Esports has rapidly become one of the pillars of the global gambling sector. With the United States and China leading the way, over US$ 2.1 billion was generated from the market in 2023 and over 6.7% annual growth is predicted. This isn’t surprising as more betting options emerged with Esports aside from the entertainment offered.
To enhance your wagering and profitability, our experts have prepared a guide for you. We’ll explain Esports markets, how to read the odds, winning strategies, and how to maintain responsible gambling. Since you’re ready, let’s quickly explore this page.
Understanding and Interpretation of Betting Odds
The odds are important in all forms of betting as they determine how much you stand to win. Similarly, they show which team or options have a better probability of being true. Higher chances are given to underdogs, while the favorites have lesser ones.
With different formats available, Esports bettors must know how to interpret the odds assigned to their preferred matches. Top bookmakers allow switching between different formats, easing users’ betting experience. In the same vein, we’ll discuss the Decimal, Fractional, and American odds below.
Decimal
Decimal odds are the easiest to interpret, leading to most bookies adopting it on their platform. They appear as numbers greater than 1 and often have decimal points, e.g., 1.4, 2.9, 1.09, etc.
Betting on the lower chance means you have an increased probability of predicting successfully. Enthusiasts only need to multiply their odds with the amount staked to calculate winnings.
Fractional
Often used in the UK and Ireland, you will easily recognize it with the slash(/) or hyphen (-) between two numbers to form a fraction, e.g., 5/2, 8/3, 10/1, etc.
The number on the left indicates how much you win if you bet the number on the right. For instance, you’ll win $5 for every $2 you bet in 5/2 odds. Punters should know the bigger fractions are often for the underdogs.
American
The Moneyline, as it is otherwise called, is known with the + and – signs on the odds, and it’s common in the United States. The positive number (+110) shows how much you will win for every $100 bet placed, while the negative figure (-120) shows how much you must bet to win $100.
Esports Genre and the Available Betting Market
Punters enjoy diverse genres of Esports games, and most are available on top bookmakers. Betzillion is doing a great job when it comes to reviewing top sportsbooks that offer Esports and other sports markets. Check the full list of betting sites reviewed by BetZillion for bookies offering cyber sports betting. This list has grown from just 100 in 2021 to over 400, and you will find your favorite sports on them. The following are some top Esports games you can bet on:
| Genre | Explanation | Examples |
| MOBA | Multiplayer Online Battle Arena is a popular genre amongst gamers, and it offers excellent betting options. The games here involve teams competing against each other to achieve a given mission. Enthusiasts will also find many international and regional contests here, which gives more punting options. |
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| FPS | First-person shooter titles are the best for shooters, and several titles fall under this category. Coupled with many contests organized for these games, punters have many betting markets to explore. The coverage and impressive options also extend to live events. |
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| Sports simulators | Sports lovers can also enjoy simulated versions of their favorite sports on Cybersports. While this category is not as popular as the two we discussed earlier, you can enjoy many betting options here as well. Bookies cover many tournaments in this genre, which provides top markets for punters. |
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| TPS | Third-person shooters are another group that includes games whose characters are controlled from a camera angle. Many exciting titles also fall here, giving betting chances. Punters will also find tournaments for these contests in top sportsbooks. |
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Betting Markets
Enthusiasts can enjoy impressive markets for Esports when they play with a top brand. This can vary by games played and tournaments. The following are common sports betting options for Esports:
- Match winner
- Outright
- Map/round winner
- First blood
- Totals
- Correct score/points, etc.
Expert Tips to Increase Your Betting Success
Just like in regular punting, winnings are not guaranteed on Esports. With the right strategies, punters have a high chance of winning. The following bet experts’ tactics can amplify your success as a bettor:
- Research and understand the games.
- Use a reliable platform.
- Have a working betting budget.
- Follow the competition.
- Analyze team forms and members’ availability.
- Take advantage of houses and promos.
- Know when to stop.
Responsible Betting and Risk Mitigation in Esports
All forms of betting are addictive. That’s why we encourage responsible gambling amongst punters. Ensure you bet the amount you can afford to lose at all times. Top bookies have numerous tools to help enthusiasts maintain healthy and ethical betting. They are:
- Restricting minors’ registration.
- Self-exclusion.
- Enabling betting and deposit limits.
- Constantly looking out for suspicious behavior among customers.
- Permanent deactivation of account.
- Self-test measure.
- Helpful links and materials for responsible gambling counseling.
Conclusion
As a growing niche in online entertainment, many bookmakers have integrated Esports into their services. Match winner, round/map winner, totals, and others are available for bettors to stake on. The increase in tournaments and competitions also enhanced the supply of betting options for users.
While you appreciate varieties of markets and bonuses, it is essential to choose the right platform. Having adequate strategies will also increase your wagering success. In all, ensure you observe responsible online gambling.
