Classic sports are the bread and butter of any betting line up at land-based and online bookmakers. Many chose to expand their portfolios with virtual sports and later on esports were thrown into the mix. Today, punters can bet on all of them using the same account, so their range of gambling options has significantly expanded. In the paragraphs below we analyze the similarities and differences between virtual sports vs esports and help you make the right choice when betting online.
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What is eSports betting?
Esports refers to the most competitive videogame stage, where the best teams and pro-gamers compete at the highest level. Its roots go deep and the first professional games were played more than two decades ago, with StarCraft being the catalyst for growth. Since then, the esports betting industry grew a lot and new games and genres have taken the spotlight. Online and land-based tournaments are held on a monthly basis, with millions of dollars in guaranteed prize pools. Punters can bet on outright winners, place bets pregame or live on mainstream and special markets.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Call of Duty are the most popular first-person shooters, while League of Legends and Dota 2 are the top MOBAs. Hybrid games such as Overwatch and Fortnite have emerged in recent years and they rank high in the preferences of modern punters. Bookmakers were quick to respond and if you read a Betway review you see how many exciting betting opportunities exist.
What Is Virtual Sports Betting?
Virtual sports are computer-generated games that are based on traditional sports and their standard rules. Instead of pitting real teams and athletes against each other, virtual sports look like video games played by fictional teams. Football is the most popular virtual sport, but punters can also bet on ice hockey, tennis, horse and greyhound races. The list is on a constant expansion as more virtual games are added.
Punters bet on the winning team, the total number of points scored and in some cases, on special in-game events. Some bookmakers offer extensive coverage of betting markets, so virtual betting tips come in handy when tinkering with complex wagers. When comparing virtual sports vs esports, it’s easy to notice that the outcome of the former depends on the RNG while the latter rests on real teams and players.
Differences between Esports and Virtual Sports
Inexperienced punters who have dwelled exclusively on traditional sports can assume that virtuals and videogames betting are the same. This is an illusion, because virtual esports vs esports betting are entirely different. The main difference between esports and virtual sports is that the latter are the product of computer algorithms. The software is governed by a strict set of rules and will produce random outcomes. Players have no control over what happens and simply bet the odds. Just like in classic sports, there is an indissoluble link between the risk and reward in virtuals, so punters only play the numbers.
Esports betting is different because it requires research and a thorough understanding of the game. Punters betting on videogame competitions must analyze the form, head to head results and other useful statistics. While there is still a certain level of chance involved, players are in control of their betting. That’s why esports betting is preferred by gamers willing to put in time and effort, while virtuals are favored by casual punters. Both can be fun and profitable, but the trigger for winnings is different. Esports reward research and perseverance, while you only need luck to be successful in virtual sports betting.
