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Esports can be dated back to the days of LAN parties, where friends would hook up their machines and play tournaments until the sunrise could be seen cutting through the basement window. As technology advanced, as we all know the advent of online play opened up a new world of opportunities when it came to competitive gaming.
Today, of course, esports is a global phenomenon, drawing in millions of spectators to watch their favourite professional teams battle it out in full-fledged stadiums for massive prizes. It should come as no surprise then, that the passionate fans, high stakes and huge winnings have resulted in betting becoming a major aspect of esports.
In fact, Narus Advisors estimate that by 2020, the esports betting market will be worth almost $30 billion. Considering that gaming as a sport isn’t nearly as prominent or well-known as the likes of football, this is an astounding figure that suggests a bright future for esports betting.
What is also not surprising is that online casinos are incorporating esports betting into their offerings. In this post, we’ll take a look at the current esports betting landscape and its major tournaments, as well as how online casinos fit into the picture.
Major tournaments
If you’re a newcomer to esports betting, one of the first things you should do is familiarise yourself with the current major tournaments and leagues. This will provide a basis upon which to start your analysis. Just like with any sport, knowing the leagues, teams and players is key to making the right bets and ultimately winning your share.
While there are hundreds of different leagues and tournaments around the world, it would make the most sense to focus on the biggest ones. This includes The Dota 2 International, which is one of the most popular and lucrative tournaments, with winning teams earning millions of pounds in cash prizes.
Major League Gaming, Eleague, the Evolution Championship Series, ESL and the Capcom Pro Tour are also major esports operators/tournaments. The Intel Extreme Masters mainly focuses on the popular FPS game Counter Strike: Global Offensive, which has always been a prominent and important member of the esports industry.
But there are many more, such as the Call of Duty Championship and the Halo World Championships. As for which one is best suited for you, this should mainly come down to your knowledge of the game and its teams. Going for the one you know the most about will help you make more informed decisions when it comes to betting.
Online casino involvement
Today, online casinos offer a great way for esports fans to bet on their favourite teams. In most cases, members will be presented with a user interface that lists ongoing and upcoming tournaments. Your live odds will be displayed beside upcoming matches, making it easier to weigh up your intuition and knowledge against your chances of winning.
Once you’ve made your pick, your next step will be to add your bet to the betting slip. If you want to adjust your stake or number of bets, you can do so and the casino will adjust your estimated return accordingly. Many casinos offer members bonuses such as cashback offers on aggregated losses, which can soften the blow of an unsuccessful bet.
Of course, not all online casinos are made equal. This post on the Biggest Casino Bonuses will help you find an online casino that offers the most ideal betting system for you to make use of.
Betting on esports
Esports betting is virtually no different to any other type of sport betting. It mainly comes down to doing your homework and knowing the game, your team and their chances against the competition. What makes this type of gambling so great is that your odds aren’t completely based on chance. There is real strategy and reward for being knowledgeable.
The variety of betting options that online casinos offer make it easier for you to choose a method that is suited to your knowledge. For example, the most popular is a straight bet, which is as simple as predicting the winner or whether there will be a draw. Alternatively, an outright winner bet allows you to choose who will win before the game starts. In this case, you’ll have to wait until the end of the game to see the result of your bet.
Finally, there’s live betting, which involves analysing your odds in real time and adjusting your bets accordingly. The fast-paced, exciting nature of this type of betting makes it a popular option among esports fans as you’re watching the game live at the same time.
If you have a passion for gaming and you’re knowledgeable when it comes to your favourite teams, esports betting is a compelling new way to enjoy online casinos. As the industry is set to skyrocket in the near future, huge winnings await.
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