ESI Gambling Report: Outright markets limited on League Worlds

13 October 2017

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Whilst it’s undeniable that the depth and availability of markets in esports has grown exponentially over the last six to twelve months, there’s still aspects that haven’t quite grown to match that of the traditional sports offering. Namely, in the outright market during major tournaments.

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At the moment the League of Legends World Championship is well underway, with the second week of the group stages currently taking place. With day two finished, there’s a lull in the action until early tomorrow morning where action will resume. For many, League of Legends World Championships is the biggest esports tournament (by viewership) and many bookmakers will suggest League remains the most punted on esport, and thus one would assume that the markets on offer would be the best available.

For the matches beginning tomorrow and Sunday, the offering is not disappointing. With markets we’ve become familiar with such as “Race to 10 kills”, “First Baron Slain” and “First Inhibitor Destroyed” still featuring prominently across a multitude of bookmakers there’s no shortage of markets for those who want to have a bet in advance.

The gripe here, and it may be petty, is the lack of operators offering a market on “outright winner” of the entire tournament. Every bookmaker will offer outright odds on the World Cup winner, or the Champions League winner throughout the season even as competition progresses and that’s arguably the way it should be.

Of a selection of the top esports bookmakers: Betway, Unikrn, Sky Bet, William Hill, Pinnacle, GG.Bet, Marathon Bet and Bet365, only Bet365 and Sky Bet have any outright markets up currently. 

There’s no shortage, either on Bet365, with “To Win Outright”, “Player of the Tournament”, “To Reach the Final”, “Region of Winner”, “Winner’s Group”, “Group Qualification” and “Group Betting” all still available for users looking to bet on anything outside of the match betting markets. 

Sky Bet on the other hand has a special price boost on RNG or SSG to win at 9/2, whilst still pricing the “Win Outright” market, too. 

Esports Insider says: Considering the complexity of some of the markets for match betting, it’s probably not too difficult for operators to keep the outright markets available for punters throughout a tournament. They’re rarely seen for several tournaments, but with League’s World Championship the most watched it’s one that many may expect to see it on. Again, it may be petty but it’s something that would help elevate the esports betting offering even higher. Credit to 365 and Sky Bet, though.