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Sport 23 May 2025
From DOTA to CS:GO!
Betting on Computer Games? E-Sports Betting Explained!
BETTING ON E-SPORTS
- WHAT IS E-SPORTS?
- FAMOUS E-SPORTS TEAMS
- TOURNAMENTS & PRIZE MONEY
- BETTING ON E-SPORTS – HOW IT WORKS
- BET ON E-SPORTS WITH LOTTOLAND SPORTS
WHAT IS E-SPORTS?
E-sports, or electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming played at a professional level. Players, often organised into teams, compete in various genres such as first-person shooters, multiplayer online battle arenas, and real-time strategy games. These tournaments and leagues attract millions of viewers worldwide, with some competitions even filling arenas that rival the attendance figures of major sporting events!
The popularity of e-sports has only increased in recent years, aided and abetted by a range of groundbreaking titles such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Dota 2, and Call of Duty. So popular has it become that tournaments such as The International and the League of Legends World Championship now offer prize funds in excess of €24M.
FAMOUS E-SPORTS TEAMS
As with any sport, e-sports has produced powerhouse teams, or “organisations”, that are supported avidly by legions of fans across the world. Perhaps the best known of these is the FaZe Clan. FaZe Clan were originally incepted as a Call of Duty sniping team, but they have since broadened their horizons to compete in many other titles including CS:GO and Fortnite.
Another world-renowned organisation is the dominant Team Liquid. This team has proven to be a force to be reckoned with across multiple titles, including Dota 2 and League of Legends. Their biggest victory was arguably at The International 2017 where their Dota 2 team took home a staggering $10.8 million (€9.6M) winners cheque!
Last, but not least, is the much celebrated T1. Formerly known as SK Telecom T1, this is a legendary name in the world of e-sports – specifically in League of Legends. T1 has won multiple world championships over the past decade, led by one of e-sports’ biggest names, the superstar player Faker.
When it comes to preparation, these organisations take things as seriously as any sports team. Amongst their employees are professional coaches and analysts, who work in extensive training facilities – much like a top football club!
TOURNAMENTS & PRIZE MONEY
E-sports tournaments vary greatly in terms of frequency, format and prize money. Among the most prestigious is the record-breaking The International – an annual Dota 2 tournament with prize pools reaching over $45 million (€40.1M). The International is responsible for 7 of the 10 biggest e-sports prize pools of all time.
The League of Legends World Championship is another major event, featuring elite teams from around the world and culminating in a grand final watched by millions. The prize pool regularly exceeds $2 million (€1M / R37M).
Other notable tournaments include the Overwatch League, Fortnite World Cup, and Rainbow Six Siege Invitational. At the Fortnite World Cup, 16-year-old Bugha won the solo competition in 2019, securing $3 million (€1.5M / R55.5M).
However, the title of highest-paid e-sports player belongs to Danish star Johan Sundstein, aka N0tail, who has earned over $7 million (€1.7M) throughout his career.
BETTING ON E-SPORTS – HOW IT WORKS
Now you know a bit more about e-sports, it’s time to find out how to get involved and bet! Betting on e-sports follows many of the same principles as traditional sports betting. You can place match winner bets, similar to betting on a football match.
There are also options for handicap betting, total maps, first blood, and tournament winners. These are unique to e-sports and not found in most football markets.
Just like rugby bets and football betting, e-sports also allows for live/in-play betting. Watch how the match unfolds and place your bets in real-time!
BET ON E-SPORTS WITH LOTTOLAND SPORTS
E-sports is growing fast, and with Lottoland, Irish punters can now get involved! Our sportsbook covers CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and many more. All you need to do is register your account and select your bet!
FAQ - E-SPORTS BETTING
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR E-SPORTS GAMES TO BET ON?
The most popular e-sports games for betting include titles with well-established professional leagues and tournaments. Some of the top options include:
- Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) – A highly competitive first-person shooter with regular tournaments and strong betting markets.
- League of Legends (LoL) – One of the biggest multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, featuring international competitions like the LoL World Championship.
- Dota 2 – Another MOBA game, famous for its massive prize pools, particularly in The International tournament.
- Call of Duty (CoD) – A fast-paced shooter with major leagues like the Call of Duty League (CDL).
- Overwatch 2 – A team-based shooter with dynamic betting markets, including match winners and map totals.
- Fortnite – Known for its high-profile events, including the Fortnite World Cup.
- Rainbow Six Siege – A tactical shooter with regular global tournaments and strong betting interest.
These games offer various betting markets, allowing punters to wager on everything from match winners to in-game events like first kill and total maps played.
WHAT TYPES OF BETS CAN YOU PLACE ON E-SPORTS?
E-sports betting offers a range of markets, similar to traditional sports betting. Some common options include:
- Match Winner – Betting on which team or player will win a match.
- Handicap Betting – One team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds.
- Total Maps/Rounds – Betting on the total number of maps or rounds played in a match.
- First Blood/Kill – Wagering on which team or player will score the first kill.
- Outright Winner – Betting on the overall winner of a tournament or league.
- Correct Score – Predicting the exact score in terms of maps or rounds.
- Prop Bets – Special bets such as the number of kills by a player or specific in-game achievements.
With so many options available, punters can tailor their bets to their knowledge of the game and teams involved.
IS LIVE BETTING AVAILABLE FOR E-SPORTS?
Yes! Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is available for many e-sports events. This allows punters to place bets while a match is happening, adjusting their wagers based on real-time gameplay.
For example, you can bet on:
- Which team will win the next round in CS2.
- Whether a team will make a comeback in a League of Legends match.
- The total number of kills in a Dota 2 game after seeing how aggressive teams are playing.
Live betting offers dynamic odds that change as the game progresses, making it an exciting option for e-sports fans.
HOW DO ODDS WORK IN E-SPORTS BETTING?
E-sports odds work the same way as traditional sports betting odds. They indicate the probability of a certain outcome and determine your potential payout.
There are three main types of odds formats:
- Decimal Odds (e.g., 2.50) – Multiply your stake by the odds to calculate your total return.
- Fractional Odds (e.g., 3/1) – Shows how much profit you will make relative to your stake.
- American Odds (e.g., +200/-150) – Positive numbers show potential profit per €100 staked, while negative numbers indicate how much you need to bet to win €100.
For example, if a team has 1.80 odds to win, a €100 bet would return €180 (€80 profit). The lower the odds, the more favoured the team is to win.
IS E-SPORTS BETTING LEGAL IN IRELAND?
Yes! E-sports betting is legal in Ireland when done through licensed and regulated sportsbooks. Irish punters can legally place bets on e-sports events just like they would with football or rugby.
To legally bet on e-sports in Ireland, you must:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Use a sportsbook that is licensed and compliant with Irish gambling regulations.
- Complete identity verification when registering.
Lottoland offers a secure and legal platform for Irish punters to enjoy betting on their favourite e-sports teams and tournaments.
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