About eSports Betting in 2020
Have you ever heard the term eSports? Short for electronic sports, eSports is a competition using video games. In most cases, it comes in a form of organized multiplayer video game competition. There are several of those around the world annually where professional players take part in high-prized tournaments.
Although once considered a joke, esports has become quite a popular competition. Many experts are considering it a sport and there’s been plenty of talk of eSports being inducted into the Olympics. From Counter Strike: Global Offensive to DOTA 2 and League of Legends, eSports grew into quite a massive sport.
Apart from the incredible global following thanks to streams on Twitch and YouTube, eSports is also popular among bettors. The moment it started organizing tournaments, bookies added them to their sites with great odds. All US bookies now have it in their offer in some capacity or another. While some online eSports betting sites focus on the major tournaments only, you can find bookies where all the tourneys are covered.
Top eSports Betting Sites USA in 2020
Below you can see a list of trusted eSports betting sites online where you can get the best eSports odds and wager on the biggest tournaments in this exciting sport.
Bovada eSports
There’s no bigger name on the US online betting scene than Bovada. A massive bookie that also offers casino, horserace, and poker services, Bovada is a betting site with millions of fans. There are plenty of reasons why. Apart from the variety of betting markets, the bookie has some of the best and biggest bonuses out there. Plus, it’s a bitcoin betting site – that surely brings in thousands of fans.
Bovada eSports LinesA nicely designed bookmaker with all the trending events featured front and center, Bovada has lately focused on one big market – eSports. Don’t get us wrong, you can bet on all major American sports at the site as well as football, tennis, racing, and even virtual sports and non-sporting events. However, the bookie obviously recognized the potential of the emerging eSports market, listing all the major events in the sport.
Starting with CS:GO Clutch over ESL and LPL, Bovada offers the biggest tournaments in eSports for you to bet on. It covers all the matches in different games – you can bet on Starcraft, CS:GO, LoL and DOTA 2 events to start with.
In terms of markets, you get game lines and futures. That should be enough for new and experienced bettors to begin with. Thanks to the overall ease of use of the website and the great odds, Bovada is a great pick for eSports bettors.
MyBookie eSports
Another popular US online bookmaker, MyBookie has great odds and a varied selection of sports. The site caters to the needs of different types of bettors. This means that it doesn’t matter if you’re new to the game or have plenty of experience – you have great markets at MyBookie at your disposal.
MyBookie eSports LinesPrimarily popular for its NFL lines, MyBookie has plenty of hidden ‘gems’ in its library. For example, it has been focusing on eSports and virtual sports more recently to the delight of fans of the sport. You can bet on a wide range of eSports at the site. FIFA 20 tournaments are on offer just like CS:GO, Starcraft, and LoL tourneys. As a bookie that specializes in NFL lines, it’s not a surprise that MyBookie offers Madden 20 betting markets as well.
There are even odds on Sims and other types of simulation, so it’s quite the perfect offer. All of these markets are paired with great odds as well. If you’re wondering what tournaments are covered, MyBookie has odds on ESL CS:GO, GSL Super Tournament on Starcraft and FIFA Riot. If you’re a Rainbow Six fan, you can bet on ESL matches.
MyBookie’s eSports offer is pretty great, to be honest. The odds look pretty solid as well. If you’re looking for an eSports bookie not named Bovada with a load of tournaments from different video games, it’s the perfect choice.
BetNow eSports
Launched in 2015, betnow is a bookie that has started making waves in the industry just recently. It owns a Curacao license and covers all the major and minor sports events around the world. It has also focused on a variety of eSports events that range from CS:GO tournaments to DOTA 2 and LoL.
BetNow eSports LinesBetNow’s motto is “We make it simple” and to be honest, it pretty much fits the site. It has a simple layout that makes things work. It’s easy to find your fave betting markets from the ribbon on the left. Just select eSports and you’ll get a bunch of tournaments to bet on. Of course, all the major sports are also covered, but BetNow’s focus on eSports is something to note.
Select any eSport you’re a fan of and the site will bring up a variety of tournaments with great odds. In LoL, for example, you can place bets on the Turkish championship right now. Lines are provided on all the matches for any eSport in the bookie’s offer.
From what we’ve seen, the odds are pretty solid. Additionally, the site’s simple layout and design make it very easy to find your favorite tournaments and place bets on them. If you’re looking for a smaller bookie with solid odds and a variety of eSports tournaments, BetNow is a great choice.
Betonline.ag eSports
If there’s one site that takes eSports betting very seriously, it’s undoubtedly betonline.ag. Unlike others, BetOnline sportsbook has a whole separate section dedicated to eSports betting. Just like other offshore betting sites, BetOnline has CS:GO, LoL, and DOTA 2 tournaments on offer. However, its offer is supplemented by many other tourneys including NBA 2K20, Rainbow Six, Madden 20, King of Glory, and more.
Betonline eSportsYou can even bet on FIFA e-leagues as well as all the major tournaments such as ESL, LEC, and more. That’s what separates BetOnline from the rest of the crowd. The unbridled dedication to eSports betting comes with great odds in tow, making it one of the best betting sites for eSports fans.
Of course, it’s not an eSports-exclusive bookie. If you’re interested in football, basketball, the NFL or something else, you’ll be glad to know that BetOnline has it. In terms of eSports markets, the bookie covers early markets, futures, results, live markets, and more.
It’s the perfect destination if you’re an avid follower of the eSports scene. The odds make BetOnline a great recommendation as well. New bettors will have no problem placing a bet with ease, while experienced players will surely find their footing pretty fast.
You can bet at BetOnline from your PC, mobile phone, tablet or laptop pretty easily. It’s one of the best betting sites in the USA for eSports, so you really don’t want to miss it.
Sportsbetting.ag eSports
One of the most popular online bookies in the USA, sportsbetting.ag dazzles with a great offer of sports markets and even greater odds. The bookie is a Godsend for American football fans, but it also dabbles in the eSports market with great success. Established in 2001, SportsBetting has had plenty of time to do things right and it has surely succeeded.
Sportsbetting eSportsIt’s a site aimed at casual and pro eSports bettors. Just like BetOnline, it has a separate section dedicated to eSports that makes things easier for bettors. Why? Well, instead of going through a list of markets to find eSports, you can just click on the separate section and do your betting from there.
It’s a section that has listed all the tournaments and games you can bet on. If you’re wondering what they are, you can bet on:
- FIFA
- NHL
- Madden
- NBA 2K20
- DOTA 2
- LoL
- Counter Strike: Global Offensive
- Starcraft 2
- Rainbow Six
With so many games on offer, you can expect the markets to be pretty wide. SportsBetting delivers on that front as well, offering a multitude of markets with pitch-perfect odds. All the major tournaments are covered including the EPL, ESL, and development leagues from around the world. The site offers quite a few tournaments in China and is available in Chinese as well. This makes it obvious that it’s trying to appeal to the Asian population. Which is great since Asians love playing eSports.
Funding your account and withdrawing money has been made easy with secure payment methods. Sportsbetting.ag has also added Bitcoin to the list of banking options. If you’re a cryptocurrency fan, you can make transactions with it at this site in just seconds.
Thanks to blazing-fast withdrawals and the wide eSports offer, sportsbetting.ag is one of the best US bookies for this thriving market.
Wagerweb eSports
On its website, WagerWeb claims that it has the largest selection of sports to bet on. Although we wouldn’t go that far, it has a pretty nice collection indeed. Among the sports you can bet on the platform is a wide range of eSports tournaments. If you’re a fan of CS:GO, Starcraft 2 or any sports video games, WagerWeb is a pretty good choice.
Wagerweb Latest PromoFrom what we’ve seen, it has a solid collection of markets to bet on. This includes match winners, live markets, outrights, and more. No matter if you’re new to the world of eSports betting or a pro, you won’t anything lacking at this site.
The odds are solid as well. Although not an industry leader in terms of eSports markets or odds on any of them, it’s a good choice for someone who wants to ‘fly under the radar’. If you like a bigger selection of tournaments and high-profile odds, you’re better off with juggernauts such as Bovada.
Apart from eSports, WagerWeb also offers betting on all major and minor sports. It has a racebook as well as live betting markets and a casino. In short, WagerWeb is an all-in-one betting solution that will appeal to US bettors for sure and eSports fans.
Xbet eSports
Founded in 2013, Xbet worked hard all these years to establish its presence on the crowded market. The US bookie has done well, to say the least. Its front page with comic-book-inspired drawings of NBA superstars is more than enough to draw bettors in. It surely appealed to us. It is obvious that Xbet is focused on the NBA market, but among its list of sports options, eSports stand high as well.
Xbet.ag eSports LinesThe sportsbook has plenty of tourneys on offer. Games such as Counter Strike, Starcraft, FIFA 20, and LoL are available along with the mandatory DOTA 2 markets. Fan of CS:GO? You’ll be glad to know that you can bet on the ESL and other major events as well. The great thing about Xbet is that it also offers news on eSports as well as tips and predictions for upcoming matches. It’s something that even bigger fish than it can learn from.
Thanks to these tips, new bettors can make better predictions. Even pro bettors will benefit from it since they’re all provided by experts. This puts Xbet in a whole other league. Its dedication to eSports is a great reason for all fans of Counter Strike or other games to join the site.
Another big reason to join Xbet are the huge bonuses. You can earn a massive bonus on sign up and get more cash with reloads later. A variety of bonuses await you at the site – all you need to do is join and top your account up.
Bodog eSports – Canada Players
Bovada and Bodog form a mean one-two punch that wears the online betting crown in the USA with pride. One of the largest eSports betting sites online, Bodog offers a massive collection of sports including the world’s biggest eSports tournaments. Those include CS:GO Clutch, ESL, LPL, and more.
Bodog eSports LinesIn terms of markets, you can place wagers on anything you can think of. From outright winners to match winners, and spreads, Bodog is packed. Live betting odds on e-soccer events, for example, spice up the action further. Totals are also available for those who are into them.
In short, Bodog has one of the most complete eSports offers we’ve seen. Which shouldn’t be that big of a surprise considering how big the site is. It’s an all-in-one entertainment website that also features a poker site, a casino, a live casino, a racebook, and the sportsbook we talked about.
The betting site doesn’t skimp on bonuses – as a matter of fact, it is among the most generous we’ve seen. From the welcome bonus to plenty of extra offers later, you can earn plenty of extra cash at Bodog. If you’re looking for a rockstar in the betting industry, Bodog definitely fits the profile.
It’s a heavy-hitter with a variety of options and great odds which makes it one of the best eSports betting sites on the market.
What Games can I put eSports Bets On?
The number of video games you can bet on is nothing short of huge. The video game industry makes a lot of cash from eSports, so it’s no wonder it is focused on creating excellent multiplayer titles. From real time strategies to first person shooters and sports games, eSports is thriving as a sport right now.
Here’s a list of the most popular games you can bet on:
- Starcraft 2
- Heroes of the Storm
- League of Legends
- DOTA 2 (Defense of the Ancients)
- Heartstone: Heroes of Warcraft
- Overwatch
- Fortnite
- Call of Duty
- Battlefield
- PUBG
- Counter Strike: GO
- Halo
- Street Fighter
- Rocket League
- FIFA
- Pro Evolution Soccer
- Madden
- NBA 2K
We could go on and make the list even longer, but there’s no need to. With these titles, it becomes clear that eSports is a huge market for betting. Of course, if you want to be successful in it, you’ll need to learn all about these games or one in particular. Focusing your attention on one is a great idea since it’ll allow you to make the most out of it.
eSports is a pretty wide market, so it would be better to pick one or two games and start following tournaments. CS:GO and DOTA 2 are among the most popular games. The biggest tournaments in the world include both, so they’re a great choice for new players.
Follow the biggest tournaments, teams, and players, and you’ll start earning on eSports before you know it. Of course, you’ll also want to pick a good site with great odds. Make sure to find a licensed betting site with a great selection of eSports and industry-leading odds. This will help you earn more in the long run.
Major eSports Tournaments and Leagues
Besides getting to know the games you can bet on, it’s equally important to learn more about the major eSports leagues and tournaments. Although there weren’t that many in the beginning, eSports has branched out over the years. Most European and Asian countries have own leagues and organized international tournaments, and the USA follows the trend as well.
- ELeague – one of the largest premier leagues for CS:GO, the ELeague launched in 2016. It is held twice a year (2 seasons annually), with each one lasting for a few weeks. Overall, each season features over 100 teams fighting for the top prize which often goes over several hundred thousands dollars.
Over the years, Eleague has expanded with other sports such as Street Fighter and Injustice 2. The matches are played at the Turner Studios facility in Atlanta and streamed over Twitch and YouTube.
- CS:GO Majors – the CS:GO Majors are the most prestigious tournament on the Counter Strike scene. With a prize pool that tops $1,000,000, the Majors are also one of the most lucrative ones. It’s a series of international tournaments with 24 teams sponsored by the great Valve corporation.
The majors are held annually and have millions of fans around the world, making the tournaments one of the most eSports events around the globe.
- The International – this is, hands down, the biggest eSports tournament in the world based DOTA 2. Hosted by Valve, DOTA 2’s developer, the tournament is not surprisingly international and consists of 18 teams. Launched in 2011, it features a round robin group stage and a double elimination main event.
Internationals have the largest prize pools of all eSports events, with the last one clocking in at around $34 million. As such, this tournament is one of the most popular to bet on online.
- DOTA Majors – one again organized by Valve, the DOTA Majors are a series of tournaments based on the popular game. The tournament started in 2015 and there have been 5 so far. Each of these had a prize pool of $3 million which is far away from The International, but still a big prize pool in eSports.
The sites we mentioned above feature all the matches from DOTA Majors.
What Types of eSports Bets can you make?
The types of eSports bets you can place are not that different from the wagers you can place on any other sport. You get odds on all the matches and markets, you wager on them, and you wait to see if your bet’s the winner.
In terms of bets, you can place outrights, bet on match winners or go with some more exotic markets. Spreads and totals are also on offer just like handicaps, specials, and props. Futures are very popular among US eSports betting fans, so that’s something to keep in mind as well.
Whatever you decide to bet on, we strongly suggest learning more about online betting in general before you go with real money wagers. Wagering on eSports isn’t different from traditional betting at all. Thanks to that, you won’t have trouble placing bets on any tournament as long as you know the basics.
Popular Questions
We answer the most popular questions on eSports betting sites from the web.