Rainbow Six Siege is a first-person shooter that pits two teams against each other in thrilling tactical combat. As the profile of esports continues to rise, you can now bet on Rainbow Six at a number of online bookmakers.
On this page, we’ll explain all you need to know to get started with Rainbow Six betting, as well as help you compare bookies and bonuses. Once you’re up to speed, just browse our recommended picks and click through to sign up.
Esports Betting History
In recent years, esports has become one of the hottest topics among casual fans and bettors alike. But where did it all begin? The roots of esports sit way back in the 1970s, when players competed for the high score on arcade games like Space Invaders and Asteroids. Come the ‘90s, focus had shifted to direct player-vs-player games like Street Fighter, bolstered by the founding of tournaments like the Evolution Championship Series — which still exists today and is now known as Evo.
As internet connectivity became more widespread and technology evolved to allow more complex games with cutting-edge graphics, so too did esports grow. Doom, Quake, and the Counter-Strike series popularised first-person shooters, while StarCraft and Warcraft drew acclaim in the real-time strategy genre.
The release of League of Legends by Riot Games in 2009 — inspired by the popular Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft 3 — helped push esports further into the mainstream, aided by the launch of streaming service Twitch in 2011. Dota 2 arrived in 2013, cementing the MOBA genre as a staple among esports fans.
It wasn’t until Valve added cosmetic items and skins to its blockbuster title, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, that esports betting really took off. Players began to gamble these cosmetic items on matches, a practice which was later banned by Valve. However, bookies had already taken notice and began to deliver on this demand for betting on professional gaming.
Fast forward to today, and the future of esports looks bright. Many of the biggest bookmakers now offer markets on a wide range of games, whether it’s the latest shooters like Valorant and Overwatch 2; sports titles like FIFA and NBA 2K; strategy games like StarCraft 2; battle royales like Fortnite and PUBG; or mainstay esports like LoL, Dota 2, and CS:GO. With world-class teams competing for millions in prize money every year, esports is showing no signs of slowing down!
Rainbow Six Explained
Before you get started with Rainbow Six Siege betting, a working knowledge of the game is essential. At its core, R6 is a first-person shooter or FPS. What differentiates it from other games in the genre is the high level of tactical gameplay — teams must work together with precision and skill if they want to claim victory.
The series itself is based on Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six novels, with the first instalment hitting shelves in 1998. R6 Siege was released in 2015 and effectively rebooted the franchise, shifting the focus to online multiplayer combat.
There are three main modes in Rainbow Six Siege:
- Bomb – the competitive game mode of R6 Siege, the attackers must defuse two bombs while the defenders try to stop them. All competitive R6 Siege is played in this mode;
- Hostage – a non-competitive game mode where the attackers must extract a hostage from the defenders;
- Secure Area – a non-competitive game mode where the defenders must protect a biohazard container from the attackers, who must enter the room and secure it.
During each match, players may choose from a pool of ‘operators’ to play as, each with unique abilities and weaponry. There’s an emphasis on environmental destruction on Rainbow Six maps — walls and doors can be fortified or destroyed, allowing teams to gain a tactical advantage. Players do not respawn until the end of a round, so teams may also win by eliminating the opposition.
While Rainbow Six betting is arguably not as popular as other markets like League of Legends or CS:GO, it remains a staple at online bookmakers. Many esports teams that compete in the biggest titles also have R6 Siege rosters. If you’re new to Rainbow Six betting, here are some of the top names to watch out for:
- FaZe Clan
- Ninjas In Pyjamas
- 00 Nation
- Team BDS
- Team Empire
- Spacestation Gaming
- DWG KIA
- Team Liquid
- Rogue
- Furia Esports
Rainbow Six Tournaments
The Rainbow Six competitive season is made up of a number of different leagues and tournaments. We’ve outlined some of the most prestigious events below, but this list is by no means exhaustive. At Rainbow Six betting sites, you’ll likely be able to bet on many more contests from around the world.
- The Six Invitational – The pinnacle of the R6 competitive scene, the Six Invitational is hosted annually by Ubisoft from its studios in Montreal. Essentially the world championship, the Six Invitational has run since 2017 and sees the very best teams compete for the top spot. The Six Invitational 2022 featured a prize pool of $3 million, with TSM taking a third of it home after a 3–1 win against Team Empire in the final. Due to event restrictions in Canada, the 2022 tournament was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
- The Six Major – This Ubisoft-hosted tournament gathers the best teams from the various regional leagues. There are three Six Majors per competitive season.
- European League – This is the main regional tournament in Europe. Participating teams earn Global Points which are required to qualify for the Six Invitational.
- North American League – Once run by ESL, the NA League is now hosted by FACEIT in partnership with Ubisoft. Teams from the US and Canada can compete.
Rainbow Six Betting Markets
So, what can you wager on at Rainbow Six betting sites? We’ve listed some popular options below. Some esports bookmakers may offer more specific markets, but these are a good place to start — especially if you’re new to R6 betting.
- Outright betting – Rather than betting on a specific match, this is a bet placed on a particular team to win the entire league or tournament. For example, you could bet on FaZe Clan to win the Six Invitational.
- Match winner – This is a bet on which of two teams will claim victory at the end of the match. In contests like the Six Major, each match is best of three maps (Bo3) aside from the final, which is best of five (Bo5).
- Handicap – If a specific R6 match is somewhat uneven, handicap betting can present more value to esports bettors. Here, a team’s advantage is offset with a requirement that they win by a certain margin.
- Most kills – One of the simplest prop bets, this is where you’re betting on the player you think will get the most kills in a match or map.
- Map winner – In many Rainbow Six tournaments like the Six Invitational, each match involves multiple maps. The final, for example, is best of five. In this instance, you’re betting on which team will win an individual map rather than the match as a whole.
Live Rainbow Six Betting
Want to bet on Rainbow Six but the match has already begun? A number of operators including Midnite and Betway Esports allow live betting, where punters can wager on games currently being played. The bookmaker provides live odds throughout the match on a number of markets. As the action unfolds, these odds change and fluctuate, so there’s an element of timing to in-play betting if you want to see the largest returns on winning bets.
Many of the best Rainbow Six betting sites also provide live streaming functionality, which means you can tune into the match directly from the sportsbook. This feature is especially handy to have while placing live bets as you won’t miss a second of the action — and in Rainbow Six, that single second can make all the difference!
Mobile Rainbow Six Betting
Today, you can’t get us away from our mobile phones. Nearly everything that once required a laptop or desktop can now be done from the palm of your hand — and Rainbow Six betting is no exception. All our recommended bookmakers are fully compatible with mobile devices thanks to optimised sites that can be accessed straight from the browser. That means you can bet any time, anywhere.
Mobile Apps for Rainbow Six Betting
If you’re looking for the very best mobile experience, we suggest downloading a native Rainbow Six betting app. These are offered by a number of bookmakers including Betfair and Bet365. Not only do these apps load faster than mobile sites as they’re stored locally, but you’ll be able to access the Rainbow Six betting markets within just a few taps from the homescreen, thanks to login via touch or face recognition. You can also enable push notifications for the latest bonuses or updates on your bets.
To get started, simply head to your device’s app store — the App Store on iOS or Google Play on Android — and search for your esports bookmaker.
Rainbow Six Betting Welcome Bonuses
When you first sign up to a Rainbow Six betting site, there’s a good chance you’ll be offered a welcome bonus. This is a great way to get familiar with the sportsbook functionality before wagering real money on a match. The two most common welcome bonuses are free bets and matched deposits. As with any offer or promo, be sure to read the terms and conditions in full before you claim.
A free bet is pretty much what it says on the tin — a bet you can make at no cost to yourself. Free bets come in several flavours. You could receive a no deposit free bet as soon as you sign up, or you might receive it when you make your first deposit.
If you’ve been given a risk-free bet, your stake will be refunded as a free bet if your qualifying bet loses. You might also see Bet X, Get Y offers, where you’ll need to make a qualifying bet to receive the free bet token.
Free bets run the gamut from £5 to £20 or more, although larger free bet offers are usually split up into several smaller bets.
A matched deposit is a welcome bonus that scales to the size of your qualifying deposit. Say you see a 100% deposit match up to £100. When you deposit £100, you’ll get an extra £100 in bonus bet credit, effectively doubling your funds. Of course, the betting bonus can’t be withdrawn and is separate to your real money balance, and it usually comes with certain restrictions. Check the matched deposit offer is valid for use on esports before you claim if you want to use it for Rainbow Six betting.
Rainbow Six Promotions for Existing Players
It’s not just new players who can take advantage of a Rainbow Six betting bonus. Many of our recommended bookies run promotions that existing customers can claim, whether it’s free bets handed out to promote the latest Six Invitational or a matched deposit activated via a promo code.
Cashback is another type of bonus that can provide serious value to regular esports bettors. With this deal, you’ll receive a percentage of your losses in a given period back as either free bets or real cash you can withdraw. Say a bookmaker offers 5% cashback on losses every week. Lose £100 and you’ll get £5 back. It might not seem like much, but it’ll help your bankroll stretch that extra bit further.
One of our favourite Rainbow Six betting offers for existing players is Betway’s Esports Club, where you’ll get a £10 free bet every week when you spend £25 on doubles, trebles, or accumulators. Midnite also runs some fantastic promotions, including a daily £5 free bet offer when you place at least four bets of £5 each on qualifying markets.
Other Games at eSport Casinos
Rainbow Six betting isn’t the only thing you can enjoy at our recommended bookies. Here are some of the best esports to bet on once you sign up.
League of Legends (LoL)
Released by Riot Games in 2009, League of Legends is loosely based on the Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft 3. It helped raise the popularity of the MOBA genre and esports more broadly. It’s played on a square map split diagonally, where two teams of five must push into the other’s base to destroy their Nexus. There’s a lot of strategy involved, with each player choosing a champion with unique abilities to support their team.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
Valve’s first-person shooter remains ever popular among esports bettors. In CS:GO, the Terrorists must attack one of two sites and plant a bomb, while the Counter-Terrorists attempt to stop them. Aim and reflex go a long way in this game, but the best teams are also top strategists — knowing which weapons to buy when, and where to position themselves on the map.
Dota 2
A standalone sequel to the original Defense of the Ancients mod, Dota 2 was released by Valve in 2013. It’s gone on to become one of the most successful esports around — its top level of competitive play, The International, reached a gargantuan prize pool of over $40 million in 2021. Dota 2 sits in the MOBA genre and shares much in common with LoL, and if you enjoy one, you’ll likely enjoy both.
Fortnite
Epic Games released Fortnite in 2017, a battle royale where players fight to the death on a slowly shrinking map. Fortnite’s competitive scene is still rather fledgling, with the first and only Fortnite World Cup taking place in 2019.
Overwatch
A hero shooter which shares similarities with games like Apex: Legends and Valorant, Overwatch and its sequel sees two teams do battle while attempting to complete a number of different objectives. In Overwatch 2, players may select from 35 different heroes with unique skills — picking wisely can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Get Involved in Rainbow Six Betting
Now you’re clued up on all things R6, you’re ready to get started with Rainbow Six betting. Take a look at our recommended bookmakers and welcome offers. Find one you like? Click through to sign up and make your first deposit.
FAQs
Yes, many Rainbow Six betting sites support live streaming of R6 Siege matches.
It depends on your personal preferences. Check out our recommended sites and click through to read our in-depth reviews so you can choose one that best suits you.
Yes, many Rainbow Six betting sites support in-play betting on mobile, either through the browser or a downloadable app.
Handicap betting gives the favourite a deficit they must overcome in order to make betting on an uneven match more worthwhile for punters. Essentially, it’s a margin by which a team must win in order for the bet to succeed.
The biggest Rainbow Six tournament, the Six Invitational, usually takes place in February each year, marking the end of the competitive season. Three Six Major tournaments take place each year too, in spring, summer, and autumn.