Welcome Bonus
In This Guide
- 1.BetOnline: Best Overall for Esports
- 2.Bovada: Best for Live Esports Betting
- 3.BetUS: Best Esports Bonuses
- 4.MyBookie: Best for Prop Bets
- 5.BetWhale: Best for Crypto Esports Bets
- 6.Which Esports Can You Bet On?
- 7.Major Esports Tournaments in 2026
- 8.Match Integrity & Betting Safety
- 9.Frequently Asked Questions
Esports betting has matured from a niche hobby into a multi-billion dollar industry. With the global esports betting market projected to reach $2.8 billion in 2025 and continuing to grow, competitive gaming has firmly established itself alongside traditional sports betting.
The landscape heading into 2026 looks particularly compelling. Counter-Strike 2 has revitalized the tactical shooter scene, League of Legends continues its dominance with packed arenas for Worlds, and the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia has injected unprecedented prize pools into competitive gaming.
For American bettors, offshore sportsbooks remain the primary avenue for esports wagering. While states like New Jersey have begun licensing esports betting, the majority of U.S. bettors still turn to established offshore platforms for their CS2, League of Legends, and Dota 2 action.
We’ve evaluated the leading esports betting sites based on game coverage, odds quality, live betting options, and payout reliability. Here are the top platforms for 2026.
Best Esports Betting Sites Reviewed
1. BetOnline — Best Overall for Esports Betting
Quick Facts
| Welcome Bonus | 50% up to $250 (100% Crypto) |
| Esports Coverage | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, VALORANT, Call of Duty |
| Live Betting | Yes – All Major Tournaments |
| Payout Speed | 24-48 Hours (Crypto) |
Performance Benchmarks
Game Coverage
4.9/5
Odds Quality
4.8/5
Live Betting
4.7/5
Payouts
4.9/5
- ✓
Extensive Coverage: Lines available for tier-2 and tier-3 tournaments, not just majors. - ✓
Competitive Odds: Consistently among the best lines for CS2 and LoL matches. - ✓
Early Lines: Posts odds earlier than competitors for upcoming matches. - ✓
Crypto-Friendly: Bitcoin and altcoin deposits with same-day withdrawals.
- ✗
Limited Props: Fewer esports-specific prop bets compared to dedicated esports books. - ✗
Rollover Requirements: Bonus comes with 10x rollover on sports bets.
BetOnline has built its esports section into one of the most comprehensive offerings among offshore sportsbooks. The platform covers all major titles including Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Dota 2, VALORANT, and Call of Duty, with lines extending to regional leagues and qualifier tournaments that many competitors ignore.
What sets BetOnline apart is consistency. During major tournaments like The International or League of Legends Worlds (USA – Texas/NYC), the book maintains competitive odds throughout the event and rarely suspends markets during matches. Their crypto processing is also industry-leading, with Bitcoin withdrawals typically completing within 24 hours.
2. Bovada — Best for Live Esports Betting
Quick Facts
| Welcome Bonus | 75% up to $750 (Crypto) |
| Esports Coverage | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, VALORANT |
| Live Betting | Excellent – Real-Time Odds Updates |
| Payout Speed | Same Day (Crypto) |
Performance Benchmarks
Game Coverage
4.6/5
Odds Quality
4.7/5
Live Betting
4.9/5
Payouts
4.8/5
- ✓
Superior Live Platform: Real-time odds updates with minimal lag during matches. - ✓
Mobile Excellence: Best-in-class mobile app for live esports betting. - ✓
Map Betting: Individual map lines available for CS2 and VALORANT matches.
- ✗
Smaller Tournament Selection: Focuses mainly on tier-1 events. - ✗
Lower Limits: Bet limits slightly lower than BetOnline for major events.
Bovada’s esports offering shines brightest during live betting. The platform’s real-time odds engine handles the fast-paced nature of competitive gaming better than most competitors, with map-by-map betting options for tactical shooters and round-by-round action for CS2 matches.
The mobile experience is particularly strong. Bettors can watch Twitch streams while placing live bets, making it ideal for those who want to react to in-game momentum shifts during major tournaments.
3. BetUS — Best Esports Welcome Bonus
Quick Facts
| Welcome Bonus | 125% up to $2,500 |
| Esports Coverage | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, VALORANT, Overwatch |
| Live Betting | Yes – Major Events |
| Payout Speed | 48-72 Hours |
Performance Benchmarks
Game Coverage
4.5/5
Bonus Value
4.9/5
Live Betting
4.3/5
Payouts
4.2/5
- ✓
Massive Bonus: 125% match up to $2,500 is the highest in the industry. - ✓
Esports Specials: Tournament-specific promotions during majors. - ✓
Overwatch Coverage: One of few books still offering Overwatch 2 lines.
- ✗
High Rollover: 10x playthrough requirement on bonus funds. - ✗
Slower Payouts: Withdrawals take 2-3 business days on average.
BetUS stands out for bettors who prioritize bonus value. The 125% welcome match is the largest available for esports betting, giving new customers significant extra bankroll to work with during tournament season.
The platform also maintains coverage for titles that other books have abandoned, including Overwatch 2 and Rainbow Six Siege, making it a solid choice for bettors interested in a wider range of competitive games.
4. MyBookie — Best for Esports Prop Bets
Quick Facts
| Welcome Bonus | 50% up to $250 (100% Crypto) |
| Esports Coverage | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, VALORANT |
| Prop Markets | Extensive – Player Stats, Maps, Rounds |
| Payout Speed | 24-48 Hours (Crypto) |
Performance Benchmarks
Game Coverage
4.4/5
Prop Variety
4.8/5
Live Betting
4.5/5
Payouts
4.5/5
- ✓
Deep Prop Markets: Player kill totals, map winners, round handicaps, and more. - ✓
Tournament Futures: Early odds on major championship winners. - ✓
Parlay Builder: Custom parlay options across multiple esports matches.
- ✗
Juice on Props: Higher vig on proposition bets compared to match winners. - ✗
Withdrawal Fees: Some payout methods carry processing fees.
MyBookie caters to bettors who want more than simple match outcomes. The platform offers extensive prop betting markets including player performance stats, individual map results, and round-by-round betting options for tactical shooters.
For CS2 bettors in particular, MyBookie’s prop selection is among the deepest available. You can bet on individual player kill totals, first blood percentages, and clutch round outcomes during major tournaments.
5. BetWhale — Best for Crypto Esports Betting
Quick Facts
| Welcome Bonus | 200% up to $1,000 (Crypto) |
| Esports Coverage | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, VALORANT |
| Crypto Options | BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, 10+ Altcoins |
| Payout Speed | Under 1 Hour (Crypto) |
Performance Benchmarks
Game Coverage
4.3/5
Crypto Support
4.9/5
Live Betting
4.2/5
Payouts
4.9/5
- ✓
Instant Crypto Payouts: Withdrawals processed in under an hour. - ✓
No KYC: Anonymous betting with crypto deposits. - ✓
High Limits: Larger bet limits for verified crypto users.
- ✗
Newer Platform: Less established track record than competitors. - ✗
Limited Fiat Options: Crypto-focused; fewer traditional payment methods.
BetWhale has quickly established itself as the go-to platform for crypto-native esports bettors. The site supports over 10 cryptocurrencies and processes withdrawals in under an hour, making it ideal for bettors who value speed and privacy.
The 200% crypto bonus is also among the most generous available. While the platform is newer than established names like BetOnline or Bovada, its crypto infrastructure is genuinely best-in-class.
Which Esports Can You Bet On?
The esports betting market has matured around several core titles that consistently attract the most wagering action. Here’s what to know about each major game:
Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)
Counter-Strike remains the dominant title for esports betting. The tactical shooter’s round-based format creates natural betting intervals, and the game’s decade-plus competitive history means teams and players are well-documented for analysis.
Key betting markets: Match winner, map handicaps, total rounds, first half winner, pistol round winner
Major tournaments: IEM Katowice, BLAST Premier, PGL Majors
League of Legends (LoL)
League of Legends draws the largest global viewership in esports. The game’s regional league structure—LCK (Korea), LPL (China), LEC (Europe), LCS (Americas)—provides year-round betting opportunities.
Key betting markets: Match winner, map count, first blood, first dragon, total kills
Major tournaments: LoL World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational (MSI)
Dota 2
Dota 2’s The International consistently offers the largest prize pools in esports—often exceeding $30 million. The game’s complexity creates opportunities for bettors who understand draft strategies and team playstyles.
Key betting markets: Match winner, map winner, first blood, first Roshan, total game duration
Major tournaments: The International, ESL One, DPC Majors
VALORANT
VALORANT has rapidly grown into a top-tier betting title since its 2020 launch. The game combines tactical shooter mechanics with character abilities, creating a unique competitive dynamic.
Key betting markets: Match winner, map handicaps, total rounds, agent picks
Major tournaments: VCT Champions, VCT Masters, regional Challengers
Major Esports Tournaments in 2026
The esports calendar offers year-round betting opportunities. Here are the marquee events to watch in 2026:
| Tournament | Game | Prize Pool | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEM Katowice | CS2 | $1,000,000+ | February |
| VCT Masters | VALORANT | $1,000,000 | March/June |
| Mid-Season Invitational | LoL | $500,000+ | May |
| Esports World Cup | Multi-Game | $60,000,000+ | July-August |
| The International | Dota 2 | $15-40M | August-September |
| CS2 Major | CS2 | $1,250,000 | Spring/Fall |
| VCT Champions | VALORANT | $2,000,000 | August |
| League of Legends Worlds (USA – Texas/NYC) | LoL | $2,500,000+ | October-November |
Pro Tip
The Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia has become the richest event in competitive gaming. The 2025 edition featured over $60 million in prize money across multiple titles, and 2026 is expected to be even larger. Futures betting on EWC typically opens several months in advance.
Match Integrity & Betting Safety
Match-fixing remains the most significant integrity concern in esports betting. Unlike traditional sports with decades of regulatory infrastructure, esports is still developing its anti-corruption frameworks.
The Match-Fixing Landscape
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) reported investigating over 60 cases in 2024 alone. Most incidents occur at lower-tier tournaments where prize pools are small but betting markets still exist. Tier-1 events with proper oversight see significantly fewer integrity issues.
Red flags for bettors:
- Dramatic line movements without news to explain them
- Unknown teams in obscure regional tournaments
- Matches streamed without official broadcast or commentary
- Late roster changes or unexplained player absences
How to Bet Safely
Stick to major tournaments: Events like the CS2 Majors, LoL Worlds, and The International have robust anti-cheat measures and significant oversight.
Know your teams: Research organizations and players before betting. Established teams with sponsorship deals have far more to lose from match-fixing than semi-pro squads.
Monitor line movements: Sudden, unexplained odds shifts can indicate suspicious betting activity. If a line moves dramatically without roster news or map picks to explain it, proceed with caution.
Warning
Avoid betting on tier-3 or lower tournaments, especially those without official streams. These events account for the majority of match-fixing cases and offer poor value even when legitimate.
How to Get Started with Esports Betting
New to esports wagering? Here’s a practical guide to placing your first bets:
Step 1: Choose a Sportsbook
Select a platform from our recommended list based on your priorities. BetOnline offers the best overall coverage, Bovada excels at live betting, and BetWhale is ideal for crypto users.
Step 2: Create an Account
Registration at offshore sportsbooks typically requires basic information and takes under five minutes. Some crypto-focused sites like BetWhale offer anonymous accounts.
Step 3: Make a Deposit
Cryptocurrency offers the fastest deposits and withdrawals. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT are accepted at all major offshore books. Credit card deposits are available but often carry higher fees.
Step 4: Find the Esports Section
Navigate to the esports category in your sportsbook. Look for upcoming matches in your preferred game—CS2, LoL, Dota 2, or VALORANT. Most books organize events by tournament.
Step 5: Understand the Odds
American odds show how much you need to bet (negative) or how much you’ll win (positive) on a $100 wager. -150 means bet $150 to win $100. +200 means bet $100 to win $200.
Step 6: Start Small
Begin with small wagers on match winners before exploring props and live betting. Focus on games and teams you understand well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Ranked These Esports Betting Sites
Our esports betting site rankings are based on hands-on testing and systematic evaluation across several criteria:
Game Coverage (25%): We evaluated how many esports titles each site covers, the depth of tournament coverage (tier-1 vs tier-2/3 events), and the variety of betting markets available for each game.
Odds Quality (25%): We compared odds across multiple sites for the same matches, tracking which platforms consistently offered better value. Lower juice on esports lines significantly impacts long-term profitability.
Live Betting (20%): We tested each platform’s live betting during actual tournaments, evaluating odds refresh speed, market availability during matches, and mobile usability for in-play wagering.
Payout Speed & Reliability (20%): We made actual withdrawals from each site, documenting processing times for both crypto and traditional methods. Sites with consistent, fast payouts ranked higher.
Bonuses & Promotions (10%): We assessed welcome bonus value, wagering requirements, and ongoing promotions specifically applicable to esports betting.
Last updated: January 2026
