Esports has gained immense popularity recently. So many of us were told we'd never make money playing videogames, but now the industry gives out more than $500 million in prizes each year. This means there are more bookmakers than ever before offering more esport events and better odds.
This is great news for bettors, but it can be confusing knowing how to find the best operators. We put some of the most popular esports betting sites through their paces and Unibet came out on top. With that said, we also found a handful of other brilliant options that are worth checking out.
Whether you want to find out about the best odds, the best live streaming service, or the fastest withdrawal times, we've got you covered. Carry on reading to find out about the rest of our recommendations.
Tip: Check out, in addition, other best eSports betting sites.
Best UK Esports Betting Sites - Our Recommendation
Name | Score | Play Now | Welcome Bonus | Payment Methods | Sports | Payout Speed | Disclaimer | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9.8 | Claim Offer888sport.com | Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets | Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Trustly, Apple Pay | 25+ | 1 - 6 days | |||
9.0 | Claim Offer | 10% Cashback Always! | Neteller, Skrill, Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Trustly, Apple Pay | 25+ | 1 - 2 Days | Cashback is cash without restrictions. Full T&C's apply. No max cashout. Gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly. 18+ | ||
9.4 | Claim Offerbet365.com | Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets | Google Pay, Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Trustly, Apple Pay | 40+ | 1-3 Days | Only available to new and eligible customers. 3+ selections and combined odds of 1/1 or greater. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. | ||
9.2 | Claim Offer | Bet £10 Get A £30 Bet | Debit Card, PayPal, AstroPay | 20+ | Instant - 3 Days | New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issues the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as a technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. | ||
9.0 | Claim OfferGrosvenorcasinos.com/sport | Double The Odds. Any Sport. Any Bet. Any Odds. | Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Apple Pay | 30+ | Mins - 3 Days | New customers. Max £10. 100% Odds Boost Toek. T&Cs Apply. | ||
8.8 | Claim Offerwww.zetbet.com/uk//sport/ | Bet £10 Get £10 | Debit Card, PayPal, Trustly, AstroPay | 15+ | Instant - 6 Days | 18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. | ||
8.6 | Claim OfferUnibet.co.uk | Up To £40 Money Back + £10 Casino Bonus | Google Pay, Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Trustly, AstroPay | 30+ | 12 hours - 5 Days | 18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min Dep £10. Debit cards only. Opt in for bonus funds. Wagering, sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Sports bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical Restrictions and T&Cs Apply. | ||
8.2 | Claim OfferBetUK.com | £30 In Free Bets When You Bet £10 | Google Pay, Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Apple Pay | 25+ | Instant - 5 Days | New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. | ||
8.0 | Claim Offer10bet.co.uk/sports/ | 50% up to £50 | Neteller, Skrill, Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Trustly, Apple Pay | 25+ | 1 - 2 Days | New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+. |
List of the Best UK Esports Betting Sites
🎮 Overall Best eSports Betting Site – Unibet
🗡️ Best eSports Betting Site for League of Legends – BetUK
📱 Best eSports Betting App – 888sport
💡 Best New eSports Betting Site - BetMGM
Esports Betting Sites Reviewed
Here’s what distinguishes our top-rated esports sportsbooks from the rest of the competition.
🎮 Unibet - Overall Best Esports Betting Site
Unibet is one of the most popular esports betting sites among UK punters. Here, you can place in-play bets on CS:GO, Dota2, LOL, PUBG, Starcraft 2, Valorant, and Rocket League while watching the matches through a live stream.
Out of all the options, CSGO and LOL are the most popular esports on Unibet right now. The former offers betting on 4 international tournaments, while the latter provides 22 betting markets. Players can claim a welcome bonus that will reward them with £40 in bonus cash if their first sports bet loses, and there is a £200 refer-a-friend bonus. Moreover, Unibet has great apps compatible with all devices.
What We Like & Dislike About Unibet
- 31 esports tournaments
- In-play bets and live streaming
- Bet builder and bet calculator feature
- Special sports offers
- No Fortnite markets
🗡️ BetUK - Best eSports Betting Site for League of Legends
BetUK offers betting on several eSports: CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, PUBG, Rocket League, Starcraft 2, and Valorant. However, LOL fans will be most satisfied since this site allows betting on 22 events and tournaments, such as Prime League 1st Division, CBLOL Academy, Hitpoint Masters, and Ultraliga.
In addition to that, you can place in-play bets and watch matches live via a desktop or a dedicated mobile app. What’s more, new players will be rewarded with £30 in free bets for a £10 wager.
What We Like & Dislike About BetUK
- 22 LOL events and tournaments
- In-play live betting
- LOL matches are available live
- Bet builders feature
- Only a few payment methods
📱 888sport - Best Esports Betting App
888sport covers the three most popular esports markets: CSGO, DOTA, and LOL. On that note, you can bet on the most popular international tournaments and events:
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive buffs can bet on the CCT North Europe and the IEM Cologne tournament;
DOTA fans can place their wagers on the Riyadh Masters contest;
LOL enthusiasts can try their luck on the Lvp Superliga, Legends Champions Korea, Legends Pro League, and LFL.
888sport has one of the best esports betting apps for iOS and Android devices, meaning you can place in-play wagers on the go. Plus, there's a Popular Bets section where you'll find a list of the most popular bets for the ongoing matches.
What We Like & Dislike About 888sport
- User-friendly iOS and Android app
- Covers the most popular international CSGO, DOTA, and LOL tournaments
- In-play wagers available
- Popular bets section
- Only three esports markets
💡 BetMGM - Best New Esports Sportsbook
While BetMGM is pretty well established across the pond, it's still trying to make a name for itself in the UK. This means that there's plenty of value to be found here for UK punters, particularly in the world of esports. BetMGM currently offers esports betting on CS2, Valorant, League of Legends, and Starcraft.
Not only do they provide a good range of betting options, they also stand toe-to-toe with major betting sites when it comes to competitive odds. Plus, their £40 in free bets when you deposit and bet with £10 is plenty to boost your bankroll.
What We Like & Dislike About BetMGM
- Generous welcome bonus
- Great odds on esports
- Good selection of games to choose from
- Reputable company with long history
- Smaller selection of events than some bookmakers
How We Rate & Review Top UK Esports Betting Sites
To be on our best eSports bookmakers list, all platforms have to pass strict criteria. On that note, we paid special attention to the following factors:
Licence and reputation: We recommend only sites that are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission to ensure that they provide fair and safe gambling.
Esports markets: We made sure to include sites that offer betting on popular eSports markets, such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends, as well as international tournaments.
Multiple betting options: Besides offering a variety of events and tournaments, good eSports platforms must also provide multiple betting options, like first blood, map winner, most kills, and winning team.
Mobile compatibility: We included sites that offer dedicated glitch-free and user-friendly iOS and Android apps in case you want to bet on the go.
Safety and security: All sites on our list utilise enhanced security measures, such as 128-bit SSL encryption, and they provide safe gambling and behaviour monitoring tools.
Bonuses and promotions: To help you make the most of your bankroll, we enlisted sites that offer generous welcome bonuses and eSports promotions. In addition, we made sure they provide fair wagering requirements.
A variety of payment options: Since you'll want to cash out your winnings ASAP, we gave an advantage to platforms that provide multiple payment options. What's more, we made sure they provide instant deposits and fast payouts.
Customer service: The best eSports bookmakers must offer top-notch customer support that's professional and highly responsive. That's why we included platforms that offer numerous support channels, from email to live chat.
Latest Esports Betting Sites Compared - May 2024
Here's how our top-rated eSports sites look when compared:
Esports Betting Site | Number of eSports | Bonus |
---|---|---|
Unibet | 7 | £40 in bonus cash if your first sports bet loses |
BetUK | 7 | Bet £10 get £30 in free bets |
888sport | 3 | Bet £10 and get £30 in free bets + a £10 casino bonus |
BetMGM | 4 | Bet £10 and get £30 in free bets |
What Is Esports Betting?
Esports betting refers to placing wagers on teams that play massive multiplayer online games like Dota, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends. Esports betting is very popular among UK punters, so you shouldn't be surprised that most British sites offer extensive esports markets.
What Kind of Bets Can You Place on Esports?
The type of bet you can place will depend on the game you're wagering on. However, there are a few types of bets that are standard for all games:
Match winner: As the name suggests, you'll have to guess who will win the game.
The final score: This type of bet refers to guessing the final score of the match.
Odd/Evens bets: Here, you have to guess whether the number of players killed, matches won, or rounds played will be even or odd.
Over/Under bets: Over and under bets refer to trying to guess whether a certain team will score more or less than the amount determined by eSports sportsbooks.
First blood: You'll have to guess who will make the first five kills or what the final number of kills will be.
Specific bets: Each game comes with specific bets that are related to its gameplay. For example, CSGO bets can include the highest number of headshots, while LOL bets can incorporate the first dragon slayed bets.
Are Esports Betting Sites Licensed & Regulated in the UK?
We only recommend esports betting sites that have a current licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This means that they are regulated and safe for UK punters.
Betting on eSports in the UK is legal as long as the sites are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. The UK is well known in the eSports circles due to Fnatic, a professional esports organisation that has one of the most successful CS:GO teams.
Are Esports Betting Sites Legit?
To be 100% legal, eSports betting platforms must be regulated by gambling authority bodies. Besides the UKGC, other regulatory bodies include the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Curacao eGaming Licensing Authority, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
Esports Betting Bonuses
If you plan to bet on esports sportsbooks, you’ll come across several types of bonuses, such as free bets and bonus cash on lost wagers. All bonuses come with certain rules, like wagering requirements, time limits, and payment exclusions.
Wagering Requirements on Esports Bonuses
Esports bonuses have the same wagering requirements as standard sports promotions. With some bonuses, to activate and claim the offer, you’ll have to bet a certain number of times. But in general, the rollover refers to the number of times you need to play to withdraw the winnings. Usually, this varies from 10x to 40x the size of the deposit. You’ll also have to place bets on matches that have specific betting odds.
Payment Exclusions & Restrictions
Most eSports will consider e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller ineligible for bonuses. There are also a few restrictions on free bets. For example, you won't be able to use them on bet boosts or to cash them out. On top of that, not all games will contribute towards the bonus.
Winning Caps
A winning cap refers to the maximum amount of money you can win using a bonus, whether it's in the form of bonus cash or free bets.
Time Limits
All bonuses come with predetermined time limits during which you'll have to claim your deals. They can range between 7 and 30 days. If you fail to claim the bonus within a certain time period, it will expire.
Why Bet on Esports?
Benefits of Esports Betting | Drawbacks of Esports Betting |
---|---|
You can place in-play bets on live events | Match outcomes can be highly unpredictable |
Esports market is constantly growing | Limited payment options |
Esports often come with great odds | Not all sites will offer betting on less popular esports |
Large number of tournaments and events | |
Unique betting options |
How to Sign Up to an Esports Betting Site
Since Unibet is our number one choice, we’ll use it as a reference to show you how to open an account on esports betting sites.
Step 1: Tap the Register Button and Choose Your Welcome Offer
Step 2: Enter Your Personal Information
Step 3: Type in Your Address and Agree to the Terms and Conditions
Step 4: Verify Your Account by Providing Proof of Identity
How to Deposit at Esports Betting Sites?
To make a deposit on Unibet, you'll need to do the following steps:
Step 1: Log Into Your Account and Tap the Deposit Button
Step 2: Choose a Method and Amount
How to Withdraw Winnings From an Esports Betting Site?
You can cash out your winnings using different payment methods. Here's what the withdrawal process looks like at Unibet.
Step 1: Log Into Your Account and Tap the Bank Section
Step 2: Choose a Method and Amount
Esports Deposit & Payout Times
While deposits on eSports betting sites are instant, withdrawal requests will first have to go through the pending process, which can take between 24 and 48 hours, depending on the bookie. After that, you'll have to wait 12 hours to 8 days to cash out your winnings, depending on your payment method.
How to Choose the Best Esports Betting Site in 2024
If you want to be sure that you’re playing on a 100% safe and legitimate site before you click on the Registration icon, pay attention to the following factors.
Restricted Countries
Find a site that is licensed to operate in the UK. In other words, check if it's regulated by the UKGC. If you get a message that the site is unavailable in your country, don't try to use a VPN because many platforms use VPN detection tools. You'll usually be able to find a list of restricted countries in terms of the service section.
Safety, Reliability and Reputation
Opt for sites that are regulated by the UKGC. Furthermore, check what security measures they use, especially when it comes to payouts. On that note, see if they're using SSL encryption and if they offer tools for responsible gambling. You can check this by contacting customer support or going through the FAQ section.
Payout & Withdrawal Speed & Terms
The best eSports bookmakers offer fast payouts and large withdrawal limits. Withdrawals shouldn't take more than 10 business days, and minimum and maximum limits should be listed on the site.
Moreover, choose sites that allow you to reverse a requested withdrawal and see your withdrawal history. Keep in mind that you will usually have to cash out your winnings using the same currency you used to make a deposit.
Deposit Options
Find a platform that offers UK-friendly payment options, such as debit cards like Visa and Mastercard, online banking, e-wallets like Paypal, Skrill, or Neteller, Trustly, Apple Pay, and Paysafecard. Deposits should be instant, and you should be able to see the minimum and maximum limits for each option. That said, minimum deposits on most eSports platforms stand at £10.
Esports Betting Selection
When choosing a platform, pay attention to their eSports betting market. Ensure they offer wagering on the most popular games, from the League Of Legends, Dota, Counter Strike, and PUBG to Starcraft 2, Valorant, and Rocket League. Likewise, they should offer betting on popular international competitions, like DOTA Riyadh Masters, CSGO CCT North Europe, LOL Ultraliga, and PUBG Global Series.
Esports Betting Bonuses and Promotions
The best eSports bookmakers offer welcome bonuses that include free bets or cashback. All bonuses come with specific conditions you need to fulfil to claim them. For example, free bets usually come with minimum deposit requirements, while cashback deals refer to getting bonus funds for lost bets. To find out the exact promo conditions, make sure to check the Bonus Policy section on the site where you play.
Cost & Fees
While eSports bookies don't impose deposit and withdrawal fees, you'll have to pay currency exchange fees (if you use different currencies) and inactive account fees (if you have been inactive for more than 12 months). In addition to that, some UK banks may impose their own transactional fees on debit card payments and bank transfers.
User Experience & Mobile Compatibility
By reading user reviews, you'll not only understand how a particular platform works, but you'll also find out how satisfied other players are. With that in mind, always check how other bettors rated the site and choose the one with the highest ratings. Likewise, to have more flexibility, opt for eSports platforms that have dedicated betting apps for iOS and Android users.
Cashier Policy And T&Cs
The Terms and Conditions section will help you find out how eSports sites work. In other words, you'll learn what you can and can't do after opening an account. You'll also find the Cashier Policy section, where you'll find out everything about deposits and withdrawals, as well as payment limitations and exclusions.
Best Alternative to Esports Betting Sites
The best alternatives to eSports betting sites are platforms that offer betting on daily fantasy eSports. The concept of daily fantasy eSports is the same as that of standard fantasy sports—you have to choose your virtual team to compete against other players. Here are the most popular daily fantasy esports.
Daily Fantasy League of Legends
LOL fans will be able to enter Classic, Showdown, and Tier competitions where they'll have to pick 7 players:
ADC - A player who will sacrifice their abilities for maximum damage
TOP - A tank or a bruiser
JNG - A player who will get the most gold and XP
MID - A player who will take over the Mid Lanes, usually Assassins or ADCs
SUP - A player who will support the tanks and the JNGs
Team - You'll have to pick the team you wish to support
Captain - Any player can take the role of the captain. Captains cannot be replaced; they will cost more, and they will earn more game points
Daily Fantasy CS:GO
CS:GO is one of the most popular daily fantasy eSports. To participate in CS:GO tournaments and compete against other players, you'll have to draft real-life players. Take notice of their real-life performances since they will affect their scoring.
You'll be able to pick 6 players—1 captain and 5 flex—using a specific salary cap whose size will depend on the site you play on. The players you set as captains will win 1.5x more points during the game. However, they will also cost much more than flex players.
Daily Fantasy Rocket League
Rocket League is a game that will remind most players of soccer with a twist. Namely, instead of using 11 people to score goals and assist, you'll be using 4 cars. That said, those who are familiar with the game can create their fantasy team by picking 4 players from the draft, after which they can either create their own competition or join an existing one.
When it comes to positions, you'll have to pick 2 captains and 2 flex players. You'll also receive a specific budget that you’ll be able to use to buy players.
Esports Betting Sites to Avoid
Now that you know which are some of the best eSports betting sites, it's time to find out which platforms you should stay away from. The main reasons why these sites are blacklisted are payment issues, issues with licensing, and unfair wagering requirements. These are the eSports bookies you need to avoid:
TopBet - The site is not licensed; it has unfair bonus terms and slow payouts.
BetOnline - There is no information about the licence. The payouts are slow, and bonus terms are unfair.
Mystake - Lack of licence, payout issues, unfair wagering requirements.
Responsible Gambling
At BestGamblingSites.com, responsible gambling is a core value. We believe that gambling should be a fun and enjoyable activity, conducted with mindfulness and discretion. That's why our selections only include casinos committed to ethical practices and fair play.
We urge players to establish personal boundaries on time and funds spent, and to seek assistance if gambling becomes a concern. Our site provides resources and tools to help maintain a balanced approach, ensuring that the excitement of online gaming remains a positive experience. Visit our responsible gambling guide to learn more about enjoying online casinos responsibly or contact one of the organizations in the table below if you feel you or someone close to you may be experiencing gambling-related issues.
Responsible Gambling Organisations and Charities in the UK
Organisation | Contact Details |
BeGambleAware | Live chat: www.begambleaware.com; Freephone 24-7 Helpline: 0808 8020 133 |
Gamblers Anonymous | Email: [email protected]; Phone: 0330 094 0322 |
National Problem Gambling Clinic | Email: [email protected]; Phone: 020 7381 7722 |
Gordon Moody | Email: [email protected]; Phone: 01384 241292 |
NHS | Visit: 69 Warwick Road, London, SW5 9HB; Phone: 020 7381 7722; Email: [email protected] |
GAMSTOP | Official Website |
GamCare | Call free: 0808 8020 133 |