Editor - Esports Journalist
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There’s a considerable overlap between early cryptocurrency adopters and eSports fans, which creates a market for crypto eSports betting. As the name implies, eSports crypto betting simply means staking on eSports with cryptocurrency – no more, no less.
It usually involves getting a cryptocurrency wallet and signing up for an online platform that supports eSports betting with crypto. Then, you can purchase some cryptocurrencies in your wallet and deposit them to the eSports betting site. If this whole process caters to your needs, be sure to stick with me as I uncover how you can join the fun.
Crypto eSports betting sites are online platforms that let you stake on eSports games using cryptocurrencies. The majority of these platforms accept popular cryptos like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or even stable coins like USDC or USDT as the in-game eSports betting cryptocurrency.
On a similar note, hybrid eSports casinos give users the option to use both crypto and conventional fiat currency. While some will display different crypto and fiat balances, most will convert all your deposits to a reference currency – usually fiat or an in-house currency.
Whether or not hybrid eSports casinos qualify as crypto eSports betting sites depends on who you’re asking. You can check the banners on this page for excellent crypto eSports casino recommendations.
This step is unnecessary for existing crypto investors, but eSports enthusiasts with limited cryptocurrency knowledge will likely need some brushing up. And no, you don’t need a four-hour course on crypto trading to start crypto eSports betting; if you can simply send Bitcoin from your wallet to someone else’s, you should be good.
We can all agree it’s not the best idea to bet your money on something you don’t fully understand, which is why this step would be necessary for some. Again, understanding the games you’ll be betting on is sufficient; you’re a bettor, not an aspiring League of Legends pro.
Not all eSports betting platforms use cryptocurrencies, so you’ll have to choose one that does. You want to consider a few qualities like licensing, security, and support before deciding on a specific platform.
Most cryptocurrency betting sites will show you how to fund your account. It’s usually no more complicated than transferring the amount in crypto to another wallet. Once you’ve funded your account, you can start betting on your favorite eSports games using the cryptocurrency.
There are several advantages to betting on eSports using cryptocurrency over traditional betting platforms. Here are a few benefits of eSports crypto betting in my experience:
Hybrid eSports betting sites offering cryptocurrency and fiat payment options tend to have plenty of exclusive offers for crypto bettors, but you should watch out for unreasonably steep wagering requirements when shopping for exclusive cryptocurrency bonuses.
Cryptocurrencies typically don’t have the same artificial restrictions as fiat-based payment solutions, allowing betting sites to offer more flexible payment terms. In my experience, depositing and withdrawing with cryptocurrencies drastically reduces my minimum deposit limits while increasing my maximum withdrawal cap.
ESports cryptocurrency betting sites typically offer regular slots and table games in addition to their eSports titles. Some might even throw in crypto exclusives, giving them a larger gaming library than some non-crypto and eSports competitors.
Due to blockchain optimization and less regulatory oversight, crypto eSports casinos tend to process deposits and withdrawals faster than their fiat alternatives. Mind you, the difference is no longer significant these days, but it’s still there.
All forms of betting have inherent risks, and eSports betting with Bitcoin is no exception. Considering the sketchy nature of some cryptocurrencies, some argue crypto betting is riskier than conventional online casino betting.
Here are some of the risks of crypto eSports betting you should know:
While many legitimate eSports betting sites use crypto, we also have an illegal crypto gambling problem. The anonymous and mostly untraceable nature of digital currencies makes them perfect for illegal gambling platforms to operate while successfully avoiding law enforcement agencies.
When choosing an eSports crypto betting platform, I generally look for the same licenses I require my conventional betting sites to have.
Cryptocurrencies are volatile, and some eSports betting sites use them to take advantage of users. I’ve encountered many online cryptocurrency eSports platforms that insist on converting users’ Bitcoin deposits to US dollars way below market value, apparently pocketing the difference. So, my advice is for you to steer away from sites with this practice.
The risks associated with crypto eSports betting aren’t insurmountable, especially for individuals with eSports and crypto experience. If you don’t have either or both, here are my top tips for eSports betting with cryptocurrencies to avoid its risks:
I found USDT easy to understand for beginners when I first forayed into cryptocurrency eSports betting since its value is the same as that of the US dollar. So, it lets you deposit and withdraw in crypto without subjecting yourself to the unfavorable exchange rates of shady crypto casinos.
There’s no harm in using Bitcoin or Ethereum eSports betting sites if you’re more comfortable with those. However, if you’re generally not very comfortable with crypto, stablecoins like USDT are your best friends.
There’s no shortage of bonuses for cryptocurrency eSports bettors, so you shouldn’t settle for less. So, before choosing a site for betting on eSports with crypto, I compare bonuses on multiple platforms to ensure my choice offers competitive bonuses.
You don’t want to spend valuable cryptocurrency on a website only to face the harsh realization that you live in a restricted country or state when you’ve won enough to withdraw. Before creating an account, you want to ensure your country or state allows cryptocurrency casinos and if your chosen platform can offer services in your jurisdiction.
From experience, I can tell you’ll need plenty of support if you’re new to either cryptocurrency or eSports. In either case, you want the platform to have your back. That said, I typically message or call customer support to ensure they respond quickly and connect me to a live person before depositing my crypto.
Cryptocurrency is just the same as real money, and you want to treat it as such when betting with crypto eSports casinos. So, it’s good to look for betting platforms with responsible betting protections on cryptocurrencies and regulate how much you stake in eSports games overall.
Crypto eSports betting sites typically have extensive offerings, but the actual eSports titles are very few. Here’s an overview of some games to expect at the best online cryptocurrency eSports platforms:
CS2 is one of the first eSports games, so it’s only natural that I encounter it in almost every crypto eSports betting site I’ve tried. The game has numerous minor and major leagues, making CS2 or CSGO Bitcoin betting particularly popular among crypto eSports platforms.
Like regular sports betting, eSports casinos have many betting markets for CS2. For instance, I could bet on round winners, most kills, most headshots, even odds kills, total maps played, and match winners. Depending on the betting site you decide to use, your experience should be similar.
Dota 2 isn’t on the same level as CS2, but I still had a lot of fun betting on competitive matches. Unlike CS2, it’s a multiplayer online battle arena, which means the available betting markets should differ slightly. If you’re a natural fan of MOBA games, Dota 2 is one of the few games that lets you put your money where your mouth is.
League of Legends is another exciting MOBA game most eSports casinos will offer you options to bet on. When comparing it to Dota 2, I noticed both games are very similar and use many of the same betting markets. However, LoL hosts more competitions than Dota 2, making it the preferred option by most eSports betting platforms.
Game | Publisher |
---|---|
Counter-Strike 2 (former CS:GO) | Valve |
Dota 2 | Valve |
League of Legends | Riot Games |
Cryptocurrency eSports betting platforms offer crypto enthusiasts a chance to bet on their favorite eSports cryptocurrency tokens. With benefits ranging from exclusive cryptocurrency offers to lightning-fast transactions, it’s easy to see why crypto eSports betting has so many fans.
There are risks to staking on eSports sites with crypto, but what about betting isn’t risky? So, I usually try to shop for platforms with the best bonuses that support my location with excellent customer support. If you’re emulating my experience, you should have a good time.
eSports betting works like regular betting. If you stake on an event and win your bet, you win a predetermined amount based on the event’s odds. With my minimal online betting experience, I felt right at home with eSports betting.
Most eSports betting sites accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT; some even let you stake using those virtual currencies. With many crypto-based gambling platforms now allowing users to withdraw funds in crypto, it’s now possible to use cryptocurrencies exclusively for eSports betting.
Compared to regular sports betting, eSports betting is relatively unpopular. However, if you’re zooming out of the massive online betting market, eSports is reasonably popular, naturally driving fans to bet on their favorite players and teams.
Users must be 18+. If you are having trouble with gambling then help and advice can be found at responsiblegambling.org