Esports Betting in 2024 – Compare the Best Esports Betting Sites
As online gaming gains popularity, so does Esports betting. As a result, states offering legal sports betting across the US are slowly beginning to add Esports wagering to the list of authorized sports, making it simple for bettors to turn a profit betting on games like League of Legends, Rainbow Six, and DOTA2.
In this guide, we take you through Esports betting in the US, from where you can place bets and the kinds of betting lines to use, and we offer several tips on how to boost your wagers. Additionally, we rank and review the top sportsbooks for Esports wagering. So, read on to find out which sites top our list.
- All
Up To $1000 Paid Back If First Bet Loses
Up To $1000 Paid Back If First Bet Loses
- Best Promo Code Offers
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$100 Bonus Bets
$100 Bonus Bets
- Part of the Legendary MGM Betting Brand
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- Awesome Sports Wagering Guide Feature
Up To $150 in Bonuses When You Deposit Min. $5
Up To $150 in Bonuses When You Deposit Min. $5
- Top 2 Sportsbook for Daily Fantasy Sports
- Awesome and Easy To Use UX
- 24/7 Customer Service
Bet $5, Get $150
Bet $5, Get $150
- Second Biggest Sportsbook in US
- App With Lots Of Great Betting Features
- Best For Daily Fantasy Sports
5 x 2nd Chance Bets Up To $250
5 x 2nd Chance Bets Up To $250
- Many Unique Bets
- In-House Generous Odds
- VIP Program With Personal Manager
Up To $500 Insured First Bet
Up To $500 Insured First Bet
- Great Reputation for Promos
- Plethora of Banking Options
- Brilliant In-Play Betting Feature
Best Esports Betting Sites
Since the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, more and more states have legalized sports betting, allowing bettors to enjoy Esports betting by placing wagers on their favorite tournaments.
Fans of games like League of Legends, CS: GO, and DOTA will find that several online sportsbooks offer Esports betting. However, only some offer live betting, competitive odds, and exotic betting lines. So, to help you find the best Esports betting sites, our experts tried them all and have created their list of the best options below, including those sportsbooks offering a range of free bets.
- BetMGM – Best Esports Betting USA Site Overall
- Borgata – Top Sportsbook for Bonuses for Esports Bettors
- FanDuel – Leading Sportsbook for Fantasy Esports Wagering
- DraftKings– Esports Wagering Site with the Best Odds
- PointsBet– Sportsbook with the Most Diverse Esports Betting Lines
- UniBet – Sportsbook with the Greatest Esports Markets
Reviews of the Best Esports Betting Sites
Following our list of the best Esports betting USA sites, we have created mini-reviews on each, providing insight into why our experts chose them, what they offer, and what makes each one stand out. So, let’s get started.
1. BetMGM – Best Esports Betting Site Overall
This sportsbook is the brainchild of gambling giant, MGM. As a result, bettors will find several BetMGM retail and online sportsbooks across the United States. While BetMGM online doesn’t yet offer betting on Esports, it was one of the first retail sportsbooks to accept a legal Esports wager in New Jersey in 2019. As a result, it sits at the top of our list of the best Esports betting sites.
While bettors won’t find Esports on the site just yet, they can enjoy over 20 other sports markets, including the NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, F1, tennis, and boxing. Additionally, the sportsbook ranks as one of the best NFL betting sites in the US. When placing wagers, bettors can take advantage of several betting lines, including moneylines, spreads, over/under bets, props, and futures. Further, bettors can live-stream sports matches and place live wagers.
Bettors visiting BetMGM can sign up and receive several BetMGM promo codes that will help them unlock various promotions and bonuses that will boost their bankrolls. Finally, bettors can fund their BetMGM accounts and make withdrawals using a few payment options, like PayPal, Visa, and MasterCard.
Pros:
- Competitive odds
- Speedy withdrawals
- Live wagering on sports
- Covers 20 sports markets
Cons:
- Poor customer service
- Doesn’t yet offer online eSports gambling
2. Borgata – Top Sportsbook for Bonuses for Esports Bettors
Although another site on our list that is yet to offer Esports betting, Borgata still makes it onto our list of recommended sites because it is poised to introduce betting on Esports, and it has some of the most impressive bonuses. For example, bettors visiting the sportsbook can enjoy promos like welcome promotions, free bets, and reload rewards. However, to access these bettors must use Borgata promo codes.
Generally, bettors will redeem their promo codes when funding their accounts, a process Borgata makes simple by providing a wide assortment of payment options. As a result, bettors can use methods like Apple Pay, Amex, PayNearMe, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, MasterCard, and Play+.
Although Borgata is yet to add Esports to its markets, bettors can enjoy sports like MLB, NFL, NBA, tennis, golf, and soccer. Further, the site ranks as one of the best NHL betting sites in the US and provides in-play wagering and live-streaming of sports events. Finally, bettors can experience several betting lines, including spreads, totals, moneylines, player props, and one-game parlays.
Pros:
- Excellent promos
- Diverse payment options
- Offers same-game parlays
- iOS and Android compatible app
Cons:
- Limited betting lines
- Still adding Esports to its markets
3. FanDuel – Leading Sportsbook for Fantasy Esports Wagering
Although FanDuel doesn’t offer eSports gambling in the traditional sense, it provides excellent options for Esports fantasy betting. Since FanDuel ranks as one of the best Daily Fantasy Sports betting sites, this is unsurprising. However, FanDuel also provides a traditional sportsbook that covers over 20 sports markets, from the NFL and NHL to the MLB, NBA, Aussie Rules, motorsports, collegiate sports, and tennis.
When it comes to betting lines, FanDuel covers all the most common options, like moneylines, spreads, run lines, totals, futures, and parlays. However, the sportsbook also offers the most diverse prop betting options. Additionally, bettors visiting the sportsbook will find it provides pre-game and in-play wagering and live-streams sports matches on its app and website – indeed, FanDuel’s app is amongst the best sports betting apps around.
FanDuel rewards new and existing bettors with various sports betting promotions and free bets that boost their bankrolls and make it simpler for bettors to place wagers they otherwise wouldn’t risk funds on. Finally, FanDuel features a diverse selection of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, FanDuel gift cards, Green Dot MoneyPak, PayNearMe, money orders or checks, and bank wire transfers, making depositing and withdrawing funds easy.
Pros:
- Accepts Green Dot and Money Pak payments
- Exciting Esports DFS options
- Unique prop bets for all sports markets
- Offers in-play betting
Cons:
- Excessive transaction fees
- No traditional Esports betting
4. DraftKings – Esports Wagering Site with the Best Odds
When it comes to exceptional and highly competitive odds for betting on Esports, none of the sites on our list stand up to DraftKings. In addition to excellent odds, DraftKings covers several Esports markets like CS: GO and DOTA 2. However, the sportsbook also covers other traditional sports and ranks as one of the best MLB betting sites.
When wagering on Esports and other sports on DraftKings, bettors can get involved with live sports betting by placing pre-game wagers or in-play bets, while live-streaming matches. Further, DraftKings covers several betting lines like moneylines, outrights, spreads, parlays, futures, and props.
Another area DraftKings offers diverse options is in its banking methods. Here, bettors can choose to make deposits or withdrawals using bank wire transfers, MasterCard and Visa credit cards, DraftKings gift cards, eWallets like PayPal, and cash payments which bettors can make at select locations. Finally, the sportsbook provides bettors with unique and exciting promos that will make their wagering experience even more enjoyable. However, to access these rewards, bettors must input DraftKings promo codes when funding their accounts.
Pros:
- Has Daily Fantasy Sports betting
- Downloadable mobile app
- Exciting odds and betting lines
- Covers a wide selection of Esports markets
Cons:
- Not available in all US states
- Fewer payment options than competitors
5. PointsBet – Sportsbook with the Most Diverse Esports Betting Lines
Esports betting fans looking for one of the top sportsbooks that cover several Esports markets and offer various betting lines should give PointsBet a try. While the sportsbook has a rather bland interface, it provides everything you’ll need for an exceptional betting experience. For instance, PointsBet offers betting lines on Esports Games like CS: GO and DOTA2 like match result, matchup handicap, total maps played over/under, best of three correct score, map 2 winner, and map 3 winner.
When it comes to placing wagers, PointsBet caters to bettors with various budgets, including high rollers, and it makes it easier for bettors to explore all the options by offering exciting bonuses. However, bettors must use PointsBet promo codes to claim these. Then, when funding their accounts, bettors can use a range of payment options, including PayNearMe, eCheck, online banking with Trustly, and a debit or credit card from Visa or MasterCard.
Finally, besides Esports, PointsBet covers traditional sports betting, and features sports markets like the MLB, NBA, NCAA, darts, MMA, cycling, Aussie Rules, and cricket.
Pros:
- Features a news and stats section
- Extensive Esports betting lines
- Covers DOTA2 and CS: GO
- App for iOS and Android
Cons:
- Bland interface
- Payouts are prolonged
6. Unibet – Sportsbook with the Greatest Esports Markets
Although a traditional betting site that ranks as one of the top sportsbooks in the US, Unibet sits on our list of the best Esports betting USA sites thanks to its broad selection of Esports markets. As a result, bettors can wager on leagues like Valorant, CS: GO, and Call of Duty.
In addition to these varied markets, bettors can also place pre-game or in-play wagers on Esports matches, which include betting lines like spreads, totals, moneylines, futures, map handicaps, and total maps. However, many of these lines also apply to the traditional sports the site offers, which include over 25 options, like the NBA, MLB, football, boxing, cricket, golf, rugby, and Formula1.
Because Unibet provides bettors with diverse payment methods like Skrill, WebMoney, EcoPayz, Neteller, Trustly, PaySafeCard, MasterCard, Visa, and bank wire transfers, it is quick and easy to deposit funds. Finally, Unibet has a plethora of bonuses and rewards that bettors can unlock using Unibet promo codes.
Pros:
- Offers exotic betting lines
- Has over 30 sports
- Large selection of eWallet payments
- Diverse Esports markets
Cons:
- No crypto payment options
- Limited rewards options
FAQs about Esports Betting
What is Esports betting?
Where is Esports betting Legal?
How are Esports betting odds calculated?
Where can I bet on Esports?
How does Esports betting work?
Comparing the Best Esports Betting USA Sites
One of the simplest ways to narrow down which Esports betting USA site most meets your needs is to compare the features of each side by side. So, to help you do this, we created the comparison table below, highlighting the top aspects of each sportsbook.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Live Betting | Live Streaming |
| BetMGM | Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Borgata | Get $100 Free Bets when you wager $20 | ✅ | ✅ |
| FanDuel | FanDuel No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000 | ✅ | ✅ |
| DraftKings | 20% up to $1,000 | ✅ | ✅ |
| PointsBet | $500 in Free Bets | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unibet | $100 Risk-Free Bet | ✅ | ✅ |
How to Sign Up & Bet on Esports
While using the best eSports gambling sites is relatively straightforward, the registration process can sometimes pose a challenge. However, by following the quick step-by-step guide below, bettors can easily sign up, fund their accounts and place a wager on their favorite eSports team.
Step One – Register with BetMGM
Begin by launching the BetMGM website. Then, choose the state you are located in from the list offered. Next, click the gold “Register” button on the top right of the home page. Lastly, complete the registration form that opens before hitting the “Continue” button.
Step Two – Verify Your Account
Following registration, you’ll need to verify your BetMGM account. So, open your email inbox and the mail sent to you by the sportsbook. Then, click the link inside to verify your new account before signing back into BetMGM with your new username and password.
Step Three – Fund Your Account
Next, you’ll need to fund your BetMGM account. So, click the green “Deposit” button on the top right of the home page (this will only come up when you are signed in). Then pick your preferred payment method from the options provided and add in the amount you wish to deposit. (Don’t forget to input your bonus promo code before clicking “deposit.”) Finally, follow the prompts to complete your payment.
Step Four – Start Wagering
Once your funds reflect in your BetMGM account, it’s time to start the fun part – wagering. So head to the sportsbook tab and find the Esports game or any other sport you want to wager on. Then, type in your bet amount onto the bet slip on the right of the screen. Lastly, click “Place Bet” to place your wager.
Is it Legal to Bet on Esports?
Yes, Esports betting is legal in the US, but only in some states. When the United States Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, it paved the way for each state to decide individually whether to legalize sports betting. Since Esports is considered a sport, it was included in this legislation.
However, while more than 30 states have gone on to legalize sports betting, not all included eSports gambling in their laws. As a result, only 12 states currently offer legal Esports wagering, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
But since betting on Esports is relatively new in these states, not many regulated sportsbooks provide Esports betting as yet. However, a few, like DraftKings, PointsBet, and Unibet, offer excellent eSports gambling options.
How Does Esports Betting Work?
When referring to Esports or electronic sports, we talk about a division of video games played competitively on a global level for real money prizes. While Esports has been on the scene since the 1990s, they have only gained popularity in the betting market in recent years.
Professional gamers (those who compete in Esports leagues) play against other gamers and draw an income from winning national and international tournaments and selling merchandise.
Generally, the most popular Esports betting games include Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), League of Legends (LoL), World of Warcraft, DOTA2, Fortnite, and Call of Duty. Additionally, these games have a massive fan following, with many bettors watching their favorite teams compete online using streaming services like Twitch or regulated sports betting sites.
Esports Betting Markets
When Esports betting in the USA, one essential aspect to consider is the odds and lines offered and what they are. While similar to those provided in regular sports betting, the lines for Esports betting are more diverse. For example, when wagering on Rainbow Six, you could bet on who wins, along with various other options like how much the gamer will win by, the map winner, etc. Additionally, since eSports offer so many submarkets, it increases a bettor’s chances of winning, making the markets far more lucrative than traditional sports betting. So, let’s review the most popular Esports betting USA lines and how they work.
Props
When placing a prop bet in Esports betting, bettors don’t wager on the final outcome of a game. Instead, they wager on different occurrences throughout the game. For example, who the leading first-person shooter might be, or who completes the map first.
Futures
Although similar to prop bets in that they are wagers placed on things that occur in the game or over the course of a tournament, futures often span a longer length of time and can be placed before the start of the season. For instance, futures Esports betting fanes may place include options like which gamer makes the most kills in the league throughout the season, or who the outright league winner will be.
Point Spread
When referring to a point spread, we talk about a wager that tries to predict which team will win a match by a certain number of points. Generally, point spread betting occurs when two teams duel it out, but one is significantly better. In this case, the eSports gambling odds of the better team are often not fantastic. As a result, Esports betting sites adds handicaps to the underdog team, bringing the two closer together and improving the odds.
For instance, a sportsbook may add a point spread of +1.5, which means the underdog has additional points added to the team total. As a result, the favorite must score a minimum of two points more than their opponents to win.
Over/Under
While similar to point spreads, an over/under wager anticipates whether or not a player or team will score a certain number of total points in a match below or above what the bookie has predicted. For instance, a bettor could wager that a team could win under 3 maps and win if they manage 1 or 2 maps.
Handicap
Similarly to over/under or point spreads, a handicap is based on predicting the total points scored in the match. However, a handicap bet predicts which team will win by what margin.
Moneyline
Another form of bet is the Moneyline, which anticipates which team will win without considering their opponent’s score or margin of victory. For instance, you could place a moneyline wager on a League of Legends game that predicts LGD Gaming would be the outright winner of their match against team Royal Never Give Up.
Time
When betting on Esports, players will find each match has an allocated time for each round and map. As a result, bettors can wager on when things like first blood or when the first kill will occur on that particular map.
Group/Event Winner
Lastly, this straightforward bet sees a bettor wager on which team will win their group at an event or the entire event.
Popular Esports Games
Gaming fans visiting betting sites with Esports will discover plenty of games to wager on. However, it helps to know which are worth placing a wager on and where you’re most likely to rake in a good profit. So, to help you out, we created a list of the top five Esports games below.
- CS: GO (Counter-Strike Global Offensive): A firm fan favourite, this first-person shooter game has gained popularity worldwide. Additionally, it is the most wagered-on Esports game, globally.
- DOTA 2: When looking for a fantasy-themed FPS (first-person shooter) game with a MOBA twist, DOTA 2 is worth trying. Further, it is another globally popular game with several exciting tournaments to wager on.
- League of Legends: Another first-person shooter game, LOL features a fantasy setting, not unlike Dungeons & Dragons. Again, this is another highly popular choice for Esports betting fans and has several global tournaments that provide diverse and exciting opportunities to place wagers.
- Overwatch: When it comes to exciting multi-player first-person shooter games, Overwatch is right up there. Blizzard originally launched the game in 2016 for platforms like Playstation 4. Here, players form two teams of six members, with each member choosing a “hero” with unique abilities to play as. Then, teams work to complete map-specific objectives within a limited period.
- Call of Duty: Another first-person shooter game, Call of Duty, centers on quests based on World War II. Further, it is ranked as the best-selling first-person shooter game series by the Guinness World Records and has a strong following from Esports betting fans.
Best Esports Betting Bonuses
With the eSports audience growing all the time, in 2021 it stood at a considerable 234 million enthusiasts, online sportsbooks have been offering more odds and markets on this exciting sport.
The best Esports betting sites offer bettors a selection of exciting rewards and promotions that help boost their bankrolls and make it easier to place wagers they wouldn’t otherwise try. So, let’s look below at the welcome promos offered by the eSports gambling sites on our list.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Bonus Code | Wagering Requirements |
| BetMGM | Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000 | N/A | Only applies to your first bet (not available in NY) |
| Borgata | Get $100 Free Bets when you wager $20 | N/A | Minimum deposit $20 |
| FanDuel | FanDuel No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000 | N/A | Only applies to your first bet |
| DraftKings | 20% up to $1,000 | N/A | 5x play-through requirement |
| PointsBet | $500 in Free Bets | N/A | Only applies to a bettor’s first eligible Fixed Odds cash bet (over five days) |
| Unibet | $100 Risk-Free Bet | N/A | Minimum deposit $10, 25X wagering requirement |
Best Payment Methods for Esports Betting
Generally, you can spot an excellent Esports betting site from the payment options it provides. Those worth signing up with will give a selection of options that offers bettors convenience and choice. Additionally, the transaction fees and payout times sportsbooks attach to these methods shouldn’t be excessive.
eWallet Betting Options
Bettors funding their Esports betting accounts generally opt for those options that provide the greatest security against fraud. Since eWallet systems act as intermediaries between a bettor’s bank account and their sportsbook account, they offer the necessary protection, making them a popular choice. As a result, the best Esports betting sites work with providers like PayPal, Neteller, EcoPayz, and Skrill.
Traditional Payment Methods
Besides eWallet payments, many of the best Esports betting sites allow bettors to use traditional options like credit cards, debit cards, online banking, checks, and bank wire transfers. For instance, all the Esports betting sites on our list accept Visa credit card deposits. Since many bettors prefer using these options, they are the most commonly provided selection of transaction methods offered by regulated eSports gambling sites.
Our Top 5 Esports Betting Tips
Although esports betting fans generally have their own betting style, having a few tips and tricks to boost betting power can always help. So, we have created a list below of our top five Esports betting tips and wagering on Esports.
Get to Know Teams and Players
When a bettor has all the details, stats, and news on the various games, teams, and players, placing a winning bet becomes easier. As a result, we suggest researching the various games, the rules, and the top gamers before placing your Esports wagers – and that’s the first and most important of our Esports betting tips!
Stay In The Know
Esports are fluid, which means teams, leagues, and rules constantly change. However, by staying updated on the latest news, retirements, wins, and losses, bettors can place real money wagers and make more lucrative bets based on their knowledge. For instance, placing a wager on a recently retired player won’t earn you a win.
Measure Consistency
While bettors may be tempted to wager on a team that has recently had a big win, we advise against it. Instead, place wagers on teams with consistent results. For instance, although a new team may have had a recent big-time win, this may be a fluke and will lower your chances of winning your bet if you choose to back them in the next match.
Steer Clear of New Leagues
Although backing the underdog is enticing, especially since they often come with greater odds, this is not always the best move. Besides being riskier, these teams lack the experience and consistency and lower your chances of placing a winning bet.
Create a Budget
Last, but not least, of the Esports betting tips involves monitoring your budget. When taking part in eSports gambling, we advise creating a budget, sticking to it, and quitting while you’re ahead. Although bettors can enjoy some big wins, great losses happen too. So, stick within your limit to avoid financial difficulties.
Best Esports Betting Site
Whether a seasoned Esports bettor or a newbie learning the ropes, you’ll discover there are several high-quality, regulated sportsbooks (like those on our list) that provide excellent Esports betting in the US.
However, if you’re still undecided about which Esports betting site is best for you, we recommend BetMGM. In addition to covering a large assortment of markets, the sportsbook features competitive odds, excellent promotions, and a live betting suite. So, don’t get left in the dust. Instead, sign up with BetMGM and claim your welcome bonus.
