Esports Betting: Complete Guide to CS2, LoL, Valorant

By James Whitmore, james has been covering the uk betting scene for over 10 years, specialising in non-gamstop bookmakers and value betting. — Published on 13 March 2026

The main games

Esports betting centres around a few major titles. Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) remains the most popular competitive FPS, with tournaments such as the Major, BLAST and IEM. League of Legends (LoL) dominates the MOBA genre with Worlds and regional leagues (LEC, LCS, LCK). Valorant, Riot's newer title, is rapidly establishing itself with international championships. Dota 2 attracts bettors with The International and its record prize pools. Each game has its own meta, star teams and calendar: familiarise yourself with them before betting.

Tournaments and competitions

Bookmakers offer bets on regular season matches, play-offs and international tournaments. Major events (LoL Worlds, CS2 Major, VCT Valorant, TI Dota 2) generate a very rich range of markets: tournament winner, match winner, map handicap, first blood, total kills… Odds move quickly based on recent team performances and roster announcements.

How to bet on esports

Follow team news: roster changes, recent form, head-to-head history. The game meta influences results: a team in form on the current patch can spring a surprise. Compare odds across bookmakers, as the gaps are often larger than in traditional sports. Some operators specialise in esports and offer more markets and competitions. Choose a bookmaker with good coverage of the games you are interested in.

Esports bets are subject to the same rules as sports bets. Always gamble responsibly.