FIFA is the world governing body of football, but it also happens to be the name of one of the most successful video game series of all time, or it was. FIFA, as it goes, is now known officially as EA FC, but to everyone, it’s still FIFA. And when playing online became a thing, largely thanks to the legendary FIFA Ultimate Team mode, FIFA eSports was born.
In FUT, by far and away the most popular mode in FIFA, players could construct their own teams and then either compete against the computer or, the AI, or each other. So, in effect, what was happening was virtual football matches were taking place, one player against the other, very much akin to real football, so there was a thirst for more. Players wanted to compete officially in FIFA tournaments, and this is where FIFA eSports was born.
What Is FIFA eSports?
FIFA eSports is another name for competitive FIFA. It’s where FIFA players build their teams in FIFA Ultimate Team and then compete in online and real-life tournaments, such as the FIFA eWorld Cup. Competitive gaming shot to prominence when FUT combined with live streaming on platforms such as Twitch and uploading content on YouTube.
How Did FIFA eSports Betting Start?
When FIFA eSports took off and became an official product and brand in many ways, events and tournaments that took place, the more prestigious ones, began being broadcast online on Twitch and other platforms. Because of the vast FIFA community and interest, it led to people wanting to place bets on the outcome of matches and competitions, and this is where FIFA betting was born.
Unlike many other sports covered by online gambling, FIFA betting and eSports betting were brand new. So, as you can imagine, eSports odds weren’t readily available. Therefore, eSports bookmakers capitalised on the situation before more mainstream operators got involved as FIFA eSports gathered traction.
Is FIFA Betting Legal?
One of the immediate questions many asked was whether FIFA betting was legal. And, of course, the legality of FIFA betting depends on the jurisdiction it’s taking place in. Because FIFA betting is effectively a form of virtual football betting, like many other sports and virtual sports, if online sports betting is legal, FIFA eSports betting will be, too. But it’s always worth checking the local laws before proceeding to place wagers online.
FIFA Betting Markets
As with all sports betting online, there are different markets where FIFA betting is concerned, and they’re very similar to what you expect to see in real-life football betting markets.
- Match Winner – The most straightforward way to bet to bet on FIFA eSports. Punters place bets on the player who they think will come out on top in the match.
- Tournament Winner – Most FIFA betting takes place around tournaments, so the outright tournament winner market is popular. This is where bettors wager on who will triumph in the competition.
- Match Goals – The one thing you usually get in FIFA eSports matches is goals, and plenty of them. Therefore, placing bets on how many goals will be scored in a game is hugely popular.
In-Play FIFA Betting
Again, like real-life football, in-play FIFA betting is a popular eSports market. In-game betting allows punters to watch the action live or follow it in some way, shape or form and place bets based on what they’re seeing. It’s proven to be incredibly popular with real football because wagers are struck based on how things are perceived to be going rather than before the referee has blown the first whistle and a ball has been kicked.
FIFA eSports Competitions
There are a couple of FIFA eSports competitions that are ahead of the pack in terms of how prestigious they are – the Global Series and the FIFA eWorld Cup. Any FIFA player who manages to win or even perform well in the Global Series or eWorld Cup will be highly regarded as the best around. And, as you will expect, the Global Series and eWorld Cup are the two tournaments that are the most popular when it comes to FIFA betting, with more markets available for both competitions, too.
But the Global Series and eWorld Cup aren’t the only events in the FIFA eSports world that can be wagered on. With the latest edition of FIFA, now called EA FC, available to buy, Twitch Rivals EA Sports FC 24 Launch Showdown has already taken place, with the Global Series, eWorld Cup, Nations Cup, Club World Cup and more set to follow in the coming months.
How To Bet On FIFA
To bet on FIFA, the first thing to do is check which competitions and tournaments are coming up. The bigger and more prestigious and prominent they are, the more likely they are to be available to bet on. From there, checking whether online gambling is legal in your country before searching for a licensed and reputable sports betting operator is essential. A mainstream bookmaker is the way to go, as many people trust them for all the right reasons. They will also regularly offer bonuses and promotions.
When you’ve found a trusted and reputable online sports betting operator that offers markets for FIFA eSports betting, the next step is to explore what’s available before being ready to place a wager. To place a bet, select the option you want to wager on, enter the stake and then click to confirm.
FIFA Betting Odds
For those new to online gambling, there are several ways that the odds for FIFA betting can be presented. And there’s usually the option to switch to the preferred odds display.
Fractional – Fractional odds remain incredibly popular worldwide, especially in the UK. With fractional odds, a player or team competing in FIFA eSports could be 2/1 to win, which means if £10.00 was wagered, the profit would be £20.00, plus the £10.00 stake back.
Decimal – Decimal odds are also very popular and easier to understand for some bettors. Again, using a £10.00 stake as an example, if the odds were 5.0 and the bet won, the profit would be £40.00, and the stake would be returned on top of that. Bets at odds of less than 2.0 mean the potential return would be less than the stake.
American – These odds work in a similar way to an index. They are used rarely, especially where FIFA betting is concerned. Everything is dependent on the odds being above or below zero. For example, £1 on +3000 odds will return £30.00. But a £1 bet at odds of -300 will return £1.33.
What Does The Future Hold For FIFA Betting?
FIFA betting has become more popular each year as the FIFA series continues to grow as an eSport. However, seeing how things change as the series enters a new era under the EA FC banner will be interesting. It’s a chance for EA Sports to develop and progress the game in their own eye without being tied to FIFA and working within limits set out in their former agreement. So, there’s an expectation that FIFA eSports will become even bigger and better, and FIFA betting will, by default.
FIFA eSports has always relied on streaming capabilities and broadcasters willing to pick up events and tournaments. And, because the former continues to improve, and the latter are getting more involved, it means the platform for FIFA eSports is bigger than ever. There may even come a point where, as seen with other sports, FIFA competitions, such as the Global Series, are broadcast live by sports betting operators, which would also help FIFA betting grow significantly. Operators may also get involved with sponsoring events, the players competing, or their teams, as seen in real-life football for many years.
FAQs
What types of bets can I place on FIFA eSports?
You can place a range of bets on FIFA eSports. They include match betting, tournament betting, outright bets, handicap bets, goals bets and more.
Is FIFA betting legal?
The legality of FIFA betting will depend on the country you’re trying to bet from. If online sports betting is legal, FIFA betting will also be permitted.
How do odds work in FIFA betting?
Odds are presented in various ways where FIFA betting is concerned – fractional, decimal and American are the most popular. Online sports books will allow users to choose the odds display they prefer.
How do I ensure I’m using a reputable FIFA betting site?
It’s always best to use mainstream and recognisable platforms when placing bets on FIFA. Many have markets for tournaments such as the FIFA eWorld Cup. A respected site with a license will usually be reputable, whereas a service that lacks these things is not.
Can I bet in-play and in-game?
Betting in-play on FIFA is often called betting in-game, and it’s possible with most sports betting operators with markets available. It’s currently one of the most popular ways to bet on FIFA eSports, which is also the case with real-life football.
