With eSports betting now being big business, a number of traditional bookies have got in on the act. One of the first to do so was Betway. Their dedicated eSports betting platform was launched back in 2016, offering a variety of markets and features to gaming punters. Licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and Gambling Commission, Betway is a site available to customers in a variety of countries. For those wishing to find about more about how eSports betting works at Betway, this review provides everything in which there is to know. Let’s begin by outlining the main pros and cons of the bookie when it comes to eSports.
- Political Betting Apps While most bettors look for an app that covers every major game of a sport (or even esport), the quality is not always the same across the board. It’s not that some companies are dropping the ball, it’s that some betting apps.
- Perfect for both experienced gamers and those who are new to the scene, Esports betting sites provide the opportunity for punters to bet on leading organisations, teams and players.
- Esports betting apps are readily available in 2021, with many online betting sites now having downloadable applications, that allow punters to bet on esports in a safe and regulated environment.
Esports has quickly become one of the leading online betting markets around, growing faster than even the world of competitive gaming itself. Punters across the world are now wagering on their favourite.
Pros & Cons of Betway Esport
- Generous welcome offer
- Weekly eSports free bet club
- Daily in-play eSports betting markets
- Excellent odds
- All major and upcoming eSports covered
- No skins betting available
- Restricted in some countries
About Betway
Betway was founded in 2006, with the company being based in Malta, while offices are also found in Guernsey and London. Richard Akitt is the current CEO, with Betway holding a gambling license from the leading authority in both Malta and the UK. Their dedicated eSports page was introduced in 2016, adding to their detailed sportsbook and casino offerings. Betway became the official sponsor of eSports organization Ninjas in Pyjamas in late 2016, a deal which saw millions invested into the team. Betway are also the main sponsor of English football team West Ham United, along with a host of horse races.
Which eSports Does Betway Cover?
Betway covers all major eSports events, as well as tournaments which take place at a regional level. The most popular markets include CS:GO, League of Legends and Dota 2, however Starcraft, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch and the newly launched Valorant can be found too. Others can be found from time to time too, with major events from the World of Tanks, FIFA, Fortnite and Hearthstone scene being available to bet on. While their list of available eSports markets is not as extensive as some specialist sites, it remains better than the vast majority of traditional bookies.
On top of this, there are a number of different bets available to eSports fans, including match winner, map winner, first blood, correct score and handicaps. The exact number of markets will likely depend on the profile of the event, with The International and League of Legends World Championship in particular coming with a large variety. Meanwhile, live eSports betting markets are also available, something in which we will look at in further detail later on in our Betway review.
Finally, with Betway being the sponsor of Ninjas in Pyjamas, a series of specials surrounding the organization can be found too. Such markets include individual player kills, which are attractive to those with an excellent knowledge of the team.
Betway Esport Odds
Odds at Betway can be viewed in in fractional, decimal and American formats, which are popular in Europe, the UK and United States respectively. In terms of prices, there is value to be found on a regular basis for those in the know about the eSports scene, especially when it comes to betting on the so-called underdogs. A quick look at odds comparison sites also shows that Betway regularly offers more appealing prices than many of their competitors. As such, those placing winning bets know that they are receiving the best possible rewards.
Punters will also be pleased with the betting limits found at Betway. Bets can be placed at as little as £/$/€0.10, which caters well for beginners. Meanwhile, the maximum bet accepted ranges between markets and events. However, with maximum winnings of £/$/€100,000 per day, even the needs of the most demanding of punters should be met.
Betway Bonuses & Promotions
Promotions are available to both new and existing customers at Betway, starting with their eSports welcome offer. Punters in the UK will see their opening deposit 100% matched up to £10. The bonus will be paid out in the form of a free bet, which must then be wagered x1, at odds of at least 1.75, before it can be withdrawn. Only deposits made using a debit card or PayPal will qualify. For those elsewhere, the same terms and conditions apply, only this time, a free bet worth up to $/€30 is up for grabs.
Free Bets at Betway
For existing customers, the Betway eSports free bet club could well be worth taking advantage of. Here, punters placing £/$/€25+ on eSports doubles, trebles or accumulators will receive a free bet worth £/$/€10. In order to qualify, minimum odds of 3.0 must be met. Meanwhile, Betway offers daily eSports price boosts, while money back specials on major events can also be found now and then. Such promotions help to separate Betway from other eSports betting sites.
Live eSports Betting at Betway
Betting on eSports matches that are already underway is possible thanks to the live betting markets found on their site. While this was not initially a service the bookie provided upon the introduction of eSports, live betting was recently added. Odds here are updated on a regular basis, based on what professional players are doing, whether it be a kill made in Dota 2 or a goal being scored in FIFA.
Many eSports markets at Betway are accompanied by live streaming too, with punters having to have at least £/$/€10 in their account to gain access. Streams generally come from CS:GO, Dota 2 and League of Legends markets, with clicking on the “Watch” button making it easy for customers.
Betway Design & Usability
The Betway eSports site has a similar look and feel to its main sportsbook page, with a black and purple color scheme dominating throughout. The sleek design is easy on the eye, while the interface makes it easy to move between markets and features. The sites top menu features links to live betting markets and promotions, with all available eSports markets being listed down the left-hand side of the page. Imagery is used sparingly, while unnecessary graphics are not found at all, adding to the cleanness of the site. The Betway eSports site also works well on mobile devices, while a betting app is also available to download on iOS and Android devices.
Betway Safety & Security
Betway is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission, as well as authorities in a host of other European countries. This means that they have already undergone strict testing. As such, customers can rest assured that Betway offer a safe environment when it comes to online eSports betting. Betway is also associated with gambling regulators such as IBAS and ESSA, who help to ensure that all offerings are fair and reliable. On top of this, your personal details will never be shared with third parties, while encryption technology helps to keep all payment information safe. It is only those in the following countries who will be unable to register at Betway:
Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Columbia, France, Schleswig-Holstein (German state), Greece, Greenland, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lithuania, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu and Yemen.
Betway Banking
Only real money eSports betting is available at Betway, with customers being able to fund such activity using a number of payment methods. Deposits are instant and start at just £/$/€5, while withdrawals will likely take anywhere between 1-5 working days, with no fees being charged in most cases.
The following are the total payment methods available to eSports customers at Betway:
Deposits – Deposits can be made to Betway via Credit Cards, Debit Cards, ClickandBuy, Direct Bank Transfer, ecoPayz, EziPay, Neteller, PayPal, PaySafeCard, Skrill, Skrill 1- Tap, Ukash, Giropay, Sofort, EPS, eWire, Lobanet, Euteller, Neosurf, POLi, Przelewy24, Qiwi, Astropay and EntroPay Card
Withdrawals – You can withdraw from your Betway account to the following: Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Citadel Direct, ClickandBuy, Direct Bank Transfer, ecoPayz, Neteller, EziPay, PayPal, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap, Lobanet, Qiwi Wallet and EntroPay Card.
Betway Customer Support
Support is available to customers at Betway 24/7, with communication being initiated via telephone, email or live chat. Emails sent to [email protected] are generally responded to within 48 hours, while agents are accessible via live chat in under 30 seconds in most cases. Support is also available in 15 different languages, demonstrating just how much of an international operator Betway now is. A detailed FAQ page can also be found on both desktop and mobile, providing useful information regarding betting rules, bonus terms and other topics.
Additional Features at Betway
Those signing up at Betway will also be in a position to play their CS:GO-based slot game, which is dedicated to Ninjas in Pyjamas, who as we have already mentioned, Betway is the main sponsor of. The game was developed and introduced in the hope of closing the gap between casino and eSports, with the Ninjas in Pyjamas logo appearing throughout. Customers can take advantage of the Betway sportsbook too, which covers sports from around the globe.
Bottom Line on Betway Esports
Betway is one of very few traditional and long standing bookies to have a dedicated eSports betting page. As a result, it comes as little surprise that Betway has long been held in high regard by eSports enthusiasts, with the operator covering a large number of international and regional events. With a generous welcome offer, ongoing promotions and live streaming to look forward to, we really do recommend checking Betway out for yourself. Everything from CS:GO and League of Legends to World of Tanks and FIFA can be bet on at Betway, while their site is nothing but 100% safe and reliable. With a variety of payment methods to choose from, punters in a host of countries can take advantage of what Betway has to offer thanks to different gambling licenses. We did not really come across any major faults at Betway, something which is rarely the case in these reviews.
Betway – FAQ
Betway covers events from the world of CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2, Starcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, World of Tanks, Heroes of the Storm, Valorant and FIFA. Meanwhile, new eSports events are being added at a fairly rapid rate, meaning that you are almost certain to find something to suit your needs.
Yes! The majority of eSports matches found at Betway come with live streaming, with customers having to have a funded account in order to gain access. Streaming matches makes the betting experience all the more exciting.
Yes. The welcome bonus available at Betway comes in the form of a free bet. The exact amount available depends on your location, however it is likely to be either £10 or £/€30. Be sure to check out the terms and conditions before signing up.
Betway is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission. This means that their site legally accepts bets from customers in a number of different countries. We listed restricted countries further up on this page.
On top of their dedicated eSports betting site, both sportsbook and casino offerings can be found. This means that Betway is something of a triple threat, catering for the needs of customers in all areas.
Some legal sportsbooks in the US offer esports betting, but the availability depends entirely on your geographic location. In most states, both online and in-person sports betting are illegal. But even in the many states that have legalized betting, esports bets can be hard to come by.
However, you can bet on esports at online and retail sportsbooks in the following states:
- West Virginia
You can also bet on esports in-person at tribal casinos with sportsbooks in Michigan and New York.
Esports Available For Betting in the United States
Esports betting largely focuses on the biggest tournaments, but you can find regular matchups and qualifier events depending on the game. A common rule is that all participating esports athletes must be at least 18 years or older for the sportsbook to list the event.
The most popular esports tournaments for betting in the US include the following:
- League of Legends Championship Series
- League of Legends European Championship
- eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series
- CS:GO Legend Series
- Intel Extreme Masters
- DreamHack Masters
- ESEA
- BTS Pro Series
- ESL One
- Global StarCraft II League
The Overwatch League is also popular for esports bettors and offers more regularly occurring matchups. However, these can be tough to find because many events feature players below the age of 18, so sportsbooks will often simply omit the option altogether.
In Nevada and New Jersey, major esports events are approved for betting on an ongoing basis. But in Colorado and West Virginia, betting on a variety of esports is approved year-round.
Where Can You Bet On Esports?
Online And In-Person
Colorado allows for the most esports betting action than any other state with legal sportsbooks. You can bet on the following games both online and at retail sportsbooks:
- Call of Duty (COD)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
- DOTA2
- E-Nascar
- League of Legends (LoL)
- NBA2K
- Overwatch
- Rainbow Six
You can find a complete list of games, leagues, and bets via the Approved Sports Catalog provided by the Colorado Division of Gaming.
West Virginia also allows any bet on esports as long as the competitors are legal adults. However, because Colorado boasts more bettors and more sportsbooks, it beats out West Virginia for availability.
In Nevada and New Jersey, esports events are limited to approved tournaments, and a licensed sportsbook needs to request the line. So if you have a go-to platform, reach out to them to see if they’ll request an event you’re interested in wagering on.
Esports Betting Reddit
Online Sportsbooks Offering Esports
A handful of online sports betting apps and sites in Colorado, New Jersey, and Nevada take bets on esports. These include:
- BetMGM Sportsbook (and Borgata Sports NJ)
- William Hill Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook (PlaySugarHouse NJ)
- Caesars Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
Colorado may have a few additional online sportsbooks taking esports bets. If you already have a go-to app, consider reaching out to their customer service if you can’t find esports listed in the index of sports.
Retail Sportsbooks Taking Esports Bets
Outside of the states that allow online and retail esports bets, you can find lines for esports at the sportsbooks located inside tribal casinos in New York and Michigan.
For Michigan, that means the Detroit-area commercial casinos can’t offer the option, but the close to 20 other tribal sportsbooks across the Upper and Lower Peninsulas can.
For New York, most Upstate casinos are tribal-owned and operated, so most of the retail sportsbooks can legally take an esports bet. For example, Rivers Casino Schenectady takes esports wagers occasionally at their BetRivers Sportsbook.
Daily Fantasy Esports
FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook do not offer esports betting, even in states where it’s legal. We reached out to their customer service to make sure, and they confirmed.
But, interestingly, both FanDuel DFS and DraftKings DFS offer Daily Fantasy Esports for several different games. At DraftKings DFS, you can do Daily Fantasy:
Esports Betting Api
- Call of Duty
- CS:GO
- League of Legends
- eNASCAR
- Rocket League
To play Daily Fantasy Esports, you build your roster within the salary caps and compete against other DFS players for real-money prize pools. It’s the same structure as traditional DFS, but with esports teams and players.