Ever since the early 2000s, Esports have become a real deal and a real sport with a massive following. If you’re asking me, it all peaked at the 2023 Olympic Esports Series, but the thing is — Esports became popular way before that.
The first tournament-style competitions took place back in the 1980s at Stanford University, although not really with such a prize-winning character as today. These days, some of the most popular Esports events include professional teams of players battling it out in top-tier competitions across different continents and presented by the top organizers like Intel & ESL, BLAST, and PGL.
Naturally, things have gotten even more competitive since you can now bet on major League of Legends, Valorant, Rainbow Six, CS2, Dota 2, Starcraft, and many other events. CS2 took the leading role in betting options for Esports lovers, offering outrights, money line bets, betting on individuals, and props like map winner, number of kills, most played maps, or player 1 vs player 2 comparisons. The only thing you’ll need to enjoy all those is a decent Esports online betting site, and I will help you find it!
If you’re looking for the greatest selection of the best online Esports betting sites, I’ve got you covered! I have years of experience in the Esports betting landscape, and I’ve filtered out some of the best bookies that stand out through their bonuses, fair odds, and the sheer number of events and betting markets offered. Check it out below.
Great bonusesEsports offersCash outVIP programLive gamesMany bonusesWelcome offersFast payouts24/7 support24/7 supportSuperb promotionsEsports offersMany bonuses24/7 supportMobile apps25+ sportsSuperb bonusesEasy to use24/7 supportWelcome offersMobile apps24/7 support10+ sportsGreat marketsMany bonusesFast payoutsPrematch lineEasy to useGreat markets24/7 supportThese days, you can bet on the go, thanks to apps released by the top bookies. Mobile apps are elementary to use nowadays. They’ve been created to make things easy for new bettors and satisfy the expectations of seasoned vets. Besides having every market the desktop website has, apps might also come with special bonuses and offers to put more money in your pockets.
The recommended bookies on my list have the safest apps out there. All the top-rated bookmakers for Esports betting will have a dedicated app for Android and iOS devices. They are free and easy to install and allow you to place bets on the top Esports events anytime and anywhere.
Online betting in the US has started rapidly growing in the past few years, and you can already see legalized online operators in more than 35 states. To be exact, it’s a total of 38 for now if we count in both land-based and online betting.
The market share started pretty low since online betting was only available in some states like New Jersey. It started with the introduction of FanDuel fantasy in 2009, and real sportsbooks followed through from 2011. You can now bet on more than 30 major Esports competitions in the US, and here’s a quick overview of all the states where you can safely do it.
| State | Online Betting | Retail Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Arkansas | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Colorado | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Connecticut | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Delaware | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Illinois | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Indiana | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Iowa | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Kansas | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Kentucky | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Louisiana | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Maine | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Maryland | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Massachusetts | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Michigan | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Mississippi | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Montana | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Nevada | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| New Hampshire | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| New Jersey | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| New Mexico | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| New York | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Ohio | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Oregon | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Pennsylvania | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Rhode Island | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| South Dakota | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Tennessee | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Vermont | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Virginia | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| West Virginia | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Wisconsin | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| Wyoming | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
My greatest piece of advice when choosing local sportsbooks in the US is to always look for licenses from state authorities. For instance, if you wish to lay down your bets safely in NJ, you should look for platforms with official DGE approval. Check out my listed sportsbooks for Esports betting with local licenses right here!
Acca insuranceLive betting24/7 supportIn-play betting40+ sportsLive streamingCash outFantasy Sports LeaMassive payoutsGreat bonus offersMobile apps24/7 supportUnique bet typesMany bonusesFast payoutsOr, perhaps you’d like to join an offshore bookmaker and enjoy a more decentralized experience or bet using crypto since many US operators still don’t allow it. That’s okay as well — I have got you covered, so check the best offshore Esports bookies below!
VIP programLive gamesMany bonusesEsports offersGreat marketsFast payoutsGreat supportMobile appsLive betting25+ sportsIn-play betsReliable supportReliable supportCash outHigh oddsThis is where I’ll give you mini-reviews of what I consider to be the best Esports sportsbooks out there. I’ve already pronounced the winners in their respective categories below, so you can just take a sneak peek now and check out my reviews for more info. The best thing is — all these are available for US bettors, so let’s check them out together.
| Feature | Sportsbook | Available in the US |
|---|---|---|
| 💻 Most Convenient Site | bet365 | Yes ✅ |
| 🎁 Best for Bonuses | William Hill | Yes ✅ |
| 📱 Best Mobile App | Bovada | Yes ✅ |
| 🎲 Best Odds | DraftKings | Yes ✅ |
| 🪙 Best Crypto Sportsbook | Stake | Yes ✅ |
| 👑 Best for VIP Bettors | Betway | Yes ✅ |
| 🔄 Best Betting Exchange | PIWI247 | Yes ✅ |
bet365 Website
I can’t just go on about the best sites for Esports betting out there without mentioning bet365. It’s one of the biggest betting brands in the world, and it recently opened its virtual doors to US punters in New Jersey, Colorado, Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, North Carolina, and others.
Here, you can explore some daily lineups, which are on-site leaderboard tournaments with thousands of entries, and they are sometimes available for Esports events. While that’s an extra way of making some profits, the main dish is the promo section with a “Bet $5, get $150” welcome offer, plus the 100% parlay boost for betting on multiple Esports events.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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William Hill Website
William Hill offers some amazing betting boosts like the $50 bonus when you sign up for a new mobile betting account and make a $50 deposit. The site also has regular reloads and other incentives like odds boost, while their selection of Esports betting events is off the charts.
I say that because they offer all the big leagues like League of Legends, Call of Duty, Dota, CS2, Heroes of the Storm, and others. But, they also have 12-minute GT eFootball competitions and similar events which you won’t exactly find elsewhere.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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Bovada Website
Bovada offers an official Esports betting app that you can use to follow up on the latest results, catch some live streams, and check outright odds ahead of time. It’s the best place for newbies, as you can get up to $3,750 in sign up bonuses.
On top of that, they have a Parlay Booster promo where you can get increased odds for mixing up a few Esports betting events. Plus, their Esports selection is very impressive, offering events like the CS 2 Exort Series, Dota EPLs, Demacia Cup in League of Legends, and hundreds of US and European pro teams.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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DraftKings Website
If you’re in pursuit of the fairest odds on Esports events, you can’t go wrong with DraftKings. It’s a site that has been out there since 2012, and it’s available in 20+ states. You can participate in DFS events here, or bet on Esports events the old-fashioned way.
If you decide to go after the latter route, you can count on using one of the best mobile betting apps for both Android and iOS, as well as very competitive odds. Their range of Esports events ranges from Call of Duty, League of Legends, CS, Rocket League, and others. Plus, you can join the fantasy league and get a $5 boost as soon as you join!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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Stake Website
Stake has been a staple bookmaker for US bettors for a while now, and I believe it’s not too much to say that it’s the best crypto bookie with Esports betting options out there. You see, the site accepts more than 30 cryptocurrencies, even including some minor coins and altcoins.
So, if you’re a crypto holder, you can count on having a great time, regardless of the coins you hold. You can explore hundreds of events every day, including some of the most popular Esports like Dota, CS 2, League of Legends, and even FIFA, Age of Empires, eCricket, and NBA2k!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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Betway Website
Betway recently became one of the biggest US bookies, and it’s only natural that it offers some of the best Esports betting options. In fact, the site is packed with awesome options for high-rollers, as you can even request to raise the limit for deposits and withdrawals.
On top of that, there are no limits on the level of bets you can place, and you’ll already be off to a great start by grabbing their $50 welcome bonus. Here, you’ll find some of the most competitive Overwatch and Dota 2 odds.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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PIWI247 Website
Last but not least, if you’re looking for something more than just a bookie, PIWI247 offers a complete betting exchange experience. It’s a platform that allows you to place lay bets and back the wagers placed by other punters.
It’s a fairly unique concept, and it allows you to get slightly better odds compared with traditional sportsbooks, assuming you’ll find an event with a large betting pool. Among offered Esports betting options, the site includes CS2, Dota 2, and LoL.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
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PROS
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CONS
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Now that you know quite a bit more about Esports betting in the US, it’s about time I gave you a detailed comparison between the platforms. I know that every bettor is looking for something different, so the table below will show you which esports betting companies win in certain categories like the best odds, greatest bonuses, most convenient payment options, and others.
| Features | bet365 | William Hill | Bovada | DraftKings | Stake | Betway | PIWI247 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Play Mode | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Live Streaming | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | N/A | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Cash Out | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Mobile Application | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Bookmaker Payout | 94% | 96% | 93% | 93% | 94% | 94% | 97% |
| Min Deposit | £5 | £5 | $5 | $5 | ₿0.0001 | £5 | €10 |
| Min Bet | £0.10 | £0.10 | $0.10 | $1 | ₿0.00001 | £0.10 | €6 |
| Max Profit | £2000000 | Unlimited | $250000 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Min Withdrawal | £5 | £5 | $10 | $1 | ₿0.0005 | £10 | €10 |
| Withdrawal Time | Up to 10 working days | Up to 5 working days | Up to 5 working days | Up to 8 working days | Up to 24 hours | Up to 5 working days | Up to 24 hours |
| Rating |
4.8
|
4.9
|
4.9
|
4.7
|
4.3
|
4.8
|
4.2
|
If you read my bookmakers’ reviews, you’ll notice that I do in-depth checks of the promotions section. I believe that bonuses are a vital part of the betting experience. They will give you plenty of extra cash to bet with and the opportunity to explore more markets.
One of the first things you’ll notice when joining a sportsbook are the free bets. They are usually handed out as a welcome bonus meant for new players. The top welcome offers are all free bets, which makes sense for bettors.
Of course, they are not 100% free. You will still need to work out a few before using a free bet and collecting your winnings. Reading the terms and conditions of every free wager bookmaker will tell you more about what to expect. The best sign up offers will allow you to claim a free bet regardless of the payment method. However, some bookies will prevent you from using PayPal or Bitcoin to claim the free stake.
I strongly advise all new players to get a free bet where available. After all, who wouldn’t like to earn some extra cash right from the start?
To put it simply, Esports betting doesn’t differ much from other types of online betting. It works similarly – you choose one of the best sites to bet on esports, place a stake, and wait for the matches to end. These are virtual matches, of course, but they are not that different from any other sport.
Esports betting is done on CS: GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, EA Sports FC and many other games. The sport has hundreds of events annually, and bettors can wager on them all. You don’t need to head to Las Vegas to do it – choose a bookmaker, and you’ll have plenty of options. You won’t have to dig deep to find the top picks – at most bookies, they will be laid out in the front of the website. Just place a bet on whatever suits you best.
It is very easy. Here’s a short guide that will walk you through the important steps:
You must be aware that there are two different betting types. The first one is available on all online betting sites for Esports on my list – match wagering and other markets. However, bettors can also try their luck on skins betting, which is completely different. When you wager on matches, you’re predicting who wins a match. Skins betting is a bit different. In this case, you won’t be putting your money on match favorites. You’ll instead be betting skins.
Bettors who are heavily invested in video games know what skins are. They represent cosmetic additions for weapons or characters in games. You can get many of them for free, but there are paid versions too. Skins have recently become valuable betting content, with skins betting sites emerging on the market. You can trade away your skins for others on these sites or place your wagers on different bets using your skins. A few years ago, this could only be done within the Steam client. However, as the community grew, it became impractical, leading to unique safe skins betting sites. Unlike traditional betting esports websites, however, these sites allow bettors to put their skins in a safe pot and use them to wager on anything the site offers.
There’s no question that Esports is the hottest betting market in the industry. If you’re new to it and don’t know where to start, I suggest reading any Esports sportsbook review on this page. My guide should be enough for new bettors to learn how it works. It’s a highly lucrative market with plenty of potential, so if you want to win big, you shouldn’t avoid it.
Before I conclude the article, let’s look at some interesting facts.
I hope our guide to the best Esports betting websites has helped you learn more about it. Whether you’re looking for the best lines or futures or want to learn how to bet on Esports from your phone, I’ve got everything you need right here. Take a deep dive into this fantastic market for real money, and if you’ve done your homework, you can expect a pretty nice return.
