Virtual Sports – An Explainer

In years gone by, the choice of gambling games available for players was fairly limited. They could play table games like blackjack or roulette, spin a slot machine or place a bet on a sporting event.

This all changed with the advent of online gambling. Now, there is an essentially limitless choice of games to choose from, each with unique features and prizes. Nothing exemplifies the progress the gambling industry has made more than virtual sports. Let’s take a closer look at what these are.

What are Virtual Sports?

Virtual sports, as the name suggests, are virtual recreations of sporting events. The first virtual sports rose to prominence in UK bookmakers, where machines with virtual horse races were installed to entertain players between real-life races.

Virtual sports are not the same as esports, although they both share a similar level of popularity in the iGaming world. Esports betting skyrocketed about ten years ago, and now sits at the very pinnacle of the pyramid when it comes to online gambling.

Almost concurrently, virtual sports became extremely popular. No longer just as a sideshow, they have become an integral part of the online gambling experience. They’re not just limited to horse racing any more either, players can now enjoy a wide range of virtual sports, including greyhound racing, tennis, football, motor racing and basketball. These can be displayed on standalone units in betting shops or on your screen when you visit an online casino or gambling platform.

How Do Virtual Sports Work?

Unlike real sports, virtual sports use fixed odds. Players are shown a list of all the possible outcomes and can then place wagers accordingly.

Once players have placed their bets, the virtual sport event will begin, be that the kick-off of a football match or the start of a horse race. Obviously, these aren’t real events, they are computer-powered graphics and animations. How do these virtual sports ensure fair and consistent outcomes?

The answer is through something called a random number generator. Randomness is central to gambling, whether that’s the roll of dice or the turn of a card. For digital games like virtual sports, random number generators are used to introduce randomness into what is an otherwise predetermined, predictable model.

Random number generators are systems powered by algorithms that can produce completely random sequences of numbers. These can be found throughout online casino games; they’re used to determine the outcome of everything from digital slots to roulette.

When it comes to virtual sports, random number generators are used to produce the outcome of races and games. This ensures they are always random and that players cannot predict what’s going to happen.

Why Play Virtual Sports?

Why would someone play virtual sports? What advantages do they have over real-life sporting events?

Betting on virtual sports can be much more convenient. Real sports take place at set times throughout the day, whereas virtual sports run constantly, 24/7. What this means is that you can place a wager on a virtual football game whenever you feel like it, without having to wait for the next weekend’s fixtures.

If you like betting on big events like the World Cup, you could have to wait for years to get your chance. Not so with virtual sports, they run special events all the time with lots of prizes to be won.

Virtual sports can also be easier to understand for people new to the world of sports betting. The games are simplified, with less advanced options, making them perfect for beginners looking to explore new ways of wagering.

Conclusion

Virtual sports are a relatively new phenomenon but are quickly becoming one of the most popular options in online casinos. Players enjoy them for their simplicity, convenience and accessibility, and as the technology that powers them continues to develop, we can expect to see new and improved virtual sports in the future.