Live esports betting lets you stay in the middle of the action and quickly take advantage of changes in the game. It is exciting and potentially lucrative, but only if you know how and when to seize opportunities.
Without the right information, you could miss out on a lot of value. That’s why I’m here to guide you to the best live esports betting sites and how to use them. Let’s get started.
Best Esports Live Betting Sites Compared
With so many bases to cover, I’ve divided my top picks into categories so you can zone in on the ones that suit your preferences.
Best Esports Live Betting Site Overall: BetOnline
There are dozens of fantastic live esports betting sites out there, but my top three overall picks have very few weaknesses.
🥇 Winner: BetOnline
BetOnline has been in the betting business for more than two decades. This alone is a reason to rank it as a top live esports betting site because operators don’t survive for long in the gambling industry if they offer subpar products. Although the interface could be slightly more refined, there are plenty of betting markets to choose from. These markets are complemented by free live streams, plenty of promotions, including odds boosts, and instant crypto withdrawals.
🥈 Runner-up: BetWhale
The BetWhale interface is very impressive. The site has a dedicated section for esports and it includes live betting for major events. Some users might think the black-and-white interface looks rudimentary. I think it provides a no-fuss gateway to generous odds and plenty of esports betting promos.
🥉 Podium Finish: BetUS
BetUS is a veteran gambling operator with an excellent track record for customer service, bonuses, and payouts. It doesn’t cover as many esports as some, but the ones it does cover are enhanced by solid odds.
Best Esports Live Betting Site for Competitive Odds
The following three bookies not only have generous odds but plenty of promotions designed to give you more value.
🥇 Winner: SportsBetting.ag
It’s a close call, but SportsBetting.ag wins by a narrow margin when it comes to live esports odds. There are, of course, times when other sites have better lines. However, in general, you get more value at SportsBetting.ag than anywhere else. I did a quick comparison and found that its odds were comparable to BetOnline for all events. For example, SportsBetting.ag matched BetOnline’s +295 moneyline for Virtus.pro in its match against Team Vitality (-417).
🥈 Runner-up: BetUS
BetUS doesn’t always have the best odds for favorites, but I’ve found that it offers generous lines for underdogs. What’s also great about this platform is the speed at which odds are updated during matches.
🥉 Podium Finish: MyBookie
MyBookie makes the list of top esports live betting sites because of its promotions. Regular reload bonuses, odds boosts, and contests (such as Survivor) take otherwise average betting lines and raise their value considerably.
Best Esports Live Betting Site for Markets Variety
Variety is the spice of life, and with so many esports events taking place around the world, it’s nice to have a bookmaker that covers every possible angle. These are the best online sportsbooks when it comes to games covered and market depth.
🥇 Winner: TG.Casino
TG.Casino gets my vote in this category because it offers over 100 live esports betting markets on any given day. That’s because it covers more than 28 esports, including Dota 2 and LoL. Even though some people don’t use Telegram, I think the fact that this sportsbook operates inside the messaging app is novel.
🥈 Runner-up: BetNow
BetNow is all about simplicity and value. Its 200% crypto deposit bonus for newbies is backed by a refined, easy-to-use interface that offers generous odds on all of the latest esports events. It’s particularly good for Valorant betting.
🥉 Podium Finish: Discasino
Even though Discasino misses a few of the smaller esports events, the fact it allows you to bet on the majors using cryptocurrencies is great. You can also get esports live betting tips from other users via Discord.
Best Esports Live Betting Sites at a Glance
| Category | Operator | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | BetOnline | Free esports streams, best odds, Bitcoin payments, active since the 90s, 20+ esports. |
| Odds | SportsBetting.ag | Industry-leading odds, free live streams, crypto payments, exciting contests, plenty of odds boosts. |
| Betting Markets | TG.Casino | Instant registration, access via Telegram, fast crypto payments, covers 28+ esports, live streaming. |
Best Esports Games for Live Betting
Which games on the best esports betting sites present great opportunities for in-play fans? In my experience, you’ll find the great live odds for these games:
Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and its successor, CS2, are first-person shooters. Teams of players battle to the death in a variety of settings. These military-style games are extremely tactical.
🎮 Biggest CSGO competitions: BLAST, ESL One, PGL Major.
📖 To Learn More: Counter-Strike Betting Sites and CSGO Case Opening Sites
Fortnite
Fortnite players are dropped into a virtual world with one task: survive. This battle royale game is played by over 250 million people, but only the best make it into the pro ranks.
🎮 Top Fortnite Competitions: the Fortnite Champion Series and the Fortnite World Cup.
📖 Learn More: Fortnite Betting Sites
League of Legends (LoL)
This 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) is all about the Nexus. Specifically, teams of five compete to destroy each other’s Nexus, a sacred structure contained inside their bases.
🎮 Top LoL Competitions: Prime League and the LoL World Championship.
📖 To Learn More: League of Legends Betting Sites
Call of Duty
Players engage in militaristic first-person battles across a variety of disciplines (eg, game modes: search and destroy, hardpoint, and control) and maps. Teams that score the most kills per map and/or overall are declared the victors.
🎮 Top CoD Competitions: Call of Duty League, CODM World Championship, and the World Series of Warzone.
📖 To Learn More: Call of Duty Betting Sites
Dota 2
Similar to LoL, Dota 2 is all about destroying another team’s core structure. In this game, squads of five compete to destroy their opponent’s Ancient. Each member of a squad assumes the role of a character from a list of 126+ heroes.
🎮 Biggest Dota 2 competitions: BLAST Slam, ESL One, and DreamLeague.
📖 To Learn More: Dota 2 Betting Sites
FIFA
Anyone who enjoys betting on soccer will love FIFA esports matches. In this game, players compete against each other in a head-to-head battle for dominance on virtual soccer pitches around the world.
🎮 Biggest FIFA competitions: The FC Pro Open, the FIFA Club World Cup, FC Pro World Championship.
📖 To Learn More: FIFA Betting Sites
Overwatch
This multiplayer first-player shooter pits teams of five against each other in a variety of fantasy settings. Players can choose to be one of more than 40 characters, all of which have unique qualities that make them strong and weak in certain areas.
🎮 Biggest Overwatch competitions: The Overwatch League and Overwatch Champions Series.
📖 To Learn More: Overwatch Betting Sites
Rocket League
Swap grass pitches for concrete arenas with rocket-powered vehicles, and you’ve got a unique version of soccer known as Rocket League. Like traditional soccer, two teams compete to score more goals (with their vehicles) than their opponents.
🎮 Biggest Rocket League competitions: Rocket League World Championship.
📖 To Learn More: Rocket League Betting Sites
Valorant
Valorant combines CSGO/CS2 battle tactics with Dota 2 fantasy elements. This makes it one of the most strategic esports, which in turn makes it great for live betting.
🎮 Biggest Valorant competitions: VCT, Break Point, Valorant Champions.
📖 To Learn More: Valorant Betting Sites
StarCraft 2
This real-time strategy game pits players against each other in a battle for galactic dominance. Players compete in campaigns that are divided into three installments. It wasn’t until multiplayer and co-op upgrades were made to the original version of StarCraft 2 that it became an esport.
🎮 Biggest StarCraft 2 competitions: IEM Katowice, Esports World Cup, and the ESL StarCraft 2 Masters.
📖 To Learn More: StarCraft 2 Betting Sites
Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a one vs. one turn-based fantasy card game in which players are fighting to destroy each other. Each player chooses a hero with unique abilities before a match. They then receive 30 random cards that can be played at any point the player deems optimal.
🎮 Biggest Hearthstone competitions: Hearthstone Masters Tour events.
📖 To Learn More: Hearthstone Betting Sites
Rainbow Six
Rainbow Six esports competitions are tactical first-person battles based on Tom Clancey’s Rainbow Six Siege video game. Teams of players try to kill each other in maps using a combination of defense tactics, stealth, and advanced weaponry.
🎮 Biggest Rainbow Six competitions: The Rainbow Six Pro League and the Rainbow Six Invitational.
📖 To Learn More: Rainbow Six Betting Sites
Wild Rift
Wild Rift brings the League of Legends experience to mobile, with shorter matches and faster pacing. Perfect for in-play wagering.
🎮 Biggest Wild Rift competitions: Wild Rift League (WRL), Icons Global Championship.
📖 To Learn More: Wild Rift Betting Sites
Benefits of Live Esports Betting
There are plenty of reasons to make in-play esports wagers. I love the thrill of watching games and betting on the action in real time. Just like in MLB betting, momentum swings can happen fast, and reacting to them can give you an edge.
Some other reasons sports bettors love live action are:
- The dynamic nature of esports live betting odds means that you can often find a lot of value in the market by reacting quickly to things you see.
- Real-time action means you’re constantly engaging when you’re betting on live esports.
- Ideal for stat trackers who like to find and react to trends.
Betting Markets for Live Betting on Esports
There are slightly different ways to bet on different esports events, so it’s worth scrolling through the latest odds to find wagers that suit your preferences.
To help set the scene, the following live esports betting markets cover the competitions I listed earlier:
Outright Esports Live Betting Markets
The simplest of all live esports bets is the humble outright. Otherwise known as moneyline bets, these wagers require you to pick the winning team or player. The main types of outright bets you can make are:
- Match (aka Full-Time) Winner
- Map/Round Winner
Round-Based Esports Live Betting Markets
Round-based betting is extremely popular in the live markets. These esports wagers allow you to speculate on what’s going to happen during a specific round of action. The most popular round-based bets are:
- Total Rounds Played
- Race to Win X Number of Rounds
- Team/Player to Have the Overall Round Advantage
Other Esports Live Betting Markets
Other popular live esports bets you can make online are:
- Over/Under: Bet on whether a score/total will be over or under a predetermined line.
- Will there be overtime? This is a simple yes or no bet.
- Race to Kills: Speculate on the team/player you think will reach a certain number of kills first.
- First Blood: Pick the team/player to score the first kill.
- Odd/Even Kills: Bet on whether the total kills will be an odd or even number.
- Spread: A spread gives one sports team a points advantage over the other in an attempt to level the playing field. You have to bet whether Team A will win despite being at a points disadvantage (betting against the spread) or Team B will win thanks to the points advantage (betting with the spread).
- Total Goals/Kills: You can bet on the total number of goals/kills in an esports match.
- First Tower: The team to destroy the first enemy tower.
- Next Roshan/Baron: The team to kill the next boss monster on the map.
Live Streaming Features at the Best Esports Betting Sites
Don’t underestimate the power of streaming when it comes to live esports betting. A lot of tips depend on you having access to real-time streams.
That’s why I recommend live esports betting sites with free streams.
If you can’t watch live streams via your chosen sportsbook, use one of these platforms:
- Twitch
- YouTube Gaming
- Official esports websites (LoL, Dota 2, etc)
The best esports live betting sites offer free streaming for two reasons. Firstly, it’s fun to watch these events. This makes the sportsbook more entertaining and engaging. Secondly, streams are used for a variety of esports live betting strategies.
Real-Time Data-Driven Decisions
If you recall, I said that stats trackers love live esports betting because they can use data to make informed decisions. Live streams are the perfect accompaniment to stats because they provide a true insight into what’s happening.
For example, the data might tell you that Team Liquid is dominating FaZe in a CS2 tournament. What the statistics don’t tell you, however, is that team FaZe appears to be handling it well. Watching in real-time, you can see that the players look confident despite being in a losing position.
The oddsmakers might overlook this and give you great odds on a FaZe comeback. There are no guarantees of course, but you’ll have a better chance of making smart moves when you’ve got access to more information.
Licensing and Security of Live Esports Betting Sites
The best esports live betting sites are all licensed, which means they’re both legal and safe.
If your state doesn’t allow in-play esports betting, you can still use offshore sportsbooks that accept U.S. customers and offer full esports coverage.
Here is the checklist of credentials I go through before using any site:
- Licensing: The first thing I do is make sure the operator is licensed and, in turn, regulated by a reputable organization such as the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
- Encryption: All secure live esports betting sites use the latest encryption technology. Some use SSL encryption, and others have TLS encryption.
- Third-Party Audits: An online sports betting operator can’t simply say that its software is safe and fair. All licensed sportsbooks must have their software tested, certified, and routinely audited by independent companies such as GLI and eCOGRA.
- Secure Payments: You need secure ways to fund your account if you want to bet on esports. Sites offer USD payment methods, including debit/credit cards and eWallets. For faster transactions via anonymous blockchains, you can deposit and withdraw cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
Mobile Experience for Esports Live Betting
Esports live betting is all about getting ahead of the oddsmakers. You can only do that if you’ve got easy access to the latest odds.
I’ll often use my laptop to watch events and make real-time wagers, but I’m not always glued to my desk, so I need a streamlined, reliable, and well-connected mobile platform for big esports event.
I don’t necessarily need a mobile app, even though they’re slightly more convenient. What I do need, however, is my chosen mobile sportsbook to meet these standards:
- Full Coverage: A mobile app or site is useless if it doesn’t cover all of the latest esports events.
- Navigation: Time is of the essence when it comes to live betting for esports, which is why I like streamlined interfaces with controls that aren’t so small they’re impossible to tap.
- No Lag: Connected to the above point is lag. A well-designed platform falls apart if it’s plagued by connection issues. Live esports betting odds are always changing, so even a small delay can reduce the potential value of your wager.
- Security: Standard encryption should be backed by the latest mobile security features such as Touch ID and Face ID logins.
- Features: Mobile live esports betting sites should have the same features as their desktop counterparts, such as streaming, fast odds, and statistics.
Best Esports Live Betting Apps
Looking to bet in real time while you’re on the move? The best betting apps make it easy to follow matches, react quickly, and place wagers wherever you are. Here are my favorite picks:
🥇 BetOnline: Access generous odds on dozens of live esports events via an iOS or Android app.
🥈 BetWhale: The almost overly simple interface is perfect for making quick bets on the go.
🥉 SportsBetting.ag: Move seamlessly from the mobile app to crypto payment apps for instant deposits.
Tips and Strategies for Live Esports Betting
Live betting for esports events is great fun. I can’t deny that. However, things can quickly turn sour if you lose a lot of money. Because of this, you should always bet responsibly. That means only risking amounts you can afford to lose.
Once you’ve mastered that skill, you should incorporate these esports live betting strategies into your arsenal. Do this, and you’re less likely to make poor decisions that can ruin your live esports betting experience.
Tip #1: Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Preparation is, ultimately, the key to success when it comes to live esports betting. The more information you’re armed with ahead of time, the easier it is to spot trends and anomalies. Try to research the teams and players, as well as the tournament format ahead of time. Some players perform better in online events than in live tournaments due to the added pressure of playing on the big stage.
Tip #2: Focus on the Small Details
Esports live betting odds change in response to what’s happening in a match. Your job is to identify potentially significant moments in an event and make a call on how they might sway the match.
The best way to do this is to focus on small details. Does a player look fatigued? Did someone move left when they should have gone right?
Most people might miss these things because they’re focused on the bigger picture. As a smart esports bettor, you need to be laser-focused on the minutiae of matches in order to get ahead of the oddsmakers.
Tip #3: Look for Trends
Doing some research and focusing on the small details of a match make it easier to spot trends. The favorite might be tired and making small mistakes.
These things could easily snowball into bigger problems that allow the underdog to get on top. Just like at NBA betting sites, spotting momentum shifts early can be the key to finding value.
Essentially, small things can turn into big trends. Your job is to compare the real-time dynamics with expected trends. If the dynamics are going against expectations, a new trend might be forming.
Oddsmakers will spot trends and adjust their lines accordingly. Therefore, you need to spot the trends before they do.
Tip #4: Cashouts Can Save Your Profit
One of the most underappreciated esports live betting tips I want to shine a light on is early cashouts. It’s easy to think that winning bets will remain winning bets throughout a match. The truth is that things can change quickly in esports.
Because of this, you shouldn’t be tied to your bets. Don’t be afraid to end bets before their natural conclusion and lock up a profit (aka taking an early cashout). I say don’t be afraid because people often look at what they would have won.
FAQs
Live betting for esports is the act of wagering on matches while they’re in progress. The odds change in real-time, which is why this is regarded as a dynamic form of sports betting. The opposite of live esports betting is pre-match betting, where you place your bets before the games start.
You can make dozens of live esports bets via your computer or mobile, including outright, map/round winner, total kills, correct score, map advantage, and total rounds played. The simplest bet you can make is an outright because you only have to pick a winner. Live esports bets that focus on specific details of a match, such as total maps played, have the longest odds.
Yes, you can legally bet on esports live if you’re in the US. As long as you’re 21+ and use licensed online sportsbooks, you’ll be able to make in-play wagers on major esports events, including GT Sports League, the Rainbow Six Invitational, and the Dota 2 BLAST Slam.
The sites offer generous odds on all of the top events, including the Counter-Strike EU Pro League, NBA2K Blitz League, and Valorant VCL: SEA. One of the most popular events for esports live betting fans is the League of Legends Prime League.
You can use our secure links to join the top live esports betting sites and unlock exclusive offers. These sites are all licensed and secure, which means you can safely add funds to your account and make in-play bets on events via your computer or mobile.
You should contact the betting site’s customer support team via live chat or phone if you have a problem with the site. The in-play nature of esports betting means that you need an instant response, which is why these contact methods are preferable to emailing the customer support team.
References
- https://escharts.com/tournaments (esports Tournaments)
- https://www.esportsearnings.com/players (Highest Earning esports Players)
- https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/ (Gamblers Anonymous)