Esports is one of the fastest growing sports markets in the world and it’s particularly popular for betting. Bettors can wager on their favorite teams, game titles, and tournaments.
Thanks to Bitcoin betting sites, it’s easier to wager on esports with crypto than ever before. In this guide, we’ll review the 10 best Bitcoin esports betting sites for 2023 and explain how to start wagering on esports today.
The Top Crypto Esports Betting Sites Ranked
We tried out dozens of online esports bitcoin betting platforms to find the top sites for every type of player. Here’s our list of the 10 best Bitcoin esports betting sites for 2023.
- Lucky Block—Top Crypto Esports Betting Platform with No KYC Required to Join. Offers 200% Deposit Match up to €10,000.
- Mega Dice—Popular Sportsbook with 40+ Markets Including Counter Strike, League of Legends, DOTA 2, and More. 200% Welcome Bonus up to 1 BTC
- BC.Game—Massive Sportsbook and Casino with Dozens of Esports Markets. Accepts 150+ Cryptos for Betting. Welcome Bonus up to 360% on First 4 Deposits.
- Heybets.io—Popular Esports Betting Site with 11 Markets, Live Wagers, VIP Rewards, and More.
- Vave—New Crypto Betting Site with Rapidly Expanding Esports Selection and Live Betting. Offers 100% Deposit Match Bonus up to 1 BTC.
- BetPlay—NBA2K Esports Betting Site with Multiple Betting Lines including Match Winner and Moneyline.
- MyStake—7 Esports Betting Markets including Live Esports Betting. Offers Instant Payouts and a $500 Welcome Bonus.
- Jackbit—User-friendly Sportsbook with 8 Esports Leagues and Live Betting. Offers Every 4th Bet Free and 10% Bet Insurance.
- Cloudbet—Fast-growing Crypto Esports Betting Site with 10 Leagues, Live Betting, and On-platform Streaming. New Players Receive 5 BTC Welcome Bonus.
- Fairspin—Top Sportsbook for Betting on Esports Like NBA, Hockey, and Soccer. Offers Massive Welcome Bonus Valued at up to $450,000.
Reviewing the Best Bitcoin Esports Betting Sites
Finding a handful of leading esports betting sites is just part of the equation, understanding what each one offers is the other half.
That’s why we’ve reviewed the most popular and trusted Bitcoin esports betting websites saving you the time and effort. Let’s begin!
1. Lucky Block—Top Crypto Esports Betting Platform with No KYC Required to Join
Lucky Block is our top pick for betting on esports in 2023. This crypto sportsbook and casino offers everything bettors need, from great bonuses to competitive odds to an outstanding player experience.
At Lucky Block, bettors will find a wide selection of esports to wager on including Counter Strike, Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends, Rainbow Six, Arena of Valor, King of Glory, Mobile Legends, Overwatch, and Starcraft. At any given time, there are typically more than 150 different matches and wagers available for esports betting on Lucky Block.
Bettors receive highly competitive odds for most matches—Lucky Block has some of the best odds we’ve seen from any major Bitcoin sportsbook.
On top of that, the platform allows live esports betting. Lucky Block even offers a stream of ongoing matches, making it easy to follow the action without ever leaving the betslip.
Another thing we love about Lucky Block is that the sportsbook doesn’t require KYC information to join. Bettors can sign up with just an email address and a password—you don’t have to provide your name, date of birth, or other personal information. It’s possible to bet completely anonymously at Lucky Block.
New players at Lucky Block receive a 200% deposit match welcome bonus worth up to €10,000 when they join. The welcome bonus comes with a 60x wagering requirement. In addition, returning players can claim a reload deposit bonus worth up to €200 every Monday.
Lucky Block accepts several popular altcoins in addition to Bitcoin, including ETH, LTC, USDT, and BNB. Players can also bet with Lucky Block’s own $LBLOCK token. All deposits and withdrawals are instant and free, making the process of joining Lucky Block and cashing out completely seamless.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
200% matched deposit bonus of up to €10,000 | 60x | 11 | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, BNB, XRP, Cardano | $1 | Instant |
Pros
- 200% welcome bonus worth up to €10,000
- Join the sportsbook with no personal information
- Bet on 11 popular esports markets
- Live betting with built-in streams for every match
- Free and instant deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Steep wagering requirement for welcome bonus
2. Mega Dice—Popular Sportsbook with 40+ Sports Markets Including Counter Strike, League of Legends, DOTA 2, and More
Mega Dice is another one of the best crypto esports betting sites to play with today. Players will find 11 popular esports games to wager on at Mega Dice, including Counter Strike, League of Legends, DOTA 2, Overwatch, and more.
Mega Dice offers bets on all the major global gaming tournaments as well as smaller matches that don’t get much attention. We’ve found the odds to be competitive no matter the size of the match-up, which is really nice.
In addition, bettors can place live wagers on almost every esports match that Mega Dice offers. The platform also has an on-platform live stream for most matches, making it simple to add new bets without taking eyes off the action.
Mega Dice does require KYC information when players sign up, but the sign-up process is otherwise very quick and painless. Bettors in the US will also need a VPN to access Mega Dice.
The sportsbook accepts most major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. Bettors can get started with as little as $1 worth of their favorite crypto. All deposits and withdrawals are free and nearly instant. In rare cases, payouts can take up to 2 hours.
New players at Mega Dice receive a 200% deposit match bonus worth up to 1 BTC with a wagering requirement of 40x. On top of that, returning players can get up to €500 for every reload deposit made on a Monday.
Players at Mega Dice will also want to check out the platform’s Bitcoin casino. It’s one of the top online casinos right now and even offers a Telegram casino bot. Anyone can wager on slots, blackjack, and more with the Telegram bot without even creating an account. So, it’s possible to bet completely anonymously.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
200% matched deposit bonus of up to 1 BTC | 40x | 11 | Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, XRP | $1 | Up to 2 hours |
Pros
- 11 popular esports betting markets including live betting
- 200% deposit match welcome bonus up to 1 BTC
- Instant and free deposits and withdrawals
- Live stream of most esports matches
- Integrated casino with Telegram bot
Cons
- Requires a VPN for US bettors
3. BC.Game—Massive Sportsbook and Casino with Dozens of Esports Markets. Accepts 150+ Cryptos for Betting.
BC.Game is a massive crypto sportsbook and casino with a huge selection of betting options.
It especially stands out for esports betting because the platform offers an incredible 13 different markets. It’s home to betting on some games, like Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm, that are hard to find at any other sportsbook.
BC.Game also stands out for accepting a huge range of cryptocurrencies. Players can deposit not only Bitcoin, but more than 150 altcoins for esports betting. BC.Game converts players’ funding into its own $BCG token, which allows for seamless wagering across the platform no matter what currency players started with.
Even better, all deposits and withdrawals at BC.Game are free and instant. The withdrawal limits vary by coin, but we think they’re relatively fair to players.
This sportsbook has one of the most generous welcome bonuses around. New players can receive deposit match bonuses on their first 4 deposits, earning up to 360% with the final and biggest match. The bonus unlocks as players place wagers, but the overall wagering requirement is a steep 500x.
BC.Game also has a VIP program for returning bettors, which offers benefits like reload bonuses and cash back on losses.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
Deposits 1-4 are matched from 270% to 360% | 500x | 13 | Bitcoin and 150+ altcoins | $30 | Instant |
Pros
- Betting on games like Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm
- Massive welcome bonus for first 4 deposits
- Accepts 150+ altcoins for deposit
- VIP program for returning players
Cons
- Steep wagering requirement for welcome bonus
- Minimum deposit of $30 in crypto
4. Heybets.io—Popular Esports Betting Site with 11 Markets, Live Wagers, VIP Rewards, and More.
Heybets.io is another excellent choice for esports betting in 2023. This sportsbook offers competitive odds on esports like League of Legends, DOTA 2, Counter Strike, Rainbow 6, and more.
In total, Heybets.io carries 11 esports markets and offers live wagers on all of them. Players can watch a stream of every match on the sportsbook platform, making the live betting process completely seamless.
Heybets.io also enables fantasy betting for the NFL and NBA. While this type of betting hasn’t come to esports just yet, we’re hopeful that HeyBets will be among the first platforms to offer fantasy esports betting in the near future.
One thing to note about Heybets.io is that it doesn’t offer a welcome bonus for new players. However, it has one of the most generous VIP programs we’ve seen. Top-tier VIPs can get up to 10% cashback on lost wagers, plus earn weekly bonuses for betting and reload deposits. Few other sportsbooks treat their VIPs so well.
Heybets.io currently accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin for payments. Players can also make a fiat deposit with a bank transfer. Crypto deposits are free and instant, while fiat deposits typically take a few days to hit a player’s account.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
N/A | N/A | 11 | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin | $10 | Instant |
Pros
- VIP program offers up to 10% cash back on losses
- Live betting on wide range of esports
- Includes fantasy sports betting and casino
- Competitive odds for esports wagers
Cons
- No welcome bonus available
5. Vave—New Crypto Betting Site with Rapidly Expanding Esports Selection and Live Betting.
Vave is a sportsbook and casino with a lot for players to like. The sportsbook has made a particularly strong push into esports wagering and Vave is now a major contender in Counter Strike wagering.
Vave’s odds for Counter Strike are extremely competitive, and it helps that the sportsbook offers over/under bets in addition to moneyline wagers. Vave also offers live Counter Strike betting, but doesn’t have a live stream of matches underway on the platform.
Vave has plans to add esports betting in more markets, but there’s currently no timeline for when new esports will become available. Outside of esports, Vave offers wagers on more than 35 different sports markets and is widely considered to be one of the best Bitcoin sports betting sites.
New players at Vave can claim a 100% deposit match welcome bonus up to 1 BTC. The sportsbook also offers a Thursday reload bonus that will boost players’ deposit by 50% up to $150.
Vave accepts 8 popular cryptocurrencies for deposits and payouts with no fees. Players can also make deposits with fiat, including using credit and debit cards. Players in the US and the UK will need a VPN in order to access Vave’s sportsbook.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
100% deposit match up to 1 BTC | 40x | 1 | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, Litecoin, XRP, Tron, Dogecoin | $20 | Instant |
Pros
- 1 BTC welcome bonus and Thursday reload bonuses
- Accepts 8 popular cryptos and fiat
- Competitive odds for Counter Strike betting
- Has plans to add more esports markets
Cons
- Esports betting only for Counter Strike
- VPN required in US and UK
6. BetPlay—NBA2K Esports Betting Site with Multiple Betting Lines including Match Winner and Moneyline
BetPlay is a relatively new esports betting site that stands out for offering multiple betting lines in each of its esports markets. Players can place not only moneyline bets, but also over/under wagers, spread bets, and more.
BetPlay has a great selection of esports games to wager on, including fan favorites like Rainbow 6, Valorant, Counter Strike, and League of Legends. It also offers esports betting on NBA2K and FIFA, which a lot of other esports betting sites don’t carry.
Players can bet live on games as they unfold as well as watch a stream of every match right on BetPlay’s platform.
The sportsbook offers a 100% deposit match welcome bonus up to 0.5 BTC with an 80x wagering requirement. Players also receive 10% weekly cashback on losses, which is a nice ongoing perk.
BetPlay accepts 13 cryptocurrencies, including majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
100% deposit match up to 0.5 BTC | 80x | 1 | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, Litecoin, XRP, Tron, Dogecoin, Monero, USDC, BNB, Shiba Inu, Sand | $5 | Instant |
Pros
- Weekly 10% cashback on esports losses
- Offers over/under and spread bets on esports
- Live betting with on-platform streams
- Low minimum deposit and instant payouts
Cons
- Small selection of other sports to wager on
7. MyStake—7 Esports Betting Markets including Live Esports Betting
MyStake is one of the largest online crypto betting platforms and it’s making an aggressive push into esports wagering.
The platform now offers 7 esports betting markets including Overwatch, League of Legends, Counter Strike, and Starcraft Brood War. It’s a great platform especially for Starcraft 2 esports crypto betting.
Players at MyStake can stream matches online and bet in real-time. The bet slip is extremely user-friendly, making live betting at MyStake a breeze.
MyStake also has a very generous welcome bonus. Players can get a 100% deposit match up to $500 when they join, with a wagering requirement of only 10x. Bettors also have 30 days to meet the wagering requirement, which is double the time that most other sportsbooks allow.
MyStake shouldn’t be confused with Stake.com, which recently had $41 million worth of crypto stolen from its hot wallets. MyStake has never suffered a major breach and takes significant measures to secure user’s funds.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
100% deposit match up to $500 | 10x | 7 | Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash, Bitcoin Cash, Monero, Tether, XRP | $20 | Instant |
Pros
- Live betting with competitive odds
- Low wagering requirement on welcome bonus
- User-friendly betting interface
- Ongoing cashback deals and reload promos
Cons
- Limited selection of esports markets
8. Jackbit—User-friendly Sportsbook with 8 Esports Leagues and Live Betting
Jackbit is a popular Bitcoin casino and sportsbook that offers wagers across 8 of the biggest esports leagues.
Players can bet on Counter Strike, League of Legends, Overwatch, and more. Notably, Jackbit carries wagers not only for major tournaments, but also minor matchups throughout each week.
Jackbit doesn’t offer a traditional deposit match welcome bonus. Instead, players at Jackbit get every 4th esports bet at no cost. The free bet is worth the average of the three bets that preceded it and comes with a maximum of $100. There’s no wagering requirement for withdrawing winnings from this free bet.
In addition, Jackbit gives players bet insurance on every ticket that contains at least 4 events. If only one of the bets loses, players receive 10% cashback on their total bet. The funds can be applied as a free bet with no wagering requirement.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
Get every 4th bet free | N/A | 8 | Bitcoin, BNB, Tron, USDC, Dash, Ethereum, Ripple, Solana | $20 | Instant |
Pros
- Get every 4th bet free
- 10% bet insurance on bets with 4 lines
- Offers wagers on 8 popular esports
- Live betting with on-platform streaming
Cons
- No deposit match welcome bonus
9. Cloudbet—Fast-growing Crypto Esports Betting Site with 10 Leagues, Live Betting, and On-platform Streaming
Cloudbet offers one of the largest esports crypto betting bonuses of any major sportsbook. New players receive a one-time 100% deposit match welcome bonus worth up to 5 BTC. That’s nearly $150,000 at today’s Bitcoin price.
Meeting the wagering requirement for this bonus can be tricky, however, since Cloudbet uses a points system instead of setting a strict bet multiplier requirement. Different bets earn varying amounts of points, and players may find they need to try out Cloudbet’s casino to earn enough wagering requirement points.
Cloudbet enables players to bet that free cash on 10 popular esports, including Overwatch, League of Legends, and more. It’s one of our favorite platforms for DOTA 2 esports crypto betting. The platform alslo offers live streams of most matches and has very competitive odds.
The sportsbook accepts more than a dozen popular cryptocurrencies, including altcoins like PAXG that aren’t accepted at many other sportsbooks. All crypto deposits and withdrawals are fee-free and take no more than a few minutes.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
100% deposit match up to 5 BTC | Based on points | 10 | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, USD Coin, PAX, PAXG, Chainlink, DAI, Dash, Dogecoin, Litecoin | 0.001 BTC | Instant |
Pros
- Welcome bonus worth up to 5 BTC
- Live betting and streaming for esports
- Instant and free crypto payouts
- Accepts a wide range of altcoins
Cons
- Bonus wagering requirement is complex
10. Fairspin—Top Sportbook for Betting on Esports Like NBA, Hockey, and Soccer
Fairspin is another top Bitcoin esports betting site that offers a huge welcome bonus. Players can qualify for as much as $450,000 in bonus cash, split across their first 4 deposits.
To earn the maximum match on each deposit, players must deposit at least $500. So, this sportsbook is best suited for high rollers who are ready to wager big on esports. Fairspin also has a large selection of other sports betting markets and an integrated casino.
In addition to esports like Counter Strike and League of Legends, Fairspin also has esports betting for e-basketball, e-hockey, and e-soccer. These aren’t based on the NBA2K or FIFA esports leagues, but rather on virtual matches between real NBA, NHL, and MLS teams.
Bettors at Fairspin can wager with dozens of popular cryptos, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. All crypto payments are processed immediately and with no fees.
Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | No. of Esports | Accepted Cryptocurrencies | Minimum Deposit | Payout Time |
Deposit match on first 4 deposits, worth up to $450,000 | 25x | 8 | Bitcoin, BNB, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Ethereum, Litecoin, NEO, Dogecoin | 0.001 BTC | Instant |
Pros
- Offers betting on eNBA, eNHL, and eMLS
- Welcome bonus worth up to $450,000
- Accepts most major altcoins
- Fee-free crypto payments
Cons
- Only offers betting on a few esports leagues
How to Pick the Best Bitcoin Esports Betting Site for You
There’s a lot to think about when choosing the best platform for esports betting with Bitcoin. We’ll explain some of the key factors to consider.
Safe Crypto Payments
It’s essential that bettors’ money is safe whenever transferring crypto to or from an esports betting platform. All of the platforms we reviewed use highly secure blockchains and store the majority of funds in cold wallets that aren’t connected to the internet.
While some online crypto gambling sites have been attacked, all of the platforms we reviewed have strong track records of keeping players’ funds safe.
Quick Deposits & Withdrawals
Crypto deposits should be available for betting within minutes, every time. This is one of the key advantages of betting with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Withdrawals should be similarly fast. Some sportsbooks take a few minutes to a few hours to process payouts, while others send crypto right away.
Rewarding Bonuses & Promotions
Bonuses and promotions can play a huge role in bettors’ decision of which sportsbook to choose. Sportsbooks like Lucky Block offer welcome bonuses up to €10,000 that can significantly change a player’s fortunes.
We’ll discuss esports betting bonuses and promos in more detail below.
Low or Zero Banking Fees
Bitcoin esports betting sites typically eliminate banking fees altogether. That means both deposits and withdrawals are completely free. This is a major change from traditional online sportsbooks, which often have steep banking fees.
Note that players will still have to pay blockchain transaction fees for deposits and withdrawals. These vary by token and are charged by the blockchain network, not by the sportsbook.
Fair Deposit & Withdrawal Limits
Esports betting sites should also offer fair limits for deposits and withdrawals. That means low deposit minimums—usually $20 worth of crypto or less—and similarly low withdrawal minimums—usually $50 worth of crypto or less.
Be especially alert for platforms with high withdrawal limits. These can make it hard to get paid out, particularly if a player starts out betting with only a small deposit.
Large Selection of Esports Betting Markets
The selection of esports to wager on is hugely important when choosing an esports betting site. Most platforms offer wagers on popular games like Counter Strike, League of Legends, and Rainbow 6. Games like NBA2K and Hearthstone are only available at select esports sites, so players who want to bet on these esports need to choose their sportsbook accordingly.
Another thing to consider is whether a platform enables live esports betting. All of the platforms we reviewed do offer live wagers.
High-quality Esports Betting Features
Betting sites should make the esports betting experience as seamless as possible. That means offering user-friendly bet slips, live match streams right on the platform, and multiple betting lines for every match. The better the betting features, the more fun the experience of wagering on esports will be.
How Does Betting on Esports with Crypto Work?
Esports betting involves betting on the outcome of esports matches in games like Counter Strike and League of Legends. Counter Strike is particularly popular for esports betting.
It’s similar to betting on traditional sports like football and basketball, except that the teams are competing in a virtual environment rather than on a field.
Popular games for esports betting include:
- Counter Strike: Global Offensive
- League of Legends
- DOTA 2
- Valorant
- Rainbow Six
- Arena of Valor
- Overwatch
- Starcraft
- NBA2K
- FIFA
Players typically bet on which team will win—this is known as a moneyline bet. Before the start of the match, players log into their esports betting account and place their wager. They can decide how much to bet and potentially increase their odds with a parlay, which links two different bets together.
The amount a player stands to win is calculated based on the odds for the wager, just like for traditional sports betting.
One difference between crypto esports betting and traditional betting is how the value of bets is calculated. Most sportsbooks calculate the dollar value of a crypto deposit at the time the deposit is made. Then the bettor can place bets in dollars rather than Bitcoin.
This is important because Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can be volatile. When crypto is converted to dollar value at the sportsbook, players don’t have to worry about changes in the price of Bitcoin impacting the amount they have to bet with. Players can get paid out in Bitcoin or another crypto at the token’s current price when they request a withdrawal.
Types of Esports Bets
Most esports betting platforms offer several types of wagers for matches. These include:
- Moneyline bets: A moneyline bet is a straightforward wager on which team will win. To win the bet, the winning team may need to win by a specific margin.
- Over/under bets: An over/under bet is a wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a certain number.
- Spread bets: A spread bet is a wager on what the difference will be in the final score of the two teams competing.
- Parlays: A parlay links two bets. To win a parlay, both individual bets must win.
Why Use Crypto for Esports Betting?
There are several benefits to using crypto to bet on esports.
Fast Deposits and Withdrawals
One of the biggest benefits to betting with crypto is that payments are nearly instantaneous. Bitcoin transactions can be processed in under a minute, whereas traditional bank transfers typically take 2-5 days. Other cryptocurrencies, like Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash, offer even faster payments.
This means that when players deposit crypto at a sportsbook, their funds are available for betting right away. So, a player can sign up for an esports betting platform, make a crypto deposit, and place their first bet, all in a matter of minutes.
Withdrawals are similarly fast. Most online esports Bitcoin betting platforms make payouts to players within minutes of a withdrawal request, and the payment is processed immediately on the blockchain. So, instead of waiting around for days to get their money, players can get their crypto from their account in minutes.
Anonymous Betting
Another reason to bet with crypto is that some crypto sportsbooks, like Lucky Block, enable bettors to remain completely anonymous. Lucky Block doesn’t require any personal information to sign up, only an email address.
Unlike bank transfers, crypto payments are fully anonymous. So, as long as bettors don’t have to give their information to the sportsbook, they can bet without anyone knowing who they are.
Of course, not all esports betting sites are fully anonymous. Many follow KYC guidelines and require players to submit identification when creating an account. As regulators crack down on sports betting sites that don’t require ID, it may become more difficult for players to remain anonymous.
Secure and Decentralized Payments
Crypto payments can be more secure than traditional payments. Since every transaction is recorded on a blockchain, there’s an immutable record of every deposit and every withdrawal. There’s never a question of whether a deposit was sent or a payout received.
The decentralized nature of these payments also leads to lower banking fees. Since there’s no centralized entity to take a cut, bettors can avoid steep transaction fees that eat into their winnings.
Bigger Bonuses
Many online sportsbooks and casinos offer different bonuses for fiat and crypto payments. When that’s the case, the crypto bonuses are almost always larger.
Esports betting platforms use these larger bonuses to attract players as well as to incentivize crypto payments. These payments don’t require expensive payment processing systems that cut into a platform’s revenue.
What Cryptos Can You Bet on Esports?
Many esports betting sites accept a wide range of popular cryptocurrencies. Some of the most popular crypto tokens for esports betting include:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Dogecoin
- Litecoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Tether
For many players, the choice between these different cryptocurrencies comes down to what tokens they already own. However, for players buying crypto for the first time, there are some things to consider.
The biggest difference among them is the cost of making transactions on the blockchain, which includes depositing and withdrawing funds from the casino. In general, tokens like Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin have lower fees than Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
However, these altcoins can also have more volatile prices. Tether is a stablecoin that always costs $1 per token. Bitcoin and Ethereum tend to have relatively stable prices compared to other tokens, but they also carry the highest blockchain transaction fees.
Best Bitcoin Esports Betting Bonuses
Betting bonuses can make a huge difference in which esports platform is right for a bettor. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of bonuses for esports betting.
Deposit Match Bonuses
The most common type of bonus that Bitcoin esports betting sites offer is a deposit match bonus. With this type of bonus, the amount of bonus a bettor earns is directly tied to the amount they deposit to the sportsbook.
Take the welcome bonus at Lucky Block as an example. New players receive a 200% deposit match bonus up to €10,000. So, if a player deposits 0.125 BTC—worth about $3,750 at today’s BTC price—then they would earn a $6,500 bonus to bet with.
Some sportsbooks offer bonuses denominated in crypto, so the value of the bonus changes as crypto prices change. For example, Mega Dice offers a 200% deposit match bonus up to 1 BTC. Depending on the price of BTC, that bonus could be worth up to $20,000 or up to $40,000.
Free Bets
A free bet enables a bettor to make a deposit without using their own money. It’s similar to placing a standard bet, except that players don’t lose any money if their wager loses.
These can work in two ways. In one case, players must use their own money to make the bet. If they lose, they’ll receive a credit for the amount of their bet.
In the other case, players simply receive bonus cash that must be used in a single bet. This is how Jackbit offers every 4th bet for free.
No Deposit Free Bets
No deposit free bets are a rare but attractive type of bonus. With this bonus, players can get a free bet without first making a deposit to an esports betting site. All they have to do is sign up for a betting account and they can place their first bet.
Note that players typically need to make a deposit to the sportsbook before they can withdraw any winnings from a no deposit free bet.
VIP Rewards
VIP programs reward loyal players who keep returning to the same sportsbook. These programs can offer a wide range of benefits including free bets, deposit match bonuses, exclusive odds, cashback on losses, and more.
BC.Game has an outstanding VIP program that offers both reload bonuses and cashback on losses.
Wagering Requirements
Most esports betting bonuses come with a wagering requirement. This is the amount that a player must wager before they can withdraw their bonus or any winnings earned using their bonus funds.
The wagering requirement is typically a multiple of the bonus amount. If a player receives a $100 free bet with a 40x wagering requirement, for example, they must wager $4,000 at the sportsbook before they can withdraw any winnings from their free bet.
Most sportsbooks require wagering requirements to be met within a certain timeframe—usually 30 days or less. If players don’t meet the requirement within this timeframe, the bonus and any winnings from it will disappear from their account.
Esports Betting Bonuses
Here’s a rundown of the welcome bonuses currently on offer at the best Bitcoin esports betting sites.
Welcome Bonus | Promo Code | Wagering Requirement | |
Lucky Block | 200% deposit match up to €10,000 | No code needed | 60x |
Mega Dice | 200% deposit match up to 1 BTC | No code needed | 40x |
BC.Game | Deposits 1-4 are matched from 270% to 360% | No code needed | 500x |
Heybets.io | None | N/A | N/A |
Vave | 100% deposit match up to 1 BTC | No code needed | 40x |
BetPlay | 100% deposit match up to 0.5 BTC | No code needed | 80x |
MyStake | 100% deposit match up to $500 | No code needed | 10x |
Jackbit | Get every 4th bet free | No code needed | None |
Cloudbet | 100% deposit match up to 5 BTC | No code needed | Based on points |
Fairspin | Deposit match on first 4 deposits, worth up to $450,000 | No code needed | 25x |
Is Bitcoin Esports Betting Legal & Safe?
Esports betting with Bitcoin is legal in most jurisdictions around the world. Esports don’t fall under the same wagering rules as traditional sports in many countries, so they’re excluded from long-held bans on sports betting.
That means that players can wager on esports without running afoul of the law, even if they live in a country that bans sports wagers. In the US, the federal ban on sports betting, including esports betting, was lifted by a 2017 Supreme Court decision.
Offshore betting
In the US, it’s important to note that most Bitcoin esports betting sites are offshore sportsbooks. So, they don’t fall under the jurisdiction of individual states, some of which do have bans on esports betting.
These bans apply to sportsbooks, not individual players. So, players are unlikely to get in trouble for wagering on esports with a platform that is located outside the US.
It’s also important to think about safety when betting on esports online, especially in the wake of the recent Stake.com hack that lost $41 million in crypto.
The best Bitcoin esports betting sites that we reviewed have never had a major hack and go to great lengths to protect players’ funds. Most keep players’ funds in cold storage wallets have insurance policies to recoup players’ funds in the event of a hack. So, bettors can feel secure when betting with these sportsbooks.
Where to Buy Crypto for Betting
In order to start betting on esports with Bitcoin, bettors first need to get their hands on BTC or another crypto. The best place to do that in 2023 is eToro.
eToro is an online brokerage and crypto exchange that offers access to 25 cryptocurrencies in the US and dozens more around the world. Bettors can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and more.
This exchange has some of the lowest fees in the industry, enabling users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies at a flat fee of 1%. There are no hidden markups, spreads, or other confusing pricing structures that inflate the price. For price transparency alone, eToro is head and shoulders above most other major exchanges.
Another benefit to eToro is that the exchange offers its own mobile-friendly crypto wallet app. It’s easy to transfer crypto purchased on eToro to the wallet app, and from there to make deposits and withdrawals to and from an esports betting site.
eToro makes deposits easy since it accepts not only bank transfers, but also credit and debit cards and e-wallets like PayPal.
Signing up for an eToro account only takes a few minutes. The exchange is fully licensed and requires a copy of identification in order to keep its platform secure.
Conclusion
Bitcoin esports betting sites make it easy to wager on matches in Counter Strike, League of Legends, DOTA 2, and more. Most top sportsbooks offer highly competitive odds, live betting, and even on-platform streams.
Lucky Block stands out as the overall best crypto esports betting site for 2023. It not only carries wagers for 11 of the most popular esports leagues, but also helps players dive into betting with a €10,000 welcome bonus. Plus, bettors can wager in complete anonymity since Lucky Block doesn’t require any KYC documentation.
Check out Lucky Block today to start betting on esports.
References
- https://www.scmagazine.com/brief/over-41m-stolen-from-stake-com-in-cryptocurrency-heist
- https://esportsinsider.com/2022/10/esports-betting-csgo-history-abios
- https://getid.com/identity-verification-in-sports-betting/
- https://swapspace.co/blog/crypto-with-lowest-transaction-fees
- https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/
- https://www.gamesindustry.biz/supreme-court-lifts-ban-on-sports-gambling-may-include-esports
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/crypto-casino-stakecom-loses-41-million-to-hot-wallet-hackers/
- https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/economic-bulletin/articles/2019/html/ecb.ebart201905_03~c83aeaa44c.en.html