Esports Betting UK
With esports betting, UK players at online sportsbooks can bet on the outcomes of video games such as CS: GO, League of Legends, Dota and other esports games. This form of sports betting has become a player favourite that many, but not all, online sportsbooks now offer. Learn all about it here!
Best Esports Betting Sites for UK Players
Browse our list of the best esports betting platforms and sign up at your preferred platform to get started!
- Free spins with low wagering requirements
- Welcome bonus for casino, live casino and sports
- Sportsbook, bingo and scratch cards in game selection
- Casino and sportsbook in one
- Weekly WinBooster and unique Wheel of Riches
- Support via phone, live chat and email
- Impressive selection of games (~8,000 games)
- No-wager free spins
- Casino games and sports betting
- Two welcome bonuses to choose from
- Wide game selection and sportsbook offering
- Lots of weekly, monthly and random promotions
- Good selection of payment methods
- Great welcome package with up to £1,000
- Weekly promotions and competitions
- Large game selection: lots of online scratch cards
- Monster casino app for mobile play
- Lots of promotions and bonuses
- Sport, casino, live casino, poker and bingo
- Mobile apps available
- Nice theme and concept for UK players
- Always 10% cashback
- Fair wagering requirements
- Massive selection of sports and events to bet on
- Lots of promotions and offers
- Payments can be completed at Betfred shops
- Sports betting app available
- Two welcome bonuses to choose from
- Good selection of sports and casino games
- Clear and extensive help centre
- Lots of sports, events and leagues to bet on
- Sports promotions including large play boosts offered
- Casino, live casino and scratchcards available in the casino selection
What is Esports Betting?
Esports betting lets you wager on competitive video game tournaments, just as you would with traditional sports. It’s become one of the fastest-growing segments in online betting.
These aren’t casual gaming sessions – we’re talking about professional tournaments where skilled players and teams compete for massive prize pools. Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and Dota 2 have evolved into highly competitive spectator sports, complete with dedicated arenas and millions of viewers.
While gaming competitions have existed since the 1980s, the rise of online streaming has transformed esports into a global phenomenon. Top tournaments now rival traditional sports in viewership and prize money, with more bookmakers offering diverse betting markets every year.
Popular Esports Betting Games and Bets
Looking to get into esports betting? You’ll find plenty of exciting games and markets to explore. Here’s a look at three of the most popular titles you can bet on.
CS:GO
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a fast-paced tactical shooter where two teams compete across multiple rounds.
You can bet on match winners, map winners, total rounds over/under, and if you’re feeling adventurous, specific in-game events like first kill or pistol round victories. Major tournaments like ESL Pro League and BLAST Premier offer excellent betting opportunities with competitive odds.
Dota 2
An exciting battle arena game where teams of five compete to destroy the enemy’s ancient structure.
Popular betting markets include match winners, first blood, total kills over/under, and the first team to destroy a tower. The International, Dota’s premier tournament, offers some of the most diverse betting options and features the largest prize pools in esports.
League of Legends
Similar to Dota 2, League of Legends is a 5v5 battle arena game with its own unique champions and strategies.
You’ll find plenty of betting options, including match winners, first dragon kill, first baron kill, total kills, and map duration. The World Championship draws massive attention, while regional leagues like the LEC provide year-round betting opportunities.
Learn more and find sites offering League of Legends Betting.
Esports Betting Tips
If you are new to esports betting, it can feel a bit daunting at first. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert on any of the games to join in on the fun. No matter if you have played lots of video games before or not, you can start betting on esports. Some sportsbooks will even offer betting tips, predictions and highlighted bets to help you along.
Here are some of our best esports betting tips for both new and seasoned players:
- Read the game rules and introductions. You don’t have to learn everything about the games, but you should read some brief introductions so that you can understand what is going on.
- Start with one game/league at a time. Dip your toes in first and then keep betting on more games as you familiarise yourself with them.
- Watch esports streams. If you are a visual learner, you can learn a lot about the different games and players by simply watching their streams from tournaments or on Twitch/YouTube. In addition to learning from it, it’s fun!
- Start with outright bets. Again, it is safe to start with the basics, so place your first bets on outright (the result/winner).
- Check betting predictions and odds. Just like with any other sport, you can get a lot of help from looking at tips, predictions and recommended odds. Do this alongside your own research to make clever decisions.
Keep in mind
As always, you also have to remember to play responsibly and not bet for more money than you can afford to lose. And last but not least, have fun!
How to Get Started with Esports Betting
If you feel intrigued by this modern way of sports betting and want to take part in the action, it is really easy to get started. Online esports betting works just like any other sports betting online, and most online sportsbooks offer it these days. Simply follow these steps, and you are on your way to becoming an esports expert:
- Sign up at an online sportsbook that offers esports betting UK
- Fund your account with some money to play for
- Open the sportsbook and click on “esports” (most sportsbooks offer this as a highlighted category or listed under all sports)
- Browse and click on the bets you want to place
- Play your bet slip and wait for the results
Pre-Match or Live Esports Betting?
When finding and placing your bets, you can normally choose between pre-match or live events. With pre-match betting, you can place bets for upcoming games that will be played later the following day, week, month or year. With esports live betting, you will place bets on an ongoing game.
Live betting will therefore give you a quicker result, and you can often add more precise bets based on the outcomes so far. It is fully up to you which type of bets you want to place, or if you want to mix and match a bit.
How to Find the Best Esports Betting Sites in the UK
Finding the perfect esports betting site is a crucial first step to enjoying safe and exciting online betting. That’s where we come in! At Kabono, we’ve done the hard work for you by thoroughly researching, vetting, and reviewing the top esports platforms available to UK players.
When choosing an esports betting site, there are several key factors to consider. Here’s what we look at (and what you should too):
- Licensing and Safety: Always ensure the platform is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This guarantees that the site operates legally and follows strict regulations to protect players. Key safety features include 128-bit SSL encryption for keeping your financial details safe and responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion.
- Bonuses and Promotions: The best sites offer enticing welcome bonuses, free bets, or ongoing promotions tailored for esports fans. Look for deals with fair terms like low wagering requirements and exclusive offers for popular games.
- Esports Markets and Odds: A great betting site should cover a wide range of esports titles and tournaments with competitive odds. From first-person shooters to battle arenas, variety is key.
- Payment Methods: Convenient deposit and withdrawal options are essential. Look for platforms that support UK-friendly payment methods such as debit cards, PayPal, or e-wallets, preferably with no additional fees.
- Customer Support: Reliable and professional customer service can make all the difference. The best esports betting sites offer 24/7 availability, either via live chat or email support, to assist you whenever needed.
- User Experience: A user-friendly interface, mobile compatibility, and features like live streaming or in-play betting improve your overall experience.
At Kabono, we only recommend platforms that meet these high standards. Every sportsbook listed in our guide is safe, fun, and fully optimised for UK players.
To get started, check out our top picks at the top of this page or read our detailed reviews for more insights into bonuses, payment options, and esports coverage. Take your time to compare your options. After all, finding the right site is about matching it to your personal preferences.
Whether you’re after the best odds, generous bonuses, or a seamless mobile app, we’ve got you covered!
New Esports Betting Sites Listed on Kabono
These are the latest betting sites that let you bet on esports.
- Casino and sportsbook in one
- Weekly WinBooster and unique Wheel of Riches
- Support via phone, live chat and email
- Lots of promotions and bonuses
- Sport, casino, live casino, poker and bingo
- Mobile apps available
- Impressive selection of games (~8,000 games)
- No-wager free spins
- Casino games and sports betting
Esports Betting FAQ
In this guide, we have introduced you to the fascinating and lucrative world of esports betting. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions that we receive about the topic. If you have any questions that are not covered here, please get in touch!
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How does esports betting work?
With esports betting, players simply bet on the outcome of esports tournaments and competitions. It works just like betting on football or any other sport, with the exception that the game being played is a video game and not a physical match.
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How are esports betting odds calculated?
The odds at online sportsbooks come from advanced sports betting software that combines bets from other players and other variables. It all works thanks to maths and technology that deals with all events placed and money to be paid out.
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Is esports betting legal in the UK?
Yes, as long as you bet at an online sportsbook that is licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, it is totally legal. We only list sportsbooks (and casinos) that are licensed by the UKGC.
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Is it possible to get an esports betting bonus?
Yes, sportsbooks sometimes hand out bonuses specifically for esport betting. More commonly, you can get free bets that can be used on any sport you wish.
Ready to get started with esports betting?
Check our list of the best esports betting sites in the UK at the top of this page and find your preferred sportsbook from our recommendations and reviews!