Casino Legends UK eSports Betting Guide
Get in on the action of professional gaming today with the Casino Legends ultimate eSports betting guide for UK bettors. Here, you will find vital details on how to get started, understand eSports odds, betting markets, where to find the best online eSports betting sites, and more.
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Top Websites for eSports Betting
Looking for the perfect online sportsbook for your next eSports bet? Casino Legends is here to kickstart your eSports betting spree with our professional recommendations of the best eSports betting sites in the UK.
Sports Welcome Offer
PAYMENT METHOD
Popular eSports Tournaments on Offer for Betting
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League Of Legends
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StarCraft
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Valorant
Sports Welcome Offer
PAYMENT METHOD
Popular eSports Tournaments on Offer for Betting
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League of Legends
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StarCraft 2
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CS2
Best UK Sites For Online eSports Betting
T&C APPLY
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Unibet – By Players for Players
Unibet stands as a Casino Legend-favourite online sportsbook in the UK due to its sure focus on a wide variety of eSports wagering options, fairness, generosity, and responsible gambling at its core. Unibet aims to provide its members with constant online eSports betting opportunities and promotional offers to create the perfect online gambling environment for any eSports fan.
Unibet is furthermore licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which stands proud with its family of Kindred Group online gambling sites that provide everything you need in a reputable online sportsbook and casino.
With Unibet’s creation purely being the product of the founder’s goal of wanting to help sports bettors make informed bets with the potential of winning real money, there is a lot to look forward to in terms of transparency and fairness, not to mention the ultimate source of entertainment-focused directly on sports, such as UnibetTV streaming service for live eSports betting.
Indulge in online eSports betting today with the Unibet Sports Welcome Offer, where you can get cashback if your first bet loses and get an additional £10 in casino bonus credit.
Casino Legends Best eSports Betting Sites UK Approval Criteria
Casino Legends provides you with vital information surrounding reliable, fair, and generous sportsbooks for eSports betting. With a focus on the UK online gambling market, all our approved casinos are available to UK players, possess the proper licensing, have secure banking, fair wagering requirements, and more. Find out more about our approval criteria for online UK sportsbooks below to understand how we have narrowed down the best eSports betting UK platforms that are approved by Casino Legends.
Licensing and Regulation
Licensing and regulation are the first and most important factors that we look into before considering approving the casino for our recommendation. All online casinos in the UK are obligated to be licensed and regulated by the UKGC – UK Gambling Commission. Being licensed and regulated by the UKGC immediately establishes trust towards an eSports betting site’s fairness and responsible gambling tools, providing you with a positive online eSports betting experience.
Variety of Games and Sports Betting Options
A wide variety of games and betting options are available from Casino Legends-approved eSports betting sites. We carefully consider which online casinos and sportsbooks have a wide variety of games as well as sports betting options. With sports betting being an essential part of UK online gambling we carefully consider whether the sportsbook and casino provides their members with a decent selection of sports and honest eSports odds.
Odds and Betting Options
Some casinos may preset their members with better odds than others and may even ensure the best possible odds with certain promotions, such as 32Red’s Daily Horse Racing price Boosts, giving you the best possible horse racing prices online. Types of bets are also extremely important with eSports betting, and we ensure that the majority of popular bet types are supported by our recommended casinos and sportsbooks.
Security Measures
With cybercrime being a cause for concern on any online platform where banking is used, we ensure that all Casino Legends – approved casinos have proper safety and security measures in place for your data and banking information. Most casinos recommended by Casino Legends have at least a 128-bit secure socket system to ensure that all your information is stored safely.
Promotions and Bonuses
Any online casino worth its approval status will have helpful eSports betting bonuses and promotions for players to make use of. When placing bets on eSports, it is vital to start out with a welcome bonus that could assist you in placing bets with peace of mind and the ability to eventually win real money. View Casino Legends bonus guides for the ultimate overview of different sports betting promotions available to increase eSports odds, incorporate eSports betting strategies, and more.
Payment Options
Looking to join an online sportsbook for eSports betting? Then, it is vital to consider the payment options available from different sites. We carefully investigate which payment options are available from each UK-licensed casino and sportsbook we recommend to ensure that only reliable and trusted methods are presented for deposits and withdrawals. Furthermore, we only recommend eSports betting platforms with a proven payout record, fast withdrawals, and deposits.
What is eSports Betting?
eSports refers to professional competitive gaming and has become one of the most popular sports to bet on online. eSports betting involves placing bets on the team you think may win as well as other betting markets that you may be interested in wagering for the same as with other sports. eSports events are plenty, and some tournaments draw crowds of tens of thousands of spectators to take part in the thrill and excitement of teams competing for the ultimate prize.
Benefits of eSports Betting
Betting on eSports is the perfect entry into the world of betting, especially if you have plenty of knowledge of gaming and the teams that are involved in eSports. Besides the potential for winning real money, it also stands as proper online entertainment if you are placing live in-play bets while the action unfolds with the biggest championships, such as The International and League Of Legends Championships.
Top 10 Games in eSports for Online Betting
Depending on your knowledge of professional gaming, you may want to do research into the different games being played in professional gaming eSports. The popular games listed below are among the most competitive games in eSports. All games listed here are available from the best eSports betting sites for CSGO, Dota 2, and League of Legends betting.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO)
League of Legends
Dota 2
Fortnite
Overwatch
Valorant
World of Warcraft
Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Clash of Clans
Top Games in eSports Betting – In-Depth Overview
If you are already a fan of eSports, you are probably already clued up with the most popular games in eSports that have proven to be forced to reckon with among the best eSports teams. Below, you can find more information on the games that are famous for being among the most competitive championships to bet on.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – CSGO Betting
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, also known as CS:GO, stans as a first-person shooter game that has been a prevalent title in the eSports scene for over a decade. The tournaments comprise five players competing in a series of rounds with the goal of eliminating opposing teams from the game. The game is known for its high-intense gameplay and a dedicated fanbase. There are many tournaments that run annually under the Counter-Strike flag, including The Majors, which sees up to 16 teams competing for the prize pool.
LoL – League of Legends Betting
League of Legends, also known as “LoL”, is a multiplayer online battle arena game which has been considered to be a staple game among gamers and more so in eSports. The game’s premise surrounds the goal for two teams of five players to battle it out with the goal of destroying the opposing team’s “nexus”. If you are looking to make live in-play eSports bets, then you can consider international tournaments such as Mid-Season Invitational major leagues and World Championships of League of Legends.
Dota 2 – Dota 2 Betting
Dota 2 is yet another popular multiplayer online battle arena game with a large following in eSports. Dota 2 also involves 2 teams of 5 players battling it out for the first prize. Dota 2 possesses a few international tournaments which have been proven to be among the most competitive tournaments in eSports with some of the most prominent teams in eSports battling it out. The competitiveness of Dota 2 can be considered to be largely due to the game “The International” championship, which is known for having the largest prize pool in eSports, reaching up to $1.6 million in 2021.
Top eSports Teams for Online Betting
eSports is one of the fastest-growing sports to bet on in the UK, making it vital to do proper research into the participating teams of a championship you are considering placing bets on. Some teams, although proven to be extremely strong, may not be as promising to bet on with certain games. Consider the details teams below with your next eSports betting strategy for the most promising chance of placing a winning bet.
Team Liquid
Team Liquid is a team from the USA that competes in a variety of games, including League of Legends, CS:GO, and Dota 2. This team is on the top of our list to bet on as they have a strong track record in all of the games they are actively competing in and have won multiple championships. They are known for an aggressive playing style, which assists in creating a competitive environment and is perfect for live betting.
Evil Geniuses
The Evil Geniuses are based in Washington, USA and was founded in 1999. Over the years, they have become one of the most recognized eSports teams to bet on, as they have won numerous championships. If you want to place an eSports bet on Evil Geniuses, consider their strong points in Dota 2, Call of Duty, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) at the highest levels. Furthermore, their consistency with their player roster has proven to be a fierce competition of other teams, making them the perfect team to bet on in competitive championships.
Natus Vincere (Na’Vi)
This Ukrainian metagaming eSports organization was formed in 2009 and forms teams for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, FIFA, World of Tanks, and Dota 2 championships. The Natus Vincere team is particularly known for their success in CS:GO, making for great odds when betting. Mateer, in fact, the team started their successful eSports journey by winning the first ever CS:GO Major Championships back in 2011. Many sports bettors choose to place their bets on top Na’Vi players, including Oleksandr’s “s1mple” Kostyliev, who is particularly known as one of the best CS:GO gamers in the world.
Fnatic
The Fnatic teams compete in many eSports games, including League Of Legends, CS: GO, and Dota 2. They have become a favourite team to bet on among sports bettors due to their consistent success being a top-performing team in many world championships including their Dota 2 team placing second at the Dota 2 Asia Championships.
FaZe Clan
The Faze Clan team is known particularly well for their success in Fortnite, Call of Duty, and CS:GO. They are considered to have among the best players in the world with Call of Duty such as James Eubanks. Although the team is quite new to the world of eSports championships they are growing in popularity among bettors at a surprising rate.
Team Vitality
Team Vitality is the go-to team for eSports betting on League of Legends, as they have an impressive track record of wins. In 2020, the team won both the LEC Spring Split and the European Masters Summer and placed second in the LEC Summer Split, showcasing their consistent winning streaks.
Most Popular Events for eSports Betting
eSport brings many events to bet on online and can even be streamed live via your chosen sportsbook if they provide live eSports betting options. The tournaments and events listed below are considered to be among the most popular events for online eSports betting in the UK.
League of Legends World Championship
The League of Legends World Championship is an annual event that aims to bring together the best-of-the-best teams from all around the world to compete for the world champion title in League of Legends. Some of the most prominent teams with a proven track record in this championship include JD Gaming, Team Vitality, and Gen G. League of Legends Championships encompass some of the most exciting moments in eSports with top-ranking teams competing for the title and an extreme prize amount. This event is considered among the most popular for League of Legends betting online.
ELEAGUE Major Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
This vital tournament in eSports is focused on the multiplayer first-person shooter game that has gained a massive following over the years as an essential eSports game, “CS:GO”. The ELEAGUE Major is the culmination of months of qualifying tournaments with some of the world’s best teams battling it out for their spot to compete for the title. This championship tournament stands as a great opportunity for eSports fans and sports bettors to place their bets on the strongest teams participating, as the event is known to be very competitive.
Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
The Intel Extreme Masters takes the top spot for anticipation each year and provides esports fans and sports bettors the ultimate thrill in entertainment. The event revolves around the CS:GO game, with some of the most prominent eSports teams competing for the grand prize. With the high level of competition bringing the strongest teams together, many sports bettors use the event for live esports betting to enhance the overall thrill and excitement. The Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike event generally takes place during the month of October, making it one of the last major eSports events to bet on in the year.
The International – DOTA 2
The International – Dota 2 is by far the biggest eSports event in the world, with an annual prize pool of up to $40 Million for the participating teams competing. With the highly anticipated event drawing large crowds each year sports bettors can look forward to sharing the thrill and excitement when placing their bets via live streams on UnibetTV in the UK. The event sees the strongest teams competing for the grand prize by playing Dota 2.
Types of eSports Betting Markets
New to eSports betting? There are tons of betting markets to consider when looking to wager on your favourite or an underdog team. The bet markets listed below are among the most popular and versatile types of bets for both beginner and advanced sports bettors after considering the latest eSports betting predictions.
Match Winner
The match-winner bet is the ultimate bet type for beginners to try, as long as you understand the basics of eSports. With a match-winner bet, you simply need to predict which of the opposing teams in an eSports tournament would win. For example, you can bet that 100 thieves will win DRX in the Valorant Championships match. It is furthermore essential to not simply bet on your favourite team but to consider important factors that play a role in the match such as the gamers on the current roster of the teams. Do proper research into the opposing teams’ track record to conclude which team may have the best chance of winning.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is the perfect option to level the playing field between two opposing teams in a tournament and to give the underdog a “virtual advantage” in the form of betting. In eSports, a handicap vet would usually involve giving one player a virtual advantage in the game itself. As an example, if there is a matchup between two gamers from opposing teams in a first-shooter game, one player might be a favourite among fans to win, which would cause the sportsbook to offer a handicapped vet where you can bet on the opposing player with a 2.4 point spread. In essence, even if the preferred player wins with around 2 points, the bet on the underdog player would still win.
Maps Winner
Betting on the round or map winner is considered to be among the most popular betting markets, with gaming experts who have vast knowledge of each gamer’s ability to progress in a game. Depending on the teams who are competing, this may be a risky bet to wager on. The bet simply requires you to determine which team would be winning the first, second, or third map in the event.
Player Prop Bets
Player Prop Bets are based on player performance and can include a variety of scenarios, including how many kills a certain gamer makes in a round, which team will get first blood (make the first kill), the duration of the match, and more. If you are a casual sports bettor, A player prop bet can be the perfect addition to your next live eSports betting session.
Live “In-Play” Betting on eSports
Live in-play sports betting is supported by most online sportsbooks that have sports streaming available on their site. This feature makes it possible for sports bettors to watch the action unfold live.
What is Live Betting
Live betting makes it possible for you to view an entire tournament/match while it is being streamed live on the platform you are placing your bets on. Live eSports betting furthermore makes it possible for you to place bets while streaming the game and being able to place bets based on your feelings on how the match is progressing. Live eSports betting is vital for those looking for a more competitive betting experience. With live betting, you are also able to use a larger variety of bet types and take part in promotions specifically designed for live “in-play” betting.
What Can You Bet on with Live Betting
Whether you are looking to bet specifically on sports or try your luck with football, tennis, darts, or even politics, Casino Legends-approved sportsbooks have many options to choose from. Live sport betting
Types of Bets for Live In-Play Betting
Live eSports betting provides you with a variety of bet markets to use as you make real-time decisions on the best you think will work for you. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that with live betting, the odds can change in a matter of seconds. This is due to the match progressing and shifting odds quickly in response to the changes in the game.
Moneyline Bet
Even though the traditional money bet can be used on standard live betting as well as live betting, it works well with live in-play betting due to its basic requirement of simply trying to determine who will win the match. This is a straightforward bet, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced sports bettors.
Spread Bet
A spread bet involves bettors betting on a team to win by a certain number of points or rounds and is considered one of the more difficult yet very promising bets to make in any sports match.
Other Popular Live Bets
With in-play betting, you can also make use of interesting bet types, such as betting on which individual players will score first, which teams will make the first kill, and more.
Understanding eSports Odds: Odds Explanation
Odds play a critical role in determining the potential payouts of your sports wager. Understanding how odds work and the types of odds to keep an eye out for can greatly enhance your sports betting experience. Let’s break down all you need to understand about odds with your next eSports wagering bet.
Decimal Odds / European Odds
Decimal odds, also known as European odds, represent a decimal number value such as 1.5, 2.1, etc. The decimal amount provides the total payout you can expect to receive if you have placed a winning bet. You can calculate your potential payout with decimal odds by simply multiplying your bet amount by the decimal odds. For example, let’s say you have placed a £10 bet on Team Liquid with odds of 2.5 your potential payout is £25; 10 (bet amount) X 2.5 (odds) = £25.
Fractional Odds
With fractional odds, the first number represents the potential winning amount you can expect with a successful bet, whereas the second number represents the amount that needs to be wagered to win the potential winning. If you see odds of 6/1, it means you stand a chance to win x6 units for every single unit wagered. If you want to calculate your potential payout, simply multiply the wager amount by the first number in the fraction value. In essence, for every £1 you wager, you can expect a £6 return if your bet wins.
Moneyline Odds
Moneyline odds are always stipulated with a positive or negative symbol in front of the numerical value. They are used to indicate the likelihood of the team beating the opposing team. A positive (+) symbol indicates an underdog team, and the negative symbol (-) indicates a favourite team that is generally bet on by most bettors. For example, if you bet on a team with a -150 odds, you would need to bet £150 to win £100. On the other side of the odds, a +150 odds bet requires you to bet £100 to win £150, providing a greater potential payout.
Implied Probability
An implied probability is a sportsbook’s way of determining the likelihood of an outcome based on the odds presented. As an example, if an online sportsbook offers odds of 2.00 on the team to win an eSports event, the implied probability of that team winning is 50%. This will help you to evaluate the true value of the bet by using the following formula; 1 (implied probability) / 2.00 (odds) = 0.50%.
Types of eSports Betting Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions from trusted online sportsbooks are designed purely to give sports bettors a chance to up their game through the use of free bet credit, the ability to cash out, and more. Below, you can find examples of some of the most popular sports bonuses and promotions you can expect to find with Casino Legends-approved online sportsbooks.
No Deposit Bonuses
Simply put, no-deposit bonuses don’t require a deposit for players to be eligible. No-deposit bonuses are generally not part of welcome offers and are considered to be bonuses and promotions focused on existing members of a sportsbook to better their overall experience. No-deposit bonuses are generally offered in the form of a cashback, points system, odds boosts, and other types of offers.
Looking for a no-deposit sports bonus? Try Unibet’s “Get Cashback” promotion to receive up to 10% cashback on your casino activity and 5% on sports activity.
Deposit Bonuses
Deposit bonuses can be provided in many forms including welcome offers, match bonuses, or both combined. Deposit bonuses require you to make a minimum deposit before being eligible for the bonus. Deposit bonuses that provide you with bet credit or match bonuses are generally tied to wagering requirements, which you need to consider before opting in for the promotion, as you would need to re-wager the provided bonus credit up to x40 times before being able to withdraw real money wins. By opting in for a welcome deposit bonus, you will have the perfect start to your online eSports betting journey and be able to enhance your overall experience with free credit-based gameplay.
Cash-Out Bonus
Cash-out bonuses are perfect for those risky bets. If you are looking to place a bet when you are not sure whether you are making the right choice, this type of promotion can give you peace of mind, knowing you will be able to draw out of your commitment and receive a partial amount that you wagered back. Generally, a cash-out bonus can only be used if you cancel your bet before the end results of the match are known. Some tournaments may also be excluded from these promotions.
Looking for a Cash-out bonus? Try the 32Red “Cash-Out Your Bets” promotion for peace of mind in the ability to settle your bets before or during an eSports event.
Odds Boost Promotion
eSports odds boost promotions can truly enhance your overall experience in eSports betting by providing you with payouts of higher odds even when your winning bet was placed on lower odds. For example, when making use of Unibet’s “Best Odds Guaranteed” promotion, you will be paid out at 8/1 even if your bet was placed at 6/1. Odds boost bonuses are available from the best eSports betting sites in the UK, including 32Red and Unibet, although eSports events may not always be included, as odds boosts are mostly focused on horse racing. Keep an eye on Casino Legends bonus guides for currently available odds boost promotions.
eSports Betting Tips and Strategies
With the rise in popularity of sports betting, eSports has taken the lead of being one of the most popular and accessible sports for betting online. With the rise of competitive gaming, there are many different choices in types of bet markets and strategies to maximize your winning potential through eSports betting predictions. Wager on matches by using any of the eSports betting tips and strategies listed below for greater winning potential.
Bankroll Management
Don’t fall victim to your own lack of bankroll management. One of the biggest mistakes that many beginners make is not properly managing their bankroll (available funds and budget). Simply put, any sports bettor looking to successfully place bets and have a real chance at winning real money should create a budget and stick to it no matter what. Determine how much money you are willing to spend on each match or single wager and consider it each time you make a bet. The biggest mistake you can make is to start chasing your losses by trying to make bigger “irresponsible” bets as you lose more bets. You can also make use of your online casino’s responsible gambling tools that help you limit your deposits and wager amounts.
Make a Value Bet
A value bet simply adds more value to the given odds by increasing the odds that are set out for wagering against the actual odds of an outcome in the eSports match. By making a value bet, you will be able to win more than the actual odds would have paid out in a win, and it stands as one of the most helpful eSports strategies. In essence, many online sportsbooks may have their odds set lower than what they should be, which is why it is important to always shop around for the best odds possible for a particular eSports tournament.
Line Shopping
Line shopping simply involves shopping around for the best odds on offer. Not all sportsbooks have the same odds with every given tournament or match, and you should make an effort to find the best odds. Some sportsbooks may even have promotions set on certain tournaments where the odds on a particular team or player will be boosted to provide you with a competitive edge.
In-Play Betting Opportunities
Live eSports betting stands as one of the most thrilling experiences any sports bettor can experience online. In-play betting, or “live betting”, simply involves streaming the tournament live on your favourite online sportsbook and placing bets as the game progresses. Many in-play betting opportunities are available for streaming without costs, such as with Unibet’s UnibetTV, where you can stream any tournament as long as you have placed a bet in the past 24 hours or have an active cash casino balance.
Is eSports Betting Legal in the UK?
Yes. Firstly, it is important to understand that the UK’s gambling laws are prominent throughout all forms of betting, whether on eSports, traditional table games, or video slots. In general, eSports betting is treated the same as traditional sports betting and falls under the same sports betting category when you access an online casino or sportsbook. As with all online gambling actions, it is vital to only make use of legally licenced and regulated online casinos and sportsbooks. If you are looking for the best esports betting sites, consider choosing any of the Casino Legends-approved platforms, which are all licenced and regulated in the UK.
How is eSports Betting Regulated?
All gambling platforms online are licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission in order to enforce strict rules that will protect all online bettors. Getting in on the action with professional gaming by placing your bets with a reputable online sportsbook is completely legal yet should be done responsibly. Responsible gambling assistance is furthermore available through reputable online sportsbooks such as Unibet and 32Red, where you have the ability to set deposit and wager limits to help curb your budget.
How to Know That Betting Is Fair
The UK Gambling Commission ensures that all gambling practices online are done fairly and without prejudice. You can gamble online knowing that all results are done fairly. Furthermore, it is vital to always ensure that an online casino or sportsbook has a track record for paying out wins to its members.
eSports FAQ
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How to calculate potential payout??
From the moment you access an online sportsbook platform, you will notice plus and minus symbols followed by number values. The minus (negative) symbol resembles favourite teams, and –(negative) symbolizes underdog teams. For example, if you want to calculate an underdog bet of -200, simply use this equation: 200/(200 + 100) x 100.
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How to understand sports betting odds?
eSports odds work by showcasing + and – symbols in front of decimal numbers to determine what the sportsbook’s outlook is on winning teams. The higher the decimal number odds, the lower the chance of the team winning is for the sportsbook. For example, if you place a bet of $100 on a +200 odds bet, you can expect a potential win of $200, yet the + notates that the team has a lower chance of winning.
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Is eSports betting complicated?
Yes. As long as you have a decent understanding of the game that the event is focused on, you will be able to make well-educated bets. If you are not used to the workings of sports betting odds or types of bets, it is advised to first get a thorough understanding of it before placing bets.
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Can a bet on eSports payout real money?
There is no sure way to win a bet, no matter what sport you are betting on. With eSports, there are many different types of bets to use, and as long as you have an understanding of how the championships work and the team’s ability to win, and you understand the odds, you have a better chance at placing a winning bet and win real money.