Esports betting has grown from a niche product to a standard offering at most mainstream bookmakers, covering CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Valorant at the top competitive level. For Irish punters, esports is legal and available at GRAI-licensed bookmakers. This guide covers the main games, the betting markets available, and what makes esports betting different from traditional sports — including an honest note on the responsible gambling considerations specific to this market.
Main Esports to Bet On in Ireland
CS2 (Counter-Strike 2): The most bet-on esport globally. The major tournament circuit — run by ESL, BLAST and Valve's own Majors — produces year-round competitive action. Markets are deeper and more liquid than any other esport, with match winner, map winner, over/under rounds and in-play markets all commonly available.
League of Legends: The second most covered esport for betting purposes, with the LEC (Europe), LCK (Korea) and LCS (North America) providing regular content. The World Championship in autumn is the year's biggest event in terms of global viewership and betting interest.
Dota 2: Valve's title has The International as its annual pinnacle event, with the prize pool system creating unique levels of fan investment. Market depth outside The International and the DPC Major events is significantly thinner than CS2 or LoL.
Valorant: Riot's tactical shooter has grown rapidly in betting coverage. The VCT (Valorant Champions Tour) with its global leagues and Masters events provides structured competition with a clear calendar. Coverage at Irish bookmakers has expanded alongside the game's growth.
Main Esports Betting Markets
Match winner: Which team wins the best-of-three or best-of-five series? The fundamental esports market, equivalent to match winner in football. Series results are more stable than individual game outcomes, making this the most reliable entry point for new esports bettors.
Map/game winner: Which team wins a specific map or game within the series? Higher variance than series winner — a team can win 2-1 while losing the second map. Useful for in-play betting when the series is live.
First kill/first blood: Which team gets the first kill in a CS2 match or the first kill in a LoL/Dota game? Available on larger events, priced close to even on most matches with slight adjustments for team style.
Over/under rounds: In CS2, each half has a maximum of 15 rounds (CT and T side), and a full map can go to 30 rounds (or overtime). Over/under markets on total rounds are available on major events and reward detailed knowledge of team styles.
Tournament outright: Who wins the tournament? Available well in advance of major events like the CS2 Major or LoL Worlds. Prices in a large field can represent genuine value if you have specific knowledge about team form entering the event.
Responsible Gambling: An Important Note on Esports
Esports audiences skew younger than traditional sports audiences. This is a well-documented demographic reality that the GRAI and other regulators take seriously. If you are a regular viewer of esports and are considering betting on it, the same responsible gambling principles apply as to any other sport — set deposit limits, do not bet to recover losses, and use the tools available through any GRAI-licensed bookmaker.
The GRAI's mandatory responsible gambling tools — deposit limits, session limits, self-exclusion — apply equally to esports betting as to football or horse racing. These tools are there for a reason. If you are unsure about your relationship with gambling, contact Gambling Awareness Trust at 1800 753 753 or visit gamblingcare.ie.
Unique Risks vs Traditional Sports
Esports results carry certain specific risks that traditional sports do not. Roster changes happen frequently and with less advance notice than in football — a team can field a different five than the one you researched hours before the match. Patch changes in games like LoL, Dota and Valorant can materially change which playstyles are strong, which can advantage certain teams disproportionately. Market integrity at lower tiers has been a historical concern — stick to tier-one events at major bookmakers for the most oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. GRAI-licensed bookmakers can offer markets on esports. You must be 18+ and bet with a GRAI-licensed site.
CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Valorant are the most widely covered. Some bookmakers also cover FIFA/EA Sports FC, Call of Duty League and Rocket League.
Match winner, map winner, first kill/first blood, over/under rounds on a map, and tournament outright winner. Market depth varies by game and competition tier.
Generally no. Esports markets tend to have higher bookmaker margins than top football markets, particularly for lower-tier events and non-CS2 titles.
Match integrity has been a documented concern at lower tiers. Major tournaments run by ESL, BLAST, Riot and Valve have institutional anti-corruption structures. Stick to tier-one events for the most oversight.