- An overview of esports, simulations, and virtual sport betting options
- Common types of esports wagering for various games.
- Frequently asked questions regarding betting on esports odds.
The eSports industry is now a bona fide global phenomenon, and just as with legal online sports betting, you can wager on these contests and try to win money on the outcomes of popular games and matches. Some economic and gambling industry experts predict around PHP 9.63 trillion (USD 200 billion) will bet globally on eSports annually by 2025.
While Philippine legal online eSports betting only commands a small percentage of that action, the revenue is clearly there for the island nation, as eSports betting is hugely popular among Filipino punters. If you live in the Philippines and want to bet on eSports, MegaSportsWorld has surprisingly not yet embraced the market. Thus, your best bet will be to use legal sports betting sites operating offshore, all of which have huge slates of eSports odds available year-round on events both big and small.
Best eSports Betting Sites for Residents of the Philippines
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Payout Speed | Age | PH | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 50% Max $250 | 24-48 Hours | 18+ | Play Now Review | |
 | 50% Max $250 | 48 Hours | 18+ | Play now Review |
Is online eSports betting legal in the Philippines?
Residents of the Philippines who are at least 18 years of age can legally bet real money on eSports at licensed offshore sports betting sites, as domestic online betting is not widely available. Below are the best and most trusted eSports betting websites offering not only eSports odds in the Philippines but lines on teams and players from around the world. Odds are regularly posted for all major and minor eSports leagues, events, and tournaments, and the games featured include Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and many others.
Legal Betting on eSports at MegaSportsWorld
MegaSportsWorld (MSW) is the Philippines domestic sportsbook that the country offers its residents. While MSW does allow betting options on Philippine sporting events, the sportsbook does not currently cover eSports odds. MSW only currently offers betting lines on traditional sports and doesn’t have much – if any – e-Sports action yet, but we will be sure to update this page the moment MSW posts comprehensive lines on international eSports leagues and tournaments.
That said, all of the online betting sites listed above do offer odds for eSports betting as well as far more options when it comes to traditional sports gambling. Again, these sites are fully legal and safe for Filipino punters of all stripes, regardless of the market you’re betting on. The only thing they don’t offer is online sabong betting, which is currently being debated by the Philippines Congress for potential local legalization.
The Nationals and Road to the Nationals
In 2019, the Philippines began their inaugural season of the nation’s first ever home-grown eSports league called The Nationals, with professional teams and gamers competing to make the cut. The video games chosen for the Road to the Nationals tournament were as follows:
- PC: Dota 2
- Mobile: Mobile Legends
- Console: Tekken 7
Teams and gamers from around the Philippines competed from August to October 2018 in the Road to the Nationals, and this produced the slate of teams and rosters that now comprise The Nationals league.
Of course, more than just the above titles are represented in the proper eight-team league, and the nation’s players are quickly making their mark in the Southeast Asian eSports scene. While China and South Korea remain the heaviest hitters, Filipino pro gamers are quickly coming into their own.
Philippine Gamers and Fans Betting on International eSports
When it comes to gamers and fans from the Philippines betting on eSports leagues and tournaments taking place around the world, the online sportsbooks mentioned above have numerous options. Here are the eSports that consistently have betting lines available at the most trusted Philippines legal online sportsbooks:
- Dota 2
- League of Legends (LoL)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
- Overwatch
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Hearthstone
- Rocket League
- Heroes of the Storm
- StarCraft
- +More!
The Differences Between eSports, Video Game Sports Sims, and Virtual Sports
Betting on simulated sports play in the Philippines has become so popular that sportsbooks are struggling to meet demand and often do not provide guidance regarding the differences between each option. Though eSports, video game simulations (sims), and virtual sports share many of the same aspects, they are separated by a few crucial details, which we discuss below.
Video Game Sports Sims
Just like eSports, video game sports simulators use popular the software from major video game franchises, and bettors can wager on the results of each matchup. The most significant difference between eSports and sports sims is that sims feature no human players involved to control the action. The players and teams that are featured represent the real-world stats and historical performances of real players and real leagues, with odds based on this data.
Simulated sports games are shown through to their completion via online livestreams, and even things like weather conditions are chosen by sportsbooks prior to the games that can affect their outcomes. Because such matchups are played out in real time, bettors can place live wagers on the games in question. Sports video game simulators are based on sports-themed games and do not include the non-sports titles that dominate the eSports market.
Virtual Sports
Just like sports sims, virtual sports feature no human component, with random numeric data (i.e. custom RNG software) generating the outcomes. The contest highlights are shown via the sportsbook sites in question, with teams and players being entirely fictitious and non-representative of real-world athletes or organizations. The virtual games on which you can bet include but are not limited to basketball, soccer, football, baseball, hockey, and varieties of racing (auto, motocross, horse, camel, etc.).
As stated, team sports are shown in abbreviated highlight form, while races are shown in their simulated entirety. Odds are offered that resemble the betting lines you’d see when wagering on the real-world sports in question, but placing informed wagers is more challenging because there isn’t much historical background to refer to (outside of the current “season” record for each team or racer). Games are contested every few minutes, offering maximum betting opportunities.
Philippines eSports Betting FAQs
Which esports games can I bet on from the Philippines?
Popular esports titles include Dota 2, League of Legends, CS:GO, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Mobile Legends, all available on major offshore sportsbooks.
Where can I bet on esports online in the Philippines?
Offshore sportsbooks such as BetOnline, MyBookie, and SportsBettingAG offer secure platforms that accept Filipino players and provide extensive esports betting markets.
Can I bet on esports using my mobile phone in the Philippines?
Yes, most offshore sportsbooks offer mobile-optimized websites or apps that allow Filipinos to place esports bets from smartphones or tablets.
What types of bets are available for esports matches?
Common esports bets include match winner, map winner, total maps played, first kill, and tournament futures.
Are there bonuses for betting on esports online?
Many offshore sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and free bets that can be used on esports events.
What is the legal age to bet on esports in the Philippines?
Offshore sportsbooks typically accept Filipino players aged 18 and above, while domestic sportsbooks require bettors to be at least 21 years old.
Can I bet on international esports tournaments like The International or Worlds?
Yes, offshore sportsbooks provide betting lines for major global tournaments including The International (Dota 2), League of Legends Worlds, and CS:GO Majors.
Do offshore sportsbooks offer live betting for esports matches?
Yes, live betting is available for many esports events, allowing users to place wagers in real time as the match unfolds.
Are Filipino esports teams featured in online betting markets?
Yes, top Filipino teams in games like Mobile Legends and Valorant are often included in betting markets during regional and international tournaments.
How do I make a deposit to bet on eSports?
After you’ve chosen a reputable Philippines online sportsbook, you will be given a list of deposit options during signup. The methods of deposit available to you include credit cards, debit cards, wire transfers, money orders, and Bitcoin (BTC) or other cryptocurrencies. We recommend BTC/crypto, as these payments have no added transfer fees, are instantaneous, come with the best eSports betting bonuses, and are the only banking options that offer same-day payouts.