Competitive video gaming has taken off perhaps more than anyone would have predicted. Esports is also the fastest growing betting market around. Esports betting sites allow punters to bet on Esports teams and players from around the world. Whether it be Counter-Strike, Dota 2, League of Legends or other titles, matches take place online and offline daily. New games are also entering the scene, with the Esports community having also been adopted by many of the leading US sportsbooks.

This page will outline the best Esports betting sites. We will also explain exactly how Esports betting works. This includes our top Esports betting tips and where to find the best bonuses. While skins betting is popular, we will be focusing on Esports betting sites that offer real money wagering and are fully licensed and regulated in the United States.

How We Rank the Best Esports Betting Sites in the US

Is Betting on Esports Legal in the US?

The gambling scene in the United States remains a complex one. Sports betting options, including Esports, is now legal in specific states. Bets were accepted on the League of Legends World Championship back in 2018, which set a precedent for the scene. In the same year, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was removed from US law.

Online sportsbooks are now able to accommodate bettors in Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Mexico, Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire. It is expected that online Esports betting USA will also soon be available in North Carolina, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, South Dakota and Louisiana.

How Do Esports Betting Sites Compare in Terms of Games Covered

The number of Esports games available to bet on is growing fast. While all Esports sites cover events from the world of CS:GO, Dota 2 and League of Legends, bookmakers can demonstrate their diversity by accepting bets on other titles too. This includes the popular Battle Royale title Fortnite, first person shooter game VALORANT and basketball title NBA 2K. It is important to try and specialize in a few games, rather than looking to be an expert across the board. So, the table below shows which Esports betting sites perform the best in terms of their coverage.

Bookie	CS:GO	Dota2	LoL	Overwatch	StarCraft	Rainbow Six
Unibet	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
888Sport	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
DraftKings	✅	✅	✅	✅
PointsBet	✅	✅	✅
BetRivers	✅		✅

Best Esports Betting Odds

When it comes to Esports betting sites, odds will likely differ slightly between operators. While price differences may not appear significant, even the smallest move can impact potential earnings. So, whether you are looking to bet on Astralis to beat Virtus.Pro in CS:GO or the Philadelphia Fusion to win the Overwatch League, it is important to know that you are taking advantage of the best odds. Remember that there is nothing stopping you signing up at numerous Esports betting sites. Our recommended brands all perform well in terms of odds, however there is undoubtedly one site that stands out in terms of prices.

Unibet regularly offers market leading Esports betting odds, making wagering on their sportsbook all the more appealing. Odds are especially appealing when it comes to outright markets. For example, at the time of writing this page, punters could get odds of +1000 on Fnatic finishing top of their respective CS:GO ESL Pro League group.

Best Esports Markets to Bet on in the US

An increasing number of video games are now competed in professionally. While some have been around for years, others have entered the scene over recent months. However, Esports betting sites will place a greater emphasis on certain titles. As such, it is the following Esports titles that are the best to bet on for Esports fans in the United States at present:

CS:GO

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is often the first game people think about when it comes to Esports betting. The first-person shooter (FPS) title from Valve was released in 2012. With over 10 million players per month, the game is competed in professionally by teams around the world. Many tournaments are now broadcast on live TV, with the ELEAGUE and BLAST Premier being among the most viewed. Astralis and Fnatic are two of the most successful CS:GO teams in history. Popular CS:GO betting markets include total rounds, map winner, and rounds handicap.

Visit Unibet for the best CG:GO odds

Dota 2

Founded back in 2013, Dota 2 is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game from developer Valve. With over 100 different heroes, Dota 2 matches are played in a 5v5 format. The game is regarded as being the most financially lucrative in Esports, with tournaments including The International offering millions of dollars in prize pool. Events take place regularly throughout the year, with the likes of Team Secret and Virtus.Pro regularly challenging. In terms of Dota 2 betting, popular lines include match handicap, first blood, total kills and map winner.

Visit Unibet for the best Dota 2 odds

League of Legends

Released in 2009, League of Legends is another MOBA title, this time from Riot Games. Despite tournaments not coming with the same prize money as some other titles, it is still played professionally by players from across the globe. Teams from Asia have dominated the World Championships over the years, including FunPlus Phoenix and Dawmon Gaming. Also coming with a 5v5 format, LoL matches offer a host of online betting opportunities. First blood, destroy tower, slay baron and destroy inhibitor are some of the lines awaiting punters.

Visit DraftKings for the best LOL odds

Overwatch

Blizzard Entertainment released Overwatch back in 2016, with the FPS shooter title having quickly made an impact in Esports. The Overwatch League is now competed in by teams based in six different countries. The San Francisco Shock has two wins to its name already.While the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Overwatch scene hard, it is still a game covered by many Esports betting sites. Available lines here include match winner and handicaps.

Visit Unibet for the best Overwatch odds

Call of Duty

Dating back to 2003, CoD is a FPS game from Activision. Having long been a favorite title for recreational players, it is also popular in the Esports community. The Call of Duty League features the best players from around the world. The Dallas Empire were crowned World Champions in 2020, following in the footsteps of the likes of Evil Geniuses and eUnited. Available Call of Duty betting lines include map winner, correct score and match winner.

Visit Pointsbet for the best Call of Duty odds

VALORANT

VALORANT is a relatively new FPS game from Riot Games. Launched in June 2020, the game has been a major hit in Esports. In fact, a large number of CS:GO pros have made the switch to VALORANT already. First Strike was one of the first events to be held, with many set to follow. Many Esports betting sites have already introduced lines surrounding the game, including map winner and map handicaps.

Major Esports Tournaments and Leagues

Many of the biggest Esports events have been around for years. However, they are quickly being joined by newly formed tournaments and leagues. A huge amount of investment into Esports means that betting customers can take advantage of an increasing number of high profile events. Many competitions can also be viewed live online, whether it be on an Esports betting site or platform such as Twitch or YouTube. While bets are placed on Esports events on a daily basis, it is the following which attract the most interest from bookies and punters, thanks in part to the prize money on offer:

How to Bet on Esports: Different ways to bet on Esports

Our recommended Esports betting sites all offer real money wagering on gaming events and matches. However, this is not the only way to gamble on Esports. Let’s take a closer look at some of the alternatives found online today:

Skins Betting

Gamers will know all about skins. Skins are effectively virtual items that come with their own value. Skins can be traded between players, with some skins being more valuable than others. Based on this, some sites will accept bets using skins, rather than cash. Skins can be used to place a traditional Esports bet, as well as on modern games such as Esports Roulette and coin flip.

Social Betting

Another popular method of Esports betting is social. This involves friends and online acquaintances placing bets between themselves. Whether it be for real money or skins, such bets are not regulated by any third party or authority. As a result, this is not a form of Esports betting that we can recommend.

Fantasy Betting

Some operators now offer fantasy Esports betting. This involves creating your own roster, made up by Esports professionals. Common in sports such as the NBA and NFL, an increasing number of fantasy sites have introduced Esports offerings of late. Sometimes, no investment will be needed, with those finishing in the top positions receiving prizes.

Challenge Betting

Referred to as head to head betting by some, this involves competing against other games to earn rewards. Again, such bets are generally drawn up between gamers, meaning that there is no one acting as an intermediary. Rewards can come in the form of real money or skins.

Esports Betting Bonuses

Signing up at Esports gambling sites is made all the sweeter when a welcome bonus is available. However, not all bonuses are worth the time and investment. This is mainly due to the terms and conditions involved. T&Cs include strict wagering conditions, minimum odds and minimum deposits. Our recommended Esports betting sites generally all offer fair and potentially rewarding bonuses to new customers. In our expert opinion, it is the following sites that cater the best for new customers:

Bookmaker	Esports Bonus Offer	Visit Site
Unibet	$20 Free Bet & $250 Risk-Free Bet	Claim Your Bonus
PointsBet	Up to $2,000 in Risk-Free Bets	Claim Your Bonus
FanDuel	Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000	Claim Your Bonus

5 Ultimate Esports Betting Tips

Unfortunately, as with any market, Esports betting does not guarantee returns. However, those that follow the steps below will give themselves a better chance of beating the bookmakers. Our expert Esports betting tips have been designed to help punters maximizing their chances of placing winning bets:

Bottom Line on US Esports Betting

Esports is undoubtedly here to stay. The industry is rife in regions across the globe, with North America being one of the hubs. As a result, it should come as no surprise that US betting sites now accommodate those looking to wager on their favorite teams and players. With a variety of lines, competitive odds, additional features and customer support being available to punters, there has never been a better time to sign up.

Esports Betting FAQs

Which are the most popular Esports titles to bet on?

In terms of Esports betting, the majority of bets are placed on CS:GO, LoL, Dota 2 and Overwatch. However, available lines can also be found on VALORANT, Starcraft II, CoD, FIFA and others.

Can I watch Esports matches live online?

Yes. Many Esports betting sites now offer live streaming. In some cases, a small bet may be required to gain access. Alternatively, platforms including Twitch and YouTube offer live streaming of Esports tournaments and leagues.

What are the different types of Esports betting?

Real money betting is the most common, with regulated sites offering opportunities here. However, skins, fantasy and social betting are also common in the US today.

Can I claim bonuses when signing up at Esports betting sites?

Yes. Our recommended Esports betting sites all have some form of welcome offer. These include deposit bonuses and free bets. Such offers will come with their own T&Cs and possible wagering requirements.

Are Esports tournaments regulated?

Yes. Esports tournaments that are available to bet on online will be regulated by the event organizers. These include game developers and specific Esports organizers, such as ESL and DreamHack.