Sports video games and real-match betting

Sports video games have been around since the days of arcades, with titles like Pong and All-Star Baseball.

Modern ones can perfectly simulate each sport, and some have even added features similar to gambling. Meanwhile, sportsbooks are introducing gamification elements.

Our article will go over these connections and how they’ve changed.

Sports video games and simulations

Sports video games can take on many forms depending on the target audience.

Some games, like Mario Tennis, use special moves to make gameplay more exciting while keeping controls simple for inexperienced players.

However, some games aim to simulate the sport as closely as possible, with more complex controls and features like tyre selection for your bike.

Popular simulators include:

• NBA 2K
• EA Sports FC
• MotoGP
• PGA Tour

These games tend to be popular with teens and older players because they let players create their own athletes and play for their favourite teams, including those from south west London.

Some even have story modes with high-stakes drama.

If you’re not interested in that, you can take a look at our low stakes casinos in the UK.

However, sports video games and real-match betting have more in common than just the fans.

Loot boxes and monetisation

Some games allow you to create your own dream team, similar to daily fantasy sports.

South west London gamers can use in-game currency or real money to open loot boxes and earn cards.

These cards can then be used to upgrade your team with stronger players, which come in several rarities, such as:

• Common
• Rare
• Team of the Week
• Path to Glory
• Ones to Watch

Cards from loot boxes are random, so while players are guaranteed to get something, it might not be the rare card they need to complete the team.

Similar to skin betting, higher rarity cards are more valuable.

Some are only available for a limited time, so players end up spending a lot of money trying to earn them.

Esports

Sports games and online betting are also connected through eSports.

Many betting sites offer Londoners the chance to bet on basketball or football, with some even introducing cricket.

Games like NBA 2K have even formed partnerships with the NBA and have sponsored teams like:

• Celtics Gaming
• Grizz Gaming
• Pistons GT

Matches have live streams on Twitch or YouTube, and some betting sites also offer live streams of the events.

Betting options for eSports sports games are usually similar to real-match betting, with handicaps, totals, and winners.

As in actual sports, athletes’ in-game stats are also important, which is why eSports games use special builds to ensure fairness.

Gamification of sports betting

The link between sports video games and betting isn’t one-sided, as many betting sites have begun adopting gamification elements.

These make the overall sports betting experience feel more like a video game, with daily missions that earn Free Bets or bonus funds.

Other common gamification elements include:

• Leaderboard tournaments
• Progression systems

Even the bonus offers at betting sites have become more like video games, with pinball machines or crane games offering prizes.

Some betting sites also add social elements, similar to a video game’s chat function.

Players can also participate in limited-time events, such as prize draws, or try flash markets.

Virtual sports

Virtual sports further integrate sports video games and real-match betting by combining elements of both.

Instead of waiting for the next Premier League match to see their favourite south west London teams, they can watch computer-generated simulations of sports every two minutes.

Some of the more popular virtual sports markets include:

• Football
• Penalty shots
• Basketball
• Horse racing

The sports feature high-quality 3D graphics and are often visible even without logging in.

Since the events are short, players don’t have to wait for the results, so the experience is similar to booting up and playing a quick match at games like Rocket League.

Skin betting

Some people want to turn their in-game currency into real money, which is why sports games and online betting sometimes combine into a practice called skin betting. 

Underground sites allow players to take the virtual currency used to buy packs and turn it into tokens they can use to bet on real events.

Since these sites are illegal, the UKGC prosecutes them as it did with FUT Galaxy in 2017.

“This case demonstrates that we will use the full range of our statutory powers to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies who try to operate illegally.”
– Sarah Harrison, UKGC Chief Executive

Players using these sites can play games and then turn their winnings back into virtual currency or convert them to real money.

Even the game companies themselves have become involved in stopping skin betting, as it promotes underage gambling and causes players to exploit the in-game economy.

Responsible gambling

While sports video games and betting can enhance mechanics and improve gameplay, players should always play responsibly.

For video games, this usually means turning the game off and doing something else for a while or having shorter sessions.

Meanwhile, sports betting sites have various tools to help prevent addiction, such as:

• Self-exclusion
• Time-outs
• Deposit limits
• Reality checks

All legitimate betting sites also work with responsible gambling organisations such as GamCare, so players can access professional help.

However, some people have expressed concern over the connection between sports video games and real-match betting, as they believe it promotes underage gambling and that gambling elements take away from the traditional video game experience.

Conclusion

Sports games and online betting are closely connected, influencing each other.

Both products improve by adding new mechanics and features, as well as by partnering with eSports events.

However, it’s important to maintain responsible gambling and prevent addiction among young people.

Feature image: Free to use from Pixabay