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DATA.BET: why live betting dominates esports

By jili tutorial · September 2, 2026

Live Betting Dominates Esports World Cup 2026

According to DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solutions provider, the Esports World Cup 2026 placed live betting firmly in the spotlight. Held from July 6 to August 23, 2026, the event drew over 850 million viewers and featured support from more than 5,000 streamers, per official figures. Unsurprisingly, this massive audience translated into significant betting activity.

Esports betting is a massive global industry, and DATA.BET reports that live bets are by far the most popular during major events like the Esports World Cup. Their data shows that 29.1% of all bets were placed pre-match, while a striking 70.9% were placed live. Dota 2 saw the highest proportion of live betting at 87.7%, whereas Counter-Strike 2 had the highest pre-match rate at 29.1%.

Why Live Bets Prevail in Esports

DATA.BET attributes this trend to the fact that esports matches involve far more in-play variables than traditional sports, which drives live betting. Games like Dota 2 and League of Legends are especially dynamic, with hero drafts and discipline choices reshaping the match before it begins. Bettors often wait for this crucial information before placing their wagers.

Bogdan Holovnov, Head of Esports at DATA.BET, commented: “The Esports World Cup is not the first event to bring multiple disciplines together, but it is certainly the most ambitious, featuring the largest number of titles to date. We acknowledge that some of these games are not yet as popular among bettors as others.”

Top Titles by Betting Turnover

DATA.BET has long specialized in esports trading, but in recent years has expanded into traditional sports, applying its expertise in live and fast-paced wagering. During the Esports World Cup, the company covered 24 titles. Notably, 93% of total turnover came from just four games: Counter-Strike 2 led with 41%, followed by Dota 2 (31.8%), VALORANT (11.7%), and League of Legends (8.5%). However, League of Legends matches attracted the highest average stakes, ahead of VALORANT, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike. Significant turnover also came from Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty, and Rocket League.

Holovnov added: “As a leading force in esports, we are always evolving, seeking new opportunities, and aiming to pioneer new areas of the industry. For us, this is another challenge we’ve set ourselves, and another proof that when it comes to esports, there is virtually no limit to what we can achieve.”