If you’ve ever watched a CS2 major final or a League of Legends Worlds match and thought “I reckon I could’ve called that,” you’re not alone. Esports betting—wagering real money on professional competitive video game matches and tournaments—has exploded among Australian punters who want more than footy and the horses. The appeal? Round-the-clock tournament action, live betting that updates map-by-map, crypto-friendly deposits that clear in minutes, and odds on everything from Dota 2 drafts to Valorant pistol rounds. Whether you’re chasing a CS2 grand final or a mid-season LoL clash, the right esports betting site gives you deep markets, competitive lines, and the tools to bet live while you watch.
This guide compares the top-rated esports betting sites available to Australians in 2025, breaking down game coverage, live betting quality, bonus offers, and payment options (including crypto). We’ll explain why esports betting has taken off down under, how live esports wagering works, what’s legal under Australian law, and which titles offer the best betting action. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to sign up, how to fund your account, and how to place your first esports bet with confidence.
We’ve tested dozens of offshore sportsbooks to find the platforms that deliver the best esports betting experience for Australian players. Our rankings are based on first-hand testing across game coverage (number of titles and tournaments), live/in-play betting depth, odds competitiveness, esports-specific bonuses, and AU accessibility (payment methods, customer support, and ease of sign-up). Here are the five esports betting sites we recommend in May 2025:
Each site accepts Australian players, offers crypto deposits (the fastest and most reliable method for esports betting), and covers the major esports titles with competitive odds and live betting options.
To help you choose the right platform, we’ve compared the top five esports betting sites across the factors that matter most: game variety, live betting depth, odds quality, bonus value, and AU payment support. Our Editor’s Pick for May 2025 is Mafia Casino, which combines the widest esports title coverage with excellent live betting tools, crypto-friendly banking, and knowledgeable support—making it the best all-rounder for Aussie esports punters.
| Site | Game Coverage | Live Betting | Odds Quality | Esports Bonus | Best Payment Method | Editor’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mafia Casino | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant, CoD, OW, Fortnite, RL, R6 | Excellent (map/round) | Competitive | 100% up to $500 | Bitcoin (10 min) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| BetOnline | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant, CoD, RL, R6 | Very Good | Very Competitive | 50% up to $250 | Bitcoin (15 min) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Bovada | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant, CoD, OW | Excellent | Competitive | 75% up to $750 | Bitcoin (10 min) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| MyBookie | CS2, LoL, Valorant, Dota 2, CoD | Good | Competitive | 100% up to $300 | Bitcoin (20 min) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nitrogen Sports | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant | Very Good | Best margins | None (no KYC) | Bitcoin only (5 min) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Editor’s Pick: Mafia Casino stands out for its combination of breadth (nine major esports titles), depth (dozens of markets per match), and usability (clean live betting interface with real-time stats). If you’re new to esports betting or want one account that covers everything from CS2 majors to Fortnite invitationals, this is where to start. Claim your esports bonus at Mafia Casino →
Esports betting is wagering real money on the outcome of professional competitive video game matches and tournaments. Instead of backing the Broncos or the Storm, you’re betting on teams like FaZe Clan, T1, or Team Liquid to win a CS2 map, a League of Legends best-of-five, or a Dota 2 grand final. The mechanics are identical to traditional Sports Betting—you pick a market (match winner, map handicap, total rounds), place your stake, and collect if your prediction is correct. The difference? Esports runs 24/7 across multiple time zones, offers hundreds of tournaments year-round, and provides granular live betting markets (round-by-round, map-by-map) that update in real time as the match unfolds.
For Australian punters, esports betting fills the gaps between footy seasons and horse races, and it rewards deep game knowledge in a way traditional sports can’t. If you’ve spent hundreds of hours in CS2 or LoL, you can leverage that expertise into profitable wagers—something that’s harder to do when you’re betting on a sport you only watch casually.
Esports has evolved from basement LAN parties to a multi-billion-dollar global industry with prize pools that rival traditional sports. The International (Dota 2) regularly awards over $40 million in prizes, League of Legends Worlds draws 100+ million viewers, and CS2 majors fill arenas from Copenhagen to Rio. This legitimacy has attracted mainstream sponsors (Intel, Red Bull, Mercedes-Benz), broadcast deals (ESPN, BBC), and institutional investment—all of which signal to bookmakers that esports is a stable, high-volume betting market worth serving.
For Australians, this global growth means better odds, deeper markets, and more tournament coverage at offshore sportsbooks. As esports viewership and prize money climb, bookmakers compete harder for your action, which translates to tighter margins, bigger bonuses, and more live betting options. The esports betting market is still young compared to traditional sports, but it’s maturing fast—and early adopters are reaping the rewards.
Esports is uniquely suited to live betting because matches unfold in discrete, predictable segments—rounds in CS2, maps in LoL, games in a best-of-five—that allow bookmakers to update odds in real time. Unlike a football match where momentum shifts are subjective, esports offers clear data points (economy, hero picks, map control) that inform live odds. This creates opportunities for sharp punters who can read the flow of a match and spot value as odds swing.
Esports live betting lets you wager on everything from the next round winner in a CS2 Betting match to the next dragon in a League of Legends Betting game. The best esports betting sites update odds within seconds of a round ending, and many integrate live stats or stream links so you can watch and bet simultaneously. If you’ve ever watched a team lose the pistol round but win the anti-eco, you know how quickly momentum can shift—and live betting lets you capitalize on those swings in real time.
Australian domestic betting sites focus on footy, racing, and mainstream sports, which means esports coverage is thin to non-existent. Offshore sportsbooks, by contrast, cater to a global audience that includes millions of esports fans, so they offer far deeper markets: match winner, map handicap, total rounds, first blood, first tower, correct score, player props, and tournament outrights. You’ll find dozens of markets on a single CS2 match and hundreds across a weekend of LoL or Dota 2 action.
This market depth is the main reason Australian esports bettors turn to offshore sites. If you want to bet on a Valorant Betting pistol round or a Dota 2 Betting Roshan timer, you won’t find those options at your local TAB—but you will at the sites we’ve listed above. Offshore sportsbooks also cover niche titles like Overwatch Betting, Fortnite Betting, and Call of Duty Betting, giving you access to every major esports tournament on the calendar.
Esports betting and cryptocurrency go hand-in-hand. The esports audience skews younger and more tech-savvy, and many punters prefer the speed, privacy, and low fees of Bitcoin or Ethereum over traditional banking. Offshore esports betting sites have embraced this: most accept Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, with deposits clearing in under 15 minutes and withdrawals processed within 24 hours. Compare that to bank transfers (3–5 days) or credit cards (often blocked by Australian banks), and it’s clear why crypto is the payment method of choice for esports bettors.
Crypto Betting also sidesteps the banking restrictions that Australian players face when depositing at offshore sites. If your card gets declined or your bank flags a gambling transaction, switching to Bitcoin solves the problem instantly. The top esports betting sites we’ve listed all support crypto deposits, and most offer slightly better bonuses or faster withdrawals for crypto users—another reason to set up a wallet if you haven’t already.
While the Australian esports scene is smaller than Europe or North America, Aussie punters benefit from time zone overlap with major Asian tournaments. League of Legends’ LCK (Korea) and LPL (China) matches often run during Australian evenings, and Dota 2’s Southeast Asian qualifiers align perfectly with AEST. This means you can watch and bet live on top-tier esports without staying up until 4 a.m.—a luxury you don’t get when betting on European football or American sports.
That said, the biggest esports events (CS2 majors, LoL Worlds, The International) are global affairs that rotate across regions, so you’ll still encounter some late-night or early-morning matches. The key is choosing an esports betting site with strong live betting tools and mobile access, so you can place wagers from your phone whenever a match goes live—whether that’s 8 p.m. on a Tuesday or 2 a.m. on a Saturday.
Esports betting and traditional sports betting share the same core mechanics, but the experience differs in ways that matter to punters. Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of esports betting compared to footy, racing, or cricket:
Pros:
Cons:
For most Australian punters, the pros outweigh the cons—especially if you’re already an esports fan or player. The key is choosing a reputable offshore site, managing your bankroll responsibly, and treating esports betting as entertainment rather than a guaranteed income stream.
Not all esports are created equal when it comes to betting. Some titles offer deep markets and excellent live betting, while others are niche or inconsistent. Here’s a breakdown of the nine most popular esports for Australian bettors in 2025, covering genre, major tournaments, bet type variety, live betting quality, and who each title is best for:
| Game | Genre | Major Tournaments | Bet Type Variety | Live Betting Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS2 | Tactical FPS | Majors, ESL Pro League, BLAST Premier | Excellent (match, map, round, pistol) | Excellent (round-by-round) | Tactical bettors who understand economy and map control |
| League of Legends | MOBA | Worlds, MSI, LCK, LPL, LEC, LCS | Excellent (match, map, kills, objectives) | Excellent (real-time objectives) | MOBA fans who follow regional leagues and meta shifts |
| Dota 2 | MOBA | The International, Majors, DPC | Very Good (match, map, hero picks, Roshan) | Very Good (map-by-map) | High-stakes bettors chasing big tournament prize pools |
| Valorant | Tactical FPS | VCT Champions, Masters, regional leagues | Very Good (match, map, round, agent picks) | Very Good (round-by-round) | CS2 fans looking for a faster-paced tactical shooter |
| Call of Duty | FPS | CDL Championships, Majors | Good (match, map, mode) | Good (map-by-map) | Console FPS fans who prefer respawn modes over tactical play |
| Overwatch | Hero FPS | Overwatch League, World Cup | Good (match, map, hero picks) | Good (map-by-map) | Team-based FPS fans who enjoy objective-focused gameplay |
| Fortnite | Battle Royale | FNCS, Cash Cups, Invitationals | Limited (tournament winner, top 5) | Limited (event-based) | High-variance bettors chasing big odds on battle royale chaos |
| Rocket League | Sports (car soccer) | RLCS Worlds, Majors, regional events | Good (match, series, goals) | Good (game-by-game) | Sports bettors who want esports with traditional sports structure |
| Rainbow Six Siege | Tactical FPS | Six Invitational, Majors, regional leagues | Good (match, map, round) | Good (round-by-round) | Tactical shooter fans who prefer slower, methodical gameplay |
CS2 and League of Legends dominate the esports betting landscape, offering the deepest markets, the most tournaments, and the best live betting experiences. If you’re new to esports betting, start with one of these two—they’re the most liquid, the most predictable, and the easiest to research. Dota 2 and Valorant are excellent second-tier options, while the rest cater to niche audiences or specific betting styles.
Yes, esports betting is legal for Australian adults, and it’s regulated under the same framework as traditional sports betting. The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001 governs all online gambling in Australia, and while it prohibits Australian-based operators from offering online casino games or in-play sports betting to Aussies, it does not prohibit Australians from using offshore betting sites. This legal grey area is why most Australian esports bettors use offshore sportsbooks—sites licensed in jurisdictions like Curaçao, Malta, or Costa Rica that accept Australian players and offer the full range of esports markets and live betting options.
The key distinction to understand is between legitimate sportsbook esports betting (what we’re discussing in this guide) and skin betting (wagering in-game cosmetic items like CS2 skins). Skin betting operates in a legal grey area and often involves unlicensed, unregulated sites that target minors. Legitimate esports betting sites require age verification, hold gambling licenses, and process real-money wagers through standard banking or crypto—making them far safer and more transparent than skin betting platforms.
As long as you’re 18+, using a licensed offshore sportsbook, and betting with real money (not skins or virtual currency), you’re on solid legal ground. The IGA doesn’t penalize individual punters for using offshore sites; it targets the operators themselves. That said, always choose reputable esports betting sites with established track records, secure payment processing, and responsive customer support—the hallmarks of a legitimate operation.
Esports live betting—also called in-play or in-game betting—lets you place wagers on a match while it’s happening, with odds updating in real time as the action unfolds. It’s one of the biggest draws of esports betting, and it’s where sharp punters make their money. Unlike traditional sports, where live betting can feel like guesswork (momentum, injuries, referee decisions), esports offers clear, quantifiable data points that inform live odds: economy in CS2, dragon control in LoL, Roshan timers in Dota 2. This transparency makes esports ideal for live betting, because you can see exactly why the odds are shifting and whether there’s value to exploit.
When you open a live esports match at a top-rated sportsbook, you’ll see a constantly updating list of markets: next round winner, next map winner, total rounds in the current map, next kill, next objective, and so on. The bookmaker’s odds engine adjusts these lines in real time based on the current game state—if a CS2 team wins the pistol round and takes a 3-0 lead, their odds to win the map will shorten; if they lose the next three rounds, the odds swing back. Your job as a live bettor is to spot moments where the odds don’t reflect the true probability—maybe a team just won a crucial eco round, or a LoL team secured Baron but hasn’t closed out the map yet.
Live esports betting requires fast decision-making and a solid understanding of the game you’re betting on. The best esports betting sites offer live stats, real-time scoreboards, and sometimes even embedded streams, so you can watch the match and bet simultaneously. If you’re betting blind (without watching), you’re at a massive disadvantage—live esports betting rewards those who can read the flow of a match and act quickly when value appears.
Esports matches are structured in discrete, predictable segments—rounds, maps, games—that create natural betting opportunities. A CS2 match is a series of 30-second rounds; a LoL match is a 30-minute map with clear objectives (dragons, towers, Baron); a Dota 2 match revolves around Roshan timers and high-ground pushes. This structure allows bookmakers to offer dozens of live markets per match, and it gives bettors clear decision points: “Do I back this team after they lost the pistol round but have a strong buy coming up?” or “Should I bet on the next dragon when the enemy jungler just showed top?”
Compare that to live betting on a football match, where the action is continuous, momentum is subjective, and a single refereeing decision can swing the result. Esports is more transparent, more data-driven, and more predictable—which is why experienced esports bettors often prefer live betting to pre-match wagers.
Not all esports offer the same live betting experience. The best titles for live betting are those with clear round or map structure, frequent scoring events, and real-time stats. CS2 is the gold standard: every round is a discrete betting opportunity, economy is transparent, and the best sites update odds within seconds of a round ending. League of Legends is a close second, with live markets on kills, dragons, towers, and Baron—all of which are visible on the minimap and easy to track.
Dota 2 and Valorant also offer excellent live betting, though Dota’s complexity (hero abilities, item builds, Roshan timers) makes it harder for casual bettors to read. Call of Duty and Overwatch work well for live betting if you’re familiar with the game modes, but the faster pace and respawn mechanics make them harder to predict than tactical shooters. Fortnite and other battle royales are poor choices for live betting—too much RNG, too many variables, and limited market depth.
Live esports betting is where the sharpest punters make their edge. If you’re willing to put in the time to watch matches, learn the games, and track the data, it’s the most profitable way to bet on esports.
Funding your esports betting account is straightforward, but the payment method you choose makes a huge difference in speed, fees, and reliability. Here’s what Australian esports bettors need to know about deposits and withdrawals at offshore sportsbooks:
Deposits: The fastest and most reliable method is cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum). Crypto deposits clear in 10–20 minutes, incur minimal fees (usually just the blockchain network fee), and bypass the banking restrictions that Australian players face with credit cards or bank transfers. Most top esports betting sites offer a 5–10% bonus for crypto deposits, making it the best option for both speed and value. If you don’t have a crypto wallet, setting one up takes about 15 minutes—use a reputable exchange like Coinbase or Binance, buy Bitcoin, and send it to your sportsbook wallet address.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at some esports betting sites, but Australian banks often block gambling transactions, so success rates are inconsistent. Bank transfers work but take 3–5 business days to clear, which is too slow if you want to bet on a match happening tonight. E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) are fast and reliable but less common at esports-focused sportsbooks.
Withdrawals: Crypto is again the fastest option, with most esports betting sites processing Bitcoin withdrawals within 24 hours (often faster). Bank transfers take 5–7 business days and may incur fees from both the sportsbook and your bank. Credit card withdrawals are rare and slow. E-wallets are fast (1–2 days) but require you to have deposited via the same method.
Minimum deposits at esports betting sites typically range from $10–$50, with crypto deposits often having lower minimums. Withdrawal limits vary by site and payment method, but most offshore sportsbooks cap crypto withdrawals at $5,000–$10,000 per transaction (you can request multiple withdrawals if you’re cashing out a big win).
Bottom line: If you’re serious about esports betting, set up a Bitcoin wallet and use crypto for all deposits and withdrawals. It’s faster, cheaper, and more reliable than any other method available to Australian players.
Esports betting bonuses work like traditional sportsbook bonuses: you deposit, the site matches a percentage of your deposit (usually 50–100%), and you receive bonus funds that unlock as you wager. The key is understanding the terms—especially which esports titles and bet types are eligible, what the minimum odds are, and how much you need to wager before you can withdraw.
Here’s a quick comparison of the best esports betting bonuses available to Australians in May 2025:
| Site | Bonus Offer | Eligible Esports | Min Odds | Wagering Requirement | Max Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mafia Casino | 100% deposit match | All major titles (CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant, CoD) | 1.80+ | 5x deposit + bonus | $500 |
| BetOnline | 50% deposit match | All esports markets | 2.00+ | 10x deposit + bonus | $250 |
| Bovada | 75% deposit match | CS2, LoL, Dota 2, Valorant | 1.75+ | 5x deposit + bonus | $750 |
| MyBookie | 100% deposit match | All esports markets | 1.90+ | 10x deposit + bonus | $300 |
Key terms to watch:
The best esports betting bonus for most Australians is Mafia Casino’s 100% match up to $500, which combines a high maximum, low wagering requirement (5x), and eligibility across all major esports titles. If you’re depositing $500 or more, Bovada’s 75% match up to $750 offers the highest total bonus, though the 5x wagering requirement still applies. Claim your esports bonus at Mafia Casino →
If you’re new to esports betting, here’s a simple five-step process to get you from zero to placing your first wager:
Start with one of the top-rated sites we’ve listed above—Mafia Casino is our recommendation for beginners, thanks to its wide game coverage, user-friendly interface, and strong customer support. Make sure the site covers the esports titles you’re interested in (CS2, LoL, Valorant, etc.) and offers live betting if that’s important to you.
Sign up takes about two minutes: provide an email, create a password, and verify your age (18+). Most esports betting sites don’t require full KYC (passport, proof of address) until you withdraw, so you can start betting immediately. Once your account is live, head to the cashier and deposit using Bitcoin (fastest) or your preferred payment method. If you’re claiming a bonus, enter the promo code during deposit.
Once logged in, find the esports section in the main menu (usually labeled “Esports” or “eSports”). You’ll see a list of live and upcoming matches across all available titles. Most sites let you filter by game (CS2, LoL, Dota 2, etc.) or by tournament (ESL Pro League, LCK, The International). Browse the schedule and pick a match you’re familiar with—don’t bet on a game you don’t understand.
Click on a match to see the available markets. For beginners, stick to simple bets: match winner (which team wins the best-of-three?), map winner (which team wins the first map?), or map handicap (can the underdog keep it close?). Avoid exotic markets (first blood, total rounds, player props) until you’ve built some experience. Check the odds, decide your stake, and add the bet to your slip.
Review your bet slip (check the odds, stake, and potential payout), then confirm the wager. If it’s a live match, watch it unfold—most esports betting sites link to Twitch streams or provide live stats. If you placed a pre-match bet, check back after the match to see if you won. Winnings are credited to your account immediately, and you can withdraw or reinvest in your next bet.
That’s it. Esports betting is no more complicated than backing a footy team—the only difference is the sport itself. Start small, learn the games, and scale up as you gain confidence.
Our esports betting site rankings are based on first-hand testing across nine key factors that matter to Australian punters. We create accounts, deposit real money, place bets on live and pre-match markets, test withdrawals, and evaluate customer support—then score each site on the criteria below:
Sites that score highly across all nine factors earn our top ratings. Mafia Casino leads the pack because it excels in every category—wide game coverage, excellent live betting, competitive odds, strong crypto support, and knowledgeable customer service. Start betting on esports at Mafia Casino →
Esports betting has quickly evolved from a niche curiosity into a legitimate alternative to traditional sports wagering for Australian punters. With year-round tournaments, deep live markets, and crypto-friendly payment options, it offers speed, flexibility, and betting variety that footy and racing simply can’t match. Whether you’re backing a CS2 underdog after a clutch eco win or riding a League of Legends favourite through a best-of-five, the opportunities to find value are constant.
The key is choosing the right platform. Stick to reputable offshore esports betting sites with strong game coverage, competitive odds, fast crypto withdrawals, and responsive support. Start with simple markets, learn how live odds move, and manage your bankroll carefully. Esports rewards knowledge and attention more than hype or blind loyalty.
If you already follow competitive gaming, betting adds another layer of excitement to every pistol round, Baron fight, and overtime map. And if you’re new to it, there’s never been a better time to start. Pick a trusted site, fund your account, and experience esports betting the smart way.
Yes. Most top esports betting sites accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Crypto deposits are typically processed within 10–20 minutes and withdrawals are often completed within 24 hours, making them the fastest and most reliable payment option for Australian players.
Yes. Esports betting is legal for Australian adults aged 18 and over. While Australian-licensed bookmakers offer limited esports markets, many punters use offshore sportsbooks that accept Australian players. The Interactive Gambling Act targets operators rather than individual bettors, meaning Australians are not penalised for placing bets with licensed offshore sites.
The most popular esports for betting are CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, and Valorant. These titles offer the deepest markets, the most tournaments, and the best live betting options. CS2 and LoL are especially beginner-friendly due to their clear map structure and high betting liquidity.
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