The rise of electronic sports, or esports, has revolutionized the entertainment and betting industry. With millions of fans around the world, esports have created a vibrant new community of online bettors to bear witness to.
This article explores the most popular eSports for online betting, analyzing what makes them attractive and what are the most common types of bets in each.
1. League of Legends (LoL)
Betting Popularity: League of Legends, developed by Riot Games, is one of the largest and most popular esports in the world. Its competitions, such as the LoL World Championship, attract millions of viewers and bettors.
Common Bet Types:
- Match Winner: Bet on the team that will win a specific match.
- First Blood: Bet on which team will get the first elimination.
- Tower Destruction: Bet on which team will destroy the first tower.
- Match Duration: Bet on whether the match will last longer or shorter than a specific time.
- Appeal to Bettors: The strategic depth and fast-paced nature of LoL matches, along with the wealth of statistics available, allow bettors to make informed decisions and increase their chances of success.
2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS)
Betting Popularity: CS, a first-person shooter developed by Valve Corporation, is another giant in the esports world. Its tournaments, such as the CS
Major Championships, are key events for the betting community.
Common Bet Types:
- Match Winner: Bet on the winning team of a match.
- Map Winner: Bet on the team that will win a specific map within a series.
- Total Number of Rounds: Bet on whether the total number of rounds played will be over or under a specific number.
- First Kill: Bet on which team will get the first kill in a round.
- Appeal to Bettors: The precision and skill required in CS, along with the intensity of each round, make for exciting and adrenaline-filled betting.
3. Dota 2
Betting Popularity: Dota 2, also developed by Valve Corporation, is another esports mainstay. Its flagship tournament, The International, offers one of the largest cash prizes in esports, attracting both players and bettors.
Common Bet Types:
- Match Winner: Bet on which team will win a specific match.
- First Blood: Bet on which team will get the first kill.
- Highest Kill: Bet on which player will have the highest number of kills by the end of the match.
- Match Duration: Bet on whether the match duration will be longer or shorter than a specific time.
- Appeal to Bettors: The complexity and strategy of Dota 2, coupled with the unpredictability of its matches, provide a rich betting experience full of analysis and excitement.
4. Fortnite
Betting Popularity: Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, has gained immense popularity thanks to its Battle Royale format. Events and tournaments, such as the Fortnite World Cup, attract millions of viewers and bettors.
Common Bet Types:
- Match Winner: Bet on the player or team that will win a specific match.
- Final Position: Bet on the position a player or team will finish in.
- Number of Eliminations: Bet on the number of eliminations a player or team will achieve.
- Appeal to Bettors: The dynamism and unpredictability of Fortnite matches, coupled with the skill and strategy of the players, make for highly exciting betting.
5. Overwatch
Betting Popularity: Overwatch, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, combines elements of first-person shooters and team-based games, attracting a large fan base and bettors, especially during the Overwatch League.
Common Bet Types:
- Match Winner: Bet on the team that will win a specific match.
- Map Winner: Bet on the team that will win a specific map within a series.
- First Elimination: Bet on which team will get the first elimination in a round.
- Total Eliminations: Bet on the total number of eliminations in a match.
- Appeal to Bettors: The mix of individual skills and team strategies in Overwatch, coupled with the rapid evolution of matches, provide a dynamic and exciting environment for betting.
Conclusion
Esports offer a wide range of betting opportunities that appeal to a diverse community of bettors. League of Legends, CS, Dota 2, Fortnite, and Overwatch are some of the most popular esports in online betting. Each of these games has its own set of features and appeals that make them unique to bettors.
The combination of skill, strategy, and the unpredictability of outcomes makes esports betting an exciting and potentially lucrative experience. With the continued growth of the esports industry, betting opportunities are likely to continue to expand, providing even more options for online betting enthusiasts.