Computer-generated sports are a betting option for consumers seeking access to their favorite sports year-round. Ranking among the top revenue sources for some online sportsbooks and casinos overseas, virtual sports betting allows enthusiasts to gamble on games or matches that operate entirely through virtual mechanics.
The sports contest is simulated, and you don’t control anything like a video game. However, you can place wagers on what happens.
How do these virtual sports work? We’ll explain how they became one of the leading betting markets for some sportsbooks, give tips on how to bet on these sports and offer a brief overview of the legal background for these games in the U.S.
What Does Virtual Sports Mean?
Don’t confuse virtual sports with esports. You aren’t in control of the game.
Over the years, software advances have substantially impacted sports betting. For example, the user experience of sports betting websites has significantly improved. In-play wagering has also improved, allowing sports fans to bet during a game or contest.
Wagering on virtual sports has also been a byproduct.
Virtual sports result from technology-driven betting that aims to provide bettors with the possibility of wagering on their favorite sports at any time. Unlike regular sporting events, which have fixed schedules and seasons, virtual sports events happen 365 days a year.
Virtual sports contests use software similar to slot machines and operate independently from real-life sports. Simply put, virtual sports are machine-operated teams or players that compete against each other. Due to the technology behind virtual sports and the regulations established by regulatory authorities, virtual matches are fair for bettors.
Like a slot machine, you will lose over the long run but winnings can also be had.
Multiple types of virtual sports are available, including football, soccer, tennis, cycling, greyhound and horse racing, motorsports and darts. The sport’s rules are the same as in real life, meaning that if the bettor already has experience betting on any real-life sports, the transition to wagering on virtual sports should be smooth.
Which Virtual Sports Can You Bet?
Although virtual sports betting has been around for a handful of years, the range of betting options has only increased recently. Previously, many sportsbooks only carried soccer and horse/greyhound racing on their respective platforms. This situation is changing, as many betting websites have expanded their respective offerings to remain competitive.
The most popular options for bettors interested in virtual sports include:
- Horse Racing
- Greyhound Racing
- Tennis
- Football
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Motorsport
- Speedway
- Cycling
- Ice Hockey
- Darts
Game studios will continue to develop other virtual sports, likely making their way to the collections available in online sportsbooks. Moreover, since the interest in these betting markets continues to increase, sports betting platforms will have to develop their market coverage further to ensure they meet demand.
States That Allow Virtual Sports Betting
Right now, only New Jersey and Pennsylvania have virtual sports betting.
The Garden State and the Keystone State are two of the more advanced online gambling markets in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that they are ahead of other jurisdictions.
Regulated sports betting is still new to the U.S., so virtual sports betting will take more time to expand. Most Americans are still getting familiar with wagering on real-life sports.
Advantages of Betting on Virtual Sports
Bettors who have yet to dabble with virtual sports may wonder how they compare to real-life sports. Although the enthusiasm you can get from betting on your favorite team or athlete can’t compare to wagering on virtual sports, this betting market is fun for some people.
One advantage of virtual sports is that they allow bettors to place their picks any day, at any time. Unlike professional sports competitions, virtual sports don’t follow a specific season or schedule. Alternatively, the computer-simulated matches happen continuously.
Additionally, virtual sports contests finish quickly. For instance, while a real-life soccer match will usually last 90 minutes, it will only take 90 seconds to complete in its virtual version. You don’t get the same satisfaction as watching a real soccer match, but you can bet more.
Virtual sports increase betting frequency by providing a quick turnaround per match. Players don’t need to wait days or weeks until the next game.
This dynamic can lead to addiction for many players, so we don’t recommend virtual sports for most people. Be sure to understand your betting habits before trying these games.
Finally, the technology behind virtual sports ensures that the results can’t be corrupted. Real-life sports have rules against doping or match-fixing, for example, but virtual sports, on the other hand, don’t deal with these problems.
Bet Types & Tips for Virtual Sports Betting
Placing bets on virtual sports is similar to a real-life sporting match. Due to this, the betting options and types are similar and vary according to the virtual sport you wager on.
Nevertheless, as we described above, bettors must understand they’re not betting on an actual game, match or race. Virtual sports use software to run, which makes them similar to online casino slot games that depend purely on chance.
While you could research the performance and injuries of a specific team before betting on them in a real-life game, you can’t do the same for virtual sports betting.
As mentioned, there is no skill involved.
There is no strategy for betting on virtual sports. Sportsbooks will have a house edge for each match, similar to slots. You’ll lose money in the long run by betting on virtual sports.
If you want to try these games, we recommend using a sportsbook that accepts low deposits and minimum wagers, so you can play for a low cost.
The top betting sites for virtual sports betting include:
- Golden Nugget Online Casino
- Caesars Online Casino
- Betfair Online Casino
- Borgata Online Casino
- DratKings Online Casino
- Bet365 Online Casino
- Pennsylvania iLottery
Although most betting markets will be available for virtual sports, you won’t find exotic bets. For instance, you won’t be able to place over/under bets for football or soccer, round robin or Super Heinz bets for horse racing. Virtual sports betting isn’t ideal if you’re a bettor who likes betting on more than just who wins and who loses (moneyline betting).
How Does Betting on Virtual Sports Work?
Many bettors worry about the transparency and fairness of virtual sports, especially since they might not understand how such a betting market can operate fairly if the sportsbook runs the software behind the match.
Virtual sports use a random number generator (RNG), much like slots, which guarantees that all the results are fair, random and impossible to fix.
As long as you opt for betting on virtual sports at a licensed and regulated betting site, there is little to worry about. No sports betting brand would entertain the possibility of having their operations stopped for trying to fix a virtual sports match. It wouldn’t make sense for a betting business, as you already spend (lose) money in the long run playing these games.
Furthermore, since licensed sportsbooks frequently face technology audits from gambling regulatory authorities, you can be sure that the results of a virtual sports match are fair.
The obvious downside of betting on virtual sports is that the results will always depend on the RNG, genuinely becoming a game of chance. Regardless of your expertise in any real-life sport or team, you will need more than your knowledge to make the right pick, as the software controls all the outcomes rather than the player’s performance in real life.
Is Virtual Sports Betting Legal in the U.S.?
While the popularity of virtual sports betting has been growing in the U.S., few states allow this type of wagering. As such, we recommend you read online gambling rules in your state to understand where the local government stands on virtual sports betting.
The states allowing bettors to place wagers on virtual sports also have varying regulations, which might lead to confusion among players seeking out information about this topic.
For instance, the virtual betting rules imposed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement are different from those established by the state of Pennsylvania.
Additionally, you should also note that the regulatory authorities overseeing virtual sports in the U.S. are the same controlling online casino and sports betting.
Betting on Virtual Sports vs. Real Sports
At this point, you understand how virtual sports work and how they compare to real-life sports. However, you might still need to decide if betting on virtual sports is right for you.
If you’re a bettor who enjoys fast-paced betting, wagering on virtual sports might be an alternative to betting on real sports. This is particularly true for bettors who follow sports with short seasons or competitions that only happen on specific days.
Although most online sportsbooks now cover international competitions, it’s challenging to find sporting events happening at all times. Due to this, bettors tend to look for entertainment with more betting options and without time or season restrictions.
In these cases, you might want to give betting on virtual sports a chance. The realistic graphics and the commentary accompanying each match allow for a life-like sporting experience in a bite-sized form.
On the other hand, virtual sports can’t compete with real sports regarding fan passion and enthusiasm. Many bettors bet on their favorite teams or players and follow the competitions religiously to ensure they’re always on top of what is happening. To many, keeping up with the sport is just as important as winning a bet.
For those players who are die-hard fans of a specific sport, team or player, virtual sports might feel unsatisfying. Even though the matches resemble the real thing, it’s still a virtual mechanic game that won’t depend on anything other than an RNG.
Should You Give Virtual Sports Betting a Try?
We don’t recommend virtual sports betting for people who like traditional betting.
That said, each bettor has different interests and motivations. While many sports enthusiasts will only bet during significant competitions, others opt for betting regularly and consider sports betting part of their daily routine, assuming they can do it with a budget.
Depending on why you bet on sports, you might want to try virtual sports betting. Those looking for the thrill of placing a random bet with an RNG could enjoy virtual sports.
Regardless of your motivations, gamble responsibly and keep track of your betting habits. Remember that virtual sports betting is more like a slot machine than anything else.