Dota 2 Betting Guide
Craig Jones 
Since its release in 2013, Dota 2 has been at the heart of the global esports boom, helping shape the competitive gaming scene into the billion-dollar industry it is today.
With a dedicated player base - often exceeding 400,000 active users each month—and some of the largest prize pools in esports history, Dota 2 remains the most lucrative title in the industry.
That status is only growing with the arrival of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set for July in Riyadh, where the world’s top teams will compete for a $3 million prize pool in the Dota 2 championship.
For betting sites and punters, this means a vast selection of Dota 2 betting markets, from outright winners and map handicaps to First Blood and total kills - making it a standout betting opportunity in the esports calendar.
What is Dota 2?
The Dota (Defense of the Ancients) series originated in 2003 as a fan-made mod for Warcraft III, laying the foundation for the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) genre.
Developed and published by Valve, known for iconic titles like Half-Life and Counter-Strike, Dota has become the studio’s most successful and enduring franchise.
The full-fledged sequel, Dota 2, launched in 2013 and has since grown into one of the most prestigious competitive esports in the world.
Global tournaments are held year-round, culminating in the crown jewel of the circuit: The International. Organised by Valve, The International boasts record-breaking, crowdfunded prize pools - with the 2019 edition reaching $34 million and winners OG (backed by Red Bull) claiming over $15 million.
Beyond The International, high-stakes tournaments such as ESL One, DreamLeague, and the new Esports World Cup take place in cities like Riyadh, Berlin, and Birmingham, offering substantial prize pools and elite-level competition.
Dozens of online competitions with prizes up to $45,000 are also run monthly, attracting rising talent and generating strong betting interest.
As Dota 2 esports continues to thrive, major sportsbooks - including bet365, Paddy Power, and Betway - have expanded their esports betting markets, offering odds on everything from major LAN events to online qualifiers.
With the scene growing year after year, Dota 2 betting is now a dynamic and exciting part of the broader betting landscape.
How is Dota 2 Played?
Dota 2 is a strategic, team-based game in which two opposing sides of five players each battle to defend their base, called the Ancient, while attempting to destroy their opponent’s - the game’s title derives from this core objective.
Each player selects one of the game’s 119 unique heroes, each offering different abilities, roles, and playstyles.
Throughout a match, players level up by collecting XP (experience points) and acquiring items like weapons and armour to strengthen their hero, outplay enemy players, and ultimately push toward destroying the enemy Ancient.
While heroes can be killed, they will respawn after a set time, meaning players are never out of the action for long.
There is no official time limit, though matches typically last around 30–45 minutes at a high level.
The entire map is shrouded in Fog of War, limiting visibility unless enemy players are within sight range.
Matches are typically played in a best-of-three format, with major finals often extending to a best-of-five format.
Dota 2 Betting Markets & Bet Types
Here are some betting markets on which betting sites offer Dota 2 odds.
Match Winner
The most straightforward of esports bets is where you bet on which team you think will win a match, whether part of a tournament or a one-off. Don’t forget the game will be best of 3 or 5 - if you want to bet on which team will win an individual battle, you should look at Map Betting.
Map Betting
Bet on the team you think will win the first, second or third match and cross your fingers. For example, betting on a team to win map one signifies that you think they’ll win the first battle.
Total Maps
In this esports betting market, you place your money on a prediction of the number of maps (battles) a match will feature. If it’s a best-of-three match, the options will be “Over/Under 2.5”, so you’d bet on “Over 2.5” if you think the teams are evenly matched and are likely to need three maps to decide a winner.
First Blood
Betting on which team will score the first kill (First Blood) in a match. This market is often combined with others, such as Team X, to get First Blood and win the map, offering greater odds and added excitement.
Outright Winner
Bet on the team you think will win an entire Dota 2 esports tournament.
The Esports World Cup 2025 - Dota 2
The EWC 2025 is set to be a landmark event in the Dota 2 calendar, taking place from July 8th to July 19th, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This tournament, formerly known as the Riyadh Masters, now serves as the final championship of the ESL Pro Tour Season 3, featuring a $3 million prize pool and 16 of the world's top teams.
The tournament kicks off with a group stage from July 8th to 11th, followed by elimination rounds, culminating in the playoffs from July 16th to 19th.
This structure ensures high-stakes matches throughout the event.
Top-tier teams like Team Spirit, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Liquid are set to compete, promising thrilling matchups and potential upsets.
Leading sportsbooks offer a variety of betting markets for the EWC 2025, including match winners, map handicaps, and total kills.
As the tournament nears, keep an eye on shifting odds and emerging favourites.
Catch all the EWC 2025 action live on the official Esports World Cup Twitch channel and stay updated with match highlights on their YouTube page.
Where to Bet on Dota 2
As the world’s most lucrative Esport, Dota 2 betting odds are always readily available. Have a look at what some of the leading sportsbooks are offering.
Paddy Power
After making a big splash in the world of sports betting, Paddy Power have now dived headfirst into esports. Good news for you, as they offer a wide range of Dota 2 betting markets, including outright winner for online and location-based tournaments, as well as match winner and map betting, with a variety of handicap options.
GGBet
Specialising in esports, GGBet offers arguably the most expansive range of Dota 2 betting odds of any sports book. They extensively cover major and online tournaments such as ESL One Los Angeles 2020 and the Chinese Development League. All imaginable markets are provided for, and live streams are also available on their website.
EGB
EGB, as you might’ve already guessed, stands for E-Gaming Bets, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. They offer all the usual markets, as well as individual player options, such as total kills and total assists. Punters can also follow the action on their website, which features live stream links and a chat box for interaction with other fans.
Tips & Strategies For Betting on Dota 2
If you’ve made it this far, you will have realised just how popular Dota 2 is, and I’m sure you’ll agree there’s big money to be won, even without learning how to play the game.
You now know all about events and where to find the best Dota 2 odds, but before you get started, here are some tips on how to get the most out of Dota 2 betting.
Research Players
Firstly, as with all esports betting, it’s essential to do extensive research before betting on any Dota esports event.
The internet, and more importantly, social media, allow us to familiarise ourselves with people without ever meeting them in real life - use this to your advantage by looking up players before backing them.
Some important information to look up about a player would be previous tournament experience and form.
Rookie Stage Fright
As you now know, major Dota 2 tournaments are no joke - high stakes and global audiences equal increased pressure. So, a talented rookie player may struggle to perform in this new environment. Therefore, before betting on a player, ensure you are confident that they can perform on a global stage.
Focus on Big Sponsors
Another vital piece of information you need to find out before betting on an esports tournament winner is the team they represent.
Nowadays, the best teams are backed by prominent international companies whose sponsorship enables them to invest heavily in coaching, therapy, and injury prevention (yes, injuries do happen!).
With this in mind, remember that more famous sponsors generally work with the best teams, which makes them a safer bet.
Start Small
Finally, don't be afraid to start with small stakes.
Big tournaments can mean big returns, but try watching and betting on smaller-scale matches and tournaments first before moving on to major global tournaments.
This will allow you to familiarise yourself with players' and teams' strengths and weaknesses, helping you make more informed, sensible bets.
Where to Watch Dota 2
Due to the inescapable fame of Dota 2, you can find live streams of matches on a wide range of platforms. The most popular of these is Twitch, where you can watch matches of all levels, from the biggest tournaments, to one-off online matches. Many esports production companies also stream tournament matches on their Facebook pages and websites. Check out ESL One’s page for live Dota 2 match streams and full match replays.
Latest Betting Offers
Check the latest free bets and betting offers from the best betting sites in the UK at Freebets.com.
