Virtual Sports A League

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Virtual Pro League

By Pragati Verma, Contributor

Inside an Illinois mall that once housed the department store Lord & Taylor, two teams of four players each adjust their virtual reality (VR) headsets and slip into an action-packed, multiplayer game called “VR Champions.” They fly jetpacks to jump on top of buildings, ride zip lines to glide across rooftops, and use telepads to instantly transport themselves into their digital enemies’ base and destroy their power core.

Thirty minutes later, players remove their headsets and return to the department store-turned-esports arena. All along, they were walking freely, running, ducking, and dodging in an 8,000-square foot space, while their actions prompted their virtual character to move at the same time in a much larger, digital playing field.

This kind of free-roaming, fully immersive experience is transforming the traditional computer gaming experience into an active, multiplayer competitive game, says Chris Lai, founder and CEO of MassVR, the startup that developed the proprietary gaming platform and the esports arena in the Skokie, Illinois building.

According to Lai, this untethered movement turns video gamers into athletes. “There is a lot of physical movement. Players no longer need to sit on a couch and look at a screen. They move around and interact with the world around them, just like athletes,” he explains.

“The experience is far more physical and feels amazingly real when you are walking around instead of just standing still.”

—Chris Lai, founder and CEO, MassVR

Such freedom is what makes competitive VR esports possible. “Players experience the feeling of jet-packing, zip-lining, and even teleporting without the effects of motion sickness. The experience is far more physical and feels amazingly real when you are walking around instead of just standing still.”

VR esports doesn’t only have to entertain the player, however. Lai plans to make the technology into a spectator sport, where audience members can cheer on the players from the sidelines while watching them and their digital avatars in real time on screens. “Look at it from a spectators’ point of view,” he says, “It’s much more fun to watch a little bit of physical performance—action in real life. They want to see how fast players move their bodies and [learn] what their gaming strategy.”

Joining the Big Leagues

Meanwhile, esports is already a lucrative, live event spectator sport at Allied Esports, creator of esports venues for video games and poker.

At the company’s HyperX Arena, a 30,000-square-foot former nightclub inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, thunderous crowds watch the professional players battling for supremacy and prize money in games such as “CS:GO” and “Overwatch.” Several cameras project the action onto a 50-foot LED wall and tournaments are often streamed live.

While casual visitors can purchase game time and play arcade games at the video game bar with friends and family, Allied Esports hosts high-stakes tournaments where professional esports teams compete. They have hosted several popular esports tournaments, including League of Legends All-Stars, Capcom Cup North America Regional Finals, Simon Cup Grand Final, SoulCalibur World Invitational, and the Big Buck Hunter World Championship at their network of arenas in North America, Europe, China, and Australia.

“As an industry, video gaming is already bigger than music and movies combined. And esports is at the heart of video gaming.”

—Frank Ng, CEO, Allied Esports

“We are in the early stage of the evolution of a gigantic industry and we are creating infrastructure to facilitate it,” says Frank Ng, CEO of Allied Esports. He expects esports to become the biggest form of entertainment. “As an industry, video gaming is already bigger than music and movies combined. And esports is at the heart of video gaming.”

This is in line with reports from analytics firms tracking the entertainment industries. According to esports analytics firm Newzoo, the global games market was worth $152.1 billion last year. By comparison, Comscore pegs global box office industry revenue at $42 billion and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry estimates the global music industry generated $20.2 billion in 2019.

Ng compares esports League of Legends viewership with the Super Bowl.”The League of Legends World Championship in 2019 was a record-breaking esports event with about 100 million viewers. In comparison, the NFL’s Super Bowl that same year had 100.7 million viewers across the league’s digital properties and CBS,” he explains.

Thanks to their rising popularity, esports tournaments, as well as teams, are attracting new sponsors and brand partnerships, according to Ng. “This is the most effective way to reach the younger generation. Most of them don’t watch television anymore,” he says. He believes that big brands, such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Mercedes Benz are looking for “brand exposure and want to see their logos on jerseys of teams that they believe in.”

But Ng anticipates esports brand partnerships will begin to go beyond what is possible in traditional sports. Take their program with Simon Property, for instance. Thousands of “Fortnite” players competed in online qualifiers and in-person regional events, and 63 finalists played in front of a live audience and tens of thousands of viewers around the world in November of last year. In addition to the $50,000 shopping spree at a Simon mall, they had the opportunity to compete face-to-face with the biggest names. “That is a big draw. There’s no possible way for fans to compete with the best players in traditional sports,” Ng says.

The Future Is Mixed

Now, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, when professional players have no opportunity to immerse themselves in live games, action has moved online. “We are running Twitch-streamed online tournaments throughout quarantine and we have seen a dramatic increase in viewership,” says Ng. According to IDC, fans have doubled their time on Twitch, the largest game-streaming platform, in May 2020 compared to December last year.

Online events, however, have restrictions. “For example, if we want to run an online tournament for a first-person shooter video game like “CS:GO,” response time will be too slow between European and North American participants,” he says. According to Ng, that will be possible only when next-generation satellite technology, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, is available.

“I don’t believe there will be a future when there will be no live events,” Ng says, “but it will be an exciting day for esports when satellite technology will enable connections fast enough to support live transatlantic or transpacific online tournaments.”

While real-time, long-distance tournaments may take a while, Ng predicts “it won’t be long before esports will join the big league very soon, rivaling traditional sports industry in fandom, events, and sponsorships.”

Virtual Sports A League

Major sports are not in play year-round at all times of day, so where can a seasoned sports bettor turn to when they want to place a bet during the offseason? Betting on virtual sports is the solution for those looking to place a wager on live competition, but in a manner that fits their busy schedule.

Our legal virtual sports betting guide for USA players will advise readers of the best options for one of the newest online wagering fads. Whether it’s team competition, individual sports, or racing that gets your pulse going, virtual sports betting has got it all, and we cover it all – so you can cover the spread!

Our team of expert bettors has detailed the legalities of virtual sports betting and compiled the top sites to use when looking for the best in CPU vs. CPU competition. Virtual sports games kick off and tip off around the clock, so read on to ensure safe and legal betting online.

2021 Virtual NFL Pro Bowl Using Madden 21

While not falling directly into the category of virtual sports, the fact that the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl will be played virtually using Madden 21 makes it relevant. This year's Pro Bowl odds will be based entirely on Madden video game results, tying legit NFL betting into the realm of eSports and simulated sports odds. Check out our Pro Bowl betting page for more details.

Is It Legal To Bet On Virtual Sports In The United States?

Although not featured in US sportsbooks’ offerings, virtual sports could one day be available in land-based USA casinos. But, of course, they’re already up and running at online sportsbooks. Additionally, domestic sports betting operators typically have an age minimum of 21-plus, while offshore sportsbooks take US members at just 18 and up. For these reasons, when it comes to betting on virtual sports games, online is the only game in town.

But is it legal? There is no language in US gambling laws that prohibits wagering on virtual sports with an offshore sportsbook through an online method. No law can be broken if there is no law to break, therefore betting on virtual sports offshore will not get players inside of the USA into any trouble.

That said, Washington and Connecticut have passed laws that prohibit online gambling of any kind, and some betting sites restrict individual states (i.e. NV and NJ). Be sure to investigate your state laws and the terms and conditions of your chosen offshore sportsbook before signing up and placing real money bets.

Best Virtual Sports Betting Sites For USA Players

Bovada sportsbook is our #1 site for virtual sports betting online and holds these games up to their usual standard of excellence. They are the top-dog on the net, right in line with their Bodog origins, and seasoned players know who they can trust when it comes to fair play, timely payouts, and a secure gaming environment. Bovada offers 24/7 customer support via telephone, email, and chat if anything hits a snag.

Bovada virtual sports provide accurate results that players can trust and track season to season. They offer robust bonus offers and include a wide selection of financial options, though they prefer Bitcoin (as we do). Remember, Bovada is backed by the Bodog license, the most trusted name in online gaming for two decades. Your best virtual sports strategy is to make Bovada your preferred real betting site.

50% Sports Welcome Bonus Up To $250

Pros

  • Biggest Virtual Sports Selection Of Any Sportsbook
  • Backed by Bodog License
  • Longevity in the Online Gaming Industry
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Cons

  • Does Not Accept Members From DE, MD, NJ, and NV
  • Limited to USA Players
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What Are Virtual Sports?

Virtual sports are simulated contests that involve no human element. Randomly generated data is inserted into a CPU that outputs results based on predetermined game parameters. When virtual sports first debuted in the 1960s, historical baseball data was plugged into archaic computers that printed out results. These were compared against real results of future games, and the model was slowly refined.

Fast forward half a century, and virtual games are much more satisfying these days. They work in the exact same way that they always have, but now bettors can view the action via a videogame-like interface that displays the contest in real-time. Seeing how the action unfolds is much more engaging than reading results on a piece of paper, and betting audiences agree.

What Is Virtual Sports Betting?

It’s exactly what it sounds like! Betting lines and odds that are placed on virtual sports will look similar to the lines offered on the games that they are replicating. For team sports, there'll be spreads, straights, and totals. Virtual racing (horses, greyhounds, camels, etc.) includes odds on who will finish first, who will place, and who will show. Contests are brief and begin anew every few minutes. Races are shown from start to finish, while lengthier competitions are typically abbreviated to highlight form. For this reason, vSports betting is usually much faster paced than traditional online sports betting of the normal sort.

How To Bet On Virtual Sports

The first thing bettors will need to do is decide which virtual sport they want to bet on, whether it be team sports, individual sports, or racing. Once the desired contest is selected, the user will see odds that are common for the game that his being simulated. The competitions in the list below are the most typical options we have seen but are by no means a complete list of virtual sports that you might encounter.

Virtual Sports Games:

  • Virtual Football
  • Virtual Baseball
  • Virtual Hockey
  • Virtual Auto Racing
  • Virtual Motorcycle Racing
  • Virtual Greyhound Racing
  • Virtual Camel Racing

Understanding Virtual Sports Odds

League

Virtual sports are designed to offer fun, quick betting avenues that will repeat many times per hour. Longer athletic contests are typically condensed down to what looks like a highlight reel, but races will be shown in their entirety – except auto races, which take hours in real life but only a few minutes in virtual form. A countdown clock will allow viewers to know when the betting stops and the contest starts (and vice versa).

Virtual betting lines will resemble the same odds that are offered for the sport when played in the real world. For instance, virtual dog racing will feature nearly the same betting options that you’ll see when betting on greyhound racing. Races will have a variety of odds regarding final placement, and athletic contests will include straights, spreads, and totals.

Virtual Sports vs. eSports

Many people ask about the differences between these two popular betting markets. Simply put, eSports is a phenomenon in the betting world that represents video game competitions between human opponents. Virtual sports feature no human involvement, with computer vs. computer competition. Virtual sports odds are based on the perceived abilities of artificial combatants, modeled after their real-world counterparts. On the other hand, eSports odds are less focused on the attributes of the team that is chosen and more on the skill of the human gamers that are competing.

Virtual Sports vs. Video Game Simulations

While both virtual sports and sports simulations feature artificial recreations of athletic competitions and/or races with no human component involved, there is one major difference. The athletes and teams represented in virtual sports are 100% fictional, allowing bettors no previous knowledge of their potential, albeit they can be based on real teams.

Video game simulations, although CPU vs. CPU without a human component, use AI athletes and teams that are meticulously based on their existing, real-life counterparts, and their abilities are defined by data that reflect their actual skills. Further, sports sims are branded with the actual teams and leagues represented.

Virtual athletics league

For example, take basketball. A virtual basketball game may feature OAK vs. WIS and be contested in the “American Basketball League.” The same game via a sports sim will feature the Golden State Warriors vs. the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. Sports sims also use big-time video game franchises for their software, like the Madden series, NBA2K, and more.

Virtual Sports Banking Options

When wagering on virtual sports with a reputable offshore sportsbook, secure financial transactions are a primary concern. It's tough enough to try and focus on which side of the betting odds to wager on, so players don't need any additional concerns regarding personal cybersecurity knocking them off their game.

Our top virtual sports betting sites listed above accept an assortment of major debit and credit cards, wire transfers, money transfer services, money orders, cashier’s checks, Bitcoin, and Zelle to Bitcoin. These secure financial transaction options rival the banking industry for security measures offered.

Payout options usually include Bitcoin/crypto, wire transfers, and courier checks, though Bitcoin is the only way to get same-day withdrawals. Stick to our recommended list of offshore sportsbooks for secure financial transactions and diverse methods of payment.

Virtual sports are not rigged. The results of virtual sports are created using randomly generated data made by RNG software developers that is inserted into a computer program and contains the parameters of play. The operation of these games is held to strict regulations and are completely legitimate. If it’s 2 AM and there are no live sports to bet on, virtual sports games are recurring every few minutes and provide results you can trust.

Virtual football are simulated football games between CPU opponents. This is not to be confused with football video game sims, which are also featured on popular sportsbooks. Football video game simulations use the top-selling Madden franchise for play, which features real NFL teams with rosters made up of players that are designed to look and perform like their real counterparts. Virtual football is played between two generic teams, such as “Boston” and “Chicago,” and feature nameless players with attributes loosely based on the players they secretly represent.

Wagering lines offered for virtual football are nearly the same as you’ll see when shopping the odds for betting on the NFL. You can place a wager on the spread, the straight moneyline, the over-under, halftime scores, and more. The visual element of the game is presented in a series of clips, with a total duration of around 5-10 minutes. The results come in quickly, with a new game and betting opportunities occurring immediately after.

Virtual Fifa League

Since offshore sportsbooks’ virtual contests are free to watch, our first tip is to take in a few of them to familiarize yourself with the process prior to betting. Observe the betting lines before each contest, then watch the game and see how it pans out. This practice will inspire solid virtual sports betting strategies that will avoid risking money on longshots. You can also view historical data for prior events for each virtual sports season, which is useful in finding trends and hot streaks to give you an edge.

Tiptoe into the waters of betting on virtual sports. Don’t jump all in at once. Bet small amounts as you first play virtual sports games, and don’t take big risks while you are learning. Our best advice we can offer is to set a wager maximum of 3% of your bankroll and never go over it. This practice will ensure extended playing time while also protecting your financial interests.