A Guide to Wagering on Esports
For years, casinos completely ignored the rapidly growing subculture of professional, competitive video gaming.
Millions of viewers tune in online to watch professional gamers compete for multi-million dollar prize pools.
Top Games in the Esports Market
The «Big Three» of esports betting are League of Legends (LoL), Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO).
MOBA games like LoL and Dota 2 allow bettors to wager on specific objectives, like «First Blood» or the first tower destroyed.
- League of Legends is the most watched esport globally
- CS:GO offers the most frequent and fast-paced betting action
- Dota 2 features the largest prize pools in esports history
The Importance of Specialized Knowledge
A software update can completely alter the competitive balance of a game overnight, shifting team power dynamics.
Furthermore, because the market is relatively new, traditional bookmakers often struggle to set accurate odds.
How Esports is Changing Casinos
The traditional casino demographic is aging, and younger generations show little interest in standard slot machines.
Major casinos are now building massive, dedicated esports arenas on their properties to host live tournaments.
| Esport Title | Genre | Betting Volume |
|---|---|---|
| CS:GO | First-Person Shooter | Massive |
| League of Legends | MOBA | Massive |
For those willing to study the games and understand the meta, it offers unparalleled betting value.