Best Esports Betting Sites UK (2024)

A Guide to Esports Betting Sites

E-sports, also known as electronic sports or competitive video gaming, refers to organised, competitive video game tournaments and leagues featuring a wide variety of games — from first-person shooters and sports simulations to strategy games.

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 — some 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.

Esports has grown significantly in popularity recently, with professional leagues and tournaments attracting millions of viewers and players worldwide. Some professional sports leagues, such as the NBA and the Premier League, have even created their esports leagues. The ePremier League, for example, is held every year, and esports fans in the UK can stream or bet on the games.

How We Chose the Best Esports Betting Sites in the UK

There are several factors to consider when choosing an esports betting site:

Safety and Licences

Choosing a reputable and secure site licensed and regulated by a reputable authority is vital. 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 Great Britain’s Gambling Commission and Malta’s Gambling Authority.

Range of Esports Events and Markets

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.

Esport Promotions

Many esports betting sites offer bonuses and promotions to attract new customers and retain existing ones. These can include welcome bonuses, free bets, and other perks. However, it’s always advisable to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand the requirements and limitations of any bonuses or promotions.

High Esports Odds

Esports betting fans need a sportsbook with high odds to maximise their profits. The esports betting sites listed in this review have some of the best esports odds around.

Live Esports Streams

Live streaming allows you to follow up on your favourite esports games and tournaments. For this reason, we looked at esports betting sites that offer the option of live streaming the games.

Accessibility

The accessibility 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.

Customer Support  

Customer support is essential for the success of any bookie. All the betting sites listed in this review have multiple contact options, such as live chat, email, and phone support, and we considered their availability and response times.

Range of Payment Methods 

We reviewed betting sites offering convenient and secure payment options in the UK. This includes options for depositing and withdrawing funds and any applicable fees or limits. Some of the most common payment methods to consider include Paypal, debit and credit cards, Neteller, Skrill and bank transfer.

Esports Betting Options

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

It 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

It’s a term in some esports 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.