/Challenge Betting
Social betting is when you make friendly wagers and prediction challenges among friends. Challenge betting can include participating in social media challenges related to esports events.
Totals Betting
You take a punt on the total gained related to certain statistics in a game or tournament, trying to predict, for instance, the total fouls, goals, points, rounds, etc.
Total Kills Betting
You attempt to predict the number of kills made in a particular match, which takes the over/under format.
Are There Any Esports Betting Bonuses?
Yes, though there are generally fewer promotions than regular other sports. Betting bonuses for esports are still not as big in the betting world compared to other types of gambling. The more popular a market is for bets, the more attention it tends to get from promotions.
The welcome bonus with Betway can be claimed after creating an account. It offers new users the choice of different sign-up bonuses, including esports.
Following Betway’s trails, some operators are starting to provide better esports bonuses. We believe more sportsbooks will be inclined to follow suit to keep up with their rivals, which may end up being very beneficial for esports enthusiasts.
Best Payment Methods for Esports Betting
Most traditional forms of payment methods are accepted when esports betting. Leading betting sites tend to accept the most common methods such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Boku, debit cards, Google Pay, and Mastercard, as well as e-wallets like NETELLER and Skrill.
Some online bookies are also already accepting various cryptocurrency payments, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
How To Bet on Esports
When you fancy placing an esports bet, it is best to start with something you know about. We suggest exploring the various ways to bet on esports and then identifying the ideal bookie for your needs and interests.
You can hit the jackpot when you find a sportsbook with competitive odds for esports markets, as well as live betting features such as cash-out and livestreaming.
Our step-by-step guide below explains how to bet on esports and make the most out of your wagers:
To choose a bookmaker, compare the esports covered (events, games, and tournaments), the deposit/withdrawal conditions, whether there is a welcome bonus, and your preferred choice of currency.
Create your esports betting account by filling in the registration form. Don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus.
The operator will email you the link to access your account, which you need to verify.
Pick a payment method in the cashier section, and make the minimum deposit required.
Scroll through the sports betting section to find esports.
Choose your preferred market, research the esports events and available odds.
Select the game or event you want to bet on.
Place your bet(s) by adding your selection to the betting slip.
Enter your stake and check everything before submitting your bet slip.
The Legality of Esports Betting Websites
Is there any significant difference between the legality of betting on esports and betting on traditional sports? The simple answer is no in the UK, and no in every other jurisdiction that we are aware of.
Esports are like any other kind of sport that you can wager on, just like there is no substantial difference in markets between betting on Wimbledon tennis or the FIFA Club World Cup.
Esports Live Betting
You should expect top-notch live betting and livestreaming from the best esports betting sites. Since there are few issues in terms of licensing deals, a key barrier to the livestreaming of many sports, this results in exceptional live coverage for esports betting.
Huge prize pools attract incredible high interest from punters to compete and/or watch major events, with the option to bet online. Betting sites broadcast live games with a simple stream on their own platform or use a Twitch stream embedded on their app and/or page for an enhanced multimedia experience.
The top-quality betting sites for esports we have identified provide in-play betting for the majority, if not all, of their games and leagues. As the odds fluctuate like live action sports, it is up to you to decide when to wager on live events to achieve the best value bets.
Esports Betting Sites With Livestreaming
You can stay on the ball by watching livestreams that appear with sportsbooks or revert to free platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Tuning into livestreaming is beneficial for esports betting, as you can spot the trends and patterns while keeping an eye on the prize of in-play odds that are constantly altering. This approach can help you develop a betting strategy, potentially paying dividends by focusing on real-time insights and updates.
Be aware that not every sportsbook provides livestreaming, so ensure you opt for a betting site that shows the esports you want to watch.
Best livestreaming esports site for CS: GO & Rocket League
bet365 displays a huge range of esports games, brilliant for the likes of CS: GO, Dota 2, and Rocket League, as well as the lesser-known games. The operator offers a strong depth of markets within each event, which includes special bets, and highly competitive odds.
Best livestreaming esports site for League of Legends (LoL)
Betway provides extensive coverage of major LoL leagues and tournaments. You can choose from a vast set of betting options, which features livestreaming of selected esports events.
Best livestreaming esports site for Starburst 2
Unibet boasts Unibet.tv to offer comprehensive coverage of esports, which includes an impressive section for Starburst 2 and excellent odds.
Esports Key Milestones & Facts
More Sports Betting Articles
ThePuntersPage Final Say
Competitive gaming has rapidly transformed esports into a data-rich phenomenon, captivating millions. The collaborative environment enhances player enjoyment through active engagement in the dynamic scene. Additionally, esports' enticing real-time nature offers more accurate odds and better in-game betting opportunities than traditional sports, further adding to its ever-increasing appeal.
Esports Betting Resources
For more information on esports betting in the UK, take a look at the below resources.
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Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC): Organisation working to ensure the integrity of esports competitions
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Esports Insider: UK-based esports news site and events organiser
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ESL: Global esports tournament organiser
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DreamHack: Prominent esports tournament and convention organiser
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BLAST Premier: Major Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) esports tournament
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UK Gambling Commission: Official UK gambling regulator
Esports Betting FAQs
bet365, Betway, Parimatch, and Unibet provide comprehensive esports betting markets and competitive odds.
Yes, because esports betting is highly regulated throughout the UK.
CS: GO, Dota 2, and LoL are among the top esports games played globally.
CS: GO and Call of Duty are among the best esports to place a wager on, because they have year-round weekly events.
Yes, most bookies offer esports live betting.
You can watch esports events at most leading sportsbooks, as well as streaming channels such as Facebook Gaming, Twitch, and YouTube.