In certain instances, we may earn revenue when a reader makes a purchase or completes a form through our pages or on a partner’s website. We adhere to a strict By the time you finish this Dota 2 betting guide, you’ll have mastered the basics of the game, key tournament insights, and know how to bet on Dota 2. Here are our favorite Dota betting sites to join and start your adventure:
BetOnline $250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins $250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins BetWhale Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250 Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250 Bovada 50% match bonus up to $250 50% match bonus up to $250 BetNow 150% Welcome Bonus Package 150% Welcome Bonus Package Everygame 100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 MyBookie 50% up to $1,000 50% up to $1,000 CoinCasino Sports 200% Bonus up to $30,000 + 50 Super Spins 200% Bonus up to $30,000 + 50 Super Spins BetUS 125% Sign-Up Bonus: 100% up to $2,000 on sport and 25% on Casino 125% Sign-Up Bonus: 100% up to $2,000 on sport and 25% on Casino SportsBetting.ag 100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2 100% Welcome Bonus up to $500 x 2 Xbet Casino 50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200 (1x playthrough) 50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200 (1x playthrough)
BetOnline
Play Now
BetWhale
Play Now
Bovada
Play Now
BetNow
Play Now
Everygame
Play Now
MyBookie
Play Now
Now with Brand New Sportsbook
CoinCasino Sports
Play Now
BetUS
Play Now
SportsBetting.ag
Play Now
Xbet Casino
Play Now
- Show Full Guide
Comparing Dota 2 Gambling Sites
Ready to push mid? Check out our top esports betting sites, each with a breakdown of average tournament offerings, payment methods, and live betting and streaming capabilities.
| Dota 2 Betting Sites | Best For | Dota 2 Tournaments | Live Dota 2 Gambling | Live Dota 2 Streaming | Payment Methods |
| BetOnline | Early betting lines | 8+ | ✅ | ✅ | Credit cards, Cryptocurrency, Money Order, Wire Transfer, Check by Courier |
| BetWhale | Live streaming | 9+ | ✅ | ✅ | Credit cards, Prepaid Vouchers, Cryptocurrency |
| TG.Casino | Telegram & Crypto betting | 10+ | ✅ | ✅ | Cryptocurrencies, Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfers, or ewallets to Purchase Crypto |
| SportsBetting.ag | Contests | 8+ | ✅ | ✅ | Crypto, Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfers, Prepaid Vouchers |
| Bovada | Live Dota 2 odds | 10+ | ✅ | ✅ | Cryptocurrencies + Credit/Debit Cards |
Popular Dota 2 Betting Odds and Markets
Many US online sportsbooks and Dota 2 betting apps feature numerous odds and markets. While learning the ropes, you might prefer sticking to straightforward outcomes like moneylines and total maps played.
Nevertheless, the outlook shifts when you dive deeper into the game and start paying closer attention to team strategies and individual player performances.
Below are the most popular markets you’ll come across when betting on esports like Dota 2:
Match Winner (Moneyline)
This market is perfect for Dota 2 betting for beginners; you just put your money on the team you think will win.
It’s offered as both pre-match and in-game, with the latter’s odds fluctuating based on the progress of either team.
Map Winner
This follows the same principle as the “Match Winner” market but shifts the focus to an individual map.
You’ll win your bet on Dota 2 based on the outcome of that specific contest, no matter which team ends up on top in the end.
First Blood
Dota 2 matches begin with both teams maneuvering around the map, often leading to early skirmishes.
The “First Blood” market is a Dota 2 prop bet that focuses on predicting which team will secure the first kill.
It’s a very quick-resolution selection and has nothing to do with the match’s final outcome or any subsequent kills.
Hero Kills
When betting on Dota 2 “Hero Kills” markets, you’re essentially putting down money on the total number of kills either by one team or combined.
The bookmakers may set specific over/under lines: for example, if the line is set at 5.5 kills, you can bet on whether this hero will achieve six or more kills (over) or five or fewer kills (under) during the game.
Total Maps
In a Dota 2 tournament setting, contests typically unfold in a Best of 3 (Bo3) format, where the first team to secure victories on two out of three maps claims the match.
The “Total Maps Market” revolves around predicting the exact number of maps to be played. In a Bo3 scenario, the options available are “Under 2.5 maps” and “Over 2.5 maps”.
Betting “Under 2.5 maps” means you expect the series to end in a 2-0 clean sweep by one of the teams.
Conversely, choosing “Over 2.5 maps” indicates you foresee both teams winning one map, leading to a decisive third.
Roshan Kill
Wagering on “Roshan Kill” involves forecasting two crucial elements:
- Whether Roshan will be killed during the match.
- Which team will be responsible for defeating Roshan.
Handicap Betting
Dota 2 odds on handicap betting equalizes competition by attributing a “plus” or “minus” map differential to each team.
It’s less practical in a Bo3 scenario as the only viable choices, +1.5 and -1.5, are essentially the same as predicting a 2-0 or 2-1 result for either side.
However, in formats of ‘Best of 5’ (Bo5) or more—like The International (TI) Grand Finals—these add a new dynamic as available handicaps like +1.5 or -1.5, +2.5 or -2.5 introduce varied betting outcomes.
A +1.5 handicap means the underdog can still lose the series but needs to win at least two games (e.g., 2-3 loss) for the bet to win, while a -2.5 handicap requires the favorite to win the series by at least a three-game margin (e.g., 3-0 or 4-1).
Structure Betting
The following are a few Dota 2 bets you can place on structures:
- First Tower: Wagering on the team that will destroy the first tower.
- Total Towers Destroyed: An over/under market on the total number of towers destroyed by both teams.
- Team to Destroy the Most Towers: Betting on which team will destroy the most towers.
- First Tier 2 Tower: Predicting which team will destroy the first Tier 2 tower.
- First Barracks: Betting on which team will destroy the first set of barracks.
Total Time
A “Total Time” (or ‘Game Duration’) market in Dota 2 betting involves predicting whether the length of a game will be over or under a specified duration.
The best approach here is to analyze factors such as team compositions, play styles, and strategies, alongside historical match data, to determine if a game is likely to end quickly because of aggressive maneuvers or a large skill gap, or if it will be prolonged due to defensive and strategic play.
Best Dota 2 Teams
The following five teams are frequently favored by betting sites for Dota 2.
| Team | Region | Players | Wins | Earnings |
| Team Liquid | Europe | Aydin Sarkohi (iNSaNiA)
Michał Jankowski (Nisha) Michael Vu (miCKe) Neta Shapira (33) Samuel Svahn (Boxi) |
33 | $28,780,842 |
| OG | Europe | Enzo Gianoli O’Connor (Timado)
Adrián Céspedes Dobles (Wisper) Matthew Walker (Ari) Sébastien Félix Albert Debs (Ceb) Bozhidar Bogdanov (bzm) |
31 | $37,119,145 |
| BetBoom Dota 2 | Russia | Vitalie Melnic (Save-)
Egor Grigorenko (Nightfall) Dani Skutin (gpk) Matvey Vasyunin (MieRo) Alexander Khertek (TORONTOTOKYO) |
30 | $2,167,153 |
| Virtus.Pro | Russia | Vladislav Kertman (Antares)
Ilya Ulyanov (Kiritych) Artsiom Barshak (fng) Evgeniy Ignatenko (Noticed) |
22 | $12,084,593 |
| LGD Gaming | China | Xu Ziliang (Blood)
Xiong Jiahan (Pyw) Li Kongbo (Bab) Cheng Jin Xiang (NothingToSay) Guo Xuanang (Shiro) Zhang Yiping (y`) |
6 | $18,178,246 |
Which is the Most Successful Dota 2 Team?
Numerous teams have achieved great success in Dota 2, but perhaps the one that has most notably made a name for itself is Team OG. This team is available to wager and back up in all the best esports betting sites for Dota 2.
Led by the strategic genius Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, Team OG first claimed the spotlight by clinching The International 2018 with an underdog roster that toppled traditional powerhouses through unorthodox tactics and exceptional mental resilience.
They repeated this feat at The International 2019, achieving a historic back-to-back victory that no other lineup, including Team Liquid and LGD Gaming, has yet accomplished.
The latter achievement was particularly notable for being a perfect run through the upper bracket, which was an unprecedented feat at that level of competition.
Dota 2 Tournaments
From regional tournaments to the prestigious The International (TI), top competitors from around the globe gather at Dota 2 tournaments to compete for massive prizes.
Here are some of the most key events you should be keeping tabs on:
Top Dota 2 Gambling Sites for Tournaments
Why Dota 2 Betting is so Popular
Dota 2 made its first public appearance in 2011. 16 teams were invited to compete in the inaugural The International (TI) tournament. Since then, the game along with its betting scene has boomed in popularity, primarily for the following reasons:
Easy and Free to Follow
Unlike traditional sports like soccer, tennis, football, and racing—which often require subscriptions to paid channels or streaming services—Dota 2 matches are readily accessible on free platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and some of the best Dota betting sites like BetOnline. The absence of any upfront costs or obligations makes it super convenient to keep up with the games. And if it comes to betting, you know without a doubt that you’ll find a platform to watch the games unfold.A Player Community
Another reason for the popularity is that those who engage are players themselves. Such firsthand experience makes it easier to understand mechanics, strategies, and key in-game moments. Thus, the community aspect is incredibly alluring. You’re surrounded by thousands who share the same passion. They openly discuss strategies and Dota 2 betting tips while analyzing professional matches in various open forums.Year-Round Dota 2 Tournaments
Dota 2 tournaments run all year. There’s never a dull moment; January and February typically see regional leagues kick off the season. Spring and summer bring the BetBoom Dacha series, featuring million-dollar prize pools. Key events like ESL One and Riyadh Masters are part of the ESL Pro Tour, and PGL has lined up several high-stakes tournaments spanning a two-year schedule. Many others follow suit, with the ESB and Qatar esports Federation partnership bringing major LAN events from April through November.
Payment Methods at Dota 2 Betting Websites
Looking to fund your Dota 2 betting account?Cryptocurrency currently leads the pack, yet traditional options like bank transfers and debit or credit cards still remain on the table.
Let’s dive into each option in more detail:
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies created and managed through advanced encryption techniques known as cryptography.
Their main allure is anonymity, alongside faster, often fee-free transactions. A few examples include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.
Despite their volatile nature—which could either boost or bust your Dota 2 bet choices—they are a superb option for Dota 2 betting due to their widespread availability.
One of the best Dota 2 esports crypto betting sites on our list is TG.Casino. The operator is notable for its crypto-first approach.
And in case you’re still new to the scene, the sportsbook provides the option to invest directly through credit or debit cards, bank transfers, and ewallets.
Debit and Credit Cards
Debit and credit cards are linked directly to your bank account or a credit line, respectively. They enable quick and secure deposits and, therefore, fast access to promotions alongside Dota 2 betting odds and markets.
Many credit card casino platforms such as Bovada and SportsBetting.ag accept popular providers like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and more.
Deposits are instant, but be mindful of slower withdrawals and potential transaction fees, particularly if your bank account is denominated in a different currency than the sportsbook.
Bank Transfer
Bank transfers are the most traditional payment method. Nowadays, they’re mainly handled electronically, thus allowing you to securely log in to your online banking and fund your BetOnline or SportsBetting.ag account within minutes.
Real player reviews on BetOnline and SportsBetting.ag say they’re highly reputable and can easily handle large transactions, despite the transaction fees.
Plus, they’re great for real-time tracking thanks to their transparent audit trail.
The obvious cons are the longer processing times, with deposits taking 1-3 business days to clear and withdrawals potentially extending up to 15 days.
Other Available Payment Methods
We didn’t come across many online gambling sites offering prepaid methods like Paysafecard.
Same goes for ewallets, except at TG.Casino where you can use Google Pay to purchase cryptocurrencies.
Dota 2 Gambling Bonuses
Dota 2 esports betting sites maintain a full deck of promotions that encompasses both ongoing and limited-time exclusives.
The following are some of the most notable sportsbook bonuses you might come across:
Welcome Bonus
All Dota 2 betting websites on our list give out some sort of welcome bonus as soon as you sign up.
This can come in the form of match-ups, free bets, cashback offers, or sometimes a combo package with free spins.
You’ll need to wager your initial deposit several times to turn these bonus funds into withdrawable cash. Keep an eye on the maximum bet allowed and the time frame for meeting these playthrough requirements.
Match Deposit Bonus (Reload Bonus)
A match deposit bonus is when a Dota 2 betting site commits to matching your deposit with bonus funds.
The specific percentage and maximum limit vary by the sportsbook, and can be anywhere from 25% to 350% plus.
You might also see promotions labeled as “Reload”; these target existing players by offering a bonus, often a smaller percentage compared to initial match-up offers, on subsequent deposits.
They may recur weekly on a designated day or emerge as short-term offers.
No Deposit Bonus
A no-deposit bonus can be handed to both new and existing players.
As the name implies, no initial deposit is required, which gives you a real shot at testing the waters across various betting types without any financial pressure.
Free Bets on Dota 2
Free bets are promotional offers that allow you to place a wager using credits from the sportsbook instead of your own funds.
These typically match your initial bet up to a set amount and are often subject to conditions like minimum odds or specific Dota 2 esports events.
If your Dota 2 bet wins, you receive the net winnings, excluding the value of the free bet credit.
Cashback
Cashback bonuses serve as a safety net by allowing you to recover a portion of your losses over a promotional period, typically ranging from 10% to 25%.
Percentages can escalate for high rollers and VIP members, especially those in advanced stages of loyalty programs.
One of their key attractions is that they frequently come with minimal (1x) or no wagering requirements, which practically gives you a chance to place additional Dota bets with funds that would have otherwise been lost.
Live Betting Bonuses
Live betting bonuses encompass previously mentioned promotions but are exclusive to in-play wagering.
The bookmaker might offer cashback on losses or a series of free bets on Dota 2 specifically for use during an ongoing game.
These are especially prevalent around high-profile events, such as when Dota 2 International betting odds are announced or during the esports World Cup.
Top Dota 2 Betting Bonuses to Claim Right Now
Our Top 5 Dota 2 Betting Tips
Want to unlock the secrets of Dota 2 betting for beginners? Check out the following five tips:
How Does Dota 2 Betting Work?
Dota 2 pits two teams of five players against each other. Every competitor controls a hero, picked in the “drafting phase” from a roster of more than a hundred possibilities.
Heroes are the central characters controlled by each player. Each has its own distinct abilities and roles—Carry, Midlaner, Offlaner, etc.—within a team.
Roshan is a powerful neutral monster in Dota 2, located in a pit near the center of the map. Defeating him comes with significant rewards, including the Aegis of the Immortal, which revives the holder if they are killed in battle.
The contest officially starts when players spawn at their base, located on opposite corners of a map and structured with three distinct paths known as “lanes.”
These connect the bases, and much of the action happens here. Each is guarded by defensive towers that attack any opposing forces within range.
Structures in Dota 2 are critical, non-player buildings that include towers, barracks, and the ultimate target, the Ancient.
Towers are defensive forts placed along lanes that attack enemy units and provide vision. While barracks are located inside each team’s base and, when destroyed, weaken the enemy’s creep waves in that lane.
Throughout the game, small groups of computer-controlled fighters, known as “creeps,” regularly emerge from each base and move along the lanes.
Players must defeat them along with enemy heroes to gain gold and experience points.
In return, gold allows the purchase of items that enhance heroes’ powers, while experience helps heroes grow stronger and more resilient as they level up and enhance their skills.
The main goal is to protect your team’s structures while trying to destroy the enemy’s. This includes towers defending each lane and ultimately, the Ancient, which brings an end to the match.
Dota 2 Abbreviations
Check out these key terms before betting on upcoming Dota 2 matches:
| Abbreviation | Full Term | Meaning |
| AoE | Area of Effect | Refers to spells or abilities that affect a specific area, impacting multiple targets within that zone. |
| BKB | Black King Bar | An item that grants the user temporary immunity to most spells. |
| CC | Crowd Control | Abilities that limit or prevent the actions of other heroes (e.g., stuns, slows). |
| CS | Creep Score | The number of creeps a player has killed; farming efficiency. |
| DPS | Damage Per Second | A measure of how much damage a hero or unit can inflict each second. |
| FB | First Blood | The first kill of the game. |
| GG | Good Game | A term used to concede defeat or to celebrate victory at the end of a match. |
| Gank | Gang Kill | A strategy where multiple players team up to ambush and kill an enemy hero. |
| GLHF | Good Luck Have Fun | A polite phrase exchanged at the beginning of a game. |
| HP | Hit Points | The health of a hero; when it reaches zero, the hero dies. |
| Jungle | Jungling | Farming neutral creeps in the area between the lanes. |
| KDA | Kills Deaths Assists | A stat line showing the number of kills, deaths, and assists a player has. |
| LH | Last Hit | The final attack that kills a creep or hero. |
| MIA | Missing in Action | Used to signal that an enemy hero is missing from their lane. |
| OOM | Out of Mana | Indicates that a hero does not have enough mana to cast any more spells. |
| Rat | Rat Dota | A strategy focusing on avoiding direct fights to push and destroy objectives stealthily. |
| Roam | Roaming | Moving around the map to support lanes or secure kills rather than staying in one lane. |
| Rosh | Roshan | A powerful neutral monster whose defeat grants significant advantages like the Aegis of the Immortal. |
| TP | Teleport | Using a teleport scroll to move quickly across the map. |
| XP | Experience Points | Points gained from being near enemy units when they are killed. Used to level up heroes. |
Navigating Dota 2 Game Phases
Dota 2 matches usually take around 35 to 45 minutes and can be split into three main phases:
Early Game (Laning Phase)
This is typically the first 10-15 minutes of the game. Heroes focus on farming (killing creeps) in their designated lanes to gain gold and experience—while denying the same to the enemy.
Players concentrate on last-hitting/denying creeps (getting the killing blow on creeps or your own creeps to deny enemy experience and gold), harassing enemy heroes, and sometimes rotating heroes for unexpected ganks (ambushes) to destabilize the enemy’s laning phase.
Mid Game
At this stage, you’ll start seeing teams group up, pushing towers, and attempting to control more of the map.
This is when they try to secure major objectives like Roshan and claim the significant bonuses that come with them.
Vision control—using wards to monitor areas of the map for enemy movements—becomes crucial.
Late Game
The last part of the game revolves around major team fights, securing Roshan, and pushing high-ground defenses to breach the enemy’s base.
Positioning, buybacks (the ability to spend gold to revive instantly after dying), and precise execution are critical.
Now, hero levels and items are nearly maxed out, and teams’ compositions reach their peak strength. Plenty of high-stakes team fights will go about.
Dota 2 Esports Rules
It is crucial to know how to bet on esports before placing your first Dota 2 esports bet.
Dota 2’s competitive circuit is bustling with events all year. Official portals often publish rules and structures well in advance, with the following elements frequently observed across various tournaments:
| Rule Category | Details |
| Match Format | Best of three (BO3) for regular matches, Best of five (BO5) for finals. |
| Team Structure | 5v5 |
| Hero Selection | Captain’s mode. |
| Game Version | The latest stable release. |
| Starting Side | Coin Toss. |
| Pauses | Allowed for technical reasons, up to the referee’s discretion. |
| Roshan Respawn | Between 8 – 11 minutes. |
| Winning Objective | The first team to destroy the opponent’s Ancient. |
| Pre-Match Dota 2 Odds | Available |
| In-Play Dota 2 Odds | Available |
Can I Play Dota 2 for Free?
As Valve puts it, Dota 2 is “completely free to play and always will be.”
You can download the game from Steam and start playing it at no cost.
There is the option for additional in-game purchases—hero skins, weapon skins, voice packs, terrain themes, couriers, and more—but these are optional and don’t affect gameplay.
Before you start, double check that your PC or Mac meets all the necessary Dota 2 system requirements. Then, simply:
- Create a Steam account if you don’t have one at store.steampowered.com.
- Download and install the Steam client.
- Open Steam and log in with your new credentials.
- In the Steam client, click on the “Store” tab.
- Search for “Dota 2” in the search bar.
- Click on the “Dota 2” page from the search results.
- Click “Play Game” to add Dota 2 to your library.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Launch Dota 2 from your Steam library once the installation is complete.
Best Dota 2 Betting Site – Our Verdict
With the game climbing the popularity charts, Dota 2 betting is becoming more accessible than ever.
A wave of new sportsbooks have opened their doors to the esport; TG.Casino stands out for its crypto-first mindset, whereas Bovada might have a slight lead in Dota 2 live betting.
Whichever site you choose, it’s important to organize your betting strategy well in advance. Don’t go in blindly; ensure you’ve got the gist of how to bet on Dota 2.
Establish a budget, secure a welcome bonus, and aim to distribute your wagers between pre-match and in-play betting markets.
How We Test and Review Sportsbooks
100+ Sports Betting Sites Reviewed
200+ Hours of Research Every Month
150+ Sportsbook Promotions Verified
1,000s Betting Markets & Odds Analyzed
We follow a proven methodology when reviewing sports betting sites that highlights the pros and cons of each platform.
Our process enables us to rate sportsbooks on key features so you can compare sites with ease.
We cover:
- Sports and betting markets
- Competitiveness of odds
- Reputation and licensing
- Bonuses and promotions
- Payment methods
- Customer support
…and more.
Check out our complete guide to learn how to rate sportsbooks featured on Techopedia.
FAQs
What is the best Dota 2 betting site?
Is Dota 2 betting legit?
Can you win money from Dota 2 betting?
What is the minimum bet for Dota 2 gambling?
How long are the matches in Dota 2?
References
- https://www.americangaming.org/ (AGA)
- https://www.dota2.com/ (Dota 2 Official Website)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0-p_noWnkE (YouTube – How PROS use Roshan Banner)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wjEnCrkInI (YouTube – TI12 The International 2023 Dota 2)
