Most bookmakers feature Esports as part of the professional matches players can bet on. There are many Esports, including League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offence, FIFA, Overwatch, Fortnight, Hearthstone, Valorant, and more. Online casinos also feature simulated virtual sports, which are simulated games that look more like video slots and other games of chance. While both options have similarities and offer players opportunities to wager and enjoy immersive experiences, they have many differences. Here’s an overview of the primary differences between eSports and virtual sports:
What Are Virtual Sports?
Virtual sports refer to simulated sports, which rely on random number generators (RNGs) instead of skill. These games feature a 3D design with events based on conventional sports like football, basketball, soccer, tennis, hockey, baseball, racing, and horse racing. Other virtual sports include specific components of a game, like penalty shootouts in a soccer match. Virtual sports usually take a few seconds to be played out and are available around the clock.
These games offer familiar betting markets like the moneyline, spread, total, and match props. In between each match, the player is given a chance to select their betting markets and specify the bet size. Virtual slots are more similar to online slot machines and other RNG games like blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and crash games. These games rely on luck, so you can win or lose with the very first bet. However, sports bettors can enjoy virtual sports to bet on teams and markets even though the results are generated by the computer.
What Are Esports?
Esports have become popular over the last decade, amassing millions of fans worldwide. Professional competitive leagues with life-changing prices have been built around these games and millions tune in via streaming services to watch elite gamers take each other on grand stages. Examples of eSport competitions include the League of Legends World Championship, ESL, The International, Free Fire World Series, and Apex Legends Global Series.
In 2023, the League of Legends 2023 event had an audience of more than 6.4 million people watching, with players competing for a $2.23 million prize pool. As professional games, Esports are highly competitive and are featured in sportsbooks. Punters can place wagers on various Esports betting markets, including match winners, under/over, spreads, and futures like who will win the tournament. Esports games are also available as regular video games that players can explore for leisure and friendly competitions.
Differences Between the Two
Virtual sports and Esports have many fundamental differences because one involves real gaming skills while the other involves luck, random number generators, and average return-to-player percentages.
Esports games and tournaments have precise schedules and calendars and professional teams, just like football, hockey, basketball, baseball, golf, and other professional sports. Virtual sports are computer-rendered games that are available around the clock like slots, roulettes, blackjacks, baccarat, and crash games. Here are more differences between virtual sports and Esports:
Competitiveness
Esports are competitive video games designed for individuals and teams who complete specific missions and milestones using resources available within the game. These games come in various genres, including first-person shooter, multiplayer online battle arena, and real-time strategy. Top Esports include LoL, CS: GO, Dota2, Fortnight, Overwatch, and FIFA, which have vibrant communities and enthusiasts. The games are also available in consoles and PC versions for offline gaming and professional gaming communities. Virtual sports are not competitive and don’t have large communities or events built around the activity. They’re more like other casino games but are also available as downloadable mobile and PC versions for leisure.
Availability
Virtual sports are simulated games that rely on computer-generated results and no real participants apart from the bettors. As such, they can be delivered around the clock. When players log into a casino or sportsbook, they can play virtual sports whenever they want. Games are separated by short 10-20 second waits to allow bet and market selection but no special schedules are involved. Esports are more like professional sports with specific events and calendars. Bettors have a finite time to wager on these games but can place live in-play bets on ongoing matches. When no professional Esports matches are taking place, the bookmaker won’t have any betting markets available.
Gaming Strategy
Esports and virtual sports have unique gaming strategies, especially in the context of wagering. With Esports, bettors can analyze past results, identify favorites and underdogs, hedge bets, place double-chance wagers, and place multiple bets on different slips or even sportsbooks. Virtual sports are exclusive to the sportsbook, so bettors cannot find the same options on another site. However, players can leverage bankroll strategies like Martingale to increase the chances of growing their balances. Such strategies are easier to implement with RNG games that are available 24/7. Esports also offer unique markets like futures and match props.
Virtual sports rarely have futures and don’t offer enough time to analyze the matches because results are random and rely on the average RTPs.
Key Takeaways
Esports and virtual sports have evolved over the years. In 2024, virtual sports include games that involve real-world objects and activities used to manipulate virtual environments to enjoy sports. These verticals aren’t available on betting sites but offer opportunities for fitness enthusiasts and other activity-intensive experiences. However, in casinos, the term is used in the context of RNG-based simulated sports with high volatility and shorter play times. Esports are also changing as new games and technologies emerge.