What Is Esports & How Is It Different from Regular Sports?
Esports refers to professional video game competitions streamed live, where teams or individuals compete in digital arenas like DOTA 2, Mobile Legends, CS2 and Valorant. Esports betting lets you place wagers on the outcome of these matches — just like betting on football or badminton, but in a digital environment.
In Malaysia, interest in esports has grown rapidly among young urban audiences. The Mobile Legends community in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is particularly active in following MPL Malaysia each season.
Esports betting offers far more diverse markets than traditional sports. Beyond simple win/loss, you can bet on first blood, map handicap, total kills and much more. This opens up many more strategic angles for players who understand the game in depth.
Esports match schedules are also more frequent — happening almost daily during active seasons — compared to traditional sports that follow fixed seasonal calendars. At mantra88, esports markets are updated in real time throughout each match.
Five Key Esports Betting Markets
Games like DOTA 2 and Mobile Legends have become the focal point of Malaysia's esports community. MPL MY matches are followed by millions of local fans. Betting markets include match winner, first kill and total maps played.
CS2 and Valorant dominate the shooter market. Bets can be placed on round winner, pistol round and overall result. Players who understand the game meta can analyse markets more sharply.
The International DOTA 2, Valorant Champions, and League of Legends World Championship draw global attention. These are the marquee betting events in the esports calendar, with markets opening weeks before the action begins.
Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile and Free Fire dominate the local mobile segment. These communities are especially active in Sabah, Sarawak and rural areas where laptops are less common but smartphones are widely available.
Live betting during a match lets you wager based on current momentum. Odds shift dynamically — every round or objective can change the markets within seconds.
Popular Arenas Among Malaysian Players
Malaysia's esports community is heavily focused on Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL MY), which runs twice a year. Teams like RSG MY and ONIC Maniac are constant talking points among local fans. At mantra88, MPL MY matches are listed in the esports section with markets updated before and during matches.
Beyond MPL, Malaysia's CS2 and Valorant communities are growing fast, with local professional players competing across Southeast Asia. These matches draw a younger audience who tend to bet based on in-depth analysis of team statistics.
To find out more about other available game options, you can also explore the casino table games or blackjack guide section for a comparison of different entertainment experiences.
Key Markets You Need to Know
- Match Winner — Which team wins the full match.
- Map Handicap — Handicap based on the number of maps won.
- Total Maps — Total number of maps played in one match.
- First Blood — Which team gets the first kill.
- Tournament Winner — The overall winner of a tournament.
Esports Betting Category Overview
| Match Title | Market Type | Best For | Match Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPL Malaysia (Mobile Legends) | Match Winner, Map Handicap | Local MLBB fans | Weekly (active season) |
| CS2 Major & Regional | Round Winner, Total Maps, Handicap | Analytical players | Several times a year |
| Valorant Champions Tour | Match Winner, First Blood, Pistol Round | Shooting community | Monthly during season |
| DOTA 2 The International | Tournament Winner, Group Stage | Veteran MOBA fan | Annual (major events) |
How to Start Betting on Esports at mantra88
You're already on the right page. Read the sections below to understand market types and deposit methods before signing up.
Registration takes less than 10 minutes and can be completed entirely from your smartphone.
Select a local payment method — TNG, FPX, or Maybank — and enter an amount that meets the minimum deposit requirement.
Once logged in, select the Esports category, check the current match schedule and pick your markets.
Enter your stake, confirm your bet slip and follow the match live or via real-time result feeds.
Deposits & Withdrawals — A Practical Guide
Before you can place your first bet, you'll need to deposit into your mantra88 account. The process is designed for Malaysian users and supports several popular local payment methods.
MYR Deposit Steps
- Log in to your mantra88 account.
- Go to the "Deposit" section in your account menu.
- Choose your payment method — TNG eWallet, FPX or Maybank2u.
- Enter the amount in MYR and tap "Continue".
- Follow the verification steps from your payment platform.
- Funds will be credited to your account within minutes once verification is successful.
Payment Methods Summary
| Payment Methods | Processing Time | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|---|
| TNG eWallet | Instant to 5 minutes | Low (check during registration) |
| FPX (Online Banking) | Instant to 10 minutes | Varies by bank |
| Maybank2u | Instant to 10 minutes | Subject to bank account limits |
For withdrawals, the process is much the same — select your withdrawal method, enter the amount, and confirm. Processing times typically range from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on the method chosen.
Mobile Experience — Bet From Anywhere
One of the main advantages of esports betting at mantra88 is its full accessibility from mobile devices. Whether you're on Android or iOS, the website is optimised to deliver a smooth experience without needing to download any extra app.
Players from Melaka, Kota Bharu, or Kuching can access live matches, check the latest markets, and place bets within seconds — as long as they have an internet connection. mantra88's mobile interface displays match schedules, current odds, and betting history in a clean, easy-to-read format on smaller screens.
If you'd like to learn more about our platform and history, visit our about us for more information.
Key Terms in Esports Betting
Getting familiar with these terms will help you read markets with more confidence and make better-informed betting decisions.
- Odds
- A value indicating potential return for each unit staked. Higher odds mean higher risk but bigger rewards.
- Handicap
- An advantage or disadvantage given to one team to balance strength differences. In esports, typically expressed as -1.5 maps or +1.5 maps.
- Live Betting
- Bets placed while a match is in progress. Odds shift in real time based on how the match is unfolding.
- First Blood
- The team that scores the first kill in a MOBA match. One of the most popular markets in DOTA 2 and Mobile Legends.
- Map Winner
- The team that wins a specific map in a multi-map match, such as CS2 or Valorant.
- Bet Slip
- Official record of bets you've confirmed, containing market details, stake and potential payout.
Ready to Enter the Arena?
Create a mantra88 account and start exploring the latest esports markets — from MPL Malaysia to CS2 Major — all on a single platform built for Malaysian users.