Esports, short for electronic sports, has gained tremendous popularity worldwide. The industry has grown at breakneck speed and was valued at over $1.1 billion as of 2023, with projections reaching $1.8 billion by 2024. It boasts a global audience of more than 532 million people, and is driven by major tournaments like The International and League of Legends World Championship, which offer eye watering multi-million-dollar prize pools. Other fan favourites include titles like Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
The sheer scale of gaming fandom has brought Esports into the same fold as other major sports around the world. And the Esports betting industry is a thriving one, with platforms like Stake.com offering a plethora of betting markets on major events such as The International and the Riyadh Masters. Wondering how to get on the Esports bandwagon? Read on.
Major Esports Games and Tournaments
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) This first-person shooter game pits two teams of five against each other in a bomb-diffusion scenario. The ESL, one of the biggest CS: GO events, attracts thousands of fans.
Dota 2 As one of the most popular MOBA games, Dota 2 offers strategic gameplay where players capture the opponent’s map. The International is the premier event, with prize pools reaching up to $40 million.
League of Legends (LoL) Another MOBA game with a vast following, LoL tournaments like the World Championship and regional events such as the Iberian Cup are major betting attractions.
FIFA (EAFC) FIFA allows players to control real teams and players, which has it pinned as a perennial favourite among football fans. Numerous tournaments are available for betting throughout the year.
How to Bet on Esports Online
Betting on Esports is similar to traditional sports betting in many ways. Just like in football or basketball, players can bet on match winners, tournament champions, and more specific outcomes like the number of maps or rounds won in games like League of Legends or CS: GO. Wagers can be placed during gameplay, much like they do while wagering on any live sporting event, such as tennis or football. The variety of bets and proliferation of markets in esports mirrors those found in all major sports today.
To bet on esports online at a leading Esports betting platform like Stake.com, players need to follow these steps:
- Create an Account: Sign up at Stake.com and deposit funds in chosen currency or cryptocurrency.
- Select an Event: Choose from a variety of esports events and leagues.
- Place Your Bet: Decide on the type of bet to be placed, such as the winner, tournament winner, or map winner. For Esports tournaments for EAFC (FIFA) and other sports, betting varieties are just like they would be on their physical versions.
- Don’t Forget the Bonuses and Offers: Platforms like Stake are bound to always have terrific offers for players. Don’t shy away from using them.
Learn more about how to bet on Esports online and get started today.
Types of Esports Bets
Here’s a broad categorisation of Esports bets players can make:
Match Winner: Bet on the team you think will win a match. Most matches are played over multiple legs in a best-of format.
Tournament Winner: Place an outright bet on the team you believe will win a tournament.
Map Winner: In games like LoL and Dota 2, bet on the team that will win a specific map.
Totals Bet: Bet on the total number of maps that will be contested in a game.
Parlay Bet: Combine multiple selections in a single bet slip for higher payouts. All selections must win for the bet to pay out.
Live Streaming and Live Betting
All major platforms offering Esports betting will have fantastic live HD streaming for all major esports events. Players can login to place live bets on live matches, and get down to predicting the winner of the next map or the next goal scorer in EAFC. Live betting adds more excitement as players get to react to the action as it unfolds.
Esports Betting Tips and Strategies
To increase the odds of winning in esports betting, players can try out the following:
- Know the Teams/Players: Check the current form and historical performance of Esports teams and players, especially ahead of major tournaments like The International.
- Understand the Game: First timers should get familiar with how the games work and certainly understand the rules. Playing the game yourself or watching live streams can provide great insights.
- Bet Responsibly: Players must always know their budget and play well within it. Platforms like Stake.com have their own responsible gambling tools and budget calculators that players can use to set limits on their sessions and spends.
- Take Advantage of Promotions: Players can boost their bankrolls by going for bonuses and promotions offered by their preferred platform. They may have VIP programs as well for even more exclusive rewards.
- Follow Expert Advice: Refer to expert betting tips and guides. These are also available on sites like Stake.com and can help players learn additional strategies and gain greater insights.
Esports Betting Odds and Payouts
Stake.com offers competitive odds for esports betting. You can choose how odds are displayed (decimals, fractions, or American format). Withdrawals are processed instantly, ensuring quick access to your winnings. You can also store funds securely in the Stake Vault.
