Dota 2 esports betting guide

Dota 2 Betting Guide

Dota 2 betting can be done at most esports betting sites, with this Valve Corporation online battle arena game one of the most popular competitive esports. Dota 2 betting is available on most of the professional competitions and one-off events, with both head to head betting on individual matches and outright tournament winner some of the most popular bet types. The top Dota 2 betting sites will have some lucrative sign up bonuses and promotions for new customers. Our Dota 2 betting guide will teach you about where to bet, the bet types available and of-course give you some pointers about Dota 2 betting strategy.

Our top Dota 2 betting sites are:

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Top Dota 2 betting sites

Dota II

Dota 2 betting can be done at pretty much every online bookmaker we promote on EsportBet.com, with this esport being one of the major games operating in 2025. You will however find that when the bigger Dota 2 betting events — like The International — roll around there will be more odds and markets on offer.

Not every Dota 2 betting site we promote on this website will cover every Dota 2 event, so we recommend if you are looking for odds on a specific tournament or league and you can’t find them on one site, check out another. As a general rule when betting on Dota 2, the best option is to bet with a dedicated esports site like ArcaneBet or GG.Bet, but rest assured the big guns like Bet365 know the importance of catering to the esports crowd and generally have extensive betting markets on Dota 2.

Dota 2 betting sites will have easy deposit methods for most people around the world, with Paypal, credit and debit cards, web wallets and payment processors some of the common ways people fund their accounts. As a general rule if you are betting with a Dota 2 betting site that we advertise you will also find they have extensive customer support, so if you have any trouble you will be able to reach out and find a solution.

Dota 2 betting promotions

Dota 2 is one of the most popular esports with punters right around the world, which means often betting sites will run promotions surrounding the major events. This can be a great way to boost your chances of winning when betting on Dota 2 events.

Couple that with gaining insight from our expert esports predictions articles, and you are well on your way to winning while betting on Dota 2.

Dota 2 esports betting news

Dota 2 bet types

Dota 2 bet types are many at esports betting sites, but they will vary depending on how popular an event is with punters. For instance you will find a lot more odds for The International than a qualifier in Belgium. Basically the bigger the event the more odds you will find for it.

  • Head to head winer: This Dota 2 betting market simply means you bet on the winner of the game outright.
  • Match Lines: A Dota 2 Handicap betting market, where a team might be +1.5 maps and the other -1.5 maps.
  • Map Winner: A price on who might win each individual Dota 2 map, for example map 1, map 2, map 3.
  • Correct map score: Pick how a Dota 2 esports match will finish, by picking the correct map score. This can be a lucrative way to bet on Dota 2, but it carries more risk than other bet types.
  • To win at least 1 map: Often a team will be expected to win heavily in Dota 2 and you can find some nice odds on teams to snatch an upset win on one map.
  • Race to Kills: Usually this Dota 2 bet type will be based on one map. For instance it might be Team A v Team B and there might be a price for every 5 kills.

Major Dota 2 events in 2025

Dota 2 is still one of the biggest esports on the planet in 2025 and there are some great events to look forward to, including many that are part of the Dota Pro Circuit. We examine some of the key Dota 2 betting events happening this year.

DateTournamentLocationPrize Money $USD
January 24-February 2FISSURE PLAYGROUND #1Belgrade, Serbia$1,000,000
February 4-9BLAST Slam IICopenhagen, Denmark$1,000,000
February 15-March 2DreamHack DreamLeague Season 25Europe (Online)$1,000,000
March 8-16PGL Wallachia Season 3Bucharest, Romania$1,000,000
April 7-13ESL One RaleighRaleigh, USA$1,000,000
April 19-27PGL Wallachia Season 4Bucharest, Romania$1,000,000
May 19-11BLAST Slam IIICopenhagen, Denmark$1,000,000
May 19-June 1DreamHack DreamLeague Season 26Europe (Online)$1,000,000
JulyRiyadh Masters 2024Riyadh$5,000,000
September 4-14The International 2024Hamburg, Germany$2,500,000+
October 13-19DreamHack DreamLeague Season 27Europe (Online)$1,000,000
November 3-9BLAST Slam IVCopenhagen, Denmark$1,000,000
November 15-23PGL Wallachia Season 5Bucharest, Romania$1,000,000
November 24-30BLAST Slam VCopenhagen, Denmark$1,000,000

Dota 2 overview and origins

Dota 2 is a long-standing competitive multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Valve Corporation. Originally a fan-made mod for Warcraft III, it evolved into one of the most influential titles in esports history—cemented by its flagship tournament, The International, which remains a key fixture in the global betting calendar.

With over 125 unique heroes, a deep and ever-changing meta, and a passionate global community, Dota 2 offers one of the most complex and rewarding esports experiences, both for players and punters.

While the game’s strategic depth can make it intimidating to newcomers, understanding its basic gameplay structure, map objectives, and hero roles will help you follow the action—and even place more informed bets.

Dota II character
  • How a typical match is played
  • Key roles and objectives
  • The latest stats on player base and viewership
  • Tips for betting on Dota 2 matches
  • The best esports bookmakers for your region

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the world of MOBAs, this is your launchpad for betting smarter on Dota 2 in 2025.

No website will offer you more day-to-day Dota 2 coverage and betting tips than Esportbet.com – check out our predictions page for daily predictions.

How does Dota 2 work?

Dota 2 is a fast-paced multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game built around strategy, timing, and team coordination. Played in a 5v5 format, each player selects one of over 125 unique heroes, each with their own skills, strengths, and roles within the team.

Every match takes place on a three-lane map split into two sides: Radiant and Dire. Each team starts from their base, which contains the Ancient—the primary objective. The team that destroys the enemy’s Ancient wins the match.

Modern Dota 2 strategy revolves around hero drafting, map control, and item optimization. Heroes fall into flexible roles from Position 1 (hard carry) to Position 5 (hard support), and every hero is defined by three core attributes: Strength (health), Agility (armor and attack speed), and Intelligence (mana and spellcasting).

Players earn gold and experience by defeating enemy heroes, minions (called creeps), and jungle monsters. Neutral creeps now drop neutral items, which add another layer of tactical depth. The map has evolved significantly over recent years, introducing new objectives like Tormentors, Lotus Pools, and Gates that provide additional strategy around team movement and resource control.

With such complexity, Dota 2 remains one of the most skill-intensive and rewarding esports to follow, and that depth carries into its betting scene, where understanding team compositions, meta shifts, and drafting trends can give punters an edge.

How is a Dota 2 match won?

In Dota 2, the objective is simple: the first team to destroy the opponent’s Ancient wins. But behind that simplicity lies a deep, strategic battleground that punters should understand before placing a bet.

One of the biggest factors influencing a match is how well each team manages their hero progression. Some heroes—especially those in the Carry role—start off weak but become extremely powerful in the later stages. Teams that can protect and farm up their Carries are more likely to dominate the late game, while opponents will often try to pressure early and close the match before those power spikes hit.

Player skill and team synergy are also key. A team full of experienced players who understand hero matchups, positioning, and timing is far more reliable than one relying on high-risk plays or mismatched hero picks. This is where researching team rosters, recent form, and hero draft patterns can give savvy bettors an edge.

Finally, the best teams are those who strike the right balance between farming for gold and experience and making strategic moves around the map—like taking towers, securing Roshan, or defending their own base. Teams that overcommit to one strategy without adapting often get punished by more flexible opponents.

Understanding these dynamics can help punters read the flow of a game, identify momentum shifts, and spot value in live markets or map-specific bets.

Dota 2 remains one of the most iconic esports titles, and while it now competes in a more crowded market—including with its long-time rival League of Legends—it continues to attract loyal players, fans, and bettors alike.

Although League of Legends generally leads the way in monthly active users and global viewership, Dota 2 still commands respect for its high-stakes tournament scene, particularly The International (TI). However, prize pools have shifted in recent years. Valve moved away from the Battle Pass model in 2023, resulting in smaller prize pools—with TI12 offering just under US$3 million, a significant drop from its US$40 million peak in 2021.

Despite this, Dota 2’s competitive scene remains robust, with a packed global circuit, elite-level gameplay, and a highly engaged fanbase. For esports punters, it offers a range of betting opportunities—from outright winners and map bets to live in-game markets—driven by the game’s deep strategic layers and player performance trends.

Betting on Dota 2 esports

Dota 2 is one of the most popular esports globally, so you’re guaranteed to find betting markets on all major and regional events at the best esports betting sites.

The International is one of the most popular betting markets and was one of the first esports events fans could bet on when it first debuted back in 2011. Since then, markets have opened up on other Dota tournaments, so expect to be able to place a wager on DreamLeague, ESL One, PGL events, and many more competitions all-year round.

Due to the fast-paced nature of Dota 2’s gameplay loop and its intricate rules, strategies, tactics and possible team compositions, it’s highly recommended any Dota 2 fan serious about actually winning money on their bets should know the in’s and out’s of their favourite game in high-level play.

If you’re still a bit shaky or need to learn more about how to actually bet on an esports, we recommend reading our beginner’s guide to betting on esports to understand the different Dota betting markets and bet types so you can place a bet on your favourite Dota 2 team properly.

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