Most Popular eSports Bookies in Azerbaijan

Considering eSports is fiercely competitive nowadays, with professional teams and pro athletes battling for glory, it was considered better than virtual sports. More so, eSports had a human touch, unlike virtual sports simulated by computers. This is how esports betting blossomed worldwide, including in this former Soviet republic.

To fully comprehend the history of esports betting, the best place to start the conversation is the history of gambling itself. Gambling dates back to the 1920s when the first casinos were opened in Baku.

But they were closed in 1928. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, they reappeared, this time in dozens, including establishments that offered sports betting. Unfortunately, gambling, including betting, was again abolished in 1998.

But after a 13-year ban, gambling was back in 2011 to help the government develop the sports sector using tax revenues from gambling. However, not all forms of gambling were allowed. Sports betting, including online sports betting, was among the permitted forms of gambling. But it was a state monopoly operated by Topaz. However, at the time, esports betting was still in its infancy, so few players wagered on eSports.

After eSports betting websites started blossoming in the next few years, Azerbaijanis began developing an interest in this emerging market. But unfortunately, the only legal betting site, Topaz, had not ventured into eSports betting.

Esports Betting Nowadays in Azerbaijan

With eSports gaming and betting growing, a few punters started wagering on offshore betting sites as early as 2013. But the COVID-19 pandemic was a game-changer when governments enforced lockdowns and containment measures, and bettors only had virtual sports as the only alternative.

But then, operators saw the opportunity and shifted into eSports on a full scale. Like magic, players fell in love with eSports betting as there were plenty of events to bet on once again.

Today, Topaz has eSports betting markets, but its eSports catalog is not as developed as that of offshore betting sites. This is the reason most eSports betting is on international bookies. Although there are no figures on the number of eSports betting fans or sales, eSports betting has a considerable market share.

Before getting into betting on esports, it's critical to be aware of the legal perspective of gambling, particularly sports betting. In this section, find out whether or not eSports betting is allowed.

Legislation

While countries like Sweden don't acknowledge eSports as a sport, Azerbaijan considers it a sport. So, all the sports betting rules apply. That said, eSports betting is legal based on the fact that sports betting is legal. It has been legal since 2011, together with bingos and lotteries.

All betting is controlled by the country's ministry of economy dubbed 'İqtisadiyyat Nazirliyi.' However, one thing to note is that betting is only legal if punters wager on Topaz, the only betting site licensed by the government. Notably, just recently, Azerlotereya OJSC, the state lottery managed by Demirören Group, partnered with Scientific Games, so it will also be offering sports betting soon.

Gambling Age

Still, on legislation, gamblers must understand that not just anyone can place esports bets. There is a gambling age limit. Like in many countries, players must be 18 years older to bet legally. This is a gray area now that minors feature in some of the top eSports tournaments and competitions.

For example, in Azerbaijan, anyone above 16 can participate in competitive gaming, but to bet, players must be over 18. It's the mandate of the betting companies to ensure that bettors registered on their sites are of gambling age.

Tax Regime

Another vital aspect is taxes. Unlike many countries where gamblers are not taxed, there is a 6% gross receipt tax. And it's not just bettors; sellers are taxed 4% of the gross commission paid, while legal entities and sole traders attract 1% tax on withdrawals. At least the tax regime is favorable now. Between 1991 and 1998, the gambling tax was a whopping 70%.

Esports Betting Acts

So far, there is no act touching solely on how to bet on esports, but there are acts that touch on sports betting. The major ones are;

• 2011 Lottery Act - This act reversed the earlier ban on all forms of gambling. It legalized three forms of gambling, including sports betting and online sports betting.

• 2021 The Law on "Amendments to the "Law on Lotteries" - This amendment seeks to prevent illegal betting on unlicensed/offshore betting sites. ISPs should block such sites, and telecommunication companies shouldn't facilitate gambling on any illegal site.

Azerbaijan happens to be among the countries with eSports teams. The most popular outfit is Team Azerbaijan. Punters bet on this team when it's playing, but it doesn't compete so often.

On the global eSports scene, the most popular teams that bettors put their money on include FaZe Clan, Team Liquid, Team Fnatic, Team SoloMid, 100 Thieves, Complexity Gaming, OG, Evil Geniuses, Ninja in Pyjamas, Team Spirit, Cloud9, Natus Vincere, and G2 Esports. These are the top eSports outfits that compete in the most prestigious eSports tournaments. They are fan favorites and are in action almost all year round.

Players need to have real money in their accounts to get into real money betting. That said, there are a few key aspects to consider here; currencies, banking methods, and security.

Manat, the official currency, is the most preferred currency by players. It's available on the local betting site Topaz and a few other international betting sites.

Besides the manat, offshore sites also support the popular international currencies, including the US dollar, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, euro, British pound, Russian ruble, Japanese yen, South African rand, and so on. In addition, some bookies accept cryptos such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Tether.

Regarding the deposit methods, there are plenty. Bettors can load their accounts using credit cards such as Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, and Visa.

Other options include Yandex Money, WebMoney, Mobiamo, Qiwi Wallet, MINT, Neteller, Skrill, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, just to mention a few. The transaction turnaround for deposits is instant, while withdrawals depend on the betting site and, of course, the banking method used.

Last, on security, players don't have to worry as the best bookmakers secure their sites using the latest military-grade encryption.