One of the most anticipated StarCraft 2 tournaments is just around the corner, with the world's best players getting ready to fight for their share of $500,000 in prize money.
A legendary esports event, the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice is a CS:GO tournament held in Poland. In this guide, we'll go over all the participating teams, details about the schedule, as well as everything you need to know about IEM CS:GO betting!
The Dota Pro Circuit is in full flow. The next big tournament in this seasonal circuit is the PGL Arlington Major. Texas is the location, Esports Stadium Arlington is the venue of choice, and seventeen brilliant Dota 2 teams will be eyeing their chances here.
The LEC (League of Legends European Championship) is entering a new decade starting with the inaugural Winter split. From team rosters to an all-new tournament format, the league will be seeing much more competition.
Esports betting knows no boundaries! Even though the initial craze happened in eastern Europe, the niche is no longer bound by borders of any kind. We’ve seen the niche develop from a marginalized hobby to a multi-billion-dollar industry in a matter of years… Mind you, a multi-billion-dollar industry that’s shaping up the way people think about online betting. That said, it’s no wonder esports betting in the UK is getting massive traction too.
For now, we’re going to focus our attention towards the reason why most of you are here – best esports betting sites in the UK.
For starters, here’s a list of the most popular sites UK esports betting sites:
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After checking out the most prominent UK esports betting sites, let’s see which characteristics make them worth your while. Mind you, there’s a lot of virtues for you to explore, and if you want to make the most out of your go-to platform, you need to ensure it perfectly fits your online betting needs.
bet365 sits at the top of our list due to its commitment to value. With a long standing reputation in traditional sports betting, this well-renowned bookmaker has made a conscious effort to listen to esports fans, pulling out all the stops to make your betting experience as good as possible.
Their site is very efficient and easy to use, with a spectacular customer support service that provides you with all the tools you will ever need. They also offer various betting markets for the most popular esports titles around, as well as some of the most competitive pre-match odds. bet365's esports bonus is also pretty great, with up £100 in Bet Credits for new customers, giving you the chance to try out some betting markets and esports titles before committing any real money on your wagers. For the full lowdown on everything that this trusted bookie has to offer, check out our bet365 esports review.
Betway is another well-established and trusted bookmaker that has included esports betting alongside their other sports options, and have done an absolutely amazing job of it too. First off, their customer support is superb, offering live chat and email services, along with a huge FAQ section specifically for those looking to bet on esports.
At the time of writing, this bookmaker also gifts new customers with the best sign-up bonus of all the sites currently offering esports betting. With €30 in free bets, you essentially receive a 100% deposit esports bonus for you to have some fun with! Betway has more esports titles and markets on offer than any other site, all with very competitive odds, which is great for beginners and experienced punters alike. Check out our full Betway esports review to find out more.
GG.Bet is an esports betting site that has already accumulated a huge fan base, despite how new they are to the overall scene.
Because they are an esports-specific bookmaker, gg.bet offers a range of genres and a plethora of esports titles to choose from. Their odds are also highly favourable, and you can bet on so many markets. They provide excellent customer support, bonuses for new customers, and constant promotions for regular punters. Read our full GG.Bet esports review.
Luckbox is arguably the best site for experienced esports bettors looking to capitalise on more intricate betting markets. They are popular with the esports betting community, and also offer a massive bonus for new customers wanting to join the fun. Their customer support is top-notch, with speedy replies to emails and a jam-packed FAQ section. The varied selection of payment methods available is also very impressive.
Customers will be met with a wide variety of betting markets for popular titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS:GO, along with fewer but still-great options for Fortnite. The vast choice of markets on offer gives experienced punters the chance to bet on scenarios that can happen during any esport match. Luckbox also supports an array of live betting options and the ability to live stream tournaments right from the site, making your overall experience as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Next up, William Hill. It’s a relatively well-known name in the esports betting circles. Known for its straightforward page-to-page navigation, responsive website, and fair odds, William Hill is definitely among the best bookmakers you can opt for if you’re living in the UK.
There’s not just a plethora of esports to explore, but a plethora of betting lines too. No matter what sort of bets you’re interested in, William Hill is bound to provide. As for their bonus offers, they’re not the most consistent. But, with a little bit of luck, you could set yourself up with a fairly generous bonus right off the bat.
UK esports betting enthusiasts appreciate a wide variety of esports betting markets. They are as follows:
This is just the top of the list – there are many other (read smaller) esports available from time to time. If you’re into one of these smaller titles, you’ll appreciate what UK betting sites have to offer.
Moving on with our UK esports betting guide, here’s a list of betting markets you’ll be able to place on your favorite esports:
There are lots of additional esports specials which greatly depend from one esports betting title to another. Typically, these are available during the biggest events so you won’t see them all the time.
The short answer is yes, but there are still some things worth bearing in mind. Below, we've included some more insight into how esports betting became legal in the UK, and the ways in which the industry is regulated to ensure punters are protected while placing wagers.
In the early days of esports, there was a huge problem with skins betting that developers and tournament organizers had to contend with. Although there was no official support for these illegal sites, they were still very popular among fans who wanted to bet on their favorite games but had no other way of doing so. These skins betting websites would allow players to trade ‘skins' (in-game items that change a character's appearance) illegally, resulting in many people being scammed.
Tournament organizers and game developers took this controversy on board, recognizing the need for regulated esports betting markets. As esports events became bigger and bigger, with audiences growing at an unprecedented speed, these companies worked with the local government and the UK Gambling Commission to license specialized esports bookmakers and esports markets on mainstream sportsbooks. This was to ensure that the gaming community could bet safely, securely and legally.
Today, the UK esports market is strongly regulated, with a plethora of trusted betting sites offering esports wagers for those looking to bet on a variety of games. This means that, if you live in the UK, you can readily bet on an esports title of your choosing, as long the online bookie in question is licensed (more on this later). More bookies are now getting involved more than ever, with even the most popular and experienced operators that have long focused on traditional sports jumping on board.
If you’re a betting enthusiast living in the UK and you’re looking for tangible esports betting picks, here’s the three most important figures:
First things first, you should familiarize yourself with the basics of online sports betting. Yep, that’s not a typo – we’re actually referring to sports betting as esports and sports betting are in many ways identical and you’ll find much better information on older sports betting guides than newer ones tied closely to esports betting.
By familiarizing yourself with the basics, we’re referring to stuff like understanding betting odds, moneylines, spreads, accumulators, different staking options, esports betting strategies and so on. Esports betting is a lot more complex than it might seem at first glance, remember that!
Let’s not forget about bookmakers! If you are to have a pleasant experience with online esports betting in UK, you’ll need to set up your account with a good bookmaker. What is a good bookmaker, though? Well, a good bookmaker is one that has a combination of virtues/characteristics that perfectly fit your needs. It’s difficult to explain, but if you’re struggling to find one, please refer to our esports bookmakers guide.
Last but not least (not by a long shot), you need to stay informed and be up to date on the latest esports news, roster alterations, results, and all that good stuff. Staying on top of esports betting statistics is of crucial importance, not just for your future betting campaigns but for your overall bet consistency too.
Knowing the rapid development of esports betting sites in the UK, it’s no surprise to see a plethora of payment methods available for esports betting enthusiasts. Of course, the availability of the following will slightly vary from one bookie to another. Still, this is a rough depiction of what you can expect in terms of supported means of payments:
Of course, Skrill is going to be among the supported payment methods. It’s one of the most popular digital wallets that allows transactions of betting nature. If you already have a Skrill account set up, nothing is stopping you from using it for betting purposes.
For more details, check out our detailed Skrill esports review.
Also supported across the globe, Neteller is one of the ideal options for UK esports betting enthusiasts. Setting everything up is rather straightforward, just like the processes of depositing and withdrawing funds. If this sounds interesting, you should consider checking out our Neteller esports review.
Following in the same footsteps, let’s talk about PayPal. It’s the go-to choice for numerous esports betting enthusiasts across the globe. PayPal brings simplicity, responsiveness, and instant transactions to the table, a combination which is almost unheard of in this niche. The fees do exist, but they vary from bookie to bookie so it’s not on us to discuss them here any further.
For more information, check out our in-depth PayPal esports review!
Next up, Paysafecard! Often used for online gaming purchases, Paysafecard is basically an intermediary between prepaid cards and convenient digital wallets. In essence, Paysafecard allows you to easily invest in your betting bankroll straight from your phone or computer without needing to connect to your bank account. All you need for it to work is a code from a slip that you can purchase on a wide variety of locations.
For more details, check out our detailed Paysafecard esports review!
Betting with cryptocurrencies represents betting with the new-age payment method. Whether you’re looking for bookies supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or some other cryptocurrency, chances are you’ll be able to invest whatever you bring to the table.
For more details, make sure you check out our Bitcoin betting review!
Let’s not forget about credit and debit cards. Say what you want about digital wallets – they’re simple and intuitive, but their popularity still isn’t at the level of debit and credit cards. Their biggest virtue is the fact everyone has access to them. They’re the go-to payment method for beginners and are likely to remain that for years to come.
This is how it all started. Bank transfer was the first proper payment method on online betting platforms. It’s available nowadays too, though payment fees and minimum amounts aren’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea for deposits. As for withdrawals, it’s still among the most popular options, not just in UK but across the globe.
Generally speaking, the esports industry is one of the most innovative and fastest-growing sectors in recent years. Once a niche sector that was largely overshadowed by more traditional sports, it has now successfully burst into the mainstream. Due to its upward trajectory, it is not surprising at all that many potential consumers want to know more about esports as a whole, and how or whether they can get involved.
Current statistics show that most of the revenue generated globally comes from Asia-Pacific (APAC), North America, and Europe. The involvement of mainstream celebrities, investors, brands, media outlets and consumers has also served to accelerate the industry’s growth. Moreoever, Business Insider predicts a total of 9% compound annual growth rate between 2019 and 2023, meaning that total esports viewership is expected to rise from 454 million in 2019 to a whopping 646 million in 2023.
To contextualize the breadth of the esports industry in the UK, it is wise to know the economic impact the industry has had in the UK. A study performed by Ukie found that the esports sector has grown at an annual average rate of 8.5% between 2016 and 2019. To add on to this, the UK esports sector alone represents just under 8% of the global market, consequently towering over other regions worldwide. Already a multi-million dollar industry, the UK market sits as the third-largest, with both operators and the government supporting its continuous growth.
These figures, coupled with the involvement of some very high-profile names, is very impressive. They not only legitimize the industry, but also highlight the potential of a market set to grow by leaps and bounds in the years to come.
Even though the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has relatively strict rules, the freedom of online betting in the UK is at an admirable level.
Considering the latest information and statistics, online sports/esports betting in the UK is one of the fastest-growing sectors. It has successfully completed the transition from a marginalized niche to a mainstream powerhouse.
Long story short, if you’re living in the UK and you’re ready to invest money in online betting activities, you don’t have to worry about getting on the wrong side of the law. The UKGC allows UK residents to bet on platforms that have licenses issued by the country’s governing gambling authority.
The process of setting everything up is fairly simple and it shouldn’t take you more than ten minutes to start betting on your favorite sports or esports disciplines.
There are lots of places you can find esports betting sites that work for UK bettors. However, only a few of them can rightfully be labeled as good. The vast majority of bookies won’t give you a pleasant online betting experience. If you’re looking for a short list of the ideal options, scroll to the top of this page and check out our favorites. You can thank us later!
Yes, betting on esports is legal in the UK, as long as bookies are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
It all depends on what esports titles and betting markets you want place wagers on. Before you sign up to any bookie, it’s worth comparing the odds with its competitors and seeing how favourable they are. Make sure you look at the site’s reviews and ensure that it has a solid customer support service.
A UK bookie offering esports must hold a UK licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission. This can usually be found on the site’s home page, so make sure you double check that the site you are choosing to bet with is legally allowed to operate and is licensed accordingly.