What is esports betting?
Without getting overly complex, esports betting revolves around placing wagers on the specific outcomes of your favourite esports tournaments, games, and players. As with traditional online
sports betting, you’ll find that markets vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. However, you can expect to find the chance to bet on outright winners, total kills, correct scores, and more.
Thanks to the ever-growing popularity of esports, online bookmakers are now looking at specialising their offerings to appeal to certain bettors. For instance, you can now review top bonuses from the
best Fortnite betting sites
or discover FIFA betting sites that allow you to bet in play.
The esports community initially spread through streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube. One simple subscription allowed players from all over the globe to come together and watch their favourite teams clash. Over time, the best esports betting sites have caught on to this idea. Now, it is very common to see live streams that allow you to watch your wagers unfold in real-time.
Is esports betting profitable?
As with any form of gambling, esports betting doesn’t provide you with any guarantees or concrete ways to bolster your account balance. With that being said, there is no doubt that the redemption of a
sports betting bonus
can soon help to give your esports betting experience a quick boost. Bonuses come in all shapes and sizes, including deposit matches, odds boost, and first bet offers – more on that later.
Alongside bonuses, you’ll want to find yourself a platform that boasts competitive odds across the board. Stats and streams help you to follow the action live, too, ensuring that you can better judge any potential wagers. Specific strategies also provide you with a great way to track your wins and losses, allowing you to make amendments to your betting style as you go.
While I can’t guarantee that esports betting will be profitable for you, I can suggest paying close attention to my bonus reviews, utilising my strategy guides, and making sure you find yourself a platform with competitive odds.
- Regularly updated odds
- Available markets throughout the year
- Chance to bet on numerous outcomes
- Can watch outcomes through a live stream
- Limited game-specific promotions
How do I rank the best esports betting sites in January?
After covering the basics of esports betting and providing you with a few ideas to help bolster the experience, let me now showcase exactly how I would go about ranking the very best esports betting sites around.
Games and markets
Unsurprisingly, the games, tournaments, and market availability are going to play crucial roles in my overall ratings. It is common to find betting sites that cover the basic 1X2s and map winners; however, only the very best esports betting sites will cover player props and a selection of in-play markets. As briefly touched upon, odds must be competitive, too – after all, they provide the backbone to your esports betting experience.
Common esports betting markets
Next, I’ll run through a quick list of the most common esports markets found at the top betting sites today.
| Market type
|
Overview |
| 1X2 |
The 1X2, moneyline, or match winner market is the most straightforward bet you will stumble across. It requires you to bet on the outright winner of a single match. |
| Map/Round Winners |
If the match itself is too close to call, you can always bet on each round or map. You can always use the live stats and streams to better judge your predictions. |
| Correct Score |
For those of you that wish to extend on the basic 1X2 market, a correct score could be the best choice for you. As you’d imagine, this bet allows you to predict the correct final score. |
| Player Props |
A player prop refers to any bet placed on an individual feat that does not directly alter the outcome of a match. For example, you can bet on the player to make the most kills or the next kill. |
| Futures |
Futures markets refer to any bet made on the future winners or MVPs of a tournament/competition. |
Although you are less likely to find specific esports promotions released at the sign-up stage, ongoing bonuses and perks can be released for use on your favourite esports titles. Fortunately, many of the best betting sites are now ensuring that any generalised sports betting bonuses include esports markets, too. As with any promotion, I’ll be sure to make my way through the terms and conditions to ensure that they are suitable, sizable, and worth your time.
Common esports promotions
In this convenient table, I’ve provided you with a quick overview of the major bonuses found at the best esports betting sites.
| Bonus type |
Overview |
| Deposit match |
A deposit match bonus will provide you with bonus bets of equivalent value up to a certain percentage. For example, you may be able to unlock a 50% deposit match of up to $500. |
| No deposit bonus |
A no deposit bonus does exactly as it says on the tin – there’s no need to make a deposit to release this bonus. However, you will be expected to enter a promo code and work your way through strict requirements. |
| Odds boosts |
The odds boosts are one of the most common ways to help bolster your esports betting experience. While these are often raised when building accumulators, odds boost bonuses may also enhance single bets on upcoming fixtures. |
| Bonus bets |
Bonus bets can be released at any stage of the esports betting experience. Generally, they will be unlocked when reaching a certain level of the VIP program or for meeting a certain requirement of an ongoing promotion. |
| First bet offer |
The first bet offer provides your first bet with room to fail. If it does, you’ll find that your initial stake is returned to you in full as bonus bets. If it wins, you’ll receive no bonus, but you will have your winnings. |
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Licence and Security
Before making use of any of the recommended esports betting sites featured in the banners on this page, I will need to have confirmed that they have secured a legit licence and boast the latest security features. An official licence helps to confirm that the site has been audited and deemed fair and legal to operate, while any security features will help to keep your details safe online. As standard, I would expect to see encryption technology, KYC checks, RNGs, and credible payment methods provided.
Support
The support received can often turn a negative or fair experience into a good or even great one. So, I never overlook the ways that you can get in contact. You’ll find that my comparisons are packed with insight into the response times, reliability, and knowledge of dedicated agents. I’ll discuss whether live chat, email, social media, phone, an on-site form, or a combination of these methods are available. Plus, you can also expect me to work my way through the FAQs.
Payments
Deposits and withdrawals are a critical part of the selection process. Even if you’ve made use of a no deposit esports betting bonus, you’ll need to figure out how you can withdraw from your account. Nowadays, credible
online betting deposit methods
extend far beyond traditional Visa, Mastercard, and bank transfers, so you can expect me to highlight exactly how you can get your funds safely online. I’ll also take time to detail any minimum and maximum limits imposed, fees added, and the time it takes to process your withdrawals.
Common payment methods
In this table, I’ve provided a quick overview of some of the most trusted names found at the best esports betting sites in January.
| Payment Method |
Deposits and withdrawals
|
Pros |
Cons |
| Debit Cards |
Yes |
Traceable transactions, great availability, and eligible to redeem bonus |
Card details may be stored online |
| Neteller |
Yes. However, it is dependant on the esports betting site |
Can keep details offline, swift transactions,
and multiple accepted currencies |
Withdrawals are not always available |
| Bitcoin |
Yes |
Instant deposits, enhanced security, and anonymous transactions |
Illegal to use at US esports betting sites and other parts of the world |
| Bank Transfer |
Yes |
Established method, accepted at most esports betting sites, linked directly to your bank account |
Slower transaction times |
Streams
As already mentioned, esports surged in popularity thanks to the accessibility of streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube. Now, you can look to benefit from a streaming service that is built-in to your chosen esports betting site. While conducting my reviews, I’ll be sure to review the stability of these streams and the kind of fixtures covered.
Usability
The final piece of the esports betting puzzle revolves around usability. All of the above attributes are extremely important towards the overall feel and legitimacy of an esports betting site; however, if you are experiencing slow loading times, unstable streams, or struggling to build bets, then it is no use making your deposit in the first place. In my comparisons, I’ll detail the full user experience, including whether esports can be enjoyed on the go.
Step-by-Step: Registering and redeeming your first bonus at the best esports betting websites in January
If esports betting sounds like it could be for you, then please make sure you take advantage of this step-by-step guide aimed at guiding you through the process of registering, redeeming, and wagering at an esports betting site.
In order to help you get the most out of your esports betting experience, I’ve curated a ton of reviews on the very best sites to visit in January. Here, you’ll find everything from available bonuses to the stability of streams.
Create your player account
After discovering a new place to bet online, you’ll need to decide whether you wish to bet online or on the go. Once you’ve downloaded the app or made your way over to the site, you can begin sharing your personal details and entering your promotional codes. Click ‘submit’ to create your account.
Next, it is time to confirm that you are who you say you are. This can be done by clicking on the link or entering the code sent to your smart device or email address. Then, you must forward a copy of your household bill and a photo ID.
Head to the ‘cashier’ section
Once all has been verified, you’ll be free to head to the ‘cashier’ or ‘wallet’ area. Here, you can choose your preferred payment method, enter any qualifying deposit, and submit.
Now, it is time for you to work your way through your favourite tournaments, games, and fixtures before finding suitable markets with competitive odds. Add them to your bet slip, enter your stake, and place your first bet today.
Let me help you find the best esports betting sites today
The very best esports betting sites allow you to deposit freely, redeem bonuses, and wager on a wide selection of tournaments, games, and markets. You’ll find that they are backed by competitive odds and provide you with the option of watching your wagers unfold via a live stream, too.
To help you find your perfect match, I’ve made sure to highlight some of my recommended sites in the banners on this page. Here, you’ll find my honest review of what I encountered when putting the esports betting site through its paces.
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Esports Betting USA FAQ
🔎 Will I be able to watch live streams at an esports betting site?
Yes. Almost all esports betting sites will present you with the chance to watch your wagers unfold. By taking advantage of the banners on-site, you’ll be able to find yourself a platform that boasts stable streams and a number of in-play betting markets.
❓ Is esports betting legal in the USA?
The laws and legislation surrounding esports betting vary from state to state. However, provided you find yourself a sportsbook that has secured a state-specific licence, you’ll be free to wager on your favourite esports tournaments.
💰 Can I release a specific esports betting bonus?
Although specific esports betting bonuses aren’t the easiest to come by, you will find that most top sportsbooks do provide you with the chance to use your promotions on a range of esports markets. Of course, you’ll need to check out the banners on-site to find a bonus suitable to your own requirements.
