
Dota 2 may be over 10 years old, but the highly competitive MOBA has consistently been a top game in the esports industry. With a community of knowledgeable gamers who closely follow the teams and tournaments, Dota 2 is one of the most busy games in esports betting. Abios goes through the basics of the game, as well as tips and strategies on how to build a successful bet offering and odds around it.
What is Dota 2?
Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) with two teams fighting to be the first to destroy the other team’s large structure, the Ancient, while defending their own. There are 126 heroes to choose from in Dota 2, each with their own unique abilities, playstyles, and roles. Some S-tier meta heroes right now include Bloodseeker, Lich, Wraith King, and Lifestealer — but this could change based on balance changes and new content in upcoming seasons.
Dota 2 audience: die-hard fans and leisure dads
Dota 2 is a complicated game with many variables to consider, including current meta, team composition, and historical player performance. Bettors in Dota 2 tend to skew older than for other esports disciplines, with 49% being in the millennial age bracket*. These people tend to juggle full-time jobs and a family life, leaving less time for their hobbies. As such, it can be hard for this cohort to stay on top of the latest news and stats for the quickly-evolving game.
*according to Abios’ data from the Kambi network Q4 2024.
Dota 2 Widgets: at-a-glance statistics and visuals for engagement
For fans who don’t always have time to stay a jour on the latest statistics, sportsbooks can opt to provide pre-match stats next to their market selection. Making historical match results, KDA and potential rosters available at a glance can help players become more confident in their decision-making.

For in-game betting, widgets can be a great way to make the full Dota 2 experience come to life in a sportsbook. With stream links available, the sportsbook gets populated with a broadcast of a match as soon as it goes live. After that, bettors can follow vital in-game metrics, such as items bought, gold count and KDA live from the site.
These tools enrich the viewership experience and make it easier for fans to return to a game after talking to a family member or taking a call, meaning viewers don’t have to stay glued to the screen to keep up with what’s happening in a game.

Betting habits and popular bet offers in Dota 2
Certain bet offers and habits stick out for Dota 2. While overarching esports trends see bettors leaning toward player-related markets and a relatively even distribution of live and pre-game betting, 61% of turnover from Dota 2 comes from live bets*.
Popular markets in Dota 2 include:
- Match Winner – Betting on a team to win
- Map Handicap – Betting on a team to win the map but with the bookmaker evening out the odds for the participants
- Total Hero Kills – Total number of kills teams will reach in a match
With its complex gameplay and unique mechanics, operators can offer specific Dota 2 markets to create a more exciting betting experience. Player props have worked incredibly well for similar games such as League of Legends, making them a strong bet in Dota 2.
Other unique aspects of the game that operators should look to create markets for are the draft phase, First Blood (team to get the first kill), Total Towers (team to destroy most towers), and Roshan Kill (team to kill most Roshans).
*according to Abios’ data from the Kambi network Q4 2024.
The Dota 2 tournaments fans WILL watch
The biggest Dota 2 tournaments are held by a handful of tournament organisers each year, including BLAST, PGL and ESL. This includes these upcoming tournaments:
- BLAST Slam II – Feb 3-5, 2025, Copenhagen – $1M
- DreamLeague Season 23 – Feb 16 – Mar 2, 2025, Europe – $1M
- PGL Wallachia Season 3 – March 8-16, 2025, Bucharest – $1M
- ESL One Raleigh 2025 – April 7-13, 2025, Raleigh, NC – $1M
- PGL Wallachia Season 4 – April 19-27, 2025, Bucharest – $1M
- BLAST Slam III – May 5-11, 2025 – $1M
- DreamLeague Season 26 – May 12 – 25, 2025, Europe – $1M
The money is enticing in top Dota 2 tournaments, but the main draw is qualifying for The International. This is the largest event each year and is hosted by the game developer of Dota 2, Valve Corporation. It sees the best of the best teams compete in front of millions of fans worldwide.
The International 2025
Valve Corporation has just announced that The International 2025 will be played in Hamburg, Germany, from September 11 to 14. The 16 teams competing will be decided on a mix of open qualifiers, direct invitations, and regional qualifiers, earning them the chance to fight for the Aegis of Champions. Last year’s (2024) took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, and at its peak, it attracted approximately 1.52 million concurrent viewers.
Teams to watch in 2025
Going into 2025, some teams stand out in the competitive season based on their performance in the latter half of 2024. Bettors will be keeping an eye on these fan favourites:
- Team Liquid – This Netherlands-based team is ranked number one in Europe and third in the world. Their top position was solidified after they won The International 2024, beating Gaimin Gladiators in the Finals.
- Tundra Esports – Going into January 2025, this top European team is currently on a winning streak. They came in fourth at the Riyadh Masters last year, keeping other teams on their toes.
- PARAVISION – From Serbia, this CIS squad is still rounding out its team but has already started proving that they are a strong contender for upcoming Tier 1 tournaments. This includes a win at ESL One Bangkok 2024 and then 3-4th place at BLAST Slam I.
- Team Falcons – Team Falcons had an incredible run in 2024. They won first place at a handful of big tournaments, including ESL One Birmingham 2024, DreamLeague Season 23 and 24, and two BetBoom tourneys. At Riyadh Masters, Team Falcons placed an impressive third.
Do you want to invest in your Dota 2 betting vertical? Abios delivers a leading esports odds feed complete with engaging player props, high-uptime live markets and a bet builder. Being part of Kambi Group plc, Abios offers its odds for 40+ operators in regulated markets worldwide. Read more here.