Over the course of the past several years, the popularity of Esports has surged. Esports has grown from a fringe industry to a massive global phenomenon, with dedicated arenas, celebrity Esports athletes, and a huge array of popular games played. As Esports has evolved, bettors have taken notice, and you can now find wagering on video game tournaments on many sports betting sites.
The best Esports betting sites in Canada will offer a huge range of different games for bettors to wager on. These popular sportsbooks will cover all the primary games, tournaments, and leagues, and plenty of unexpected ones as well. But what are the most popular options? What are the standard Esports games that much of operators will cover? Let’s look at some of the many popular games for Esports betting.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, better known as CS:GO, is a first-person shooter that was first released in 2012. It has become the most popular Esports game for betting, as it is played by Esports teams around the world, and there are massive tournaments for the game. CS:GO has several game modes that lend themselves well to Esports, including free-for-all, battle royale, and team play. CS:GO is projected to receive a major update this summer, as well, so we will see how that impacts the future of the game as an Esport.
Fortnite
Fortnite has been one of the most popular video games on the planet since its release in 2017. It was a phenomenon for casual gamers and streamers alike, and naturally, it has become one of the bigger Esports as well. Fortnite’s battle royale format lends itself perfectly to an Esports setting, where only one person can end up on top. The game has generated billions in revenue, and it is an exciting one to watch. Fortnite will be a part of the Olympic Esports held in Singapore this year, and through many updates and unique features, this game isn’t going away any time soon.
League of Legends
League of Legends might be the most popular video game for Esports. Bettors love wagering on this team-play game where teams occupy and defend a portion of a map. The need for collaboration and the unique skills each player’s champion brings to the table make this game a wildly fun one to watch, and there are League tournaments held on every continent. It is considered one of the greatest video games of all time and has significant longevity to prove it, as League of Legends has been popular since 2009. Betting on this game makes for an exciting wager on teams rather than individual players.
Rocket LeagueÂ
Rocket League is another popular game that has swept the globe in recent years. The game was first released in 2015 but became free to play in 2020. It has a unique format, where teams or individuals control rocket-powered cars and are trying to push a vast medal ball into their opponent’s net. Whether they are playing solo or multiple people on a team, it requires intense skill and concentration, which is part of what makes it such an excellent Esport. Bettors love wagering on this dynamic, skill-based game, and it always makes for an entertaining show.
NBA 2K
The NBA 2K series has been played for multiple decades now and remains one of the most popular sports and video game franchises on the planet. NBA 2K is a realistic basketball game with players from the modern and history of the league. Esports tournaments will often feature MyPlayer team showdowns, where players play as a custom-designed individual on a team with four other players. This requires skill and teamwork, and bettors love wagering on these intense battles almost as much as they do on the real thing.