If you’re setting out on your first exploration of esports betting and want to know more about what’s on offer with esports betting bonuses, you’re in the right place. This guide will go over all the options available.
It’s no surprise that betting on esports has gained so much popularity. It’s a whole new genre of betting and it’s not just the extra choice in gaming options, it’s also the bonuses. This article will cover the different types of esports bonuses, what they mean, and how they work. Everything you need to know as a beginner.
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The first promo, and probably the most common, when you’re looking at esports betting you’re likely to encounter is a matched-deposit bonus. Essentially, when you deposit, the sportsbook will match it up to a certain threshold or a percentage.
It’s pretty common for sportsbooks to provide sequential matched-deposit bonuses – 100% up to 150, then a second deposit at 150% up to 175, and third at 200% up to 200. All with specific wagering requirements within a certain time window. For example, you may find a sportsbook bonus that will give you a 100% deposit match up to $2000. And those bonus funds come with a 40x wagering requirement within a 30-day window.
It’s generally a good idea to assume that deposit matches often require a minimum qualifying deposit, are capped, and may require entering a promo code.
That’s the first takeaway, these offers are real, just make sure to read the wagering rules and the T&Cs carefully. The bonus will boost your first deposit, giving you more flexibility to try different types of bets – especially important in fast paced games like CS2. The real test is whether you’re able to cash or not, not just enjoy a temporary boost. It’s always worth reading the fine print around any bonus, not just esports betting bonuses.
You’re going to find a number of different types of bonus available, here’s a breakdown of them.
Another type of bonus you’ll find is a cashback bonus in esports betting, this is when the sportsbook ‘refunds’ a certain amount of your losses as bonus money. This kind of offer is commonly featured by sportsbooks to help them retain bettors throughout ups and downs.
In practice, every time you lose a bet, a portion of the stake will be returned to you as bonus funds. This was especially helpful during losing streaks in Dota 2 betting, which can swing wildly. It won’t erase your losses, but it might just make it more palatable and help you get the most fun of your time on the sportsbook.
You’ll also find a number of different offers, like the sort we offer elsewhere on this site, that give you a code to put into a betting site. These codes unlock specific promos and are normally better than the generic offers you’ll find on the betting sites themselves. These come in two main types: you’ll either get bonus funds as soon as you use the code, or the code will unlock an exclusive deposit-match offer.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the types of esports betting bonus you’re likely to see. Whilst there isn’t necessarily a ‘best’ esports bonus, it’s always good to understand the difference between them and what they actually give you.
| ✅ Bonus type | 📖 How it works | 💫 Best for |
| Deposit Match | Your first deposit is matched up to a limit | New bettors |
| Cashback Bonus | A portion of your losses are returned as bonus funds | The more risk-averse |
| Bonus Codes | Enter a code to unlock a unique offer | Promo hunters |
| Reload Bonus | Smaller recurring deposit matching | Regular bettors |
| Seasonal Promos | Special odds/boosts/free bets during a promotional event | Seasonal bettors |
It’s worth considering how these different types of bonuses might change the way you place bets. It’s also worth noting that they can manifest slightly differently between games.
Fast-paced games like CS2 are really enhanced by matched-deposit bonuses. This seems to be a common pattern where platforms will drop bigger and better esports betting bonuses during major events (this also happens for League too). You might also find improved esports betting odds for your CS2 betting experience. It really drives a sense that these platforms actually care about esports betting and aren’t just sidelining it as another revenue stream.
With Valorant, there’s a tendency for platforms to offer reload bonuses. Although this isn’t a steadfast rule and every platform is likely to offer different bonuses. This may also change from tournament to tournament. These bonuses are designed to keep you invested in Valorant esports betting.
Dota 2 is extremely fun to watch mostly because a small mistake or mishap can completely change the game. This does make it slightly harder to bet on but having a cashback promo can really add to the fun by making the losses smart a little less. This is especially true when you misread a change in flow in the game during the big events, like The International.
While your mileage may vary and the bonuses may change event to event and from sportsbook to sportsbook, cashback bonuses are tried and tested and always helpful. A good cashback bonus can sometimes be worth taking slightly worse Dota 2 betting odds for.
League esports betting bonuses become more impressive during major events. There are some really creative bonuses across different sportsbooks and this can help to really make these events more event driven and engaging. Worlds-specific bonuses and special markets are common during events and you’ll even find event triggered LoL-specific bonuses.
Here are a few key takeaways for making sure you’re getting the most out of the bonuses you find.
Big bonuses might look sexy on the outside but once you’ve gotten into the thick of it, you might find that actually meeting the eligibility criteria is outside of your reach. Make sure to check the terms and conditions carefully. And if the bonus comes with a short timeline, maybe wait to claim them when you have more free time to use the bonus funds.
If you’re particularly keen on a specific esports game, it might be worth considering which bonuses are going to have the most impact on the way you bet.
Don’t ever go over your budget just to meet the requirement to unlock a given bonus. It’s not worth it. Stick to your budget, and always bet responsibly.
As with all betting, it’s important to remember that if you’re not having fun, it’s time to stop. Don’t let bonuses get in the way of making sure you’re looking after yourself and your money.
If you’re still undecided about whether or not using these esports betting bonuses are worth your time, here’s a short pros and cons list to hopefully help you figure it out.
Through some trial and error, you’re likely to discover that the best esports betting bonuses aren’t always the biggest. It’s more important to make the most out of bonuses that you can actually meet the terms of or one that’s going to help cushion losing streaks. After all, not everyone is going to want to deposit a huge lump of money and bet through it 15 times.
Looking for sportsbooks that offer esports markets? Check the banners around this page, they’ll show you options that are available in your region.
A Cashback bonus in esports is the same as a cashback bonus elsewhere. Essentially, when you lose a bet, you’ll be returned some of your original stake as a bonus. Cashback offers are particularly useful for the more volatile games like Dota 2.
No, you don’t always need a code to claim an offer but you’ll probably find that the best offers are code dependent. You might have to look around, on sites like ours, to find the best of the bunch.
Most platforms will offer specific game and event related bonuses. These are commonly tied to the event and won’t be valid after the tournament or event has finished so make sure you don’t miss out on them.
Yes, most of them will expire. The length of the bonus is completely dependent on the terms of the bonus so it’s always important to check the T&Cs before committing to avoid losing any unused bonus funds or free bets.
Generally, yes, they are with the stipulation that you need to properly understand them. Bonuses are designed to give you extra value and help you explore new markets. The key is choosing offers with realistic requirements.
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