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How to bet on esports: step by step
To bet on esports you need an account at a betting site that covers the game, verified as 18 or over, and money deposited. Then you pick a match, choose a market such as the match winner, enter a stake and confirm.
The steps below take a first bet from sign-up to settlement, and show how to read the odds so you know what a bet pays and what chance the bookmaker gives it.
8 steps
Odds explained
18+ only
By
Liam Fletcher
Updated Oct 8, 2026
Short answer
How do I place my first esports bet?
Open an account at a licensed site that covers your game, verify your age and ID, set a deposit limit and deposit. Pick a match, start with the match winner market, enter a small stake and confirm. A $10 bet at 1.80 returns $18 if it wins.
Reading odds
What the odds on your bet slip mean
The same odds in the three formats you will see, with the chance they imply and the payout on a $100 stake.
| Decimal | Fractional | American | Probability | Payout on $100 | Win on $100 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | 1/2 | −200 | 66.7% | $150 | $50 | favourite |
| 1.80 | 4/5 | −125 | 55.6% | $180 | $80 | |
| 2.00 | 1/1 | +100 | 50.0% | $200 | $100 | even |
| 3.00 | 2/1 | +200 | 33.3% | $300 | $200 | underdog |
Steps
From sign-up to a settled bet
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1. Check the law where you live
Online betting is licensed, restricted or banned depending on the country, and the minimum age is 18 or higher. Our country pages summarise the rules.
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2. Choose a site that covers your game
Check that the site lists the games and tournaments you follow, the markets you want and payment methods you use. Our ranking compares esports betting sites on these points.
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3. Register and verify
Sign up with your real details. Expect an ID check before your first withdrawal, often before the first deposit.
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4. Set a deposit limit, then deposit
Set a daily, weekly or monthly limit in your account first. Then deposit an amount you can afford to lose.
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5. Pick a match and a market
Start with the match winner: two teams, no draw in most esports matches. Map winner, map handicap and total maps come next once you know the formats.
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6. Read the price
Decimal odds × stake is your return. 1 ÷ odds is the chance the bookmaker gives: 1.80 means about 56%. Bet when you think the real chance is higher.
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7. Place the bet
Enter the stake on the bet slip, check the odds have not changed and confirm. A single bet is easier to judge than an accumulator.
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8. Settle and review
Bets settle on the official result. Note every bet, so you can see what you won and lost and whether you stayed within your limit.
Responsible gambling
Bet only if you are 18+ and it stays fun
Set a limit before the first deposit
Decide what a month of betting may cost and set a deposit limit in your account. Never top up to chase a loss.
Gambling addiction helpFree help, worldwide
If betting stops being fun, talk to someone. Gambling Therapy runs free, confidential support online in many languages.
Gambling TherapyGlossary
Words you meet on the bet slip
- Match winner
- Bet on who wins the whole match or series. So what: the simplest market and usually the lowest margin.
- BO1, BO3, BO5
- Best of one, three or five maps or games. So what: longer series favour the stronger team.
- Map handicap
- A team starts a map behind or ahead, e.g. −1.5 maps means it must win 2–0. So what: longer odds on a favourite, with more risk.
- Single and accumulator
- One selection, or several that must all win. So what: each extra leg adds margin.
- Cash out
- Settle a bet early for a sum the site offers. So what: the offer includes a margin too.
- Void
- A cancelled bet, stake returned. So what: happens with forfeits or postponed matches, per the site's rules.
How to bet FAQ
What is esports betting?
Betting on the result of professional video game matches, such as CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Valorant, at a bookmaker, with money and at fixed odds.
Is esports betting legal?
It depends on where you live. Some countries license online betting, some restrict it to state operators and some ban it. You must be 18 or older, or older where local law says so.
What is the easiest esports bet for beginners?
The match winner on a game you watch. There are two outcomes and the odds are easy to check: 1 ÷ odds for both teams should add up to a little over 100%.
Can I bet on esports live?
Yes, most esports betting sites offer in-play markets that update after each round or map. See our live betting guide.
How much should I bet as a beginner?
Small, fixed stakes: 1–2% of the money you set aside for betting. Set a deposit limit before your first deposit.
Can I make money from esports betting?
Most bettors lose over time because of the margin. Treat betting as paid entertainment with a fixed budget, not as income.