Esports Betting Sites and Apps 2026

Best esports betting promo codes

Top 3 esports sites reviewed

Like having a proper gaming setup, using the top esports betting sites we've outline below puts you in position to perform your best: 

1. bet365 Sportsbook

Bet $10, Get $200 Win or Lose

Code: COVERS

Code: CVSBONUS (CO, IL, NJ, PA, TN only)

 Claim $200

$1,000 First Bet Safety Net

Code: COVERS

Code: CVSBONUS (CO, NJ, PA only)

Claim $1,000

Our best esports betting site in 2026 is bet365, which utilizes its international ties to provide comprehensive coverage of every esports event and league across the world. For example, bet365 offers 20 betting markets for League of Legends alone. 

bet365 also has a great 'Live In Game' section where you can watch and wager on matches as they happen. To top it off, the operator regularly offers boosted esports props and currently has a solid welcome offer you can claim with our exclusive bet365 bonus code when you create an account on the bet365 Sportsbook app. Enjoy placing your esports bets on mobile? bet365 has you covered; the operator offers the best esports betting app in 2026, allowing you access to all of the same standout features found on desktop.

"Easy, like Sunday Mornin'. I mean come on, the app is so smooth and easy to use it's almost like a fake money sports game except you're really betting and hopefully winning."

- Kevin, Google Play reviewer.

Editor's note: User reviews may be edited for clarity.

Read our bet365 Sportsbook review for an unbiased look at this great esports betting site.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $10, Get $200 Win or Lose or $1,000 First Bet Safety Net
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

2. BetRivers Sportsbook

Up to a $500 Second Chance Bet

Code: COVERSBONUS

Claim up to $500

I've awarded BetRivers the silver medal as the second-best esports betting site in 2026, as the sportsbook offers many of the features I enjoyed at bet365. Valorant is the top game at the online sportsbook, as BetRivers has odds on 12 Valorant-specific international gaming leagues. Before placing any esports bet, use our exclusive BetRivers bonus code 'COVERSBONUS' during registration to score its latest welcome promo.  

"I have been using this app for the past couple days I just should note that this is the best app to gamble with, I have tried many apps including BETMGM and others...[and] they never fix customer problems….BetRivers [has] not [caused] any problems what so ever"

- M.P., App Store reviewer.

Editor's note: User reviews may be edited for clarity.

Discover more through our BetRivers Sportsbook review.

• App Store rating: 4.1 (iOS), 3.3 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to $500 Second Chance Bet
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

3. DraftKings Sportsbook

  

$500 Deposit Bonus

Claim $500

Last but not least is DraftKings, which enables you to bet on esports entirely differently from the other online sportsbooks listed. DraftKings offers esports betting via its daily fantasy sports (DFS) services, allowing you to play various esports contests — head-to-head, 50/50s, and private tournaments — for all the major esports games, such as Rocket League and DOTA 2. 

"Love that there are always a handful of free contests with cash prizes, plus if I want to make multiple lineups the 10 cent game options let me do that without going over my small weekly betting budget. My only complaint is that there are no longer any inexpensive options in Flash Draft, so I just don’t play it anymore."

- Eos, App Store user.

Editor's note: User reviews may be edited for clarity.

Discover more through our DraftKings Sportsbook review, which details its latest welcome offer that does not require a DraftKings promo code to activate. 

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $500 Deposit Bonus
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

Is esports betting legal in the U.S.?

Yes, esports betting is legal in the U.S., but not across all states. The Supreme Court did not make an official ruling on the legitimacy of esports as a sports betting market when they overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, which legalized sports betting across the country. As a result, each state must decide whether or not esports betting is available for bettors.

Below, we've outlined the states where you can legally place esports bets in 2026:

Is esports betting legal in Canada?

The Ontario sports betting market accepted its first esports wager on April 22, 2022, marking the first Canadian province to acknowledge virtual competitive sports as a legitimate betting market. In 2026, every province and territory allows bettors to wager on esports as long as they are at least 19 years old (or 18 in AB, MB, QC). Similar to traditional sports betting sites Canada offers, the availability of esports betting operators and sportsbook promos varies depending on where you are in the country.

Is esports betting legal in the UK?

Bettors across the United Kingdom (UK) have had access to the best esports betting sites since the Gambling Act 2005 was approved, which provided the legal framework for all forms of gambling across the country. Esports betting is handled the same way as traditional UK sports betting sites, as operators must earn a license from the UK Gambling Commission, which regulates all legal wagering within the country. You must be at least 18 years old to bet on esports in the U.K. 

Is esports betting legal in the rest of the world?

Esports is becoming one of the most popular sporting leagues in the world, growing from 75 million viewers in 2020 to an estimated global audience of over 570 million in 2023. The projected revenue of the industry is rising as well, as the esports betting market revenue is expected to reach $2.5 billion by the end of 2024. 

You can bet on esports in most countries that offer legal sports betting sites either via local or offshore sportsbooks. 

How we rate and review esports sportsbooks

Our Covers BetSmart Rating system grades betting operators on a variety of critical aspects of their platform — such as bonuses, payout speeds, and user reviews — to guarantee we only recommend the industry's best esports betting sites. We explain how we conduct our sportsbook reviews below: 

Bonuses and promotions

Lucrative welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions help entice new users and retain regular bettors. The top esports betting sites should feature generous bonuses with straightforward terms to boost your bankroll. Ensure you read the promo's terms and conditions before accepting.    

Banking and payout speed

You want to make sure your chosen sportsbook offers secure payment methods to add and receive funds quickly. Cross-reference our esports betting sites and best sportsbook for payouts lists to identify the top options. 

Security and trust

The best betting sites for esports utilize data encryption technology to keep your sensitive personal and financial information away from cyber threats. Before registering, review an operator's safety protocols and licensing to ensure the proper measures are in place.  

Customer support

The world of esports betting moves fast, and you want to make sure that a sportsbook's customer service team can quickly assist you if a problem arises. We suggest using esports betting sites that offer 24/7 customer support in case an ill-timed issue occurs. 

Discussions and forums

We often read user reviews for an exclusive look at the best esports betting sites. Reviews help identify an operator's strengths and weaknesses, and how the betting site responds provides insight into its customer support department.  

Key features

Having dedicated mobile sports betting apps, a wide range of betting markets, and live betting and streaming capabilities are the key features that help an esports betting site set itself apart from the competition and provide users with an enhanced betting experience. 

Additional factors we consider

Is the sign-up process straightforward? Does the betting site offer one of the best sportsbook rewards programs for you to join? How usable is the platform? These are a few additional questions you should consider when comparing different esports betting sites to ensure you find the one that's right for you. 

Best esports betting sites by sport

Here are the most popular games to play at each of the best esports betting sites in 2026:  

How to choose the right esports betting site and bonus

Now that we've highlighted the best esports betting sites in 2026, it's time to create your sportsbook account and start wagering. Just follow these steps: 

Types of bets in esports

Like traditional sports betting markets, the top esports betting sites offer a wide range of bet types, including: 

Moneyline

Moneyline is the most straightforward esports bets — you pick who will win a specific match. The favorite will have a minus (-) sign, while the underdog will be indicated by a plus (+) sign. 

Spread betting

Spread betting, also known as the point spread, is a popular esport bet option for games like NBA 2K and NHL. The esports betting sites assign each player a spread (eg. +3.5), and you wager on whether the player will cover the spread — win outright or lose by less than four points — or not.  

Over/Under (totals)

Over/Under (totals) wagers are commonly reserved for tournaments, as an esports sportsbook will set a line on how many rounds someone advances or the total points scored. If it is a first-person shooter (FPS) game tournament — such as Fortnite or Call of Duty — esports betting sites will typically offer odds on the number of opponents a player eliminates.

Parlays

Parlays provide more juice to your wager but also more risk, as you need to pick multiple correct bets to win. Unfortunately, many of the top esports betting sites do not offer same-game-parlay (SGP) wagers. Our parlay betting sites page further explains this bet type.

Props bet

Prop bets are tied to something specific happening during a match, but not the outcome. Whether or not a player will defeat a certain type of monster in League of Legends is an example of a prop bet you could wager on. 

Futures

Futures, or outrights, are longer-term wagers on the outcome of a future event, such as the winner of an upcoming Valorant tournament. While successful future bets can yield high returns due to increased odds on favorites, they are riskier as they are placed well in advance of the event, allowing more room for error.

Live betting

Already watching esports? Try live betting, as you can bet on esports events as they are happening in real time, allowing you to turn your couch-bound coaching strategy into a lucrative payday. 

The future of esports betting sites

The future of esports betting sites in the U.S. is significantly promising, as the industry is poised to continue its rapid growth. Esports betting sites earned roughly $2.1 billion in revenue in 2023, and according to a new study, the esports market is expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2030. 

A large factor in this projection is the increasing popularity of competitive gaming in mainstream betting culture. As the number of states with legal sports betting grows and regulatory frameworks evolve, the inclusion of esports as a recognized sporting event in these legislations opens up new markets. 

Technological advances also provide reason for optimism. Virtual reality integration will result in a more immersive gaming experience for players and bettors alike. 

Quick facts: esports betting sites

References

Global Newswire - Global esports market size: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/07/09/2910518/0/en/Esports-Market-Surges-to-USD-7-5-Billion-by-2030-Propelled-by-21-5-CAGR-Verified-Market-Research.html# 

LinkedIn - Esports audience in 2023: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/esports-2023-publishmeglobal-ryouf

Statista - Esports tournament global viewership in 2023: https://www.statista.com/statistics/507491/esports-tournaments-by-number-viewers-global/