More punters in New Zealand are aware of eSports betting than ever before. The markets constantly see new punters placing bets, although, to many, the whole thing still remains a mystery.
To put it simply, when punters bet on eSports, they are betting on a gamer or team of gamers playing an online video game in a competitive event. The odds, markets, and betting options available at reputable online sportsbooks are almost identical to their sports and racing markets.
Punters place real money bets, and win real money if their bets win. While the amounts of money that can be won are not quite in the league of major standard sporting codes, this is beginning to change as the market grows in popularity.
eSports Betting Options
The range of eSports betting options available at good online sportsbooks often surprises punters who are new to the market. The bets are placed by selecting the relevant option on virtual betting slips similar to those used in sports betting.
Punters can place Match bets such as those placed on a team to win a gaming tournament, as well as Exotic bets such as parlays. Another betting option often available to punters in New Zealand is live eSports betting, which allows punters to place bets while the gamers play the game.
Games for eSports Betting
At this stage, punters may be wondering what sorts of games are featured in eSports betting markets. That can vary from site to site, but few reputable online bookmakers would not include the games that loom large over the eSports scene at the best online betting sites.
While there are games based on traditional sports, such as football or rugby, they tend to be nowhere near as prominent as multi-player role play games with fantasy, sci-fi, and combat themes. Punters who bet on eSports regularly are mostly fans of whichever games they bet on, and more than likely play the games themselves.
The biggest eSports betting games are League of Legends, Starcraft 2, Dota 2, and CS:GO, although World of Tanks, Vainglory, Call of Duty, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, and SMITE are also offered as markets at online sportsbooks that accept punters in New Zealand.
Online Sportsbooks for eSports Betting
Punters may find sportsbooks that are dedicated to eSports betting, but they may not be as trustworthy as more familiar brands. Before signing up to place real money bets, punters should make certain that they can trust the sportsbook.
If Canada online casino punters are unfamiliar with a site, they should check review sites and betting forums to find out what other punters have experienced. They should also check that the sportsbook is licensed and regulated, and any that are not should be avoided like the plague.
Punters should also check that the markets on which they want to bet are offered, and that their preferred eSports betting options are available.
In addition to this, they should also find out whether the banking service is encrypted, that it accepts payment methods such as prepaid cards, e-wallets, credit cards, and direct transfers, and that support is available around the clock via email and live chat, at least.