Best Dota 2 Betting Sites 2024
Best Dota 2 Betting Sites 2024
Dota 2 was one of the first esports titles that hit the mainstream, and while its player base is not as large as it once was, Dota 2 remains one of the most played and most-watched esports games in the industry.
And just like any big name in the esports world, Dota 2 is also highly popular in the world of esports betting.
With Dota 2 games and leagues running across all regions, there is always something to bet on.
And since Dota 2 betting is not only legal but accessible on all reputable and regulated sportsbooks that offer a large selection of betting markets, you can rest assured that Dota 2 provides more than enough ways of betting on the games.
But while getting into Dota 2 betting is easy, you first need to learn a thing or two about the game and how betting on Dota 2 works.
And that is what we will cover in our Dota 2 betting article.
Current Dota 2 Betting Odds
Dota 2 is one of the most popular esports titles amongst bettors, so it should come as no surprise that you will be able to find Dota 2 betting markets on all regulated sportsbooks, such as Caesars, Unibet, 888sport, Betway, and Bet365.
Bet365 is known as a global leader when it comes to esports betting. Especially in the US they have expanded their offering and now cover a wide selection of games to bet on. With both an Android and iOS app, you can bet on the go, wherever you are. Rest assured they are fully licensed and regulated so you can bet without having to worry. And be sure to check out their bonus offer!
Betway has grown in prominence in esports betting and covers some of the most popular titles out there. They offer a good market depth, ensuring that you can bet on all the major Dota 2 tournaments and top teams. Being licensed and regulated in the US makes them a dependable site for all your esports betting needs.
And if you’re into DFS, head right over to DraftKings or FanDuel, who offer excellent Dota 2 DFS contests throughout the entire year.
DraftKings is most likely the largest sportsbook in the USA and has been expanding continuously into esports. They offer classic DFS contests and tournament betting as a nice switch-up from other operators. They are also fully licensed and regulated in all US states with legal betting and rightfully deserve recognition for being one of the most trustworthy sites out there. Don’t miss out on their bonus offers and promotion such as the match deposit.
There are many ways to approach betting on Dota 2, and there are plenty of betting markets on offer to allow you to bet on whatever team or player you wish.
If you want to bet on Evil Geniuses to win the next The International, you can do that on all online sportsbooks, whereas if you believe Clement “Puppey” Ivanov is in great form and should do well in his next game, you can bet on him on any DFS sportsbooks.
Just keep in mind to always bet on regulated, licensed, and legal sportsbooks to ensure the safety of your personal information and your money.
Why People Love Dota 2 Betting
It’s Readily Available
Betting on Dota 2 has never been easier than how it is today, with betting markets available on all big-brand sportsbooks.
Betting Is An Excellent Way To Spice Up Your Viewing Experience
Watching Dota 2 is exciting on its own, but you can improve your experience even further by placing a few bucks on the games.
But remember to do it within reason and don’t let the emotions get the better of you.
It’s Well-Regulated
As one of the largest and most popular esports titles, Dota 2 has a well-run competitive ecosystem, ensuring that there are little to no instances of match-fixing.
Still, there were some instances of match-fixing not too long ago, but these are extremely rare and often happen only in lower-tier tournaments.
Reasons To Try Dota 2 Betting
There are many reasons to try out Dota 2 betting.
And while it may seem like a daunting task for those who have never bet on esports before, it’s not too difficult to learn everything there is to know about Dota 2 betting.
Dota 2 (And Esports) Is Exciting
Although excitement you will feel watching esports is entirely subjective, esports, in general, are far more exciting compared to traditional sports, mainly due to its fast-paced playstyle and constant action.
No matter which esports you watch, you can be sure that the games will keep you on the edge of your seat from minute one until the very end.
A Large Selection Of Betting Options
When betting on esports, you will get presented with a wide range of games to bet on and a large selection of different genres.
And beyond that, each esports title has enough betting markets available for you to bet on anything you wish – from moneyline and totals to special markets such as first blood, the first turret kills, and more.
Most Of The Betting Types Are The Same As With Traditional Sport Betting
If you have ever bet on sports and have a general idea of how the basic betting types work, you already have the needed knowledge to get into esports betting.
Although esports offer other, special markets that you will have to learn, the most common bets you will make on esports are the same as with sports.
There Are Plenty Of Esports Betting Bonuses Available
Just like you can find bonuses and promotions for betting on football or basketball, many sportsbooks will also offer promotions for esports betting.
Those will be most commonly found on esports sportsbooks.
Still, you can be sure that even the traditional sportsbooks such as William Hill and Bet365 will have some sort of promotion ready for significant esports events or important matches.
How To Bet On Dota 2
If you want to bet on Dota 2 and be successful at it, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure you’re on the right track.
However, most of these are the same steps you should take when betting on any esports or traditional sport.
It all starts with picking the right sportsbook for you.
Thanks to the extensive offer of Dota 2 betting markets, it won’t be difficult to find a sportsbook that will accept your Dota 2 bets, but it’s rarely wise to pick the first betting site you find.
You have to take your time and look through all available sportsbooks and find the one that has all the features you need, including enough market depth and competitive Dota 2 odds.
But most of all, you should always pick a sportsbook that is legal, regulated, and licensed.
It’s advisable to pick a sportsbook with excellent promotions and bonuses, which can serve as a strong tool for getting more value from your bets.
Although not an essential feature, it’s always nice to get a free bet or a no-deposit bonus here and there.
Finding sportsbooks with the best bonuses can be a tedious task, but you can speed up the process by checking out our selection of the top esports sportsbooks with the best bonuses.
Once you find a site to place your bets, all there is left to do is to deposit money and start wagering on Dota 2.
Still, you should do the needed research on the players and teams to know how to bet, and most of all, you should learn a thing or two about all the available Dota 2 bets.
Most Popular Dota 2 Bets
If you’re new to Dota 2 betting, it’s wise to stick with the most common bets in monyeline, totals, and handicaps.
But once you feel confident in your knowledge of the teams and how the game is played, you can start exploring more complex bets, such as propositions, which will open up a new way of betting on Dota 2.
Moneyline
Moneyline bet is the most straightforward bet you can make on Dota 2, and it works the same way as moneyline bets on any esport or sport.
With it, you’re simply predicting which team will win any given match – no matter how they do it or how long it takes them to win.
Totals
A total (or over/under) bet is a single bet where you need to predict whether a certain statistic in a game will go over or stay below a number presented by the sportsbook.
In basketball, the over/under bet is used to predict the number of points the teams will combine in a match, and it works on the same principle when betting on Dota 2.
But instead of betting on points, the total bet in Dota 2 is mainly used to predict how many kills the teams will combine in any given match.
Alternatively, you can also predict the number of structures the teams will destroy, how many times the teams willkill Roshan, and more.
Handicap Betting
Like over/under bet, handicap betting on Dota 2 works the same way as it does with traditional sports.
Dota 2 handicap betting is used to bet on the total kills, where you can give the weaker teams a positive handicap and a negative handicap to the favorites.
In best-of Dota 2 games, you will also get presented with a map handicap bet.
Most commonly, Dota 2 games are played as best-of-three (Bo3), where a team needs to win two maps to win the series.
In such games, the sportsbooks will offer a +/- 1.5 map handicap betting market, allowing you to bet on how well the teams will do in the series.
So if you believe the favorites can win in straight maps, you would bet on them with a -1.5 map handicap.
Alternatively, you can back the underdogs with a +1.5 map handicap if you believe they can win at least one map.
Propositions
Because they’re hard to use efficiently, proposition bets (or props) are commonly used only by the most experienced Dota 2 bettors.
Proposition bets will generally allow you to predict an occurrence or non-occurrence of an event in a game that is not necessarily affected by how the game ends.
There is no limit to what Dota 2 proposition bets can include, and it mainly comes down to sportsbooks and which prop betting markets they are ready to offer.
Still, there are a few common Dota 2 props that will be readily available on all betting sites, those include:
– Which team will score the first blood?
– Which team will destroy the first turret?
– Will any team kill Roshan?
– Will a certain hero be picked?
– Will there be an Ultra Kill?
– Will either team score a Rampage?
Top Dota 2 Betting Tips
Understanding the game and familiarizing yourself with the players and the teams will take some time, and there is no magic wand that will speed up the process.
But while we can’t help you with that, we can provide you with a few tips on how to bet on Dota 2.
Check Patch Notes
Dota 2, like any other esports game, is ever-evolving, and a simple game update or patch can quickly change how the game is played.
That is why you must read through the patch notes to know which heroes become stronger and whether there are any changes to the map that could affect how the teams perform.
Before You Bet – Check Rosters
Every Dota 2 team has a roster of five players, but some might field more players as substitutes, and it’s not uncommon for these substitutes to get a chance once and a while.
Some teams will publicly announce these things, while others won’t, leaving you with no other choice but to check which players will represent the team yourself.
Pay Close Attention To The Pick-Ban Phase
Sometimes it’s wise to place your bet on Dota 2 after the draft ends.
The Pick-Ban Phase is arguably the most important part of any game since a team that drafts well has a significantly higher chance of winning.
Play Dota 2 Yourself
There is no better way of learning about the game than playing it yourself.
Of course, you should watch professional matches to familiarize yourself with the players and the teams you’re planning to bet on but to learn Dota 2 fundamentals, you should play it yourself – the game is free to play, so there is really no excuse not to try it.
Check Team’s Calendars
Every team wants to win as much as possible, but if a Dota 2 team is competing in two tournaments at once and has games on the same day, the team will likely put more effort into a game that happens in a more important contest.
Special Dota 2 Betting Markets
Most of the Dota 2 wagers will consist of moneyline, totals, and handicap bets.
But if you want to spice up your Dota 2 betting endeavor, there are more than enough special betting markets to explore.
Those will mostly be available as proposition bets, which will include bets exclusive to Dota 2.
That includes Roshan Kills, the first team to destroy barracks, the minute of the first gank, creep score by 10th minute, and more.
Note that while special bets will offer you a new way of betting on Dota 2, most are tough to predict for inexperienced Dota 2 bettors.
That is why betting on special markets is mainly reserved for the most experienced bettors, who have a better understanding of the game and can pick winning bets easier.
Who Can You Bet On?
Dota 2 is a team game, and as such, it allows you to bet on either the players or the teams.
Most commonly, Dota 2 bettors will bet on teams to win their next match, win a league, or win a tournament.
So if you want to bet on Virtus.pro to win the CIS DPC league, you can easily do it, and if you have faith in the team to win The International, you can place the bet on the outright betting markets.
Likewise, you can also bet on players, but not necessarily in the same way.
For player betting, most Dota 2 bettors will use DFS contests – found on DraftKings and FanDuel – to bet on the players and predict how well they’ll play in the upcoming match.
Besides DFS betting, you can also bet on players in head-to-head betting markets.
Those fall under special Dota 2 markets and allow you to bet on whether a certain player will outperform his counterpart from the other team in any given match.
For bigger tournaments – such as The International – you can also bet on which players will score the most kills, die the most, and play the most champions across the entire tournament.
So like you can bet on Virtus.pro to win TI, you can also bet on Syed Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan to score the most kills/deaths or pick the most unique heroes in The International.
Why Is Dota 2 Betting Different To Traditional Sports Betting
In terms of placing bets, there is no difference between betting on Dota 2 and any traditional sport – that is, as long as you stick to the straight bets in monyeline, totals, and handicap betting.
But once you get a bit deeper into betting on Dota 2, the bet types will start to differentiate, making anything you have learned from betting on football or basketball obsolete.
And besides the different bet types, Dota 2 is also unlike any traditional sport, with the biggest differentiating factor being the game’s pace.
Basketball can be fast-paced, but it’s very slow relative to Dota 2, where something is happening all the time, and game-changing plays can happen within a few seconds.
That is a big reason why watching Dota 2 is highly exciting. But it’s also something to keep in mind when betting in-play,
Getting An Edge At Dota 2 Betting
Betting on Dota 2 can be simple, and you can make loads of money if you know where and how to gain an edge.
Some ways of getting an edge at Dota 2 betting are straightforward, while others will require a bit more time and dedication.
Taking full advantage of sportsbooks’ bonuses and promotions is the easiest way to gain an edge when betting on Dota 2.
This aspect is also the easiest to accomplish since most bonuses only require you to make a deposit, while others won’t require you to do much more than placing a bet on any Dota 2 match.
Secondly, you should understand the game, how it is played, and the current meta.
You can achieve that by playing Dota 2 yourself and watching the games.
It’s also beneficial to follow patch notes to know whether a particular hero has become stronger or whether there was an item change that can affect how the game is played.
Although those are both great ways of getting an edge at Dota 2 betting, the most efficient one is to bet with the best odds.
As noted above, finding a solid sportsbook for Dota 2 betting is essential, and you should always pick a sportsbook that offers the best odds.
Even if the odds are just marginally higher than the industry average, those minor differences add up in the long run.
Dota 2 Tournament & Prize Pool
Dota 2 is a global esports, and as such, it features regional competitions and leagues across all regions of the world.
These competitions fall under the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC), a circuit that features only the top Dota 2 teams from all over the world, who compete for the title of regional champions and DPC points, which lead to the season-culminating event, The International.
Besides the regional leagues, Dota 2 competitive scene also hosts Major tournaments.
These are spread across the year, feature prize pools that reach several hundred thousand dollars, and welcome only the top teams from the regional competitions.
And while Majors are some of the most popular Dota 2 tournaments, all serve only one purpose – they’re nothing more than warm-up tournaments for The International.
The International (or TI) is one of the biggest and most popular tournaments in the whole esports world.
And while it’s highly popular, TI is known mostly for its prize pool, which is the largest out of all esports tournaments across all titles.
In 2021, The International featured a prize pool of over $40 million, the largest single-tournament prize pool in the history of esports.
Interestingly, TI increases its prize pool each year, so it’s only a matter of time before we see The International with over $50 million up for grabs.
A Brief History Of Dota 2 Betting
Dota 2 was one of the first esports titles that found its place in the world of betting.
And while there was no exact date when the first Dota 2 bet was placed, it truly took off in the mid-2010s when esports betting became a hit.
The increased popularity of Dota 2 has also had something to do with it becoming one of the most popular esports titles to bet on.
And that is largely thanks to players such as Anathan “ana” Pham, Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, as some of the most successful Dota 2 players, who got even featured in mainstream media thanks to their immense achievements.
Most notably, N0tail was featured in Forbes 30 under 30.
Is Dota 2 Betting Legal?
Dota 2 betting is completely legal, as long as you bet on Dota 2 on legal, regulated, and licensed sportsbooks.
That, however, is hardly a hindrance, knowing that all big-name sportsbooks offer Dota 2 betting markets, meaning you should be able to find odds and bet on the games no matter which sportsbook you pick.
You can still decide to bet on Dota 2 on offshore sportsbooks, but that’s not advisable.
Even though some offshore sportsbooks will attract you with better odds, you should always put the safety of your personal information and your money first – and you can only achieve that by betting on a regulated betting site.
Difference Between Skin Gambling & Real Money Bets
If you compare skin betting and real money betting, you will see some clear similarities, but the main difference is what you’re risking.
With real-money betting, you can either win or lose real money, whereas, with skin betting, you can win or lose in-game skins.
However, since all the in-game skins have a monetary value, you’re basically betting with money, but in a different form.
In the earlier days, there were many skin gambling sites, most of which were not regulated, and there was no shortage of scam sites that took gamblers’ money and ran away.
But despite its shady and concerning past, the current situation is much better.
Skin betting has evolved to a point where there are regulated skin betting sites, so you can do it legally and safely if you really want to bet with in-game items.
So which one should you choose? In the end, it doesn’t matter as much, as long as you bet on a regulated betting site.
However, that is something you should be especially careful about with skin betting, mainly because there are still some shady skin betting sites out there.