Virtual Sports Betting
Virtual sports betting is very much a modern phenomenon, tapping into the ‘everything now’ culture created by new technologies that facilitate instantaneous betting opportunities on a variety of sports, with the action simulated using computer graphics.
As sports betting continues to grow worldwide, it's no surprise that the best betting sites are constantly evolving and coming up with new fun and exciting ways to bet online. Virtual Sports continue to become more popular each and every day with customers looking for a wide variety of events to place a wager on.
Virtual Sporting events are much shorter, electronically generated versions of real sports. It very much resembles video games, such as FIFA or Madden NFL, however rather than the result being decided by those playing, it’s determined by an unbiased computer algorithm.
There is the virtual equivalent for nearly event sport and competition there is and Virtual Sports run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bookmakers offer a variety of markets across different virtual sports with all events typically streamed on site. You can create accumulators, bet in-play and customers have nearly the same number of markets available as they would on a real life event.
In this guide we will show you where the best bookmakers to play Virtual Sports are, what strategies a player can use, what certifications are important to look out for and the variety of Virtual Sports there is on offer.
1
Established 2005
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#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50 First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Daily 'Super Extra Places' on Racing
Odds Boosts on Next Goalscorer Bets
Sponsors all 5 Flat Horse Racing Classics
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
BETFRED50
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
98
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
Known as the 'Bonus King', Betfred has more promos and bonuses than the majority of betting sites. This is the first bookmaker ever to sponsor all five flat racing classics and also sponsors Super League Rugby and World Matchplay Darts.
2
Established 2023
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Esports Live Streams
Early Payout Offers on Multiple Sports
Betting Insights Given With Football Markets
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
83
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
Pub Sports has attracted punters thanks to its range of markets for combat sports like boxing and MMA, along with a strong Esports betting section. There are also more than five specials that apply to Premier League markets.
3
Established 2022
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Lucky Dip Odds Boosts
Free 'Footie 4 Play' Prediction Game
Football Rewards Club
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
91
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
talkSPORT is a big name in UK sports media and this company's online bookmaker has caught the eye thanks to its football offering, which includes 'broadcast boosts' for live TV matches and enhanced bet builders nominated by pundits.
4
Established 2023
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Customers Only. Max one £20 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1(2.00) or greater. Paid as Bonus Token with Min 4/5(180) Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. T&Cs Apply
30-Leg Bet Builder
Free Bet Thursdays - Earn Free Bets Every Week
Accumulator Boosts of up to 77%
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
No
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
99
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
Bzeebet is relatively new but already offers everything we expect from the best online bookmakers, including features such as live betting, cash out, bet builder and accumulator boosts.
5
Established 2020
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org 18+.
Weekly £5 Free Acca Bet
Comprehensive Tennis Streaming
Free Fantasy Football Game
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
86
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
LiveScore has made the jump from sports media to sports betting and our experts are impressed by a well-designed betting site. LiveScore Bet's unique 'Squads' and 'LiveScore 6' games help this bookmaker to stand out from the rest.
6
Established 1946
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10? on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
BV Loyalty Club - Weekly Free Bets
Daily Guaranteed Prize Wheel
Sponsors of The World Cup of Darts
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
98
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
BetVictor is one of the most recognisable betting sites in the UK and this bookie continues to attract new customers with a variety of sports betting offers, including a 'Lucky Dip' free football bet and a Guaranteed Prize Wheel.
7
Established 2006
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. Free Bet awarded: £10. 1 x £10 must be wagered at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18+. GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply.
Free '4 to Score' Football Prediction Game
Daily Odds Super Boosts
Esports Free Bet Club
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
95
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
Betway sponsors major football teams like West Ham, so it's no surprise that this bookie ranks among the best football betting sites. Regular free bet rewards and horse racing offers are also worth taking advantage of here.
8
Established 2014
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Min £10 deposit and bet on odds 1/1 or greater required. deposits via Paypal, Neteller, Pasafe, Skrill or Skrill 1-Tap will not be eligible for any free bet offer. Extra bet and bonus spins issued within 24 hours of quailfying bet being settled. Extra bet valid for 14 days, stake not returned. Bonus spins valid for 24 hours, selected games only.
In-Play Match Stats
Excellent Basketball Coverage
Exclusive Loyalty Ladder
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
No
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
84
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
MagicRed does the simple things well as a solid sports betting option. As the name suggests, it is mainly casino-focused, but our tests found that the odds here regularly compete with the best-value bookmakers.
9
Established 2003
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply.
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Full Terms Apply
Detailed Sports Betting Stats
Weekly Free Bets on Multiple Sports
Up to 100% Acca Boost
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
SPORT
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
No
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
94
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
10bet is one of the most user-friendly betting sites UK bettors can use and has won awards for site design. Enhanced odds and loyalty free bets are offered for football, horse and greyhound racing, tennis, darts and cricket.
10
Established 2021
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New 18+ New Customers only. Deposit and bet on any sports with min odds of 2.0. Get 50% Back of your first days' losses as a Free bet up to £50+£20 Casino Bonus. T&Cs apply
Winning Bet Builder Bonus
Daily Esports Offers
Tennis Acca Bonus
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
90
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
Fafabet's betting site was only launched in 2021 but it now has a great range of special offers on multiple sports. As the popularity of the site grows, this bookmaker looks likely to continue to close the gap on more established rivals.
11
Established 2017
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Deposit and bet on any sportsbook markets of your choice at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first days losses as a Free Bet up to £50 plus 50 Extra Spins. Min. 3 bets required. If your account is up, you’ll receive a £5 Free Bet regardless plus 10 Extra Spins. Use coupon code "5050" at registration. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | GambleAware.org | Gamble Responsibly.
10% Bonus on Winning Racing Yankees
Daily Free Tennis Bets
Bet Builder Bonuses
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
No
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
90
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
Established in 2017, QuinnBet is an Irish betting site that has made big strides in the UK. We counted more than 20 existing customer promotions here across a range of sports, including golf, football, racing, NFL and tennis.
12
Established 2019
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. #ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. [Gambleaware.org|https://www.gambleaware.org/]. Get a percentage boost on all football multibets of 4 or more selections.
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Full Terms Apply
Betting Odds on Niche Sports
Wide-Ranging Specials Markets
Good Coverage of American Sports
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
91
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
Although best-known for its casino product, Fun is also home to a handy sports betting platform. Our experts took a deep dive into the Fun Sports site and found a great selection of markets for niche sports, as well as odds on politics and entertainment.
13
Established 2013
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New members only. £10 min bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, placed & settled in 14 days of sign-up. Win part E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only . Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
Live Streams of Tennis & Racing
Price Boosts on Lots of Sports
Free Fantasy Football-Style Game
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
91
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
Virgin Bet was launched as recently as 2019 but already competes with established online bookmakers, by offering a range of live streams, enhanced prices and loyalty rewards.
14
Established 2013
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New UK+IRE Customers. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 1x £20 free bet. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions
-
Full Terms Apply
Daily Free Horse Racing Bets
Football & Racing Predictor Games
'My Stable' Horse Tracker
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
85
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
One of the most well-known UK bookmakers, Coral is a go-to site for football and horse racing bettors. We're thoroughly impressed by the depth of unique features and betting offers available for both of these popular sports.
15
Established 2013
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Cash back without wagering the day after if the player loses all the money in the account.
Min deposit £10. Gameplay is monitored. Full T&Cs apply.
Premier League Bet Boosts
35+ Premier League Bet Builder Markets
Premier League Flash Betting
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
91
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
No Bonus Sports is a bit of a dark horse but it's actually one of the better UK betting sites for wagering on the Premier League. You will find several PL-focused offers and a significantly improved bet builder function here.
16
Established 2017
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms Apply
Premier League Cashback
Generous Rewards Programme
Worldwide Horse Racing Markets
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
No
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
94
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
No
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
Monster has made an impressive step into the sports betting sphere, with cashback offers available on sports like rugby, tennis and Formula 1. The horse racing section has recently been improved to include more markets than ever before.
17
Established 2008
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 17.10.2022. 3x £10 free bets. Free bets expire after 30 days. New customers signing up through mobile or tablet device only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad
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Full Terms Apply
#YourOdds Price Finder
Win 25% More on Football Bet Builders
Free 'Stat Attack' Predictor Game
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
85
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
William Hill is one of the most well-known names in British betting and continues to attract new customers with innovative offers. You'll struggle to find a better horse racing betting site and their football betting options are also top-notch.
18
Established 2000
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions.
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Full Terms Apply
Insure & Boost Accas
£100k Guaranteed Placepot
Exclusive Fanzone Offers
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
88
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
You might recognise Ladbrokes from the high street as one of Britain's major bookmakers. The 'Fanzone' offer here really stands out, with perks made available to punters betting on matches involving their favourite football team.
19
Established 2021
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. 18+ | New Customer Only – Promo Code: NEWWELCOME100 required | 50% back on net LOSSES over your first 3 calendar days | requires min 3 x£10 qualifying bets in same 3 days| Min return £1 free bet | T&Cs apply | Available until 01/09/24 at 23:59 | UK residents using debit card | Please gamble responsibly
Weekly Free Bets With 'theZone'
25% Build-a-Bet Boost
Responsible Gambling 'Safe Zone'
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
NEWWELCOME100
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
No
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
78
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
Betzone has built a reputation for being a customer-friendly bookmaker and it's great to see that they take responsible gambling seriously, with a 'Safe Zone' easily accessible from the homepage providing tools and tips to help keep betting safe.
20
Established 2007
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashedout/Free Bets won't apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet per customer, household & IP address. T&C's apply.
Multiple Money-Back Offers
25% Boost on Bet Builder Winnings
Irish Grand National Sponsors
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
95
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Yes
BoyleSports is an independent Irish bookmaker that is now one of the biggest names in UK betting. With live streams of multiple sports and a big focus on horse and greyhound racing, this is one of the best online bookies around.
21
Established 2001
More Details
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
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Full Terms Apply
Best In-Play Betting Site
Multiple Horse Racing Promos
Official Champions League Betting Partner
Bonus Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
not required
Live Streaming
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
Yes
Our Rating
Gambling.com's rating of this betting site out of 100
98
Bet Builder
Can you create your own personalised bets?
Yes
Cash Out
Can you cash out of bets before an event has finished?
Yes
Acca Insurance
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
No
A world-renowned bookmaker, bet365 has more than 90 million customers worldwide for a reason. Whatever your favourite sport is, bet365 will likely have offers available, as well as live streams for the majority of sports.
Virtual Sports Betting Tips
A famous adage in sports betting is that there is never a "sure thing" and that is definitely the case when it comes to Virtual Betting.
In traditional sports betting, experts find angles for themselves through many different processes and strategies, one being the age old tradition of reading the form in horse racing for example. Naturally in virtual sports there is no form to work off so the results are naturally open to a great deal of randomness.
Generally with such randomness at play, the main tips would be to keep stakes low, choose sports with smaller fields and never chase your losses.
The above tips are the usual advice given to every sports bettor no matter what they are staking on and that is to simply bet responsibly. Check out our Responsible Gambling Website for more advice.
What is Virtual Sports Betting?
Virtual Sports Betting is very similar to traditional Sports Betting only instead of betting on a live event involving actual human beings, you are placing your money on an unbiased computer algorithm. The concept of virtual sports is a simple one: to deliver wagering opportunities on a whole host of sporting events 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Virtual Sports has really improved over the last while with more markets and sports readily available for punters to get involved with and the product itself becoming much more slick as technology advances.
Many of the mainstream sportsbooks offer extensive virtual betting alongside their ‘real world’ offering, which highlights the growing popularity of the concept. Most bookmakers' Virtual Sports platform sit neatly alongside football, horse racing, tennis and cricket on their betting frontline.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashedout/Free Bets won't apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet per customer, household & IP address. T&C's apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers. Max £10 (exc. PayPal). 100% Odds Boost Token. Keep it fun - set your deposit limit. T&Cs apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Qualifying bet of £10 at min. odds 2.0 within 5 days of registration, E/W excluded. Get 3x Free Bets at min odds 2.0 each. 1x£10 Football, 1x£10 Racing, 1x£10 Acca (Min 4 selections). 7-day expiry. New selected customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Full T&Cs apply.
Promotion available on desktop and web only and is not offered via the kwiff apps. Virtual Sports Events and Games
There has never been more Virtual Sports and markets to get involved with than there is now. Nearly all of the sports betting websites are improving their virtual products every day and nearly all of the most popular sports are covered now virtually online.
The remarkable likeness delivered by powerful graphics, match or event commentary and TV game visualisation means it is very engaging and close to the real thing.
- Virtual Football - the names might be slightly different than what you are accustomed to seeing in traditional Football Betting, but there is plenty of virtual football action to get involved with. You can bet on everything from the match winner market, to the correct score. Some bookmakers offer over 20 markets a match!
- Virtual Horse Racing - Horse Racing was one of the first sports to go virtual in a big way, with even the biggest horse race of them all, the Aintree Grand National having a virtual equivalent. You can back horses to win or each way, just like real life!
- Virtual Greyhound Racing - very similar to horse racing in market availability with customers able to back a greyhound to win straight or each way!
- Virtual American Football - Not quite the NFL, but customers can get involved with Virtual American Football action similarly to the real stuff. Bookmakers offer markets on everything from win markets, to the spread.
- Other Virtual Sports - There are plenty of other sports to get involved with such as Darts, Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Cycling and Speedway.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New customers. Max £10 (exc. PayPal). 100% Odds Boost Token. Keep it fun - set your deposit limit. T&Cs apply. 100% Welcome Bonus up to
£50" data-offer_id="559" data-site_offer_id="515" data-terms="#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply." data-cta="1" data-item_id="ba6c38c1-7d92-3244-5485-a195e6925729" data-specialstvyn="No" data-specialspoliticsyn="No" data-sackracebettingyn="No" data-accainsuranceyn="No">
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. How Does Virtual Sports Betting Work?
Virtual Sports Betting works in exactly the same way a normal sports betting on line but with a few key differences that are worth noting and some are explained below.
Placing a bet on Virtual sports will still require real money stake, will still generate a bet slip and a bet receipt and will of course pay out according with the odds you have taken for the market you have chosen to bet on.
- The events are often available 24/7 with often only a minute or two between races or matches in the Virtual Sport you are betting on.
- There are less markets to bet on than a prime time sporting event, often concentrated on the key areas or win, lose or draw, correct scores for football, plus forecasts, win or each way for racing fans as an example.
- Cash Out is not usually available in-play or during a multiple bet that has begun, this mainly due to the speed of events and that virtual sports is a random number generator software more like a casino product rather than an actual sport and operators can sometimes classify it as Casino rather than Sports betting.
- Teams or Horses do not usually have real names. Except the recent running of the Virtual Grand National the names and likenesses used in Virtual Sports betting are not those of the real teams and horses you would usually be able to bet on in real sport. For example the White Harts might be Tottenham Hotspur and the Red Devils could be Man United. These likeness do not in any way effect the outcome!
- Virtual Sports betting events are very quick, a usual football match would last 90mins but a virtual game will be over in a matter of minutes which can be watched in a highlights mode for those who bet on it.
Why Certification is Imperative for Virtual Sports
If a licenced and legal operator is offering Virtual Sports betting on their platform then you can be sure they have obtained the product and software from a regulated and certified software company. At Gambling.com we never promote or recommend offshore or black market operators which wouldn't be subjected to the same scrutiny or regulation and if you use any such services we strongly recommend you avoid their virtual products should they exist.
With random number generator (RNG) software independent verification and regulation is imperative to be sure you are getting a fair deal. Regulated and licenced RNG software never know what bets are placed or what financial outcomes could happen depending on a result and therefore the myth that the machine knows your bet is never true!
What Kind of Markets are Available for Virtual Sports?
Many betting options and markets are available for Virtual Sports punters and it depends mostly on the type of Virtual Sport you want to bet as to what exactly will be available. Here are the most common options of betting market you will find for playing with real money on virtual sports:
- Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing - Win, Each Way and Forecasts/Tricasts and accumulators.
- Football - Match winner, number of goals, correct score, total goals, handicap betting, both teams to score, half time/full time and winning margins among other variants.
- Cricket - Match winner, total runs, total boundaries, method of next dismissal, total 4s, total 6s and next wicket to fall among other variants.
- American Football NFL - Game Lines, Handicap Spreads, Total Pts, Spreads and Totals, Results and Totals and other variants.
- Basketball - Winning Margins, Match Winner, total points spreads, handicap betting, highest scoring quarter and multiples plus other variants.
- Motor Racing, Speedway, Trotting and Cycling - Singles on Race winner along with forecasts/tricasts and multiple betting options.
- Darts - Match winner, match events, three dart totals and check out markets are the most common options.
- Tennis - Total points, correct scores, set betting and match winner odds as well as multiples.
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#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. T&Cs apply
#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Gambleaware.org. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 17.10.2022. 3x £10 free bets. Free bets expire after 30 days. New customers signing up through mobile or tablet device only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad Virtual Betting Strategy
As in the ‘real world’, virtual sports have given rise to a number of betting systems that aim to take advantage of prevailing trends. Some of these systems are well thought out and offer opportunities for punters to make small profits on a long-term basis, while others promise riches but in reality deliver very little. The skill is in separating the wheat from the chaff, but remember that virtual sport is consistent with the ‘unusual and the unforeseeable’ that prevails in real world action.
One system that has garnered a lot of attention has been devised by Frank Belanger, and while it is not foolproof by any means it does have its advantages over the likes of Martingale in that even if a losing streak is experienced, the staking plan ensures that the amount of investment required remains at a sensible level.
At its core, virtual sports betting is no different to regular punting, so it is essential to remember those well-rehearsed rules for success no matter which sports/markets are preferred.
Discipline is key – chasing losses is a no-no, as is managing bankroll from a business perspective and considering each bet as an investment. This way, it's possible to minimise risk and maximise the potential for long-term profit – the key building block to betting success.
References
- The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- The National Casino Forum
- Gamblers Anonymous
- The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- The Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS)
- GamCare