Best Esports Betting Sites UK (2024)

Esports Betting in the UK

Esports has grown tremendously just in the last five years and although everything is done online, as the name suggests, there are regulated and competitive leagues/tournaments just like any other sport. As such, the bookmakers have also entered the scene by pricing up markets, which has certainly helped take Esports to another level.

These esports tournaments and leagues are often organised by game developers, professional esports organisations, or other sponsors and can feature prize pools amounting to millions of dollars. Many esports tournaments are held at large, dedicated venues or major gaming conventions — most are even televised or streamed online for viewers to watch.

Esports players, also known as "pro gamers," compete in teams or as individuals and often train for hours each day to hone their skills and strategy. In addition to physical agility and quick reflexes, successful esports players also need strong teamwork and communication skills and the ability to make quick and decisive decisions under pressure.

In short, just like any other sport that becomes popular, it makes sense why punters would like to place bets on Esports. However, finding the right betting site for this is easier said than done, so read on for more.

Common Esports Betting Markets

In this section, we explore the most popular betting options in Esports betting sites in the UK. 

Skin Betting: It refers to using virtual in-game items, known as "skins," as a form of currency to place bets on the outcome of matches. This type of betting is popular in games with a system for trading and collecting skins, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. 

Fantasy Betting: It involves creating a virtual team of players or teams and competing against other fantasy teams based on the real-life performance of those players or teams in actual matches. This type of betting is similar to traditional fantasy sports leagues. 

Map Winner: This is a type of bet in which the bettor predicts which team will win a specific map within a match. For example, in a best-of-three match in a first-person shooter game, there may be three different maps played. A bettor could place a map winner bet on which team they think will win each map.

Map-winner betting is a popular option in esports because it allows bettors to focus on a specific match aspect and provides more betting opportunities. It is essential to know the specific rules and format of the match you are betting on, as different games and tournaments may have different rules for map play.

First Blood: This is a term in some Esports games to refer to the first kill in a match. In some games, "first blood" may refer to the first team or player to destroy a specific objective or structure.

In Esports, first blood is often a pivotal moment in a match and can significantly impact the outcome. For example, in a first-person shooter game, getting the first kill may give a team an advantage in map control and positioning. In a real-time strategy game, getting the first objective may give a team an economic advantage that they can use to build up their forces.

In esports tournaments, "first blood" can also be a critical moment for fans and spectators, as it can be an exciting and dramatic moment in a match. Some esports leagues and tournaments may even award special prizes or bonuses for achieving first blood.

Winning Team: It refers to the team that emerges victorious in a match or tournament. In most esports competitions, the winning team is determined by a best-of-series format, in which one team must win a predetermined number of maps or games to be declared the winner.

In a single-elimination tournament, the winning team may be the one that advances through a series of rounds and defeats all other teams. In some cases, the winning team may be determined by a point system, in which teams earn points based on their performance in each game or match. The team with the most points at the end of the competition is declared the winner.

Regardless of the specific rules and format, the winning team is typically the one that performs the best overall and defeats its opponents.