Best Esports Betting Sites in the US for 2025

Esports betting sites let you be part of the action and wager real money on competitive games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Valorant, and NBA2K. With loads of events taking place throughout the year, there are countless opportunities to win alongside your favorite teams and players.

The best platforms feature the biggest tournaments of the year and come packed with bonuses, great odds, and hundreds of markets. Let us walk you through what to expect, but first, here’s the list of the top esports betting sites.

Need some help deciding which esports betting site fits you best? We are here to help.

Up next, we’ll break down the top esports sportsbooks for different categories based on careful reviews and first-hand experience with each platform.

There’s no shortage of games to bet on at the best online esports betting sites. Some, like NBA2K, look and feel just like what you’re used to watching on the basketball court and even the markets are similar to what you can find on online sportsbooks. Others, like League of Legends, lean heavily into fantasy settings and come with the corresponding betting options to go with them, like first kill, turrets destroyed, and team to take down Baron.

Let’s break down a few of the most popular esports titles for betting online.

League of Legends (LoL) is a 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) where teams aim to destroy the enemy’s Nexus – the core structure inside their base. It’s actually the biggest esport right now in both viewership and prize pools, hitting a peak of 7 million viewers in 2024. 

Matches take place on a three-lane map packed with towers, jungle monsters, and neutral objectives like Dragons and Baron Nashor that give buffs to help teams gain an edge. 

You can watch stars like Faker, Caps, and Chovy compete at the League of Legends World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and regional leagues such as the LCS (North America) and LEC (Europe). 

Markets come in all sorts, starting with the basics like outright winners and match series, usually best-of-three or five. Then you’ve got props that cover first blood (first kill), total kills, towers destroyed, and whether a team locks down key objectives like Baron or Dragon, among others. 

CS2 is the upgraded version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). It’s a first-person shooter (FPS) where two teams – Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists – compete to plant or defuse bombs or simply wipe out the other side. Many players like it because it’s a straight-up skill-based game with no character abilities or gimmicks, making the tactics easier to follow and more grounded in realism.

Most matches run best-of-13 rounds, with teams switching sides at halftime. The best esports betting sites cover major tournaments like BLAST Premier, IEM Katowice, and the PGL Major. Some of the most popular betting markets we came across recently include:

Dota 2’s The International set the record for the largest prize pool in a single esports tournament in 2021, topping $40 million. The game has over 126 heroes, each with unique abilities, and winning takes a lot of teamwork, strategy, and thoughtful item builds. 

If you stream a match on online esports betting sites like BetOnline, you’ll see two squads of five battling to destroy the other team’s Ancient. Players level up as they go by killing enemy creeps, heroes, and neutral monsters, earning experience points that unlock stronger abilities to push their team ahead.

Valorant blends the precise gunplay and realism of CS2 with the more fantasy-driven elements of games like Dota 2 through agent-based abilities. It’s fast-paced and heavily strategic, with players using blinding flashes, smoke screens, teleportation, and healing to gain the upper hand. 

When betting, especially in-play, keep in mind that maps are built with verticality, tight angles, and teleporters, giving teams plenty of ways to pull off flanks and rotations that can flip a round. Its fast growth in popularity has made Valorant one of the top picks for betting on esports.

The goal is always to either plant or defuse the Spike, which acts as the bomb, and rounds are decided by eliminating the other team, running out the clock, or completing the objective.

If you’re into the NBA, jumping into esports betting doesn’t take much of a learning curve. The NBA 2K League is a joint venture between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive, with all teams tied to real NBA franchises and competing using custom-built avatars modeled after actual stars. 

The season runs with regular games, tournaments, and playoffs, featuring an annual draft and prize pools worth millions. 

Betting markets look a lot like what you’d see on NBA sportsbooks – spreads, moneylines, total points, and player props like points over/under, assists over/under, rebounds over/under, and 3-pointers made.

A few teams to keep an eye on are Knicks Gaming and Warriors Gaming Squad, with players like Benjamin “Benzo” Bernstein and Nidal Nasser standing out as top talent.

➡️ Did you know? Some of the biggest names in esports battle it out under one roof at the annual Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Crypto esports betting sites like BetOnline, Bovada, and Discasino cover it from start to finish. It’s set to feature top teams and players across multiple titles competing for one of the largest prize pools in esports history.

The available markets will depend on the esports title and the game mechanics. You can expect to find quite a few options for parts of the game that can lead to a team winning, be it the number of kills, buildings destroyed, spikes placed, points scored, and so on. Here are some of the most popular betting markets for various esports games:

There are three main ways to wager on an esports betting site. First, you’ve got futures markets where you’re predicting how a tournament or competition plays out – like who wins, finishes in the top 3, or qualifies for the next stage. 

When it comes to the matches, you can either place bets before the action kicks off or wait until it’s live and choose your picks as the game unfolds. The latter is called live betting, also known as in-play betting.

The best esports betting sites pair this with live stream integrations. It’s great because you’re making calls based on what you actually see happening in real-time.

Also, keep in mind that odds on live esports betting sites can shift fast, or even get suspended, depending on the flow of the game. Leading sites have built-in features to accept odds changes automatically. This way, once you lock in a selection, it processes instantly without needing extra confirmation clicks.

Chances are you’ll come across a ton of bonuses at the top esports betting sites. But it’s best to take a minute to sort through them and focus on the ones that actually work for esports. Here are some of the most common types:

These give you extra funds based on a percentage of what you deposit, like 100% up to a set limit. Most Bitcoin esports betting sites throw them in as part of their welcome offers. Deposit match bonuses are great for building bankrolls, but always double-check the rollover requirements since those decide how many times you need to play through the bonus before you can cash out.

The best betting sites for esports keep rewarding existing players long after the initial offer. You can pick up reloads pretty often at top sites like BetUS and Sportsbetting.ag. They work a lot like a welcome match bonus, giving you extra funds every time you top up your account.

Reload bonuses are often smaller in size, but can still be rewarding by giving you extra funds to work with for the next big esports tournament.

Place a bet, and if it loses, you get the amount refunded as bonus credits. BetOnline’s got one like this where the returns don’t come with any wagering requirements. The catch is the qualifying bet has to be on traditional sports, not esports – so it’s worth planning ahead for when there’s something in the sportsbook lineup you might want to take a shot at. If you win, you can then use the payout on your favorite esports games.

Here, you get a fixed amount to place a bet without using your own money. Any winnings are yours, but the original free bet amount isn’t typically included in payouts. Always double-check expiry dates since they’re often short. So, if you get a free bet for esports, make sure to place it sooner rather than later.

Cashbacks give you a percentage of your losses back over a specific period. For instance, BetNow offers 2% weekly, while Discasino ups it to 10%. It’s a nice way to soften the blow after a tough stretch during an esports tournament. You can then use the cashback bonus on other events for the chance to win back the initial amount, or even more.

Leading esports gambling sites have specific sections where selected markets come with improved odds, meaning larger payouts if they hit. It’s always up to the esports sportsbooks to decide what gets these boosts, so it’s best to make it a habit to check regularly. If it lines up with something you already planned to bet on, lock it in before it’s gone.

Crypto esports betting sites do roll out small no deposit offers every now and then. But don’t get your hopes too high – these are pretty rare. Payouts are usually capped, wagering tends to be steep, and you’ll probably need to do something in return, like verify your email, phone number, or submit KYC documents.

This is one of the offers that can be the most rewarding in the long run. Building a parlay gets you a percentage boost on payouts that grows with the more selections you add. Always check the minimum odds required – sometimes each leg needs to be at least -200. It’s best not to let the promo push you into riskier bets; stick to your usual strategy and just take advantage of the booster when it fits.

With most of the best betting sites for esports operating offshore, it’s no surprise there’s a big push toward eWallets, vouchers, and cryptocurrencies. Anonymous betting sites in particular make crypto banking easy, skipping the ID checks and delays you’d face with traditional platforms.

US banks come with a ton of restrictions, and even the esports sportsbooks that work with them leave you dealing with higher costs from cross-border fees, currency exchange, and other bank charges. 

That said, sites still manage to support traditional methods for those who prefer them. Credit and debit cards remain popular due to their wide availability.

Bank transfers are another option you’ll see pretty often, though you’ll need to be patient since payouts can sometimes take days or even weeks to clear.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main pros and cons for the most popular payment methods you’ll find at the best esports betting sites in the USA:

💳 Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)

 📱 eWallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)

🎫 PrePaid Vouchers (Paysafecard, Flexepin)

🌐 Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Litecoin, USDT, Ether)

It doesn’t matter where the operator is based since crypto is decentralized, and transactions are processed super fast. 

Sure, volatility might be a concern if that bugs you, though it could swing in your favor too. A good way around that is with stablecoins like USDT, which is linked 1:1 to the US Dollar. Fees are also way lower at the best Bitcoin betting sites, compared to traditional payment methods. 

Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular crypto tokens you can use and what makes each one stand out:

Modern esports betting sites are designed to work seamlessly on both desktop and mobile. Very few still bother with native betting apps since most focus on letting you skip downloads, avoid updates, and just play straight from your browser. 

The layout adjusts automatically. Menus collapse into a hamburger icon, and the bet slip minimizes so you can tap to add or remove picks without clutter.

Here’s a quick look at how the top 10 esports betting sites in the USA stack up against each other:

Once you pick the best esports betting site from our list, the next step is setting up your account and making a deposit. This shouldn’t take more than five minutes, and after that, you’re straight into tons of markets with your bankroll ready to go. 

The first piece of advice is to not jump in without a plan. Have a strategy lined up so you’re not just throwing bets around without direction. Let’s go over three tips that can help you get started on the right path.

Before you deposit any money, figure out how much you’re okay spending over a set period. You can go monthly, or if you’re betting around a specific tournament, plan it out week by week while it’s running.

I’d suggest splitting your bankroll early. Allocate some for futures, a chunk for pre-match bets, and leave a bit for in-play wagers. Always keep something aside for those last-minute hunches—especially when you’re following in-play action on live betting sites and spot a shift in momentum or an underdog rallying late.

I also like setting withdrawal targets – say doubling my deposit – then pulling out profits and leaving the rest to play with. Same goes for knowing when to hit pause and wait for the next round of matches.

Esports like NBA 2K and EA Sports FC are pretty straightforward if you’re already into traditional sports.

Most betting sites lay them out just like they do for real-world leagues, whether that’s basketball, soccer, or even MLB betting sites. But when you dive into CS2, Dota 2, or Fortnite, it’s a whole different ballgame. It is best to only bet on esports when you are familiar with the game, the tournament, and the teams.

The good thing is that sites let you stream matches for free without needing to place any bets. Take advantage of that and watch a few games to get a feel for how things unfold. You can also check out the official Twitch channels with commentary that might give you some pointers on what teams are strong going into the tournament.

And if you’re really into it, try the games yourself and look to improve. There is nothing like knowing firsthand how the games work when it comes to spotting crucial moments in a match. Most esports titles are free to play on PC, so it’s just a matter of downloading, installing, and jumping straight in.

One reason I keep active accounts with all the best betting sites for esports is so I can always compare odds as they’re released and as they shift.

A lot of factors influence the prices. Bookmaker analysis is obviously a big one, but where the money’s going matters too. It’s often a solid read on public opinion and sometimes opens up opportunities for better payouts. 

Setting up accounts is completely free, and you’re not forced to deposit anything to track markets and see how the lines move. 

Yes, esports betting is legal in the United States, but regulation is handled state by state. If you’re in places like Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee, or Colorado, you’ll find locally licensed esports sportsbooks. However, even here, offshore sportsbooks like the ones on this page are your best option.

These operators are based overseas and licensed in jurisdictions like Curaçao, Union of the Comoros, Malta, or Panama, which means they’re audited for fairness, secure payments, and guaranteed payouts. 

What’s great is that they accept players from across the U.S., even in states where esports betting has yet to be approved. Moreover, they are part of massive sports betting sites, ensuring secure banking, sharp odds, and reliable services with early lines and rewarding bonuses.

They’re also known for leaner bonus terms, lower fees, and higher crypto match offers since blockchain transactions cut down on processing costs, letting them pass more value back to players.

➡️ Did you know? Nevada was the first state to approve esports betting in 2017, treating it like any other traditional sport.

What started as casual gaming hobbies is now on track to hit a $6.4 billion market size by 2029, with some projections even pushing it as high as $8.3 billion. You’ve got thousands of professional players, global tournaments, and millions tuning in to watch live events. 

Esports grew ridiculously fast, and it’s now one of the most modern betting markets out there. It’s no surprise that the latest tech often rolls out here first before hitting mainstream sports.

Cryptocurrencies are already a major player, with plenty of esports sportsbooks letting you trade tokens right on the platform. 

Some esports titles have massive gambling communities that use in-game items instead of real money. CS skin gambling sites can have items worth thousands of dollars, while Dota 2 also has more than its fair share of cosmectics that are worth over $100.

I wouldn’t be shocked if AI and VR become standard soon, pushing live streaming to the next level – where you’re not just watching but practically inside the game. 

The push toward regulation is also heating up, and with that comes more operators, sharper odds, bigger bonuses, and better overall value.