What is eSports Betting?
eSports betting means placing wagers on competitive video game matches. These matches are part of organized competitions that feature highly skilled players, many of whom play full-time and are signed to teams. These teams are backed by organizations that manage their schedules, training, and tournament entries, similar to how clubs operate in traditional sports.
The matches happen within scheduled leagues or tournaments. Each event follows a fixed format, often with group stages, playoffs, and a final. Organizers include the game developers themselves or third-party companies that specialize in running these events. The matches are played online or at physical venues, but the gameplay itself happens inside the video game.
Final results are recorded and confirmed by the tournament organizer. Once confirmed, the outcome is official and used to settle all related bets.
Game Formats
Different game genres come with distinct match structures and objectives, which determine what aspects bets can be placed on:
| Format | How the Game Works |
| Tactical Shooter (Round-Based) | Two teams face off across multiple short rounds. One team attacks, the other defends. Players eliminate opponents or complete objectives. |
| MOBA (Objective-Based) | Two teams control characters with unique abilities. The goal is to destroy the enemy base by winning fights and capturing objectives across a map. |
| Real-Time Strategy (1v1) | Players build armies and manage resources in real time. One-on-one matches end when one player defeats the other through superior strategy. |
| Sports-Inspired (Score-Based) | Players or teams compete in digital versions of sports games or arcade-style competitions. Matches are typically time-limited. |
| Hero Shooter (Objective-Based) | Teams select characters with defined roles and abilities. Matches are structured around completing in-game tasks like escorting payloads or controlling zones. |
Popular titles across these game formats include:
- Tactical Shooters: Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Rainbow Six Siege
- MOBAs: League of Legends, Dota 2, Smite
- RTS: StarCraft II, Age of Empires IV
- Sports-Inspired: Rocket League, FIFA, NBA 2K
- Hero Shooters: Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Call of Duty
Common Bet Types
Most bets are based on match outcomes and in-game performance. The exact options may vary depending on the game and tournament, but some types of wagers are used across most betting platforms.
Some of the most common bet types:
- Match winner: A bet on which player or team wins the overall match.
- Map winner: Matches are often divided into sections called maps. This bet is placed on the winner of a specific one.
- Total maps played: A prediction of how many maps are needed to decide the match. Some are resolved early, others go to the maximum number.
- Round handicaps: One team is given a starting advantage or disadvantage in the number of rounds, and the bet is based on who wins after the adjustment.
- First objective completed: A bet on which team will complete the first major in-game task. This could mean getting the first kill, capturing a point, or destroying an enemy structure, depending on the game.
Live betting is often available during matches, allowing wagers while games are in progress, which can affect how quickly bets settle once a match ends.
How Bets Settle
Most eSports betting events on casino sites are listed in the sportsbook, alongside traditional sports betting. Matches are shown with odds for different outcomes, such as which team will win or how many rounds will be played. Users can select a single market or create combination bets by adding multiple picks to one slip. After choosing their outcomes and entering a stake, the platform calculates the potential return based on the odds provided. Once confirmed, the bet is locked in and shown under the account’s active wagers.
Bets are settled once the match ends and the official result is confirmed by the event organizer. Timing depends on the title, the type of bet, and whether the event finished without delays or disputes. Some bets, such as those tied to early-game objectives or specific map wins, may settle before the full match ends. Others, including full match winners or multi-leg combinations, are only resolved once every selected outcome is complete. If the result is contested, settlement may be paused until official confirmation is available.
