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.
💻 Operator | 🎮 Esports Coverage | 🔢 Esports Markets | 📊 Betting Margins | 👉 Join Bookie |
---|---|---|---|---|
bet365 | 10+ games | Up to 65 | 7.3% | Bet on Esports |
Betway | 8 games | Up to 25 | 8.06% | Bet on Esports |
Unibet | 8 games | Up to 50 | 7.58% | Bet on Esports |
Midnite | 10+ games | Up to 25 | 9.74% | Bet on Esports |
BetVictor | 4 games | Up to 25 | 10% | Bet on Esports |
Most UK bookies offer Esports betting to some extent these days, but the coverage varies heavily from site to site. Therefore, it can be difficult for punters to find the right betting site and to combat this, we have put together a top-five list of the bet Esports bookies below. Of course, a list like this will always be subjective but we have focused on the important factors.
Bet365 is considered to be one of the best betting sites in the UK, regardless of which sport we are talking about, and the situation is no different on the Esports front. The bookie has more than 10 different games available to bet on and the market depth is very good too, with up to 65 markets for one match.
The betting margins are also the best on this list, with our test showing an average of 7.3% for Esports games, and that is very important in the long run. The Esports section is easy to navigate and disregarding the number of games for a second, it is fair to say that bet365 also has the best coverage in terms of different leagues and tournaments.
When signing up at Betway, punters can claim a welcome offer that is tailor-made for Esports, which is something you rarely see. The bookie has also been focused on Esports ever since the beginning and thus has a very good reputation. In any case, as for the coverage, there are eight different games available.
The market depth could be improved, with usually around 25 markets available per game, but Betway remains a very solid choice for Esports. This is also because the average betting margin is 8.06%, which might sound high but actually is not that bad for Esports, as games are tougher to predict for the bookies.
Unibet is good for many different sports, including for betting on horse racing, and punters will be far from surprised to see it in the top five for Esports as well. While the bookie has focused more on other sports, enough love has still been given to Esports for punters to sign up on the site.
Indeed, eight different games are available to bet on and there are sometimes an impressive 50 markets just for one match. In addition to this, the betting margins are very good as our test showed an average 7.58%. This would certainly be considered acceptable for most sports and for Esports, which is usually higher, this is a great score.
Midnite is not as well known as the other sites on this list, there is no doubt about that, but the bookie has made great strides on the Esports front lately. Indeed, it has always been focused on Esports and this is something you see as soon as you open the site, with Esports having a dedicated section and page.
Over ten different games are offered, while the market depth can sometimes be around 25, but there is one thing that brings Midnite down: the betting margins. Indeed, our test of Midnite showed that the average margin is 9.74%, which is not the highest on the list but still nowhere near good enough.
Finally, most punters will know of BetVictor and its reputation as one of the best betting sites around. The versatility is one of its main strengths and as such, there is a decent coverage of Esports as well. Compared to the other bookies on this list, though, the coverage is not as good with just four different games.
The market depth is also not hugely impressive, with up to 25 markets for a match, but the main thing that solidifies BetVictor placement is the average betting margins: a whopping 10% as per our test. This is far too have and will make a big (negative) difference in the long run, but the lack of competitors on the Esports front means it still makes the top 5 here.
When deciding the best Esports bookies in the UK, we focused on the factors that truly matter when betting on Esports. We have touched on most of these above but below, we will go through them again and really hammer home the point...
We checked for sites offering a wide range of events and markets. This includes different types of bets, such as moneyline, point spread, and over/under, as well as various betting markets and odds formats.
Esports betting fans need a sportsbook with high odds, as well as low betting margins, to maximise their profits. The Esports betting sites listed in our top 5 list all offer good odds, but the betting margins differ and this is something we highlighted for each site.
The betting experience of any esports betting site in the UK should be smooth via any device. This includes mobile, PC, or tablets. The site should also be easy to navigate without any lags. The betting sites in this review have user-friendly interface accessible from any device.
We looked at betting sites with a good track record and robust security measures to protect the customers' personal and financial information. All of the betting sites listed here are licensed to operate in the UK by the Gambling Commission.
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.
Steven is responsible for all content on BettingGuide UK. He is an experienced iGaming content writer working in the industry since 2018. If you have any questions regarding online gambling in the UK, don't hesitate to contact him.