The growth in the esports betting industry is evident, and there is every reason to believe that it will be a major player in global betting despite not matching traditional sports betting yet. The growth in esports betting mirrors the popularity of competitive esports, and projections suggest it’s just the beginning. Many esports games have become so popular and have already become significant competitive scenes even for betting. To choose the best esports games for betting, it is important to focus on the most popular ones as they offer a wide range of betting options.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
One standout title is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), an FPS game with two competing teams on various maps. CS:GO is a household name in esports betting due to its dramatic action, fast-paced gameplay, and approachable style. CS:GO is readily available through multiple sportsbooks, making it accessible to bet for newcomers. Still, if you’re new to esports betting, consider checking out some tutorials and getting familiar with the game’s basics.
League of Legends
League of Legends is one of the most widely played online games globally since its launch in 2009. This multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) has grown into a phenomenon with a fiercely competitive esports scene, from China to Europe to Brazil and beyond. With over 150 million active players, League of Legends is a big name and a major player in the esports betting industry. It is considered one of the ‘Big Three’ esports games for betting.
Dota 2
Dota 2, another title in the MOBA genre, shares similarities with League of Legends. Both games involve two teams battling to defend and attack key structures. The advantage of betting on either game is that skills and knowledge are transferable, though the teams, players, characters, and items differ. As one of the ‘Big Three’ esports games, Dota 2 offers various betting markets on Betway and other licensed esports betting sites. Dota 2 also hosts one of the world’s biggest esports tournaments, The International, with a prize pool nearing $20 million.
FIFA
While FIFA may not enjoy the same worldwide popularity as CS:GO, LoL, and Dota 2, it remains one of the most played games globally and is a significant presence in the online esports betting market. Particularly popular in the UK, FIFA’s appeal lies in its similarity to traditional football betting. It simulates real football, with one player controlling a team, although games are shorter than 90 minutes. For newcomers to esports betting with a basic understanding of traditional sports betting, FIFA provides an accessible entry point. Betway is one of the bookmakers that offer FIFA betting, but you can explore other options as well, provided they are licensed and meet all the necessary requirements of a safe betting haven.
Fortnite
The battle royale genre has grown from strength to strength over the past decade, with Fortnite emerging as a major force. The genre features many players battling on a single map until one team or player remains. Fortnite’s success can be partly attributed to its cross-platform playability and free-to-play model, which allows millions of gamers from different platforms to participate. Combining cartoon visuals with quick, amusing gameplay, Fortnite incorporates elements of building structures to survive, akin to Minecraft. Its competitive scene flourished with events like the Summer and Fall Skirmish tournaments in 2018 and the World Cup in 2019, drawing participation from 40 million players worldwide.