Best UK Esports Betting Sites
Esports betting has grown to become a popular form of gambling in the UK, especially in the internet age. In other words, it is widely embraced because people now have unrestricted access to internet facilities. Another factor that contributes to the popularity of this type of betting is its convenience meaning that you can bet on UK eSports betting sites in the comfort of your room through your internet-enabled devices.
Sportsbooks today offer numerous options to gamers, these options include the forms of betting, choices of wagers, games to bet on, as well as virtually any sports in the world, including video games. With that said, you can easily bet on eSports through a reliable and trustworthy betting site.
If you are new to eSports betting, this is an opportunity to learn more about this unique type of gambling as we are going to take you through our full-fledged guide to eSports betting.
Best Online UK Esports Betting Sites 2021
BETTING SITE | WELCOME BONUS | EDITOR RATING | PLAY | |
1 |  | 100% up to £2000 | 5/5 | |
2 |  | 225% Deposit Match | 5/5 | |
3 |  | 100% up to £100 | 4.9/5 | |
4 |  | Bet £5 Get £30 | 4.9/5 | |
5 |  | Bet £5 Get £30 | 4.8/5 | |
6 |  | 100% up to 1 BTC | 4.8/5 | |
7 |  | 100% up to £50 | 4.7/5 |
Everything You Need to Know About Esports Betting
Esports betting is used to describe a competitive video gaming where players or teams play against each other. Apart from the fact that it encourages fair competition among players, eSports is an exciting game.
In the past, players can only bet on eSports within the Video gaming community. Then, the sportsbook and the betting sites had not looked in the direction of competitive video gaming. Therefore, players who intend to bet on an online sport had to wager privately with other gamers.
A lot of people were willing to bet then, so it was not hard for punters to find a partner to make their wagers. However, it wasnβt the perfect way as bettors had to rely on the integrity and honesty of their co-bettors.
Pinnacle was the first gambling betting site to get involved in Fantasy eSports betting. The betting site started offering eSports gambling in 2010.Β After then, most of the top-rated gambling sites started to offer eSports betting. Β
Pinnacle announced, in 2017, that it had taken up to 5 million wager on eSports. This shows that people have genuine interest in eSports betting, and it has come to stay.
Some of the types of eSports betting that you should know include, social betting, challenge betting, real money betting, and so on. Social betting involves betting privately with other individuals. Betting with someone you donβt really know is not advisable because it comes with a high risk. You are advised to stick to your family members or friends, if you want to engage in social betting.
In challenge betting, you engage in competition with other players for an agreed stake. Real money eSports betting is also known as fixed-odds eSports betting. All you need to engage in real money eSports betting is an experience in traditional sports.
What Should I Look for in an Esports Betting Site?
If you are planning to bet on UK eSports betting sites, you need to consider some factors. In this section, we will take you through some of the essential features that you must look for in an eSports betting site. Below are some of the vital quality you must consider before registering on an eSports platform:
1. Ease of Use
Before you sign up at any eSports site, you must determine if you can easily navigate the website. You wonβt have to follow any guide or manual for page-to-page navigation of the website. Apart from that, the betting site must be able to load with delay. The three words that define the ease-of-use of an eSports platform are intuitiveness, polish, and speed.
2. Reputation
Though online reviews might be confusing sometimes, you still have to consider them. Online reviews matter a lot as they tend to destroy or build the reputation of anything on the internet, including eSports gambling sites. Therefore, you should not take online reviews with a grain of salt as they tell you a lot about the reputation of a particular betting site.
3. Betting Options Available
Another essential factor that you should consider before registering on an eSports site is the betting options. These options are not limited to live bets and specials. The more, the better options on the platform, the better it is.
4. Quantity of eSports Market
The quantity of the eSports market matters a lot. It must not be limited to Dota 2, LoL, and CS: GO bets alone. An eSports betting site must have numerous eSports markets, which should include both popular and those that are not well-known like Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Overwatch.
How to Know If Esports Betting Sites Are Trustworthy?
Before you decide to stake your bet on an eSports betting site, you need to know if it is trustworthy. Some factors will tell you if a platform is reliable or not. If you are looking to stake your bet on an honest gambling site, you should note the following qualities:
- Licence
One of the signs that shows whether an eSports betting site is trustworthy or not is the license. Therefore, you must check if the gambling site holds a license from a reputable authority before registering. The licensing bodies have rules and regulations that licensees must follow. They are meant to protect the interest of both players (customers) and the operators.
- Customer Care Support
The reliability and trustworthiness of an eSports gambling site also hinge on the quality of customer care service. Some gambling sites give their addresses; this means they donβt involve themselves in anything shady. Furthermore, their customer care agents must be easily accessible and must be able to respond promptly via online chat, telephone, and email.
- Payment Options
Another factor that players can use to judge the trustworthiness of an eSports platform is the payment options. A reputable and reliable gambling site will provide a wide range of banking options, leaving its customers to make choices. The payment options must be fast, secure, and convenient. Apart from that, it should not have any hidden charges.
Players sometimes go through a lot of stress when cashing out their winnings from a betting site. This is quite frustrating and unacceptable. A trustworthy eSports must allow its players to withdraw their winnings with delay. Some of the fast and convenient withdrawal options include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, MasterCard, Bank Transfer, Visa, and many others.
Bonuses at Esports Betting Sites
When you register on the eSports betting site, you are entitled to some bonuses. In this section, we will explain the types of bonuses available on this platform.
No Deposit Bonuses
This bonus is usually awarded through bonus codes or coupons. Players do not need to deposit on the platform to claim this Esports Betting bonus. As the name implies, it does not require any deposit.Β It is a fixed amount given to gamers to play their favorite games.
Cashing out winnings from this bonus might be practically impossible, you need to read the terms and conditions to learn more about the No deposit bonus.
Deposit BonusesΒ
This is also known as a welcome bonus. It is usually awarded based on the playersβ initial deposit. Furthermore, deposit bonuses form a certain percentage of the initial deposit of players. Bear in mind that the deposit bonus has a fixed cap.
Apart from that, there are wagering requirements and minimum deposits that qualify you for it.
What do we mean by a fixed cap? For instance, if a bookmaker over 100 percent deposit bonus up to 500 USD. This means that you will 100 percent of your initial deposit, and the maximum amount you can get is 500 USD. It is quite straightforward.
FreebiesΒ
Some eSports operators offer free bet to players without requiring them to deposit on the platform. Also, some sites offer free bets on some specific dates. This comes as a special promotional offer. These free bets are synonymous with No deposit bonuses.
One of the significant differences between them is that free bets provide fixed-stake tickets for betting. You are advised to read the Tβs and Cβs guiding the free bets as they usually come with high wagering requirements.
What Kind of Bets can I place on Esports Bookmakers?
Like sports betting, eSports gambling allows punters to bet on an individual or a team of players. Gamblers have the opportunity to pick who they think would win a match or tournament. Furthermore, there are several types of betting options for gamblers.
The simplest option in eSports betting is allowing punters to predict the overall winner. Below are the kinds of bets you can place on eSports sites:
- Betting Outright
As the name implies, this is a type of bet placed before the competition or tournaments. In this category, the most common bet is to predict the outright winner of the game. Apart from that, you can also place your bet on the team that will not make it to a certain tournament stage. Furthermore, another form of betting outright is to predict the players that will continue to the subsequent stage of the event.
- Match Winner
This is a simple and clear bet. It involves picking the winner of a particular match. It is also a common type of bet that is usually placed by both new and experienced players.
Here, the Esports Betting odds are determined by the number of bets placed on the teams. It could also be dependent on the odd compiler a few days before the commencement of the match.Β
- Totals
This is a different type of bet. Punters usually bet on total points, total maps, total rounds, as well as total kills. Bear in mind that total betting has nothing to do with the result of the game. Betting on totals has to do with the total stats of the event or match.
Esports Betting in the UK
Is Esports Betting Legal in the UK?
There are lots of bookmakers operating legally in the United Kingdom. Therefore, eSports betting is legal in the United Kingdom. Many bookies in the UK offers different types of eSports that players can enjoy.
However, there might be a few ones operating without a license. So, you must check their license information betting staking your bet on the website.
Furthermore, some foreign sportsbooks allow UK players to register on the site. However, you should not bet on these platforms if they do not hold a UKGC license.
Who regulated eSports Betting in the UK?
According to the Gambling Act of 2005, all bookmakers in the United Kingdom must have a license issued by the British Gambling Commission. Any eSports betting operating in the United Kingdom without this license is considered illegal. The 2005 Gambling Act also regulates all commercial gambling in the UK.
In a nutshell, the first thing you need to check on an eSports website is its licensing information. As mentioned earlier, the betting sites must be regulated by the British Gambling Commission. Another important license to look out for is the UKGC license. You are not advised to proceed with your registration on a bookie without the appropriate license as their activities are not regulated.
The Laws Around eSports Betting
The main law that governs eSports betting in the United Kingdom is stated in the Gambling Act of 2005. The law identified the United Kingdom Gambling Commission as the government body responsible for regulating betting activities in the UK. Apart from that, the commission will also make sure that all sportsbook follows the rules and regulations guiding gambling activities in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, the law states that gambling sites operating in the United Kingdom should obtain a license form the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. The gambling providers must meet the licensing requirement before they can be issued a license, following the Gambling Act of 2005.
Esports Betting Market Size in the UK
Like the rest of the advanced countries, the acceptance and popularity of eSports in the United Kingdom have been steadily increasing. Furthermore, UK players are not new to eSports as it has been around for a while.
It is worth stating that the UK is the sixth largest gaming market around the globe. According to the recent report of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, UK eSports betting sites shows a considerable increase of 2992 percent yearly.
The estimated eSports gambling yield was about 63 493 USD in March 2019. As of March 2020, when the pandemic was prevalent in Europe, it had increased to 1, 918, 541 USD. It further rose to 4, 289, 767 USD in April 2020, and 5, 835, 764 USD in May 2020. These figures indicate that the eSports betting market has been on a steady increase during the pandemic.
Based on the significant increase witnessed by the UK eSports betting market, it can be concluded that the eSports betting market in the United Kingdom is rapidly expanding.
Who, How Many and How Old Are People Betting on eSports?
According to the betting law, the legal gambling age for punters is 18 years. Therefore, players betting on eSports are expected to be above 18 years.
Considering the rapid increase of the UK eSports market, it suffices to say that it attracts numerous gamers in the United Kingdom. The number of people betting on eSports in the UK is incredibly high. Out of the about 37 million players, 3 million bets on eSports.
About 70 percent of the eSports bettors are male. And, their ages range between 21 to 35. One of the qualities of eSports players is that they usually introduce others to the games. It is common for old players to introduce younger ones to them.
How to Know that Matches Are Fair?
If you are dealing with a relatively new eSports gambling site, you need to ensure that competitions between two players are not manipulated. That is, it is not rigged in favor of one player against the other. Therefore, players should have the means to know if the competition is biased or not.
All players should have equal chances of winning during a competition. The match becomes biased or manipulated when a player has a higher chance of winning. Note that this is not a problem at the top levels of eSports because it is a professional industry having its rules and regulations. Apart from that, it has its code of conduct that must be strictly followed.
It is almost impossible to rig an eSports match these days as the events are being viewed by many gaming experts, who are experienced in discovering misconduct in the game. Besides, these games are being watched by a host of fans, who will easily discover any player who collided to lose or give up the game.
Esports are generally safe when it comes to rigging and other kinds of manipulation. Considering the issues other sports have faced, it suffices to conclude that rigging is not an issue in eSports betting.
Payment Methods for Top Esports Betting Sites UK
Before you register on an eSports platform, you should go through its list of payment options. You must know that banking options available on a gambling site will depend on the eSports operator and your location. Your location means where you are playing.
This section will provide you with some of the most convenient and safest banking options for eSports betting sites in the UK. Below are the most popular banking methods available on these platforms:
Web Wallets
Web wallets are also referred to as e-wallets. This method of payment has received wide recognition and is accepted globally. It is an online payment system that allows you to send and receive funds online without disclosing your financial information to bookmakers. Apart from the fact it does not reveal the financial details of players, it is easy to use.
First, you need to register online to have an account with your preferred e-wallet providers. You need to fund your e-wallet account, and deposit funds to your online betting site using your password and web wallet ID.
Some of the advantages of this payment method are safety, simplicity, and fast. As mentioned earlier, you donβt have to reveal your financial information to any sports betting site. Neteller and Skrill are the most popular web wallets used at eSports gambling sites.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and Debit cards are the most popular payment methods that are widely accepted among bookies. eSports platforms usually accept Visa and MasterCard. Furthermore, some gambling sites accept Entropay. It provides an additional layer of security being a virtual Visa card.
Credit and Debit cards are easy to use; all you need to do is enter your name, expiry date, and the card number as reflected on the card. You will also be required to supply the three-digit numbers on the other side of the card. Once you have completed these steps, you can then enter the amount you want to deposit.
Prepaid Card
This is another excellent payment option available on UK eSports betting sites. It is also referred to as an e-voucher. It is a perfect choice for players who want to remain anonymous while betting on their preferred eSports site. Also, it is ideal for punters without a bank account.
You can get this card at a retail outlet where you have to pay for it. Transactions via e-voucher do not have anything to do with your bank details. So, you wonβt have to reveal your bank details when making payment via this method. The Prepaid card comes with a unique ID number.
The disadvantage of this payment method is that you cannot use it to cash out your winnings from the bookies. Some of the popular e-vouchers are Flexepins and Paysafecard.
Direct Bank Transfers
Some of the top-rated Sportsbooks allow punters to deposit and withdraw through direct bank transfer. This means that you can transfer money straight from your bank account and also withdraw directly from it. To facilitate a smooth transaction, bookies may use Citadel Direct. Also, you may visit your local bank to transfer funds or deposit through EFT.
PayPal
PayPal is a reliable and trusted payment service available online. Most of the top-rated eSports gambling sites support this payment option. PayPal, like e-wallets, enables users to deposit at the bookmaker without disclosing their financial details. Apart from that, it offers additional layers of security.
Advantages of Esports Betting Sites
Esports betting comes with several benefits. Apart from the fact that it is a booming industry, it is also a perfect choice for gamers looking for something different. Furthermore, eSports are readily available as there are numerous Sportsbooks that offer different eSports categories to bet on. Below are some significant advantages of eSports betting.
- It is easily accessible.
One of the benefits of eSports betting is it is easy to access. As a result, a lot of people view eSports tournaments. For instance, the League of the Legend World Championship in 2019 attracted about 100 million viewers.
- It is a rapidly expanding market place.
The eSports betting market is on a steady increase. This is a remarkable feat when you consider the fact that it is a relatively new sport. Furthermore, there is no indication of growth stopping in terms of the number of audience or participants as it continues to expand yearly.
Also, the game can be played throughout the year, so you donβt need to wait for a season to commence. Besides, eSports features numerous games; therefore, eSports has something for all categories of gamers. So check out these best LoL betting sites and best Valorant betting sites
- You can bet with cryptocurrency
Some of the accepted cryptocurrencies on eSports betting platforms include Ethereum and Bitcoin. Also, there is a specialized crypto known as SkinCoin. Apart from making eSports more accessible, it offers additional ways to bet.
- eSports betting sites always have something new
Like other software in the gaming industry, eSports software is constantly undergoing maintenance and evaluation. This involves improving and making other changes to the game. These changes might include the addition of new features, items, characters, among others. Furthermore, new games are continually being added to the eSports Portfolio.
Disadvantages of Esports Betting Sites
Despite its numerous advantages, eSports betting comes with some drawbacks. In this section, we will take you through a few disadvantages associated with eSports betting.
- Addiction
Esports can lead to gaming disorder. According to the World Health Organization, gaming disorder is described as impaired control over gaming, as well as given preference to gaming over other essential activities. Addiction should be identified and controlled on time before it gets out of hand.
- Health Risks
Esports gaming some health risks that are associated with sitting for a long time. To minimize this health risk, maintain a proper sitting posture while sitting, and spend more time exercising. Some of the health complications that have been linked with being sedentary for a long time include Heart Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome, Mental Health, Cancer, Muscle degeneration, among others.
- Match-Fixing
Match-fixing in eSports means determining the results of a game before being played. In other words, the outcome of the game is known before its commencement. This is a corrupt practice and should not be encouraged.
- Cheating
Like other games, players indulge in cheating in eSports games. And, there is no perfect solution to put an end to cheating in eSports games.
Best Esports Games to Bet On
- Dota 2 Betting
- League of Legends Betting
- Overwatch Betting
- Valorant Betting
- FIFA 2020 Betting
- Fortnite Betting
- Rocket League Betting
- Counter Strike Betting
- Call of Duty Betting
Conclusion
We have covered all the essential aspects that you need to know about eSports Betting. Some of the areas covered include gambling laws around eSports betting, merits and demerits of eSports gambling, and payment methods on this platform.
All in all, this page serves as a complete guide for players who aim to bet on eSports games.