Esports have a global appeal, with huge tournaments taking place throughout the year in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Players compete while playing games like Dota2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, earning huge prizes for tournament wins.

There’s also significant interest in Esports betting, and at Stake.com , you can bet on major events like The International and the Riyadh Masters. Here, we explain everything you need to know about Esports betting markets and run through how to get started at the Stake Sportsbook to place your bets.

Major Games, Tournaments and Leagues to Watch

You can bet on all of the major Esports leagues and tournaments at Stake.com. We offer betting options and markets for the following:

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO): This first-person shooter game sees two teams of five players compete in a bomb-diffusion scenario for victory. The ESL is one of the biggest CS: GO events on the Esports calendar and is held in various European cities, with thousands of fans in attendance.
Dota 2: Arguably the most popular MOBA game in the world, Dota 2 is a strategy release that requires players to capture the opponent’s map. There are more than 100 playable heroes and some incredible worlds for players to explore, adding to the gameplay’s excitement. The International is Dota 2’s premier event, with $25 - $40 million to play for when the tournament gets underway.
League of Legends (LoL): Another MOBA game with a cult-like following, League of Legends is another Esports game you can bet on. Tournaments usually take place on 5v5 maps, with each team looking to capture the other team’s base. There are several LoL tournaments to bet on at Stake.com, including the World Championship and regional events like the Iberian Cup and the Coupe de France.
FIFA: Rebranded as EAFC, FIFA is the biggest football video game in the world and allows players to take control of real teams and players. Football fans can bet on leading Esports players and teams as they take to the field, with lots of tournaments in play at Stake.com throughout the year.

How to Bet on Esports & Types of Bets Available

To bet on Esports at Stake.com, you need to deposit your chosen currency to your account . You can find the full list of available local currencies on our guide. You can also bet on esports in a range of cryptocurrencies. Check the cryptos that we support before making a deposit.

With funds in your account, you can then decide which Esports event to bet on, choosing from the following bet types:

Match winner: This is a simple bet on the team you think will win an Esports fixture. Bear in mind that most matches are played over multiple legs and usually follow a best-of format.
Tournament winner: You can also place an outright bet on the team that you think will win one of the major Esports tournaments, such as The International or the Riyadh Masters.
Map winner: In MOBA games like LoL and Dota 2, you can bet on the team that you think will win a specific map (or a specific number of maps).
Totals bet: You can also place a bet on the total number of maps that you think will be contested in a MOBA game.
Parlay: A great way to build value into your Esports betting slip is by betting on multiple selections in the same slip. This is known as a parlay bet , and each of your selections needs to win their fixture for your bet to pay out.

How to Live Stream Esports & Live Betting Options

Stake.com is the home of Esports betting, and you can also live stream many of the biggest fixtures, events, and leagues directly from your Stake.com account. Simply log in to your account, check that you have funds available, and check the upcoming Esports fixtures that you can watch as a live stream.

As you watch Esports, you can place a host of live bets as the action unfolds, including things like the team you think will win the next map (on LoL or Dota 2) or the player you think will score the next goal in EAFC. Refer to our guide that explains how to watch live sports for free on Stake.com and browse the live markets that are currently available at our sportsbook.

Betting Tips & Strategies to Win

Before placing any bet at Stake.com, you should do your research, and Esports is no different. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind as you make your selections:

Check which teams are in form and look at how they typically perform at specific events. This is particularly important ahead of major tournaments like The International – it makes sense to bet on teams that are riding the crest of a wave ahead of the major events.
You should always bet responsibly and within your means. You can refer to the Stake Smart guidelines for responsible gambling tools and tips, and feel free to use our budget calculator to work out how much you can afford to gamble at Stake.com.
If you’re new to Esports, it helps to know how a game works before betting on it. Games like LoL are free to download, so you can play for yourself before betting. Alternatively, tune into some Esports live streams so you have a good idea about the gameplay before placing a bet.
Boost your bankroll with the latest promotions and ongoing bonuses that we currently offer. You can also learn about the exclusive rewards that you can unlock via the Stake VIP Club to increase your available budget further.
For more general betting tips and guidance, refer to our helpful sports betting guide .

Esports Betting Odds & Payouts

We offer great value Esports betting odds for Dota 2, LoL, CS: GO, and other popular games. You can easily adjust how your odds are displayed in your Stake.com account, choosing from decimals, fractions, or the American format.

As for payouts, we process all withdrawals instantly, and your funds will be available in your account without delay. Alternatively, you can store funds in the Stake Vault safely and securely so that it’s easily available whenever you’re ready to place future bets at our sportsbook or casino.

Why Bet on Esports on Stake.com?

Stake.com is the world’s leading online sports betting platform, and we offer outstanding odds and great value promotions and offers. You can also benefit from instant deposits and withdrawals, and we also offer free live streams for the biggest Esports events and tournaments. So, to bet on Esports online, create an account in just a few seconds and make a deposit to fund your wagers.

Interesting Facts About Esports

Gamers8 – a Saudi Arabian Esports event organiser – recently announced a prize pool of $45 million for The Land of Heroes Event, which is the largest prize pool in Esports history. It beats the $40 million available for The International in 2021.