Best 13 eSports Betting Sites for 2023 [Reviews & Bonuses]

Reviews of the Best eSports Betting Sites in the UK:

#1 eSports Betting Site - bet365

#2 eSports Betting Site - Unibet

#3 eSports Betting Site - Coral

#4 eSports Betting Site - 888sport

#5 eSports Betting Site - Parimatch

#6 eSports Betting Site - Betway

#7 eSports Betting Site - Quinnbet

In the UK, we’re lucky enough to have our betting needs met with a whole range of sports. While football is widely considered the most popular market, we can also bet on cricket, rugby, tennis, darts, and sports from all over the world. Recently, we’ve also welcomed the growth of eSports in the betting world.

In years gone by, video games were something we played in the living room. Now, companies host global events, and fans from around the world bet on outcomes. If you’re new to this niche, you’re in the right place because we have a detailed FAQs guide today!

What exactly are Esports?

Esports are a type of Video game competition and are also known as electronic sports. Esports are frequently organised multiplayer video game tournaments between professional players, either individually or in teams. Esports are distinct from regular video gaming in that they are competitive (human-vs-other humans) and frequently have an interesting spectator component, like traditional sports.

Professional or amateur gamers typically compete against one another in esports events for a large financial award.

So what are Esports betting sites?

Betting sites are online bookmakers where punters can search for a sport or event and place bets on the outcome of said event. Esports is no different. They may not be physical sports like football and basketball, but they are still big enough events to be bet on by viewers. Over the years the esports obsession has grown into a worldwide phenomena and now there are countless betting sites around the world that allow you to bet on the esports events. This means that fans and punters are truly torn for choice when it comes to finding the best betting site to place their esports bets.

Is betting on eSports legal?

In the UK, we’re fortunate because this has been a question that has troubled many countries. With the rise of gaming, there has been a huge debate as to whether eSports gambling falls under sports betting or gaming regulations. In the past year alone, we’ve been watching other countries as they struggle to regulate this whole niche. With the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), eSports gambling has been managed well in recent years.

Back in 2016, the UKGC took the responsibility of this area and started to introduce regulations to make it as safe as possible for consumers. Alongside Denmark, Malta, Italy, and Spain, the UK now offer legitimate websites where eSports is available.

Of course, you will need to be 18 years of age to even think about betting on eSports. With eSports betting occurring on legitimate platforms, your identity and age will need to be verified before you create an account or withdraw from this account. For those found to be underage, the account will be closed, and you’ll find it hard to recover any funds left in the account.

In 2016, as part of a wider discussion paper, the UKGC concluded that eSports betting counts as gambling. As such, the websites offering this service will need to follow all the same regulations as any other sport. Essentially, the UKGC and the 2005 Gambling Act work together to achieve three goals:

• Keep all gambling open and fair
• Prevent disorder and crime
• Protect vulnerable persons such as children

What eSports can I bet on?

Ultimately, this depends on the platform you choose. While some betting websites only cover the most popular games, others will attempt to cover all sorts of eSports events.

What are some popular games played in esports betting? Here is a list of some of the most common games bet on in the Esports category. It is not an extensive list as there are countless other games played at these huge events. These are a range of different types of video games played and watched by the vast majority of esports fans.

• NBA 2K
• Hearthstone
• League of Legends
• CS:GO
• Dota 2
• Fifa
• Call of Duty
• Rocket League
• Halo
• Fortnite
• Overwatch

In the UK, the list of eSports available for betting seems to be expanding each and every year. As more people watch the competitive streams on YouTube and Twitch, it opens the door to more competitions and more betting opportunities. For example, even games like FIFA have seen eSports betting markets.

If you have a specific game in mind, check that a prospective bookie offers this sport before you create an account only to be left disappointed.

Some of the largest prize pools for esports events

As we already know, esports are competitions and they have huge sponsorships – like many other sports. This means that there is normally a large prize for the winning team or individual at the end of the contest. As the popularity for the esport community increased so did the sponsorships and the huge prize winnings. Each year these huge million dollar pay outs get bigger and bigger and who knows where the winnings will end.

Take a look below at the table to see some of the highest prize pay outs to date over the last few years and the esports games associated with them:

Game played	Year	Prize cash value
Dota 2	2021	40 million USD
Fortnite	2019	30.4 million USD
Honor of Kings	2021	7.7 million USD
PUBG	2018	7.1 million USD
Call of Duty	2020	4.6 million USD

Why are people using Esports betting sites?

It is thought that the fact that the present generation grew up playing video games like World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike, and DOTA 2 played a factor in esports’ rapid rise to popularity. Some of which later developed into the top sports for international esports events. People connect through gaming The fact that esports are a very sociable activity is another factor in its popularity. Not only can people take part in esports but they can enjoy the fun by betting on the festivities too.

Different types of betting markets on Esports betting sites

So although there are multiple betting markets for punters to choose from, first you need to bear in mind that there are multiple different games available within the esports category. Since there are different games under the esports group you need to consider if you are betting on:

• One vs one game
• Team vs team game

What bookmakers offer eSports?

This is an interesting question, and the answer seems to be changing all the time. For some, they remain sceptical of the eSports market and they are avoiding the option as a result. For websites like Bet365 and Betway, they are fully embracing this surge in demand. In fact, some betting websites are not just offering markets but are also investing in eSports teams and sponsoring events.

When choosing a platform for eSports betting, you have two options:

• Established Betting Platform – Firstly, you can choose a big name (like those already mentioned) that have experience in all sports.
• eSports-Only Brand – Secondly, you could choose a platform that specialises in eSports and not much else.

There are pros and cons to both, but we believe the first option to be the better of the two. With an eSports-only brand, you might have a specialist service but the opportunities for growth, and therefore new features and customer experience, are limited. On the other hand, websites that cover all sports have a bigger reputation, innovate as the market develops, and have more security for the future.

What bets can I place on eSports?

If you have experience with sports betting, you’ll be somewhat familiar with your options for eSports. For example, newcomers may want to bet on the outcome of a match. Simply put, who do you think will win the event?

Alternatively, you can place accumulators, and this is where you choose a handful of fixtures and select a winner from each. Let’s say there are five fixtures; you can choose a winner from each and place a bet that all five selections are correct. If one loses, the bet loses. If all five teams win, you’ll get a nice return. With the odds of each selection multiplied together, it’s a great way to build the odds quickly.

From here, the betting options depend on the eSport you’re watching. With CS:GO, players often bet on who will win individual maps. This brings us to live betting because you can also place bets as the event unfolds. If the underdog wins the first map, you can quickly place a live bet that the favourite will win the next one. If you have knowledge of the eSport, this is a good option.

With some eSports, you can even place bets on individual players. For instance, it might be the next player to get a kill or the player to get the most kills across a whole fixture. As time goes on, betting markets are only expanding with eSports.

The different types of betting on esports are as follows:

• Tournament winner

This is when you support the individual or group you believe will come out on top. If you select the favourite, you won’t get great odds, but it’s still a fun wager that’s perfect for those of you who are new to esports betting.

• Region of winner

This is a relatively straightforward bet type as it is just when you bet on the region that the winner is from. This can be relevant whether you are betting on individuals or entire teams, all you need to do is guess the region correctly.

• Handicap

This is a weighted wager that imposes additional restrictions on teams that have an edge in order to make it more equal. This is a great way to make the game more fair for all participants, but it does mean that the team given the handicap will need to put in slightly more work. To still win this wager, a team will need to overcome the handicap.

• First Blood

Which player will score the first kill is a rather popular betting market in a few different shooter games, such as Halo, CS:GO or Call of Duty for example. A very straightforward betting type just needs you to select the player you have the most confidence in. This player does not need to finish the game in first place, they just need to have successfully made the first kill.

• Match Winner

Who will win a certain game is probably the most straightforward wager. This can be you choosing to back either one individual or an entire team but is a standard winner only bet for an individual match. This is slightly different to the tournament winner as there will be multiple matches within a tournament so they could win this even if they don’t win the other.

• Over or Under

You can also wager on the score being above or under a specific amount if you don’t know the exact result. This is a good way to make a bet on a score without needing to be as accurate as an exact score prediction.

• Time

You can wager on whether or not a game, like Overwatch, will go into overtime. If you bet that the game will go over the given time limit then any second over that time limit means you earn winnings. If the game stops at the planned stop time or ends prematurely, you will not be a winner and will not make any money on the bet in question.

How do I get started with eSports betting?

All betting experiences start with an account on a betting platform, so click on the ‘Join’ button after choosing a service. At some stage, you may need to send some documentation to verify your account; proving your address, identity, and age may seem frustrating but it helps with gambling addiction, underage gambling, and other industry problems.

With your account ready, you need to deposit funds. When doing this, remember the different banking methods and that your welcome bonus might rely on depositing a certain amount. From here, we advise absolute beginners to place small stakes just to get accustomed to the betting process. As you gain experience, you’ll quickly learn your favourite eSports and markets.

Step by step guide: How to bet on Esports using online betting sites

For today’s example we will be using the bookmaker Parimatch for our step by step guide on betting on esports.

Step #1: Log in or create a new account

When you first reach the homepage you will see both a “Log in” and a  “Sign up” button in the top right hand side of the screen. If you are a new user then you will need to register an account with the website. If you are an existing user then you can just log in using your existing credentials.

After clicking on the “Sign up” button you will see a registration form appear with some personal details you will need to fill out to create your account. These include selecting your gender, typing your first and last name, date of birth and phone number. Make sure that everything is typed in correctly as you may need to input these details at a later date for verification and two factor authentication if you get locked out of the account.

The second page of the form asks you to choose your country from a dropdown (this normally automatically selects the United Kingdom) and then it will ask that you type in your postcode. When your postcode has been typed it will give you some drop down menu addresses to select. Choose your legal residence and then continue to the next page.

The third page is where you create the account credentials like your email address and password. Make sure you remember these details as this is what you will use to log in to the account with.

Step #2: Add promotions and deposit funds

After your account is first created you will be prompted to choose a promotion that you’d like to start your account with. After this is selected and you have “opted in” to your chosen offer you will be able to choose your deposit amount so your account can be debited. This will put a new window on your screen.

Before you start choosing your deposit amount you will need to select your deposit limits. These limits allow you to continue to use the site without going over your deposit safety limits which helps to keep you safe while gambling. This amount can be changed at almost any time if necessary.

So you’ve set your limits and are ready to finally make your deposit. In the image above, you will see that you have 2 different payment methods to choose from, visa and mastercard debit cards or paypal. It will normally start with assuming you want to deposit from your card first and it will require you to input your card details. These need to be typed correctly otherwise your card will not complete the payment.

Step #3: Finding your betting market in the sportsbook

After depositing your money you will be sent back to the homepage and your payment should arrive instantly. From here you will need to look on the left side of the screen at the list of sports. There is a button that lists them from A-Z which makes it much easier to find the sport you want. As you can imagine, Esports will be listed under “E” in the list so it is relatively close to the top of the list. Click this and you will arrive in the Esports section of the sports book.

Step #4: Build your bet slip and place your wagers

So now that you are inside the sport of your choice you can see the various events listed and start choosing what you would like to bet on. On the Esports page you will have different esports to choose from including virtual football, virtual basketball and video games like Dota 2 in our example image below. In order to find the appropriate esport just scroll down until you find the one you want to bet on.

In the game Dota 2, I have selected the team named “Army Geniuses” to win so I have selected them and they are highlighted in yellow. As you can see on the right side of the page this has input this bet into the bet slip. The bet slip will show you the odds and the proposed winnings too so have a play around with the cash value you’d like to wager. As you change the value the winnings will change too. Once you have found an amount you are happy to bet, make sure you lock it in and click the green button. Failure to do so will mean your bets are not submitted.

Step #5: Wait for the bets to settle and withdraw

Once your bets have been placed all you can do is wait until the event has finished. Once it is done you will be able to see what the outcome is and whether you made any winnings. Luckily for you, the site will automatically put any winnings you earn into your e-wallet automatically.

From here, you can choose to withdraw your winnings. This can be done from your account by clicking on the balance at the stop of the homepage which will open a new window. You are only able to withdraw funds using the same method that you deposited your money previously so if you wish to withdraw to paypal instead of your debit card for example, you will first need to deposit funds using paypal to unlock the withdrawal feature.

How do you rate betting websites for eSports?

Firstly, we have extensive experience in this niche. We’ve tried nearly every platform on the market, and we know the ins and outs of how they all work. With this knowledge, we already know the pros and cons of every platform. From here, all we need to do is assess their eSports offering to decide whether or not to recommend the service to good people like yourself.

When considering eSports, we look at the number of tournaments a website offers, the markets in each fixture, and the number of games available. Most websites will offer Dota 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Not every website will go into smaller games and tournaments.

When you see a recommendation from us, you can be sure that it offers a strong eSports experience. Also, you can be confident that the platform itself has the foundation of good banking methods, customer support, VIP services, mobile experiences, bonuses and offers, and responsible gambling features.

How do I choose between the many betting websites?

You’re here, and this is a great starting point. However, even choosing from our recommendations can be difficult at times. Therefore, the best piece of advice we have is to pick a platform that meets your needs. Although we have suggestions on this page, they aren’t equal for YOU. Some won’t have the right banking methods, some won’t have all the games you want, and some may not offer extensive markets for each game. Above all else, write down a list of things YOU want from a bookmaker and find one that matches this list closely.

You might not find the ‘perfect’ betting website, but you should find something that allows you to have fun betting on the eSports you know and love.

In our opinion, there are three main things to keep in mind:

• Variety – If you’re new to eSports, you may not have a game preference. If this is the case, choose a platform that offers a good variety. Over time, you’ll learn the best eSports and the best markets for the way you bet. You can also take advantage of the many tournaments as they occur.
• Availability – Since eSports is still such a new niche, many bettors get frustrated by the availability of events on their chosen website. While some certainly have a whole page dedicated to eSports, others just have eSports as ‘specials’ and niche betting opportunities. If your main focus is on eSports, choose a platform that takes it just as seriously as yourself.
• Betting Types – Finally, we discussed the different ways to bet earlier, and this is another important consideration when choosing a website. It’s no good choosing one that doesn’t have many live betting markets if this is your sole focus.

Once you consider your own betting behaviours, it becomes much easier to find the ‘best’ website for eSports betting.

What are the payment methods for eSports betting?

Just to keep things confusing, every betting website seems to have a different selection of payment methods. When depositing into your account, the most common option is a debit card. After entering your details, choose the amount you wish to deposit, and it will enter your account. Since Visa has all sorts of security systems and technology, be confident that this is not just a convenient way to deposit and withdraw but a secure one too. In addition to Visa, most platforms will also support MasterCard debit cards.

After this, another common option is PayPal. Over the last decade, this has become perhaps the biggest and most trusted eWallet on the internet. Essentially, it acts as a digital wallet in that you can load up the wallet and then use this money all over the internet without entering your card details on each website.

With the extra security they provide, eWallets have gained in popularity through the years. With this, betting websites have also allowed other eWallets as banking methods whether this is Neteller, Skrill, Apple Pay, EcoPayz, paysafecard, or Payoneer.

Lastly, bank transfers are still an option with many platforms. For both depositing and withdrawing, you can transfer funds directly from your bank account. Be aware that this is often the slowest withdrawal method and can sometimes take up to ten business days

Do you have any advice for eSports betting?

One of the best things about eSports is that the events are so easily accessible through Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. With this in mind, we recommend watching as many tournaments and games as possible. Eventually, you’ll get used to the teams, names, and have a better understanding of how everything works. If you’re a fan already, this is great news. With any sport, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way.

Remember, betting is a game of risk against reward. Something with odds of 100/1 might make the rewards look attractive, but this is because it’s incredibly unlikely to happen. On the other hand, something with odds of 1/7 might seem a certainty but the rewards will be lower. To win something worth withdrawing, try to find the balance between risk and reward.

Also, there’s nothing wrong with live betting. Especially if you’re already watching an event, you’re in a great position to make good betting decisions. You might see that a comeback is on the cards in Rocket League, or that a favourite is going to lose. Jump on the opportunities you see and hopefully, it will lead to a quick reward.

Final thoughts on Esports betting sites

Esports might be one of the newest additions in the betting world but they have made a really quick and big impact to the industry. There are some basic rules for you to follow like you would with any sport in order to make successful bets and predictions. When you follow the tips such as reading statistics on each team or player, you give yourself the best chance to make profit. Keep up with the latest information about the games and make sure you enjoy the experience! With this, you now have all the answers you need to have a fun and rewarding experience with eSports betting! Good Luck,