The Best eSports Betting Sites for 2026 – The Complete Guide
Welcome to the comprehensive report on eSports betting in the UK. This guide informs you of the best eSports betting sites and the strategies you can employ, and reviews the most popular games in this emerging market. Take a look at the top sites below!
| eSports Betting Site | Bonus | Markets | Highlights | Secure Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Hill | Up to €30 in Free Bets | 60+ eSports Markets | 34+, 96%, Yes | Visit Site! | 18+. PlaySafe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum of £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding virtual markets). Full T&Cs Apply. https://www.gambleaware.org/. #ad | |
| Unibet | Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses | 40+ eSports Markets | 30+, 97%, Yes | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+| GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit and Bet £10+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £30 in Free Bets within 7 days. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. Play Responsibly | |
| 10bet | 100% up to £50 on first bet | 45+ eSports Markets | 22+, 95%, Yes | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! T&Cs apply. New players. Choose bonus at signup. Wager bonus 10x. Deposit used 1st. Any withdrawals void bonus. Valid 30 days. Odds, bet & payment limits. 18+. GambleAware Play Responsibly. |
Top eSports Betting Sites
- 🥇 William Hill – Get £30 In Free Bets
- 🥈 Unibet – Bet £10 Get £40 In Bonuses
- 🥉 10bet – 100% up to £50 on First Bet
How to Bet on eSports
Betting on eSports is very similar to betting on any other market. The eSports markets can be found in the sports section of the bookmaker, with options for both in-play and pre-match betting. Follow the three steps below to get started.
1. Pick Your Bookmaker
The first step when betting on eSports is to choose a bookmaker that serves the market and suits your needs.
2. Select a Game and Market
Next, search the betting platform for the game and market you’re interested in betting on.
3. Set Stake and Strike Bet
Lastly, set your stake – remember to bet what you can afford to lose – then place the bet.
A high-quality bookmaker will always post prices days in advance, giving you a clear picture of the upcoming schedule and ample time to research. Preparation is key when it comes to betting on eSports.
Popular Markets at Top eSports Betting Websites
There are six core games that players and spectators flock to more than the rest. Have a look at the table below to see which bookmakers provide betting markets on the most popular eSports.
We’ve given you an overview of the six best games, but there are several other eSports in these sportsbooks. If you’re looking to bet on a less popular game, these sites regularly offer alternatives at short notice.
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Counter Strike: Global Offensive
The CS:GO professional scene has pioneered eSports betting since its 2013 launch. The game pits two teams against one another – Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists – with the aim of completing objectives. Markets include the winning team, number of pistol kills and the winning margin over all rounds.
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DotA 2
Defence of the Ancients 2 is one of the most competitive games in eSports. The game is a team battle, with each team defending its own base; the winning team is the first to destroy the opposing base’s large structure, called the “Ancient”.
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League of Legends
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena published by Riot Games. It has a prominent competitive scene with the League Championship Series, attracting huge audiences and media attention thanks to its immense popularity.
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Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm revolves around an online 5-versus-5 showdown across 14 maps, where players complete objectives and eliminate the enemy. The developers describe their unique product as an online “hero brawler”.
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Rocket League
Rocket League became an eSport very quickly after its 2015 release, with prize money rising to almost half a million dollars. Players compete in a football-style contest – but with cars – in an arena packed with exciting features.
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King of Glory
This hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena, published by Tencent, has over 200 million active monthly players. It heavily resembles League of Legends but is built for the iOS and Android space, and betting on it is possible.
eSports Odds Levels
The variety of markets on each eSport makes different propositions in terms of value. The table below gives a clear overview of the minimum and maximum payout prices per game industry-wide.
| Game | Min Payout | Max Payout |
|---|---|---|
| CS:GO | 92.45% | 95.61% |
| DotA 2 | 93.96% | 95.85% |
| LoL | 90.17% | 93.44% |
| Heroes of the Storm | 91.26% | 94.39% |
| Rocket League | 92.81% | 94.52% |
| King of Glory | 93.60% | 94.31% |
The variation is relatively minimal and you’ll find pay-out rates between 90% and 95% for the vast majority of eSports markets. See the eSports betting sites with the best average odds below:
- William Hill – 93.90% average payout
- Unibet – 92.80% average payout
- 10bet – 92.27% average payout
eSports Betting Bonuses
Every punter wants a hefty bonus when they open a new account. Out of the best eSports betting sites, we were very impressed with the current offer at William Hill – read our betting bonuses review for the complete report.
Welcome bonus £30 in Free Bets
- Fantastic mainstream coverage
- Wide variety of game markets
- Competitive eSports odds
As the market becomes increasingly saturated with quality betting companies, they are really fighting for your loyalty – so there’s no better time to be a newcomer and take advantage of the welcome offers being promoted.
Where to Watch eSports Online
Much like traditional sports, bookmakers live stream eSports matches on their platforms; the requirement is to be an account holder with a bet in play or funds deposited. The table below compares a typical bookmaker stream with Twitch.
When it comes to high-quality streaming there is no better independent service than Twitch.tv – the home of eSports streaming – so it makes sense to find your market at a bookmaker and stream the action via Twitch in a separate tab.
eSports Gambling Strategy: the Do’s and Don’ts
The same principles apply to betting on eSports as on traditional team sports at the best online football betting sites. Do your research on the team you’re considering – check their form, the likely roster and recent match highlights to gauge how dominant the players are.
Tips for Success
There are several steps you can take to ensure the best possible eSports betting experience. Here’s a list of eSports betting tips:
- 💰 Use the cashout function to collect winnings early before a match finishes.
- 🎮 Bet on smaller leagues and use expert knowledge to gain an edge.
- 📺 Watch live streams and take advantage of developing in-play markets.
- 📊 Find value odds in markets where you’ve done your research.
- 📋 Study form guides and see which players have performed well recently.
Cashing out lets you collect winnings early before a match finishes, while betting on smaller contests can eliminate some of the house edge as these lesser-known teams are harder to scout.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New players may fall into the trap of “chain logic”, which is never a good idea. We’d also urge you not to bet on convenience – simply picking the next match up is a bet undefined by research. Try to use as much data, models and historical results as possible rather than betting on emotion or gut feeling.
Regulation on eSports Betting
The question of eSports betting has been a debated issue, largely revolving around the use of the word “sport” in its title. The community has been unforgiving with match-fixers, handing out lifelong bans, and for the purposes of UK and European markets, eSports remains a fully regulated betting market.
From Gaming to Gambling: the eSports Betting Story
For many years, passionate gamers’ talents were relatively undocumented. As technology and connectivity improved, a new space in competitive gaming emerged and is now thriving, attracting attention from gambling companies that have seen the value in this exciting market.
As the timeline shows, eSports as a betting market has passed many notable milestones in a short lifetime, with licensed gambling only offered since 2015. Bookmakers are positioning themselves for the booming popularity eSports is expected to bring.
The Exponential Growth of eSports Betting
The digital revolution has changed the conventional idea of sport, with streaming services hosting thousands of ongoing eSports contests and spectator numbers that are simply staggering. Take a look at the growth of eSports viewership below.
The New Era of Betting: the Future of eSports
The next generation of gamblers are coming of age, and many are turning away from traditional sports in favour of computer gaming. It’s a logical step for the best UK bookmakers to jump on this emerging industry and provide only the best eSports betting sites.