Esports betting online

An exciting new contender in the online betting world, Esports might be entirely virtual, but that hasn’t stopped this sporting genre from having the same kind of clutch wins and nail-biting moments that are the hallmark of more traditional sports.

Be it a last-minute rush to snipe the enemy’s home objective, or a surprise stomping by the supposed underdogs that comes out of nowhere, the action is nonstop when it comes to Esports – and that means there’s almost an endless stream of betting opportunities to take advantage of within its markets.

Naturally, though, if you’re a little unfamiliar with the Esports world, then you might not be clued up on exactly how to go about reading those Esports odds, which is why we’ve gone ahead and shared all of our expert Esports online betting tips and insights below. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re up against before the chips go down.

What is Esports betting?

As the name suggests, Esports betting (also sometimes called virtual sports betting) is all about predicting the outcome of certain events in online games, rather than those of real-world sports.

Whether this is calling the winner of an upcoming match on the morning it’s due to be played, or testing the odds on which player will draw first blood, the Esports betting process is exactly the same as betting on any other sport – it just takes place in a virtual space!

Understanding Esports betting online

Given their similarities, much like real-world sports, when it comes to betting on Esports, you likely won’t be surprised to hear that these markets use a matching decimal odds format to represent betting odds.

Displayed as numbers with two decimal points, these odds reflect how likely and unlikely a bet is to pull through, and how much it will pay out should you win. The smaller the numerical value, the more likely your bet is to succeed.

Case and point, if you were betting on Aroura to beat Heroic in their next League game, and your odds were put at 6.00, for every $1 you bet, you’d win $6, with an overall profit of $5 – or, in other words, whatever your decimal odds are, multiplied by your bet.

What are the most popular Esports betting markets?

While a large number of games can be classed as Esport in nature, when it comes to the most popular Esports betting markets, bookies and punters tend to stick to the most recognized brands and names in the space, with their core focus being on the following games:

Dota 2

A classic of the Esports genre and currently the third most popular Esport worldwide, Dota 2 has long been a staple of the virtual sports scene, seeing tournaments held between big-name teams before it was even out of beta. Loved by its fans for its tried-and-tested RTS nature and high-skill cap, the Dota 2 International, in particular, is always one to watch.

League of Legends

Considered by many as the number one Esport of all time, League of Legends helped to pioneer the recognition of the virtual sports scene by official bodies. More than a match for Dota 2 in terms of game intensity and strategy, League’s continued popularity makes it a go-to for many beginner Esports betters just getting started in the genre.

Valorant

Seen as the primary newcomer to the Esports space, Valorant might be a fairly new release, but that hasn’t prevented it from becoming an Esports titan in a relatively short space of time. Focused on squad-based hero gameplay, its blend of slow-building action and sudden, explosive firefights makes for a constantly engaging viewing experience.

CS2

Valorant’s far more famous rival, CS2, formally CS:GO, swaps out the rising tension embodied by Valorant in favor of rapid match cycles where every shot can be lethal. Utterly unpredictable in so many ways, CS2 has some of the most varied Esports odds out there, all constantly changing to match the ebb and flow of their associated games.

Overwatch 2

Taking over from Overwatch as Blizzard’s primary Esports game, Overwatch 2 might not be as popular as League or Dota 2, but its dedicated fan base has firmly cemented this game as an Esports staple. Like Valorant, Overwatch 2 is focused on squad hero gameplay, putting you in a thrilling betting space where every game is different.

Tips for Esports online betting

Although Esports might take place entirely online, no self-respecting bettor would place any wager down without first doing their research.

Thus, as with any other sport, if you want to get involved in virtual sports betting, then you need to know what to look out for when assessing the odds in question, which is why we recommend considering all of the following factors ahead of betting on any game that takes your eye:

• The skill levels of both teams.
• Each team’s competitive history.
• How each team has fared against the other in the past.
• External factors, such as jet lag and injuries.
• Current game trends and how teams have reacted and adapted to them.

Alongside this, we’d also suggest putting in time to learn about your chosen Esports game if you haven’t done so already, as they each have their own unique metas and playstyles.

For example, as we already mentioned, matches in Esports like Valorant can have a fairly predictable pace, meaning their odds may not change at all until the very end of the game. In stark contrast, CS2 and Overwatch 2 can be quite fast-paced, causing odds to change and adjust throughout each individual round.

Is Esports betting legal in Canada?

While Esports betting is certainly legal here in Canada, whether or not you can get involved in the virtual sports betting scene will depend entirely on your regional betting regulations, so make sure you check these before trying to place any Esports bets.

Start betting on Esports today

Think you’re ready to place your very first Esports bet? If that’s the case, then you'd better head on over to the Betway sign-up page today to get started and verify your account. Once this is sorted, you can browse our markets at your leisure until you find a game that takes your interest, at which point you can put down your preferred wager.

And, of course, if you ever want to take a break from direct sports betting, then you can always head on over to our live casinos and take a spin on some of our most popular slots!

Can I use the Betway app to bet on Esports?

Planning on placing a few bets while out and about? Stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates on Esport odds, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.

Where can I find Esports betting tips?

While we’ve covered all of the basics around Esports betting above, if you want even more insights into specific Esports niches and betting opportunities, then be sure to check out our Esports betting blog for extra tips and breakdowns on all the most recent Esports events taking place.