The esports betting scene is bigger than ever, and the popularity of esports betting continues to grow. Dota 2, Overwatch and League of Legends are just a few esports titles covered by most of the big time betting sites. This guide will run you through the basics of esports betting, the most popular games to bet on and the best online gambling sites to use.
TL;DR – Esports Betting Sites In The US
We’ve reviewed each esports betting site and their esports betting offering to help you get the most out of your money. The list below features the best betting sites for esports fans. Just find your state in the drop down menu to see the CS2 betting sites that are available in your location.
Our Top 3 Esport Betting Sites US – HLTV Reviews
If you’re a complete rookie in the world of online betting, look no further. Below we’ll reveal our picks for the top US esports betting sites, plus some intel on what makes them so good.
1. DraftKings – Royalty in the online betting scene.
New users can access highly competitive esports odds for Counter-Strike and many other games. You can also grab a top bonus when opening your account.
Give our DraftKings review a read to learn more and discover our DraftKings promo code.
2. Kalshi – Esports prediction markets have the edge over many sportsbooks!
The prediction site’s vast range of contract options includes plenty of esports options. The site’s unique market-based format allows you to get real value for the cash you’re risking.
Want to learn exactly how a DCM like Kalshi works? Our Kalshi review will break it down in detail. We’ll also reveal our exclusive Kalshi promo code and how to use it.
3. bet365 – An worldwide platform with solid esports betting coverage.
One of the world’s most popular online betting platforms. bet365 offers comprehensive esports betting coverage, covering both pre-match and live betting.
Learn more about the site, including how to activate our bet365 bonus code, by reading our full bet365 US review.
Esports Betting Explained – How Does It Work?
Wagering on esports is essentially just putting money on professional video game competitions. The underlying mechanics are identical to those of betting on regular sports. All you have to do is choose a solid sportsbook and track down esports lines that offer genuine value.
Since the competitive gaming industry has massively expanded over the last ten years, the wagering possibilities for spectators have naturally multiplied. Leading bookmakers like DraftKings and bet365 recognised the immense potential of esports early on and rapidly rolled out a diverse array of esports betting markets for gamers.
These days, most online sportsbooks offer esports lines for the most prominent games, leagues, and tournaments. Whether you are a die-hard First-Person Shooter fan, a dedicated MOBA player, or a sports game enthusiast (yes, they are out there), you can easily place wagers on the biggest competitive events across all major gaming genres.
How To Place An Esports Bet – Step-By-Step
If you’re a gamer, you’ll find the process of placing an esports bet extremely simple. The steps you’ll need to follow will be similar, regardless of which esports betting site you pick. If you do need some help, we’ll run you through the entire process below.
1. Pick one of the esports gambling sites listed below and open an account. Using a link from HLTV ensures you’ll receive the best possible new customer bonus.
2. Enter your details, pick a username, and select a secure and memorable password.
3. Navigate to the sportsbook’s esports page. There’s usually a link in the main navigation menu.
4. On this page, you’ll find the most popular esports matches and the latest esports odds. You’ll also find a list of all the games they have odds for, so click on the one you want to bet on.
5. Once you’ve opened the page for the game you want to wager on, find the match or tournament you’re looking for.
6. Next, find the bet you want. You can then add your esports pick to your betslip by clicking on it.
7. Enter your stake to see your potential winnings. If you’re happy with your esports bet, click ‘Confirm’ or the equivalent.
8. Find a live stream to watch the esports action you’ve bet on.
The betting process at most online sportsbooks is identical, so this guide will be useful regardless of the betting site you choose. However, DCMs like Kalshi work very differently. If you’re interested in how esports prediction markets work, head over to our Kalshi promo code page!
Esports Betting Guide – Which Games Can You Bet On?
The world of esports is vast. The number of games developing a competitive scene continues to grow yearly. We’ll give you the lowdown on several of the most popular esports games you can bet on
FPS Esports Betting
First-person Shooters are a massive part of the esports scene. That’s hardly surprising, given how popular games like Call of Duty are in gaming and broader culture.
Of course, CS2 is the best FPS esports game (sorry COD players, it’s just a fact). Counter-Strike is the FPS most suited to competitive play. CS:GO’s popularity has helped develop an extensive esports community, and you’ll find odds on most tournaments and events at many online betting sites.
Another FPS you can bet on at most esports gambling sites is Valorant. The fast-paced 5v5 character-based tactical shooter has quickly become one of the most-watched esports. Overwatch betting is also available at most reputable betting sites.
MOBA Esports Betting
Some would argue that Battle Arena games represent the highest level of esports, but most of those people also probably spend too long grinding. The intricate gameplay of Battle Arena games means there are numerous ways to bet on them.
When Battle Arena games come up, many people think of League of Legends. LOL has a highly competitive esports scene, with teams from all over the world at the top events. You can bet on various aspects of competitive LOL at most betting sites.
Dota 2 is another of the most popular Arena esports games. You’ll find a wide array of betting markets for Dota 2 tournaments and matches at the top esports sportsbooks.
Betting On Sports Games
Despite what some people say, sports gamers can be real gamers. The highly competitive pro circuit for sports games like FIFA and NBA 2K prove that.
The much-maligned EA Sports has a stranglehold on sports games. While you can criticise them for the lack of development in sports games, they have helped grow the esports scene around them. At most betting sites, you’ll find odds for the big events on the competitive FIFA and Madden calendars.
One sports game that most people love is the car-based football game Rocket League. The intuitive gameplay makes it fun for both new and experienced gamers. The competitive scene around Rocket League is well-established, and there are several betting markets for all the action.
Other Esports Games
You’ll find odds for many other games at the top betting sites. Several fighting games like Tekken have healthy competitive calendars, and you can easily find betting odds for the top events.
Battle Royale games are also prevalent in esports. Popular titles like Fortnite have massive player bases. Most esports gambling sites have odds for the major Battle Royale events. If you’re not good enough to make the endgame, why not bet on the players who are?
What Esports Bets Can You Place? – Esports Bet Types Explained
Naturally, the volume and variety of esports betting markets will vary depending on the specific game you’re targeting and the site you use. That said, a core playbook of foundational bet types remains fairly universal across the most popular titles. Here is a quick breakdown of the most common ways you can bet on esports.
- Esports Moneyline Betting – This is the most straightforward way to get skin in the game. You are simply backing the winner of a specific esports match. If you believe a certain squad or individual player is a total lock to shut down their next opponent, a standard moneyline wager is the way to go.
- Against The Spread Betting – Want to back a heavy favorite but find their straight-up odds don’t offer much value? Handicap betting, frequently referred to as playing ‘Against the Spread’, gives you a tactical way to boost those lines. However, the team you back will need to overcome the deficit to cash your slip.
- Esports Futures – Futures are a fantastic avenue for backing your favorite squad over a full event, as you are betting on them to win an entire tournament or league split. Sifting through the futures market can yield massive payouts, particularly if you manage to scout a dark horse winner before they make a deep run.
- Esports Totals Betting – This market lets you look past who actually wins the match. Sportsbooks will set a line on specific statistical metrics, leaving you to decide whether the actual tally will finish above or below that line. Total Maps Played or Team Kills are popular examples for CS2.
- Esports Live (In-Play) Betting – Built for punters who can read the momentum of a match in real time, live betting allows you to place wagers while the action is happening. As team dynamics shift, map drafts unfold, or a squad starts mounting a massive comeback, the odds adjust dynamically.
- Esports Prop Betting – The best esports sportsbooks will offer an extensive menu of game-specific prop betting markets for the games they cover. Props let you wager on specific micro-objectives within a match.
The exact variety of esports bets at your disposal will naturally vary from platform to platform. The sportsbooks that headline our rankings consistently offer a wide array of bet types for every esports game and sport they cover, ensuring your options never run stale.
Upcoming Events To Bet On – Valorant, LoL & More
The table below lists the most popular upcoming esports events for top games like League of Legends. Every top esports betting app should have odds for these events!
| Event | Game | Format | Date | Location |
| PGL Wallachia Season 9 2026 | Dota 2 | LAN Tournament | Sep 17 – 27, 2026 | Bucharest, Romania |
| VALORANT Champions 2026 | Valorant | World Championship | Sep 24 – Oct 18, 2026 | Shanghai, China |
| BLAST SLAM VIII | Dota 2 | LAN Tournament | Sep 29 – Oct 11, 2026 | TBA |
| ESL Pro League Season 24 | Counter-Strike 2 | LAN League | Oct 3 – 11, 2026 | Katowice, Poland |
| League of Legends Worlds 2026 | League of Legends | World Championship | Oct 15 – Nov 14, 2026 | United States (LA, TX, NYC) |
Responsible Gaming & Esports Gambling
Whenever you’re betting online, practising responsible gambling is essential. Esports gambling should be fun, so if it’s harming you in any way, you should stop.
Take the Gamalyze self-assessment test to learn more about your online gambling habit and find the responsible gambling tools that will be most useful to you.
At HLTV, we’ve got a wealth of responsible gambling resources you can use for additional support. Here are some of our articles you should take the time to read:
- Time Management – This page reveals the time management tools you can use while betting online.
- Money Management – This article details the money management tools you’ll find at most betting sites.
- HLTV Responsible Gambling Commitment – Read more about HLTV’s commitment to promoting safer esports gambling practices to our users.
Best Esports Betting Sites US – FAQs
Which esports games can I bet on?
You can bet on a wide range of esports action, from first-person shooters like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike to battle arena games like DOTA 2 and League of Legends. The top betting sites also provide odds for sports games, battle royale shooters and many other esports titles.Add image
Can you make money on esports betting?
Of course, but it relies heavily on your esports knowledge. Every bet can lose, no matter how sure you are when you place it. That’s why gambling should always be treated as entertainment and not relied on as a source of income.
Can I get an esports betting bonus?
Most esports gambling sites provide a new customer bonus when you sign up. Each esports bonus will differ in value and the requirements to earn it.
Does bet365 have esports gambling?
Yes, bet365 covers the most significant gaming events and tournaments. They also offer an excellent new customer bonus, which you can learn more about in our bet365 US review.
