A few years ago, you would not have been able to bet on League of Legends, even if it had occurred to you to do so. But how times have changed – now eSports is becoming increasingly popular with bookmakers.
Bookies are always on the lookout for new additions to their sites. Reality TV has been good for them, and now it’s the same with eSports. They have seen how its popularity has been rising, and the number of leagues and tournaments is exploding.
The last year saw plenty of mainstream sporting events being canceled, leaving some big gaps on betting sites, so eSports was a good replacement. Betting sites needed to see a good level of interest in events such as the Rocket League and CS:GO. With that interest confirmed, sites now regularly offer odds on events. For example, sites like STS Bet have plenty of coverage for anyone wanting to bet on Dota 2 eSports matches.
Choosing which site to register with and begin betting on eSports is an important decision. There are so many sites online that you can consider joining, but your main task is to register with one that is safe.
Join one that will not see you at risk from any online fraud. It is important to become a member of a site that is licensed and regulated. The site has had to undergo some tests and a review process to be given a license. Look for licensing from bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority, or one of the increasing number of US states to legalize online betting. If problems occur, the site will be investigated. If it’s a non-licensed site, that will not be the case.
When joining a site to bet on the next big League of Legends clash, you will likely be offered a welcome bonus. This could be free bets or even a risk-free bet that sees a refund (sometimes even in cash) if your first bet loses. Read a review of these offers, as some have terms and conditions that make it difficult to make a withdrawal. Also, consider how much support the site will give you and which payment methods are available.
How to Place a Bet
Ensure you join a site that has a good level of eSports coverage. One that has a section dedicated to eSports is good to join. That will guarantee a steady flow of events to bet on. If you wish to bet on eSports, then your first step is to find the link to that section of the site. Online gambling sites have a list of different sports covered, so just access that and then click on eSports.
That will take you to the eSports section, and there will be a list of events that you can place bets on. Each different league will have its own section, so there’s no problem in finding the games you are interested in.
For example, you wish to place a bet on a League of Legends match between INTZ and LOUD or some big CS:GO action. Look for the relevant game in the bookmaker menu, and up will come the odds and various markets available. Choose the one you want to bet on, click on the odds, and then fill in the betting slip, usually on the right-hand side of sites.
Check all the information is correct, and then make your bet. Do some research on the match first, though, because the more you know, the better. For example, league positions and current form are always handy to know.
There will be several markets that you can bet on. It’s not just a case of betting on which team or player will win the match. There are other markets such as first blood, the first team to destroy a tower or slay a dragon. Again, the thought of going to a bookmaker and asking, ‘Can I have a bet on the first team to slay a dragon, please?’ would have caused much laughter a few years ago.
It is also important that you follow responsible gambling. Don’t let gambling take over your life because addiction is possible. Sites do have helpful information about responsible gambling, and it is a neat idea to read the available information. There will also be links to support groups that can offer assistance if problems do occur.
You can see, therefore, that betting on eSports is a big business. It’s great fun, too, with the matches often live-streamed. Just ensure that you join the right site and gamble responsibly, and you’ll have a great time.
