Placing bets on video games has become increasingly favored by both gamers and non-gamers. With the growing prominence of esports and online gaming, more opportunities have arisen to wager on your favored video games and earn sizable payouts.
However, while all multiplayer online games can be classified as esports, only a few are played in official competitions offering monetary rewards as you may expect; similar to conventional sports, various forms of Esports betting exist, such as betting on an ultimate champion, team, or individual victory.
Here are the top five games you can bet on:
League of Legends
League of Legends (LoL) is the brainchild of Riot Games and was launched in 2009. Today, the multiplayer online video game is regarded as one of the best games ever created. It boasts the biggest global esports following, featuring an international competitive scene encompassing several regional leagues.
Becoming a champion in League of Legends requires good strategic thinking and quick reflexes, ultimately offering a challenging and thrilling experience for players and onlookers. The gameplay involves teams battling against each other to destroy the opposing team’s nexus. However, the game is not that simple; players must also maneuver various lanes guarded by enemy turrets and minions.
It’s no surprise that LoL has a broad presence in the betting realm, given its extensive esports community. The prestigious League of Legends World Championship is just one of the events that Riot Games, the company that created the game, organizes annually. This fierce tournament is believed to be the most important event in the game’s competitive arena, with the prize pool reaching millions of dollars.
A vast number of fans are also eagerly placing wagers on tournaments for the chance to win prizes. The types of bets are available in the competition include moneyline and match-winner bets.
Dota 2
Dota 2, introduced in 2013, is another MOBA game that immediately gained a large following with its captivating gameplay and complex mechanics. Dota was initially a game mode in Warcraft 3 but evolved into a distinct game. Despite this transformation, Dota has remained popular and attracts millions of viewers annually for the Invitational.
Placing bets on Dota 2 is comparable to wagering on League of Legends, but it may be more challenging to forecast for novices. Bettors can place bets on the match outcome, the first blood drawn, and other aspects of the game.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)
Valve Corporation launched Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), a first-person shooter game that hit the market in 2012. It quickly amassed a devoted player following and a thriving competitive environment, making it one of the most popular games globally.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is simple to comprehend for newbies, making it a convenient choice for bettors who are newly entering the esports scene. The gameplay involves two opposing teams; the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists. They battle it out in multiple game modes to achieve various objectives or eliminate each other.
This esports game has an enormous betting market, with organized worldwide tournaments. The popular bets on this game are first kill, moneyline, and most kill bets. In addition, skin and item gambling have become a significant component of the CS: GO betting scene, adding to its appeal for gamblers.
Fortnite
Epic Games designed and published Fortnite, a battle royale game initially launched in 2017. It promptly captured a massive player base worldwide, with millions of players participating in gameplay and watching others play on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. In the game, 100 players are dropped onto an island and battle to become the final survivor.
The professional players and teams who compete in various events and leagues are the focal point of Fortnite’s competitive side. With a total prize worth $30 million, the Fortnite World Cup in 2019 was one of the most illustrious esports events ever. The competition featured participants globally, and millions of people watched the competition online.
Fortnite is an esports game with an extensive range of competitions and tournaments, which has led to a significant betting market. The bets that can be placed include MVP, moneyline, and first-kill bets.
Hearthstone
Hearthstone is an online collectible card game created by Blizzard Entertainment and was initially named “Heroes of Warcraft.” It draws inspiration from the Warcraft series using its elements, characters, and artifacts.
In the game, two opponents use constructed decks of 30 cards and a chosen hero with a unique power to engage in a turn-based card game. Players can cast abilities or summon minions to attack their opponent and defeat the opposing hero using their limited mana crystals.
Hearthstone is popular among video game betting, given its unique gameplay. Unlike conventional sports-based esports games, Hearthstone is far from luck and chance. Instead, it involves strategic planning and calculated decisions to win over an opponent.
Players can change their playstyle depending on the cards they draw and the opponent. This makes Hearthstone the ideal card game for gamers and esports fans who like the thrill of data analysis and conscious decision-making.
The most common types of bets available for Hearthstone are moneyline bets or simply betting on the outright match winner.