Why would anyone bet on digital footballers who exist only inside a simulation? Because a great many players do, and they do it around the clock. Virtual sports began as a way to fill the gaps between real fixtures and have become a standard part of most sportsbooks and many casino lobbies. Here is how they work and what they can do for an operator.
What virtual sports are
Virtual sports are computer-generated recreations of sporting events, from football and basketball to horse racing, tennis and motor racing, rendered with realistic graphics. Each team or runner is given ratings modelled on real-world strengths, which shape the odds, but the result of every event is decided by a certified random number generator. Favourites usually win and upsets still happen, sometimes several in a row.
A virtual football match lasts a few minutes, so events run back to back. A whole league season can be played in a day, and some platforms even let players bet on rounds or seasons that have not started yet.
Why operators add them
Betting that never stops
Real sport has quiet periods: nights, midweek gaps and the off-season. Virtual leagues fill every one of them, so a sportsbook always has something live to offer.
More bets per session
Short events settle quickly and the next one starts immediately. That rhythm produces far more betting opportunities per hour than a real fixture list, and with them higher turnover per active player.
A bridge between casino and sportsbook
Virtual sports appeal to sports fans who would never touch a slot and to casino players who enjoy quick results. They are an easy cross-sell in both directions.
Easy to understand
The markets mirror familiar ones such as match result, over/under and correct score, so players need no special knowledge to get started. New sports and better graphics keep arriving, which keeps the product fresh.
Leading providers
- Betradar, the betting brand of Sportradar, runs virtual football leagues and tournaments alongside its odds and data services. Our Betradar guide explains its range.
- Golden Race specialises in virtual sports and racing for online and retail operators.
- Kiron Interactive offers one of the broadest virtual portfolios, covered in our Kiron overview.
- BetGames takes a related route with live-dealer betting games such as dice, card and number draws.
Large suppliers such as Playtech and Novomatic also sell sports betting technology alongside their casino content. A premium supplier and a custom-designed front end cost more, but they are often what makes a product stand out.
What to look for in a platform
- A broad sports list: football, basketball, tennis, horse and greyhound racing, cricket and motor racing.
- Flexible odds management, with schedules and margins set per event or per group of events.
- Branding options and modular features that can be switched on or off.
- A configurable back office with reporting tools.
- Payment and financial management that fits your existing cashier.
- Reliable hosting and 24/7 technical support.
Licensing and integration
Virtual sports are a gambling product, so your licence must cover them. Some regulators treat them as a category of their own: in Great Britain, for example, the Gambling Commission issues separate betting licences for virtual events. Check the rules in every market you plan to serve.
Technically, virtual sports plug into an existing casino or sportsbook through an API, or arrive as part of a wider platform. Our sportsbook solution and casino API can add them to your site, and a white label casino lets you launch with them under your own brand.
Written and reviewed by the iGaming Software Solutions Editorial Team.
