Can’t find the top US online sportsbooks with the best esports betting options? Your search ends here as I’ll introduce you to legal and regulated sports betting sites in the country with the best markets and odds for esports fans.
I’ll start off with the latest insights on the legality of esports bets in the US before going over the best esports games and tournaments out there. You’ll also learn about the bonuses, payment methods, facts, and tips for your esports bets. Keep reading to find out how to choose the best sportsbooks to bet on your favorite esports matches.
bet365, BetMGM, and FanDuel are among the best online betting sites in the US that allow you to place bets on esports matches and leagues. Though the availability and market coverage can vary highly depending on your state of residence, you should check them out.
As already mentioned, availability will depend on which state you’re currently living in, but overall, I found approximately 70 esports leagues at bet365. You can bet on more than 11 games, such as League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Rainbow Six.
The bonuses I found also vary based on the bettor’s state. For instance, I was able to make a first deposit of $10 or more to become eligible for a 15% Bet Credit up to $60. To qualify for that, you must place qualifying bets of 12x your deposit, capped at $400. You’ll get your bet credits right after your qualifying bets are settled.
BetMGM has separate subdomains for DC and 23 US states, including New Jersey, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, and Wyoming. However, finding esports markets can be tough due to state-specific regulations. Still, you might get some exciting options.
As a new player at BetMGM Sports, you can claim free bets after meeting the conditions that apply in your state. Aside from that, you’ll get several other promos like bet boosts, referral offers, odds boosts, and more.
While testing FanDuel, I was expecting betting options on LoL, Dota 2, CS2, and other video games, like other esports betting sites offer. However, the operator surprised me with unique e-basketball betting markets with live betting and streaming capabilities.
FanDuel’s welcome offer for new sports bettors costs the lowest among the bookies I’ve covered so far. For me, simply depositing and betting a minimum of $5, got me free bets worth $200. The online sportsbook also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to place bets and take advantage of bonuses.
Esports betting is legal in many US states, but not in all 50 of them. As each state defines its own iGaming regulations, the legal status from state to state may vary significantly. I’ve also noticed that some states have unclear laws regarding esports wagers, thus creating a grey area. So, it depends on where you live and the sports betting laws and regulations of your state. Below, I’ve listed the legal states for esports betting and the minimum age requirement for each of them:
| US States | Legal Age |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 21 |
| Colorado | 21 |
| Connecticut | 21 |
| Kentucky | 18 |
| Louisiana | 21 |
| Maine | 21 |
| Maryland | 21 |
| Massachusetts | 21 |
| Nebraska | 21 |
| Nevada | 21 |
| New Jersey | 21 |
| North Carolina | 21 |
| Ohio | 21 |
| Oregon | 21 |
| Rhode Island | 21 |
| Tennessee | 21 |
| Virginia | 21 |
| Washington | 18–21 |
| West Virginia | 21 |
| Wyoming | 18–21 |
Depending on the site you choose, you’ll find different games and markets to bet on. However, most of them will cover the most popular ones with tourneys held all around the world. Below are a few of the most popular esports options.
League of Legends (LoL) was developed by Riot Games Inc., a famous American video game developer and esports tournament organizer. It is a very popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game.
You can participate in some regional leagues, such as the League of Legends World Championship (LCS) and League of Legends EMEA Championship. When wagering on the game, you can choose from these popular esports betting markets below:
Dota 2 is another one of my favorite games, developed by Valve. In 2021, the international flagship tournament set a record with a $40 million prize pool. It is by far the highest amount I’ve seen in esports history, which was managed through crowdfunding.
Dota 2 is so popular among esports gambling fans because of its numerous international events. EPL World Series SEA, PGL Wallachia, DreamLeague, and European Pro League are only a few recent events with a prize pool of $1,000,000 each. Here are some popular Dota 2 betting markets:
Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) was developed by Valve, and as the successor of CS:GO, the game maintains the legacy of being tactical and structured. This is a leading game in the esports industry, and managed to secure 64% of the total market share in Q4 2024.
This is more popular among traditional bettors because of its straightforward gameplay. However, if you’re a fan of tactical shooting games like me, you can bet on numerous CS2 tourneys like ESL Pro League, Skyesports Masters, and PGL Major. Let’s check out some popular CS2 betting markets:
FIFA, which is now branded as EA Sports FC, has a huge fan base among football bettors like me. Although it’s an esport, the game is very closely related to real-world football matches. So, even if you’re new to esports betting, you won’t have to go through a learning curve before placing wagers on the game.
There are numerous popular tournaments for you to bet on such as eWorld Cup, eMLS Cup, ePremier League, and LALIGA FC PRO. If you’re wondering what betting markets you’ve got, here is the list:
Valorant is a popular shooting game that combines both tactics and special abilities. After Riot Games developed Valorant, it has continuously gained popularity, but it was most highlighted during the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT).
If you’re comfortable with map betting, Valorant can be a good option for placing your stakes. You’ll find various popular tournaments including VCT EMEA, VCT Pacific, VCL France, and VCL DACH. Below are some esports betting options for you:
Before you start betting on your favorite esports matches, check out my tips below:
I always learn the game mechanics, player roles, and current metas before I place wagers.
Familiarize yourself with decimal, fractional, and moneyline odds to accurately interpret them and know your possible returns.
I always prefer live or in-play betting on esports betting apps because it offers dynamic odds.
As a gamer, I confirm that game updates heavily affect team strategies and performance, so keep up to make accurate predictions.
Determine how much you’re willing to risk and stick to it. I recommend you avoid chasing losses and making impulsive decisions.
Esports betting bonuses are necessary to offer players an advantage from time to time. They can make your overall betting experience better while allowing you to place bets for free. Let’s check out the most common sportsbook promos.
Sportsbook welcome bonuses are my favorites as they allow you to get a head start on an online gambling site. Usually, you’ll find free bets, cash backs, and percentage match bonuses when you sign up, deposit, and place your first wager at a sports betting site.
You can claim free bets on almost every US sportsbook. Usually, you get offered a specific number of free bets with a particular monetary value. However, sites like BetMGM and FanDuel offer free bet credits, allowing you to customize your bet size as you see fit.
You get these when your eligible bet loses. For instance, I’ve seen many welcome bonuses where you must place a bet of a certain amount, and if your bet loses, you get a free bet of the same amount. Oftentimes, you’ll get free esports bets worth a certain percentage of your initial bet.
This is where your bets get boosted to allow for a better payout. Most times, odds boosts are tied to specific tournaments or matches. Plus, many boosts are only attainable when you place combo or accumulator bets. Be sure to fully understand the terms to use these offers properly.
Although less common than traditional sports-specific offers, exclusive esports bonuses are beneficial if you’re extra excited about specific games. I’ve often found limited-time offers tied to certain esports markets and games, though you can also find offers applicable to esports in general.
You’ll definitely need secure and fast banking options, whether to deposit to place your first bet or cash out your winnings. To that end, I’ve listed the common types of payment methods you can use when betting on esports at US sportsbooks.
Debit and credit cards are my go-to options for wagering on esports. The most popular options I find at online sportsbooks are Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Discover. Though card withdrawals are a little slow, taking 1-3 business days, these remain one of the easiest and user-friendly options.
E-wallets are popular in sportsbooks because of the security and speedy transactions. You can use options like Skrill and Neteller to deposit into your account instantly. I’ve also seen many PayPal betting sites in the US. Not only that, you get to cash out winnings within 24 hours.
The most common prepaid card in the US is Paysafecard. These are completely secure, as you can deposit funds without linking to a bank account. You can purchase a prepaid card for a set amount online or in person. These options offer instant deposits, but unfortunately, prepaid cards do not support withdrawals.
Crypto has recently become very popular in the esports betting industry, as it provides fast transactions with lower fees and enhanced privacy. You’ll commonly find Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and Dogecoin at betting sites. I recommend cryptocurrencies as both deposits and withdrawals are fast and secure.
Bank transfer is the most traditional channel that bettors use when they need to transfer a large amount. Although not many users prefer bank transfers as they take longer than usual to process withdrawals, it’s one of the most secure ways to transfer your funds. Cashouts usually take 1-5 working days to go through.
I’ve already covered the best sites you’ll find in the US market, but there are plenty more for you to discover if you know how to choose one. So, let’s go over how to find the most user-friendly online bookmakers for esports betting.
US state authorities set their own iGaming rules and regulations. For instance, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement supervises the NJ esports betting market. So, check first if the sportsbook is legal in your state and employs security measures like SSL encryption.
Before choosing an esports betting site, I recommend you look for the popular options like CS2, Dota 2, LoL, Call of Duty, and Valorant. You should also check if the site hosts popular events and tournaments like VCT Americas and LVP Superliga Springs.
I always recommend comparing odds among betting sites to get the best possible deal, as better odds help you to receive greater potential returns. Watch out for dynamic odds during live betting as they can change in real time as the game unfolds.
Live betting is the norm nowadays, so the best sportsbooks try to offer as many live betting options as they can. Plus, live streaming is more prevalent in esports than regular sports. So, I always prefer live streaming betting sites when it comes to esports.
Bonuses enhance your betting experience with free bets and boosts. Whichever sportsbook you choose to bet on, make sure it offers a welcome bonus along with other ongoing promotions. Try to find sites with esports-specific promotions if you can.
Although esports betting in the United States can be exciting, it comes with one significant drawback. I’ve highlighted the advantages and drawbacks below:
Yes, I can safely say that esports betting can be a great source of entertainment for online gamblers in the US. The best sportsbooks offer odds for all the major video games like LoL, COD, Dota 2, and CS2. Not only that, they cover the most popular tournaments worldwide, so you can place your bets no matter which tournament you prefer.
Esports betting sites don’t stop at providing betting markets and odds. They walk the extra mile by offering you live betting and streaming options on most esports matches. Plus, I love the bonuses you can claim using a wide range of payment methods. All in all, if you’re a bettor and an esports fan, you should definitely try esports betting.
As of now, 19 US states have legalized esports betting fully or partially, but some states have unclear laws. So, before you start betting, be sure to confirm whether your state regulates it or not.
The process is quite simple: choose a reputable site, create your account, verify yourself, check available esports options and ongoing events. Then, deposit funds to your account and start placing bets.
Yes, renowned sportsbooks either offer mobile apps or fully mobile-optimized websites. You can use your smartphone to create an account, deposit funds, and place wagers on your favorite esports.
You will find many bet types that reflect your preferences, including match winner, map winner, totals, over/under, handicap, total rounds, and total kills.
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