From being confined to living room sessions and dimly lit arcades to an online global spectacle, video gaming has certainly evolved over the years. And just like with sports, enthusiasts can wager and cheer on their favorite games and players through esports betting – betting on competitive video game tournaments and potentially making a profit. If you’re interested in getting into esports betting, here are seven dynamic and popular video games you’ll want to wager on.
Valorant
Valorant, a game synonymous with esports betting, is a tactical first-person shooter that was released in 2020 and quickly gained traction as one of the most popular games worldwide. Developed by Riot Games, the game goes further than the traditional gun mechanics and lets you play as unique agents with their own special abilities, making team-based engagements much more intense.
The worldwide competitive scene is characterized by high-stakes matches. You’ll find a variety of competitive teams in Korea, Japan, Latin America, North America, and other international teams you can follow and place your stakes on.
Not only is Valorant a fan favorite, but it was voted Best Streaming Game Award at the Golden Joystick Awards in 2022 by a panel of critics from top companies and magazines.
Fortnite
Although the battle royale genre was established well before the release of Fortnite, it’s been highly touted as one of the games that grew the genre to new heights of popularity. The game’s combination of vibrant graphics, engaging gameplay, and frequent updates has turned it into more than a game.
Through the character skins, in-game events, iconic dances, and collaborations with famed franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, Fortnite has become a key part of mainstream pop culture and continuously pushes the boundaries of what gaming can offer.
The game has an attractive esports landscape, with competitions that cater to both casual players and professionals. There are constant cash cups and tournaments to bet on, but people have their fingers crossed for the revival of the Fortnite World Cup. The 2019 installment featured a total prize pool of 30 million USD across the many competitions. Not bad for a game that, like the casinos.com free Mega Moolah demo mode, anyone can download and play for free!
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike has played a massive role in shaping esports and competitive FPS gaming. It was one of the games that began major esports championships back in 2001 with the Cyberathlete Professional League Winter Championship.
Its format is simple – two teams, terrorists and counter-terrorists, compete in rounds of objective-based missions or elimination. The game relies on precise shooting, smart decision-making, and strategic teamwork – everything a classic shooter needs. Counter-Strike has stood the test of time with its many iterations, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), which is the most recent and popular in esports.
Betting on Counter-Strike is much like betting on any major sport – there are a ton of teams to support, an extensive history to learn about, and plenty of games to watch.
League of Legends
We can’t turn our attention to the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre without talking about League of Legends (LoL). Since its release in 2009, its popularity hasn’t wavered, averaging 136 million average monthly players and 23 million peak players in a single day in the month of December 2023. LoL popularized the MOBA genre and set a new standard for competitive gameplay, expanding the esports community beyond borders.
The game’s premise is two teams battling across a map, attempting to destroy the enemy’s Nexus while defending their own. It involves leveling up, strategizing, and working as a team to outsmart opponents and secure objectives. There are countless major tournaments for League of Legends that attract millions of viewers and run throughout the year, making for an endless and exciting video game to bet on.
Overwatch
Overwatch quickly gained traction in the gaming community for its engaging gameplay but especially for its captivating lore and character design. It combines first-person shooter and team-based gameplay with hero-based mechanics that have become a staple in modern games today. With its diverse cast of characters and emphasis on teamwork, it’s emerged as a frontrunner in the competitive realm of team-based shooters.
The biggest Overwatch esports league was produced directly by game developer Blizzard Entertainment but ceased in 2024 due to their layoffs in esports staff. Luckily, there is already talk about a new esports league emerging and huge plans for the new season of the game.
Call of Duty
Similarly to Counter-Strike, Call of Duty is one of the world’s top and longest-standing FPS games. It’s known best for its realistic graphics, immersive storytelling, and intense multiplayer experiences. The esports landscape has players choosing from a multitude of multiplayer game modes like Search and Destroy, Team Deathmatch, and Hardpoint, competing for significant prize pools.
Beyond the competition, Call of Duty has a seriously social gaming community, with features like clans, cross-platform play, and seasonal events to keep the game relevant and appealing. They’ve also released many installations of the game, including a battle royale installment – Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Minecraft
Deviating away from the traditional esports model, Minecraft has carved its own unique niche in competitive gaming with its sandbox gameplay. Players can build and explore preset worlds made up of blocks, allowing for a high level of creativity and freedom. Its simple mechanics, open-world nature, and pixelated aesthetic have attracted gamers of all ages. “Survival” mode challenges players to fend off creatures and build structures, while “Creative” mode offers an unrestricted canvas to craft and create.
Minecraft has a variety of leagues, tournaments, and other esports events, just like other games, but it stands out with its challenge-based battles and educational tournaments for younger players.
