Fantasy Esports
Fantasy esports is different from traditional esports betting and it’s legal in many states where regular sports betting is not.
The fantasy concept originated in late 2008 in the United States of America, but it wasn’t until several years later that the formula has been reinvented with gaming in mind.
Now, fantasy esports is one of the fastest-growing fantasy game categories, and platforms like DraftKings are renowned for delivering the raw excitement of fantasy League of Legends to gamers and esports enthusiasts.
One of the strongest arguments for playing fantasy esports is the playing field. Unlike traditional esports betting, fantasy esports doesn’t force you to fight an uphill battle against the bookmaker. Instead, you compete with other players by purchasing tickets for tournament-like matches (aka fantasy contests). This makes it much easier to develop a successful strategy, as the platform you’re playing on doesn’t have a vested interest in the outcome of fantasy contests.
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The fantasy concept also deserves a mention. The regular esports betting formula is quite straightforward, and unless you want to explore some unconventional markets, the experience of repeatedly gambling on one team winning against another can get a bit stale. DraftKings is a great choice for those who want to try something different and go beyond traditional sports betting. For many years, DraftKings offered fantasy esports on League of Legends only, but their current lineup now also includes CSGO fantasy and Rocket League fantasy.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is one of the most popular first-person shooter games, and by far the most played online at a competitive level. Fantasy CSGO gives players the chance to assemble the best fantasy team and compete with others in exciting tournaments. The same goes for fantasy Rocket League and recently, eNASCAR racing, so those who sign up for an account with DraftKings will be able to enjoy the full esports fantasy package.
In Fantasy Esports, you put your money on players.
The way it works is that you get a fictional budget to draft your own team of players for one (or several) upcoming esports matches. Once a match starts, you’ll get points based on how well your players perform in the game, and the gamblers with the most points at the end of the contest will receive their payouts.
The premise sounds simple on paper, but there’s a lot of depth behind it. And whether it’s analyzing statistics, breaking down team matchups, or identifying underappreciated players, there are many things you can do to build a strong fantasy team. This makes skill expression a central theme in esports fantasy betting, and an ill-prepared gambler will have a very difficult time defeating someone that knows what they’re doing. Moreover, many contests come with high payouts, as all the ticket buy-ins go towards the prize pool, so there’s an ample reward for mastering the fantasy trade.
That’s not to say daily fantasy esports isn’t kind to newcomers.
On the contrary, most fantasy platforms make a conscious effort to provide rookies with free and beginner-level contests, where newcomers can get a feel for the concept, compete against their friends, or hone their skills before jumping into real-money matches. Another thing to note is that you don’t have to compete in do-or-die contests. Many fantasy tournaments, such as Fantasy LCS reward the top 10% or even the top 50% of gamblers, which presents a stark contrast to regular esports betting where you either win or lose based on the outcome of the game.
Perhaps the best case for fantasy esports is that it’s a universe of its own. There are dozens of contest types, player combinations, and drafting philosophies for you to explore. And it’s this limitless depth that makes fantasy betting such an immersive experience.