Esports betting online

An up-and-coming arena in the online betting world, Esports might be virtual, but that doesn’t mean its games aren’t packed with the kind of clutch wins and nail-biting moments that are oh-so common to more traditional sports.

Be it a last-minute Hail Mary to capture the enemy’s home objective, or a total team wipe by the underdogs that no one saw coming, the action is nonstop when it comes to Esports, with every kind of game you can imagine being open and available to bet on within our markets.

Of course, in order to beat those Esports odds, you’ll need to know what you’re up against, which is why we’ve shared all of our Esports online betting tips and insights below to give you a leg up. Take a look now to get started.

What is Esports betting?

As you’ve no doubt already clocked, Esports betting – or, as it’s sometimes called, virtual sports betting - is all about predicting the outcome of events in online games, rather than those of real-world sports. And, if we’re being honest, that’s it – in all other regards, Esports betting is exactly the same as betting on other sports, just in a virtual space!

How to bet on Esports online

Much like traditional sports, when betting on Esports, you’ll first want to get a good understanding of how betting in the UK and on the Betway site is presented. Specifically, you’ll need to know how fractional odds work.

Displayed as adjustable fractions, 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 fraction, the more likely your bet is to succeed.

Case and point, if you were betting on M80 to beat G2 Esports in an upcoming Rainbow Six match, and your odds were 6/4, for every £4 you bet, you’d win £6, with an overall profit of £2. Or, to put it another way, the number on the left represents what you’ll win from placing a minimum bet (the number on the right).

The most popular Esports betting markets

Although any game can be classed as an Esport, for the purposes of simple betting, the majority of Esports markets keep their focus on the most popular online Esports games right now, with direct attention being given to the following games:

Dota 2

A classic of the Esports genre and the third most popular Esport in the world right now, Dota 2 has long been a staple of the virtual sports scene ever since its beta was released, with its first official tournament being held in 2011. Loved by its fans for its RTS nature and unpredictability, the Dota 2 International is always one to watch.

League of Legends

Widely considered the number one Esport of all time, League of Legends helped to pioneer the recognition of the virtual sports scene by official bodies. Effortlessly matching Dota 2 in terms of intensity and strategy, League’s continued popularity makes it a go-to for many punters just getting started with Esports betting.

Valorant

A relative newcomer to the Esports space, Valorant has nevertheless cemented itself as an Esports go-to for many. Epitomising the squad-based hero shooter style gameplay popularised by the likes of Team Fortress 2 and Overwatch, its notable brand of slow build-ups and hectic final firefights makes for a consistent edge-of-your-seat viewing experience.

CS2

Valorant’s main and arguably more famous rival, CS2 (formally CS:GO), ups the ante when it comes to pacing, with most guns capable of downing an opponent with one or two well-placed shots. Naturally, this has led to a rather unique betting market, one where prediction upsets are common and Esports odds are constantly changing.

Overwatch 2

Replacing Overwatch as Blizzard’s primary Esports game, Overwatch 2 might not be as popular as its predecessor, but that’s not stopped it from amassing quite the following. As with Valorant and CS2, Overwatch 2’s strong focus on squad-based gameplay makes for a thrilling betting space where any outcome is possible.

Advice for Esports online betting

Even though virtual sports betting takes place online, you’ll still need to carefully consider the odds in front of you for every match before placing your bet. After all, if a team doesn’t have their head in the game, then their odds of winning will be that much lower.

So, before you decide on which Esport odds you like the look of, be sure to consider all of the following factors ahead of the game in question:

• 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.

On top of this, we’d also suggest doing your own research on the game in question. For example, Esports like League and Dota 2 take a lot longer to play out than Valorant, and if a team pulls ahead early, it may be impossible for the other team to catch up. On the other hand, games like CS2 are so fast-paced that it’s nearly impossible to truly predict the outcome of any singular round.

Is Esports betting legal in the UK?

Yes, Esports betting is absolutely legal in the UK, provided you go through a licensed betting company, such as Betway!

Start betting on Esports today

Eager to place your first bet on an upcoming set of Esports odds? From the latest ongoing League tournaments to the CS2 Majors, you can bet on all these and more right here at Betway! Sign up today to verify your account and get started placing your first virtual sporting wager, or head over to our live casinos if you’re looking for an exciting way to unwind between matches.

Can I use the Betway app to bet on Esports?

Looking to bet on upcoming Esports games while on the move? 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.