How we rank esports betting sites
Scores are weighted averages of five criteria, explained on How we rate:
| Criterion | Weight | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| Title coverage | 25% | Majors and tier-2 events across the main games |
| Live experience | 20% | In-play markets, speed, streams |
| Payouts | 20% | Methods, stated withdrawal times, limits |
| Safety & licence | 20% | Regulator, cash-only betting (no skins) |
| App & support | 15% | App quality and support |
Scores are based on published terms, licence registers and independent reporting, not our own real-money tests. Betway is an affiliate partner; that doesn't change its score.
At a glance
| Site | Score | Welcome offer | Best for | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | 8.9 | US: bet $10, get $200 in bonus bets (most states; $150 in IL, TN, WV) | Live betting | UKGC, MGA, US states |
| Betway | 8.7 | UK: bet £10, get £40 in free bets (reported; not in the US) | Regulated esports outside the US | UKGC, MGA, AGCO |
| Unibet | 8.4 | UK: bet £10, get £30 in free bets (reported; not in the US) | European bettors | MGA, UKGC, national |
| GG.BET | 8.3 | Canada: up to 200% first-deposit match + up to $130 free bet (reported; not in the US) | Esports depth | Curaçao |
| DraftKings | 8.2 | Sportsbook welcome offer applies (e.g. bet $5, get $150) | Legal US esports | US states |
| Polymarket | 8.1 | US app: deposit $10, get $20–$50 trading credit via partner codes (reported) | Trading esports outcomes | CFTC (US app) |
| Pinnacle | 8.1 | No bonuses — lower margins instead | Sharp odds | Curaçao |
| Thunderpick | 8.0 | Outside the US: 100% up to €600 on sports/esports, 10x rollover (reported) | Crypto, niche titles | Curaçao |
| Stake | 8.0 | Outside the US: 200% first-deposit match, 40x wagering, cap varies by code (reported) | Crypto bettors | Curaçao |
| Roobet | 7.0 | Outside the US: no deposit match — 20% cashback for 7 days via partner codes (reported) | Casino users | Curaçao |
Which games each site covers best
| Game | Widest coverage | Regulated picks |
|---|---|---|
| CS2 | GG.BET, Pinnacle, Thunderpick | bet365, Betway, Unibet |
| League of Legends | GG.BET, Pinnacle | bet365, Betway, Unibet, Polymarket |
| Dota 2 | GG.BET, Pinnacle | bet365, Betway |
| Valorant | GG.BET, Thunderpick | bet365, Betway, Polymarket |
| Mobile Legends | GG.BET, Thunderpick | bet365 (major events) |
| Rainbow Six Siege | GG.BET, Thunderpick | Betway, bet365 (major events) |
Game guides: CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, Mobile Legends and Rainbow Six Siege.
Regulated vs crypto esports books
| Regulated books (bet365, Betway, Unibet, DraftKings) | Crypto books (GG.BET, Thunderpick, Stake, Roobet) | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | UKGC, MGA, AGCO, US states | Mostly Curaçao |
| Player protection | Complaints to a regulator, segregated funds, strict ID checks | Limited recourse if something goes wrong |
| Esports depth | Majors and top leagues | Many tier-2 and niche events |
| Payments | Cards, bank, PayPal and e-wallets | Mostly crypto |
| US access | DraftKings and bet365 in some states | Not legally available |
Esports betting in the US
Some US states allow esports bets at licensed sportsbooks such as DraftKings and bet365, usually for adult professional events only; others restrict or ban esports wagering. Regulated prediction markets like Polymarket US list esports contracts too. State by state: is esports betting legal?.
Esports bet types
| Bet | What it is | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Match winner | Who wins the series | Esports betting for beginners |
| Map handicap | Win by 2+ maps (−1.5) or lose by 1 at most (+1.5) | Map handicaps and series betting |
| Round totals / pistol rounds | Rounds on a map, first round of a half | Valorant pistol rounds |
| Objective markets | First blood, first tower, Roshan, dragons | Dota 2 objective markets |
| Live betting | Bets during a match | Live esports betting |
A note on Rivalry
Rivalry, once a well-known esports book licensed in the Isle of Man and Ontario, sharply reduced operations and paused player activity in February 2026. We've removed it from our rankings.
How to choose
- Check legality where you live — see is esports betting legal?.
- Prefer strong licences for larger stakes.
- Match coverage to your games — CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant, MLBB, R6.
- Bet cash, never skins — see skin betting.
New? Start with esports betting for beginners. Comparing welcome offers? See which ones actually work on esports markets in our esports betting bonuses guide.
