Because betting on Counter-Strike 2 matches has started to get more and more popular, thanks to the rise of esports betting, there are more CS betting sites available than ever. What’s more, as one of the most iconic first-person shooters in the industry, the game has a massive competitive scene, so it’s great for betting.
Whether you’re new to the world of CS2 betting or you consider yourself a betting pro, making sure you find the best CS betting site, understanding all the different betting types, and knowing where to place your money can help you enjoy the ultimate Counter-Strike 2 betting experience.
Our Top Counter-Strike Betting Sites
How We Choose the Best CS2 Betting Sites
When putting together our list of the very best CS betting sites, there are a number of different factors we look at to make sure that you get a safe, secure, user-friendly, and fun betting experience. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at the main criteria we use to choose our favorite Counter-Strike betting platforms.
Licensing and Security
The first and most important factor we look at before putting a betting site on our list is its legitimacy. We will only ever recommend a site that is fully licensed and regulated by a trusted authority such as the UKGC, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Curacao eGaming or some such licensing body. Being properly licensed means that we can be fully confident that the site is operating completely legally and to the strict industry standards – and is completely fair and transparent.
Top End Security
When money is at stake, security is an absolute must. That’s why our top betting sites have to use the latest encryption technology – including SSL certificates, etc, to keep your data and your money fully protected. We also look for sites that come with responsible gambling tools, such as deposit and loss limits, self-exclusion options and links to gambling support organizations, so we know they have your best interests at heart.
Excellent Selection of Betting Markets
Variety is the spice of a good betting experience – which is why we look at the range of betting markets they offer for Counter-Strike matches. As well as the basic match-winner bets, the best sites will also offer all sorts of other options, including map-winner bets, total rounds, first kill, handicap bets, accumulator bets and more. The more options available, the better.
Competitive Odds
Generous odds can make a huge difference in how much you end up winning. As such, our team compares the odds on offer from the various platforms to make sure that those we recommend are up there with the most generous. You should also have a choice on how you see the odds – decimal odds, moneyline odds or fractional odds.
Better odds mean better returns, which is the best way to maximize returns from your winning bets.
Decent Bonuses and Promotions
We also like a site that offers generous – and fair – bonuses and promotions. The best CS betting sites will not only offer great welcome bonuses, but also free bets, and various ongoing offers like cashback and reload bonuses, exclusive bonus code offers, etc. We also check the terms and conditions to make sure there are no nasty surprises – such as unfair wagering requirements, etc.
Live Betting and Streaming
Live betting is a must-have feature – that lets you bet on a match while it’s still in play. If they also offer live streaming – they get extra bonuses as it makes the whole betting experience even better, so you can make the most informed decisions based on what’s happening in the game.
Payment Options and Withdrawals
Top sites should also offer a solid selection of payment options – so you can enjoy safe, quick and convenient transactions. Our top sites support various options like bank cards e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller – and lots are even starting to accept cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
We also like to see quick and easy withdrawals, so you can get to your winnings with zero hassle.
Top Customer Support
Even at the best site, you may find that you need help – which is why professional and efficient customer service is a must. Our team tests out the customer support channels available – including live chat, email, phone support, etc, where available and looks for quick response times and knowledgeable support agents.
Different Types of CS Bets
Fans of the game will know that it isn’t just a fast-paced, strategic first-person shooter, but it’s excellent for bets. This is a game with a huge competitive scene and tournaments that are being played out all year round – and there are always plenty of events to bet on – and different types of bets to tempt you.
So, let’s take a look at the various bet types you’ll find at the best CS betting sites – and how to make the most of them!
Match Winner – Moneyline Bet
The match-winner bet is the most common – and most straightforward type of bet in most types of betting, including CS. In this bet, you simply need to try and predict which team you think will win the match. Because CS2 matches are often best-of-three or best-of-five series, you have to place your bet on the team you think will come out on top overall.
So, if Team A is playing against Team B, and you think Team A will win, you place your bet on them. If Team A wins, you win. This is an excellent option for beginners or anyone who just likes a simple, straightforward bet. Before placing your bet, you just need to make sure you research both teams’ recent performances, head-to-head records, and individual player stats before deciding who to go for.
Map Winner
Counter-Strike 2 matches are divided into individual maps – and map winner bets let you bet on which team you think will win on a certain map rather than the whole match. This is a great option if you know that one bet plays well on one specific map, even if you don’t necessarily think they can win the whole series of matches.
So, for example, in a best-of-three match, you might bet that Team B will win the second map, even if you think Team A will win overall. This is a really great option if you’re someone who has a good understanding of the game and teams and how they perform on the various maps.
Total Rounds: Over/Under
This type of bet is predicting how long you think a particular map will last. In a CS2 match, every map can go up to 30 rounds – 15 rounds per half. If it ends up at 15-15, it will go into overtime. In this type of bet, a bookmaker sets a number for the total rounds in a map, and you just need to decide whether you think the actual number of rounds played will be over or under that number.
The bookie, for example, could set the line at 26.5 rounds – and you can bet on whether the match will end in over or under that number of rounds. This is an excellent option if you know which teams have tight matches – as these tend to have longer games.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is a great option if there’s a clear favorite. To make a bet more balanced, the bookie will either give the underdog an ‘advantage’ or the favorite a ‘disadvantage’ – and level the playing field – and the favorite team will need to win by a certain margin.
So, Team A might be the favorite to win – but they have a -1.5 map handicap. So, Team A will need to win the match by at least 2-0 (in a best-of-three) for you to win a bet on them. If you want better odds on the favorite – or if you think the underdog could actually do pretty well, it’s a great option.
First Kill – First Blood
This is all about trying to predict which team or player you think will get the first kill in either a round or match. This is a quick and thrilling bet – as you’ll find out whether you win or lose in the first few moments of the game!
You could bet on Team A to get the first kill in the opening round – and if any player from Team A gets the first kill, your bet wins. You could also make it harder and predict which player you think from the team will get the first kill… and get an even better return! So, check out which players are known for aggressive opening plays – and they could win you a decent return!
Outright Winner – Tournament Winner
This is just betting on the team you think will win the whole tournament – not just one single match. You’d usually place the bet before the tournament starts, but you can bet on it after it has begun if you don’t mind the different odds. If you are going for this type of bet, make sure you look at the various teams’ past performance in tournaments, how well they perform under pressure, and be realistic as to which team you think has a realistic chance of making it to the end.
Player-Specific Bets
The best sites will offer various other markets where you can bet on individual player performances. It could be which player gets the most kills, most assists, or even if you think a player will land a set number of headshots. You might, for example, bet that s1mple gets the most kills in a match, and if he does, you win – and the payout could be pretty sizable.
If you are thinking of placing this type of bet, make sure you look at recent player form, their role and the team strategies.
Special Bets and Prop Bets
Prop bets are just bets on certain events that happen in a match that won’t have an impact on who wins and loses. It could be whether a game will go into overtime, how many bomb plants you think will happen, or even which team you think will win a knife round.
Generally, these bets are usually quite a bit harder to predict, but they can add a bit of fun to your experience and pay out some pretty nice winnings if you get it right.
How to Sign Up and Place a Bet
The good news is that signing up for a site and placing a bet is really easy – but if you’re new to it, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to get started.
Step 1: Choose a Betting Site
First, pick a betting site from our list that offers CS betting so you can be assured of a great, safe, secure, and enjoyable overall experience.
Step 2: Create a New Account
You then need to click on our link over to the site and register for a new account by entering your personal details as requested – and then your payment information. You might also need to go through ID verification to finish setting up your new account.
Step 3: Make Your Deposit
You then need to put money into your betting account. Take your pick from any of the payment options available.
Step 4: Claim Your Welcome Bonus
Most of the best sites offer a generous welcome bonus, so make sure you claim it. However, read the terms and conditions first so you know what to expect when it comes to withdrawals.
Step 5: Choose a Match to Bet On
Head over to the CS section of the site, and you’ll see all the upcoming games and matches. Pick the match you want to bet on.
Step 6: Pick Your Bet
Decide what type of bet you want to place and then enter the amount you want to wager.
Step 7: Place Your Bet
Then, make sure you double-check your bet slip and then click on Place Bet. Once it’s all been confirmed, you’re all set to bet!
The Best CS2 Betting Bonuses and Promotions
The great thing about the top CS betting sites is that you can take advantage of some seriously great bonuses and promotions when placing bets. Here are some of the best to look out for:
Welcome Bonuses
The welcome bonus is one of the most popular types of bonuses out there – and usually the most generous. These are basically designed to attract new players – and they either usually match your first deposit or give you a certain amount of free credit you can use on the site… so you can start your journey with an even bigger betting budget.
For example, the site might offer a 100% deposit match up to £100 – so if you deposit £50, you’ll be given an extra £50 to bet with, giving you £100 to get you started. However, welcome bonuses usually come with wagering requirements, so you need to make sure you fulfil these before trying to withdraw any winnings you get.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no-deposit bonus basically gives you money to bet on Counter-Strike… without you needing to deposit any of your own money at all. It’s a great way to try out a betting site without risking any of your own funds. It’s not as common as a standard welcome bonus, but it’s a hugely popular type of offer when you do find it.
Usually the no-deposit offer is a relatively small amount – like $10 that you’ll get just for opening a new account, and you can use it to place whatever CS2 bets you want. That being said, no-deposit bonuses often come with stricter withdrawal conditions than standard bonuses – such as higher wagering requirements or limits on maximum winnings.
Free Bets
Free bets are another hugely popular promotion that is available for both new and existing players when they make a certain deposit amount or meet the set conditions. These let you place a bet without spending your own money, although usually, you’ll only be able to withdraw your winnings, not your initial free bet stake.
A betting site gives you a $20 free bet for depositing $50 and placing your first bet – and you can use it on CS matches (normally with minimum odds of 1.5 or 2.0), and if it wins, you’ll only get the profit, not the £20 free bet stake. So, if you place your $20 free bet on odds of 2.0, you’ll get $20 ($40 – the original $20 stake).
These promo codes usually come with various restrictions, such as minimum odds or limited bet types, so make sure you check the terms before trying to use them.
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is a promo specifically for existing users when they add more money to their account. This usually works in a similar way to a welcome bonus but is aimed at loyal players who make more deposits into their account… and they usually come as either a deposit match or free bet.
They are usually a little smaller than a welcome bonus – and could be, for example, a 50% reload bonus up to $100. So, if you deposit $50, you’ll get an extra $25 in bonus money. They may generally have lower match percentages than welcome bonuses – but they can still give you seriously great value.
Enhanced/ Boosted Odds
Enhanced (or boosted) odds increase the potential payout for a specific bet. They’re normally used for popular matches – and are designed to give you better value for your money. So, a betting site might give you boosted odds – boosting the odds of Team A winning from 2.00 to 2.50. So, instead of getting $20 from your $10 bet, you’d get $25.
Cashback Offers
Cashback promotions are great if you’re going through a bit of a losing streak – and you’ll get a portion of your losses back as bonus money. For example, they could offer 10% cashback on your net losses in the first week after you sign up. So, if you lose $100, you’ll get$10 back as bonus money.
Loyalty Programs and VIP Rewards
Lots of betting sites also have loyalty programs or VIP rewards to keep players coming back for more. The more bets you place, the more points you earn – that can be redeemed for free bets, bonus money, or even real prizes. So, for example, you might earn 1 point for every $10 you bet – and when you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for one of the rewards on offer.
The Best Counter-Strike Tournaments to Bet On
One of the reasons Counter-Strike 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive betting is such a big deal is because there are so many tournaments and events that you can bet on throughout the year… all of which have fantastic betting opportunities. These are some of the best to look out for:
ESL Pro League
The ESL Pro League is considered to be one of the most prestigious leagues in the whole Counter-Strike world, bringing together the very best teams from all over the world to fight it out for dominance in a multi-week event. The ESL Pro League is great for bettors because of the caliber of the competition – and the fact that there are all different betting markets available, such as map winner, total rounds, and lots of different player-specific bets.
Because of how long the tournament is – and the depth of the matchups, it’s a great option for both long-term bets and in-play betting during matches – making it ideal for all types of punters.
Intel Extreme Masters (IEM)
The Intel Extreme Masters is another top-level series of international tournaments that is organized by ESL. IEM comes with some of the biggest prize pools – and thus attracts the biggest teams in the world. Bettors also love the IEM thanks to its high stakes, fierce competition… and the fact that it normally acts as a precursor to the bigger tournaments – like the Majors.
IEM is great to bet on because it features some of the best teams in the world, so you have the opportunity to place bets on highly anticipated matches. You’ll also find a wide variety of betting markets available, so you have more chances of finding value bets, especially during the playoffs.
BLAST Premier
The BLAST Premier series comes with a highly innovative format – making it great for bettors. BLAST tournaments usually have the top 12 or 16 teams in the world, who all compete in a mix of group stages and knockout brackets. Because it’s such a fast-paced tournament, it’s perfect if you like high-energy matches and short-term betting options.
Because there are fewer teams and shorter tournaments, it offers a much more focused betting experience. Because the competition is so tight – and there’s such a quick turnover of matches, it’s great for live betting.
PGL Major Championships
The PGL Majors are the absolute pinnacle of Counter-Strike and are held twice a year. These tournaments come with the biggest prize pools, get the biggest audiences – and usually have the fiercest competition. As such, winning a Major is considered the highest honor for any CS team, making them the most highly anticipated events for players, fans… and bettors.
Because the Majors attract the best teams from all over the world, you can expect some seriously thrilling matchups and some of the highest-stakes betting opportunities.
DreamHack Masters
This is a series of international Counter-Strike tournaments that are organized by DreamHack – and is a mix of the more established teams and the up-and-coming stars. DreamHack events attract competitors from all over the world and give the lesser-known teams a chance to make a name for themselves.
Because there is such a diverse pool of teams – there’s the chance of serious upsets, which can lead to seriously high-value bets. It’s also a great tournament if you like betting on underdogs and trying your hand at props and player bets.
EPICENTER
Finally, we have EPICENTER, which is a top CS tournament that is held in Russia and attracts the highest level of teams from around the world – attracting lots of attention from fans and bettors alike.
Like other high-profile tournaments, EPICENTER comes with lots of different betting markets and, as such, it’s a great tournament if you love the thrills of live betting opportunities as the matches can be very unpredictable.
Conclusion
So, that’s all you need to know about where to bet on CS – and how to get started. Just pick your favorite site, claim your bonus, choose your match – and your bet… and see if you have what it takes to be a Counter-Strike betting winner!
FAQs
Is betting on CS matches legal?
Yes, betting on Counter-Strike matches is legal in most countries as long as you use a licensed and regulated betting site such as those we recommend. However, because the legality varies by jurisdiction, you need to check your local laws first.
What types of bets can I place on CS matches?
Some of the most common CS bets include match-winner, map-winner, outright tournament winner, handicap betting, total rounds and first kill – but there are plenty more to choose from.
Are there bonuses specifically for Counter-Strike betting?
There are some sports betting sites that offer bonuses specific to eSports games that you can use for CS betting, so make sure you check the promo page to see what’s on offer.
Can I use cryptocurrency to bet on CS matches?
Yes, lots of the most modern CS2 betting sites have started to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum – which means you can bet quickly, securely – and anonymously.
How do I give myself a better chance of winning a CS bet?
Just as with traditional sports betting, it’s all about research and homework. Make sure you stay updated on how the teams are performing, the form of the players, and any recent changes to the game’s meta. It’s also good to watch matches live and analyze in-game events so you can give yourself the edge when making live bets.