Watching your favorite gamers compete in tournaments is the same as watching your favorite athletes in a football, basketball, or baseball match. That’s already thrilling enough, but you can take things up a notch by placing real money bets.
These days, it’s easier than ever to wager on your favorite teams or clans because more and more online sportsbooks are starting to offer eSports betting.
Many would now have odds on tournaments for popular multiplayer games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant, and DOTA.
If you’ve never wagered on sports before, participating in eSports betting can easily feel overwhelming. But it’s always taking the first step that matters, and to many, that’s finding the right platform to place their bets.
A quick Google search could help you find an endless list of online bookies offering odds on eSports, but it’s always wise to know what you should be looking for before you decide a certain platform is worth it.
Most Important Factors To Consider When Shopping for a Bookie
So, what are the things to look for to know that a certain bookie is worth your time and money? Here are some of them that you should consider:
Your Online Security
We can’t stress enough how important it is that you prioritize your online safety. This can have something to do with protecting your information and of course, your money. How do you know if an online bookie is safe?
Well, start with checking if they have a secure site. The easiest way to go about this is by checking their web address. Always go for sites that begin with “HTTPS. Browsers like Chrome and Opera GX will also let you know if their site is secure if they have a padlock icon on the address bar.
Then you can dig deeper and check if they are licensed. This information is usually available at the bottom of a casino or sportsbook site.
Licenses are issued by certain jurisdictions and the most common ones you might encounter are those from Curacao, Costa Rica, Malta, and the UK.
Betting Markets
The diversity and depth of betting markets can significantly impact your overall experience. Look for bookies that offer a wide range of options, including pre-match, live betting, and prop bets, across various eSports titles.
The availability of niche markets for specific games or tournaments can also be a deciding factor for seasoned bettors.
Live Betting and Streaming
Since we mentioned live betting, know that this isn’t something most online bookies are offering for eSports competitions. If they do, it doesn’t mean that you have to get into it. Live betting is fast-paced and requires quick decision-making.
That said, this might only be a good option if you’re well-versed in placing bets online and know a lot about the game and team you’re thinking of wagering on.
Also, if a platform does offer live betting, check if they have streaming available. This will make it easier for you to watch matches live without interruptions as you place your bets.
Bonuses and Promotions
This is something you’ll want to seriously consider if you’re serious about eSports betting. If your main goal is to make profits, then you’ll want to take advantage of any ongoing offers.
Many online sportsbooks offer free bets, loyalty programs, and deposit matches to boost your bankroll. You never know what a free bet can give, but what’s most important when it comes to this is that you review the bonus terms.
Top Sportsbooks Offering Odds on eSports
Now that you know what you should be looking for, here are some of the popular online sportsbooks offering odds on the hottest eSports tournaments.
10CRIC
While many would recognize this as a cricket betting site, 10CRIC offers odds on various events. They usually have odds on Overwatch OWL, Call of Duty World League, DOTA 2 China Supermajor, and League of Legends Championship.
MyStake
If you have crypto, there are plenty of online bookies that allow you to use them on your bets. MySTake is one of the best options, and they usually have odds on Conter-Strike, Dota 2, Valorant, Rocket League, and Arena of Valor competitions.
Betway
Betway is easily one of the most popular and trusted platforms worldwide. They’re known for their diverse online betting market, and they’re now offering odds eSports tournaments for games like Counter-Strike and League of Legends.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Keep those in mind when looking for the right eSports betting platform for yourself. If you’re having a hard time choosing just one site, feel free to join multiple online bookies.
Betting possibilities are pretty much limitless online, and it’s even encouraged to have accounts on multiple sites so you can shop around for competitive betting odds whenever a tournament is on.