How to find reliable cyber sports betting platforms?

To find reliable cyber sports betting platforms, look for licensed bookmakers. Look up and verify their license numbers, check for positive user reviews, and review their terms and conditions. By doing so, you can evaluate the platform's reliability.

All you need to know about leading eSports.

Q: Is cyber sports betting legal?

Cyber sports betting is legal in many countries and regions worldwide, including Canada. Since sports betting was legalized in 2021, Canadian players have also had access to esports betting beyond traditional sports.

Q: What is live betting on cyber sports?

Live betting on cyber sports is an option to place bets on events while they're happening. You don't necessarily have to make bets before the events. In live betting, you can predict winners, different statistics, and round results in real-time.

Author: Gerda Grinova

Updated:30.01.2025

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As online gambling in Canada As eSports continues its remarkable growth, it has emerged as a prominent betting market rivaling traditional sports. For individuals from the era when Tetris, Super Mario, and Pac-Man were the height of gaming innovation, it's understandable to feel bewildered about how eSports has transformed into a multi-billion dollar industry where competitors can earn staggering sums and achieve fame.

The following article delves into the reasons why eSports is becoming a formidable competitor to traditional sports in terms of betting opportunities, its surging popularity, and the vast sums of money being invested into it.

Cybersport History

The roots of eSports can be traced back to the 1970s, during the dawn of competitive video gaming.

Nevertheless, it wasn't until the late 1990s and early 2000s that eSports truly gained momentum, coinciding with the rise of the internet and advancements in gaming technology.

In 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) established itself as a key player in the eSports landscape, organizing tournaments for games like 'Halo' and attracting substantial viewer numbers. Since then, eSports has witnessed incredible growth in both popularity and scale.

According to a study byNewzoo In 2024, the global eSports market's valuation reached approximately $1.87 billion, showcasing impressive growth compared to earlier estimates.

Areport from Statista Forecasts suggest that by 2025, the global eSports market revenue is expected to climb to $2.4 billion, with an anticipated annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030, highlighting the industry's strong potential for further expansion.

How does eSports work?

It's a valid inquiry, as the entire experience of watching eSports and engaging with it as a form of entertainment hinges on viewer involvement. This engagement is largely influenced by the type of game and the scoring mechanisms integrated into its structure.

Players engage either individually or as part of teams in intricate strategy games that demand exceptional skill, coordination, and tactical planning. most popular table games .

These games are streamed live on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, attracting audiences worldwide. Tournaments can vary from small local competitions to large international championships, with prize pools in the millions. The popularity of eSports is bolstered by a passionate fan base that avidly follows and supports their favorite players and teams, with many fans subscribing to these platforms to keep up with their gaming idols.

What games are commonly wagered on in eSports?

A diverse selection of games are available for betting; we have highlighted a few favorites that generate substantial interest among bettors.

League of Legends (LoL) This is a team-based multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players collaborate to dismantle their opponent's core structure.
Dota 2: Another MOBA where teams vie to annihilate a significant structure secured by the rival team.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) In this game, teams take on the roles of terrorists or counter-terrorists in tactical combat scenarios with various objectives.
Overwatch: This cooperative first-person shooter challenges teams to capture and defend control points on a map or escort a payload.
Call of Duty: This competitive shooter features multiple modes including battle royale and classic multiplayer, providing various betting opportunities.

Worldwide Popular eSports Teams

Numerous teams have established themselves as dominant forces within the dynamic eSports scene. The following organizations have built their reputation and achieved success over the years.

Team Liquid: This squad has garnered international acclaim with triumphs in Dota 2 and CS:GO, along with ongoing achievements in League of Legends.
Fnatic: Since its inception in 2004, Fnatic has captured numerous championship accolades in League of Legends and has made strides in CS:GO.
FaZe Clan: Hailing from the United States, this organization excels in first-person shooter games like Call of Duty and CS:GO, boasting multiple tournament wins and a devoted fan following.
T1: South Korea's T1 has solidified its place in League of Legends history with a plethora of championship victories.
G2 Esports: Based in Berlin, Germany, G2 Esports shines across multiple titles, including League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Rocket League, earning several esteemed titles.

eSports bet Market Types

Betting options will vary depending on the game's mechanics, but generally, you will encounter several types of pre-match and general betting markets:

Match Winner: The most prevalent eSports betting market, where bettors wager on which team or player will emerge victorious in a match within a larger tournament.
Tournament Winner: This market allows bettors to place bets on the anticipated winner of an entire tournament.
First Map Winner: Here, gamblers predict which team or player they believe will win the first map in games determined by multiple rounds or maps.
Handicap Betting: This involves awarding one team a virtual head start or handicap, creating a more balanced betting landscape when a team is heavily favored.
Total Rounds/Maps: Bettors assess the total number of rounds or maps to be played during a match, irrespective of the overall match outcome.

Most Popular eSports Tournaments

As previously noted, eSports tournaments have surged in popularity, but a select few truly stand out due to their viewership figures, prize pools, and the caliber of participating players.

Here are the top three:

The International Dota 2 Championships

The prize pool for the 2024 Dota Pro Circuit tournament was notably reduced to $2.6 million compared to previous years. Team Liquid claimed victory, marking their second championship win since their first in 2017. The inaugural International took place in 2011, won by Natus Vincere, a Ukrainian eSports team. The 2024 tournament featured 16 participating teams.

League of Legends World Championship

Perhaps the zenith of eSports competitions, the League of Legends World Championships represents the climax of the League Championship Series (LCS) season, where competitors vie for a multi-million dollar prize and the coveted Summoner's Cup.

Its appeal within the eSports community is unparalleled, as evidenced by the record-breaking 6.4 million viewers who tuned in for the 2024 final, which was clinched by T1, a South Korean eSports powerhouse known for its dominance in League of Legends championships.

The annual schedule for League of Legends eSports features the World Championships each fall, though specific dates may vary.

Intel Extreme Masters

The Intel Extreme Masters stands as a hallmark eSports event organized by ESL, one of the largest companies in the industry. It showcases premier teams and players from around the world competing in popular games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and StarCraft II.

Unlike the aforementioned tournaments, the Intel Extreme Masters encompasses various eSports disciplines and regularly features some of the most prominent talents in the community, including teams like FaZe Clan, Fnatic, and Team Spirit.

Female eSports

While eSports events are generally open to all genders, the upper echelons of the industry remain predominantly male.

As of 2025, the leading female eSports competitor is Sasha Hostyn, known by her gaming alias Scarlett, who specializes in StarCraft II. As of January 2025, she ranked as the 593rd highest-earning eSports player according to Esports Earnings, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in this field.

However, the industry is making strides to bridge the gender gap. Various eSports tournaments, such as Impact Katowice, Women of the eRena, and Astral Clash, cater specifically to female players, although the prize money offered is considerably less than that of the major events predominantly featuring male competitors.

What equipment do players utilize in the realm of eSports?

What devices do competitors use?

Participants in eSports usually rely on high-end devices to ensure they maintain a competitive advantage. These can include top-tier gaming PCs outfitted with powerful processors, monitors with high refresh rates, and advanced graphics cards that deliver a seamless and detailed visual experience.

In addition to traditional PCs, gamers may utilize specialized gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, depending on the game being played. Precision gaming mice and keyboards, often featuring programmable buttons and adjustable sensitivity settings, are vital for achieving control. Furthermore, high-quality headsets are also commonly used to enable clear communication and improve the in-game audio experience.

Is there an overseeing entity for competitive gaming?

This question is frequently debated within the community. Currently, the integrity and fairness of competitions are typically managed by the game developers themselves. For instance, Activision organizes and officiates the World Series of Warzone.

There are several strong arguments in favor of establishing an independent governing body for eSports, similar to FIFA's role in soccer.

Advocates for regulation argue that standardizing rules—which can greatly differ across tournaments and titles—is essential. They also stress the need for player protection, as the lack of oversight can result in exploitation, unfair contracts, and cheating.

Moreover, the absence of a cohesive regulatory body could give rise to problems like match-fixing and doping incidents. Therefore, instituting a regulatory organization could help foster a fair, safe, and competitive landscape in the rapidly evolving world of eSports.

Are there risks to betting on eSports?

Betting on any sport carries inherent risks, and in eSports, it seems crucial for bettors to have a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape to maximize their chances of making profitable wagers.

This entails conducting thorough research on each player, their styles of play, how they match up against opponents, current form, and more.

In addition, the absence of a dedicated oversight organization means that trusting the honesty of both the competitors and the event organizers is essential for maintaining fair play and preventing fraudulent activities. While there are effective strategies intended to minimize these risks, it's important to remember that this type of betting is still relatively new. Thus, it's wise to only wager amounts that you can comfortably afford to lose.

Conclusion

With its rapid pace, thrilling gameplay, and substantial financial backing, the prospects for eSports are undeniably promising, both as an emerging competitive field and within the betting industry. If you have an interest in exploring opportunities to place bets or test your skills in this dynamic environment, be sure to take a look at our resources. online casino reviews to discover reputable sites that specialize in eSports betting.

The future of this industry remains uncertain, particularly in light of the ongoing developments in technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, and other innovative tools.

No matter what unfolds, it's sure to be an exhilarating journey!

Gerda Grinova

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Chief Editor

University of Latvia

An academic qualification from the University of Latvia, paired with hands-on experience in affiliate marketing, content creation, and quality control.

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FAQ

Is cyber sports betting legal?

Betting on cyber sports is permitted in numerous jurisdictions across the globe, including Canada. Following the legalization of sports betting in 2021, Canadian bettors gained the opportunity to engage in eSports betting in addition to conventional sports wagering.

What are some effective ways to locate trustworthy cyber sports betting platforms?

To identify trustworthy cyber sports betting sites, prioritize searching for licensed betting operators. Verify their licensing information, read user feedback, and familiarize yourself with their terms and conditions. This approach will enable you to assess the site's credibility.

What is live betting on cyber sports?

Live betting on cyber sports allows participants to place wagers on events as they unfold. There's no requirement to place bets beforehand; during live betting, you can forecast outcomes, analyze various stats, and predict round results in real-time.

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