The Best 5 eSports Betting Sites for 2021
- Coral
- William Hill
- Ladbrokes
- bet365
- Paddy Power
Opening an eSports betting account at one of the best legal online gambling sites in the UK is simple, and can usually be accomplished within just a matter of minutes. To do this, a user simply needs to visit the website of their choice and follow basic registration forms to guide them along. Just note that, since money is involved, these websites will tend to require identity confirmation before paying out.
Betting Markets for eSports
Many UK online bookmakers now offer markets on a range of eSports. You can bet on team winners, best players, or individual scores on DOTA 2, LOL, or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO).
The major plus of gambling on eSports is that you can bet in-running as a match takes place. Follow the action live and bet on the winner, total maps, or correct score as the game progresses in real time.
Popular eSports Bets in 2021:
- Match betting
- First Blood (Player to get first kill)
- Map winner (winner in each arena)
- Overall winner
- League winner
- Capture point winners
- Best-performing team player
- World Championships
The Biggest eSports Betting Websites
- bet365
- LuckBox
- TonyBet
- RedBet
- Unibet
There’s no shortage of eSports betting websites to choose from in the UK, here are our picks for the top five:
- Bet365 – One of the best betting websites available for any sport, with eSports as no exception.
- Luckbox – A betting website designed from the ground-up to cater to eSports and eSports alone. Great layout and design simplicity belie just how much this website can accomplish.
- Tonybet – We don’t know who Tony is, but we do know he cares about eSports. Mainly focussing on CS: GO, and LoL, Tonybet is great for these specific game fanatics.
- Redbet – Relying on Call of Duty, CS: GO, Dota 2, and LoL might make this parlour quite focused, but it does exactly what it wants to, and it does it well.
- Unibet – Another website relying on the big names; Unibet has an established reputation as a sports bookie, and they carry that expertise into eSports perfectly. Unibet even embeds Twitch streams, so you can more easily watch along as you bet!
Esports Bets On Mobile Apps
In the modern age, some of the best apps are those which run straight from a webpage. With that in mind, here are our top three apps, website or not, to use for eSports betting on Android and iOS mobile:
- LuckBox esports betting app
- Betway esports betting app
- 22Bet esports betting app
Luckbox – Not just great for PC and laptop, Luckbox offers a fantastically streamlined mobile experience.
Betway eSports – Like Bet365, Betway is one of the biggest names in the business, but don’t let their size frighten you off. A professional design philosophy means players have a lot to choose from here, and with active timetables to guide them.
22Bet – Requiring a specialised app, this service is one of the easiest to settle into once users get going. Including breakdowns of map and game stats, this service can be great for getting more details before you put any money down.
Top eSports Promotions Online
Most good UK bookmakers also offer a range of promotions on eSports. You can claim free bets when you sign up for a betting account. Just open your sportsbook account and make a first deposit. You’ll receive free bets in your account to use on eSports of your choice. You can withdraw any winnings as long as you meet the small wagering requirements.
Popular eSports promo offers for the UK:
- Free bets
- Deposit match
- Risk-free bets (money back on losing bets)
- Acca insurance
- Acca boost
- Boosted odds
Best eSports Games for Betting
Professional eSports (“electronic sports”) is one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries in the world. Millions tune in on Twitch and TV every year to watch some of the hottest young eSports pros and teams doing battle in international stadia. Even English Premier League teams like Liverpool and Manchester City have their own pro eSports teams who compete in games like FIFA.
Amateur gamers can head online and take on some excellent players in games like Starcraft II and League of Legends (LoL). But the biggest prizes are reserved for the professionals. World Championships in many games are held every year, with some of the best players commanding million-dollar salaries.
Popular eSports Games:
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
- CS:GO – Gamers Without Borders
- Starcraft II
- League of Legends (LOL)
- Overwatch League (OWL)
- Rocket League
- Rainbow Six
- DOTA 2
You can place real-money bets at UK bookmakers on a range of professional eSports. Back the biggest teams in games like DOTA 2 and Starcraft II or bet on outright World Championship or league winners. Most bookies carry Outright odds on the winner of the big championships many months ahead of time.
Call of Duty: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Online Betting Sites
Call of Duty: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a hit multi-player FPS (First Person Shooter) from Valve which has grown to become one of the biggest eSports in the world.
In the game, two teams (Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists) compete to win a series of maps. The Terrorists must plant and trigger a bomb, while it’s the job of the Counter-Terrorists to defuse it and win the round. The Counter-Terrorists can also win be killing Terrorists.
CS:GO is played in professional leagues across the globe. The biggest is the CS:GO Major Championships (“Majors”) which is sponsored by the game creators and has taken place every year since 2013.
The first CS:GO Majors boasted a prizepool worth $250,000 but recent expansions have led to teams competing for prizes worth $1-2m. 2021’s PGL Major Stockholm will feature 24 competing teams who will qualify for the event through home rankings.
During the year, you’ll be able to bet on a host of CS:GO leagues, tournaments, and invitationals. Back your favourite championship winners such as Astralis and ENCE, and bet on everything from outright winner to correct score and 1st Pistol.
Popular CS:GO Betting Markets
- Map Winner
- Match Betting Handicap
- Match Betting
- Pistol Round Winner
- Total Maps Played
- Correct Score
Best 2021 CS:GO Online Bookmakers
- William Hill
- Paddy Power
- Sky Bet
DOTA 2 Online Betting
DOTA 2 is a multi-player online battle arena (MOBA) game designed by Valve. It’s played by millions across the world and has now entered the pro e-Sports world with top teams battling it out for millions in prize money.
In DOTA 2, two teams control a group of heroes aiming to destroy their opponents’ ‘Ancient’. The two teams (‘Radiant’ and ‘Dire’) are composed of five players who take on the role of a different hero and navigate maps. Each hero has its own role and abilities, including basic attacks and magic.
Professional DOTA 2 teams compete in international leagues and championships. The DOTA Pro Circuit culminates in The International, which is held live in a different arena each season. It’s an invite-only tournament for the top DOTA 2 teams in the world. 12 teams will have qualified through the DOTA Pro Circuit while 6 more teams come through via regional qualifiers in Europe, America, and Asia.
The best DOTA 2 online betting sites offer markets on all major tournaments and big league clashes taking place around the globe. You can back famous teams like the Evil Geniuses, Virtus.pro, and Invictus. Bet on the winner through Match Betting or go for the Correct Score (best of 3). You can also place wagers live through in-play markets.
Popular DOTA 2 Betting Markets
- Match Betting
- Match Betting Handicap
- Total Maps Played Over/Under
- Correct Score (Best of 3)
Best DOTA 2 Online Betting Sites
- Coral
- William Hill
- Ladbrokes
League of Legends Betting Sites
League of Legends (LOL) is one of the hottest video games around. It boasts millions of players around the world who do battle in teams of five trying to destroy the other’s team base.
Along the way, teams must take out robot minions and their opponents while breaking into the Nexus, the final hurdle en route to winning the match.
Each player controls one “champ” who takes on a different role according to team dynamics. Teams must carefully decide which roles are assigned to each player, as they will have individual duties. LOL games can last around half an hour.
The League of Legends season culminates in a World Championship which is streamed live and watched by millions across the world. The eSport is particularly popular in the UK and China.
The elite league is the LEC, Europe’s premier professional LOL eSports league. 10 teams face off during a season, with the top 6 teams going forward to a round of playoffs.
Popular League of Legends (LOL) Betting Markets
- Outright Winner
- Match Betting
- Map Winner
- Total Maps Played
- Correct Score
- Map Rounds Handicap
Best League of Legends UK Betting Sites
- William Hill
- Coral
- bet365
Is it legal to bet on e-Sports in the UK?
Absolutely! You can place real-money bets on top e-Sports leagues and championships in games like DOTA 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. You’ll be able to place bets as long as you are aged 18 or over.
What e-Sports can I bet on?
The top UK bookmakers offer e-Sports bets on all major pro video games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Starcraft II. Bet on Outrights for upcoming tournaments or bet in-play on the winner of the next map or piston.
Can I get an e-Sports betting promotion?
Yes. Most good online betting sites run regular promotions like enhanced odds and acca insurance. You can earn a welcome bonus if you are a new player, including a deposit match or free bets.
E-sports Sites & Payment Methods They Offer
Bet on e-Sports for real money with the best sportsbooks in 2021! Make instant payments by debit card or e-Wallet and hit the in-running markets right away. You can even claim a welcome bonus when you make your first real-cash deposit.
Our Top e-Sports Sites for 2021
| Sports Betting Site | Welcome Bonus |
| William Hill | 100% welcome bonus & enhanced prices |
| Coral | Bet £5, Get £20 Free Bets |
| Bet365 | £100 Free Bet Credits |
| Ladbrokes | Bet £5, Get £20 Free Bets |
| Sky Bet | Bet £5, Get £20 Free Bets |
How to Make an eSports Betting Deposit
Good e-Sports betting websites let you make deposits via a range of payment options. You can use your UK debit card or send cash instantly through your e-Wallet. Under current UK gaming law, credit cards are no longer accepted.
Debit cards are the cheapest way to pay for your e-Sports. You can usually deposit from just £5-10 in one go. Plus, you can save your card details on the gambling site and make quick deposits with just your password. There’s no need to enter your whole card number every time you pay.
Most modern gambling sites for e-Sports also accept mobile payments like Google Pay and Apple Pay.
Popular e-Sports betting deposit methods:
- Debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa Electron): £5-£25,000
- e-Wallet (PayPal, Skrill): £10-£5,000
- paysafecard: £5-£1,000
- Google Pay: £5-£5,000
- Apple Pay: £5-£5,000
- Online bank transfer: £50-£100,000
- Personal cheque: £50-£50,000
It’s easy to make an online sports betting deposit. Open the cashier tab and select your preferred method from the list available. You’ll also see the min/max deposit limits and any fees that apply.
Next, enter the amount you want to deposit and provide your account password. Hit the ‘Deposit’ button to complete the deposit process.
Making eSports Betting Withdrawals
You can also make quick withdrawals from your betting account back to a bank account, e-Wallet, or debit card. Withdrawals should be free, but always check the sports betting site to see if they apply any charges.
Net Withdrawals
Legal UK sportsbooks will normally issue withdrawals back to the same card or e-Wallet you deposited with. This is to avoid problems associated with money-laundering.
So, if you deposit with a Visa card, your money will be processed back to the same card. If you used a paysafecard voucher to deposit with, your withdrawal will be processed via online bank transfer.
Processing Times
All sports betting websites have standard clearance procedures when processing a withdrawal. This can sometimes add a day or two to the withdrawal process.
Standard withdrawal times:
- e-Wallet (e.g. PayPal, Skrill): 1-2 business days
- Debit card (e.g. Visa, MasterCard, Maestro): 2-5 business days
- paysafecard account: 1-2 business days
- Personal cheque: 5-28 business days
- Bank transfer: 2-5 business days
Fast Withdrawals
The best online sports betting sites can even offer Fast Withdrawals depending on your deposit method. You can enjoy Fast Withdrawals if you use a Visa debit card from participating banks.
Instead of the usual 2-5 business days, you’ll get your winnings within just 2 hours. However, you may be limited to withdrawing up to £1,500 only.