Find virtual betting sites in the UK. This page explores top-class virtual betting sites and how to bet on virtuals.
Betting on virtual sports is now exceptional and has become one of the most popular forms of online betting in the UK.
List of Virtual Sports Betting Sites - November 2024
We have built a list of betting sites in the UK that are offering virtual sports betting. With these sites, you have 24/7 simulated sports games that you can bet on.
The best virtual betting sites offer bettors a wealth of virtual sports betting markets and versatile betting features such as virtual in-play odds.
The finest of the finest also provides virtual betting offers and lets new punters use betting bonuses on virtual bets.
The best virtual betting sites November 2024 are listed below:
Hollywoodbets - £30 back as free bets + 20 free spins
NRG - £10 free bet
Lottoland - £10 free bet
Parimatch - £30 free bet
Ladbrokes - £20 free bet
1. Hollywoodbets Virtual Sports
The best virtual betting site is Hollywoodbets.
Hollywoodbets beats all its competitors when it comes to virtual sports betting. What differentiates Hollywoodbets from other virtual bookmakers is that it offers virtual sports betting from three game providers: Pragmatic Play, Kiron, and Leap Gaming.
The combined offering from these three providers is truly extensive. Besides traditional virtual football and horse racing, this means you can also bet on niche sports like virtual darts, ice hockey, and table tennis on Hollywoodbets.
Note that this top 5 list is one of many lists where Hollywoodbets has been crowned the best site on Bojoko. We highly recommend checking out our Hollywoodbets review to explore this fantastic site more deeply.
NRG makes it easy for visitors to dive into virtual betting, offering access from the homepage menu. Once you step into the virtual betting lobby, you can't help but admire the impressive range of options, with over 20 virtual sports, from golf to football.
In addition to a great selection of virtual markets, NRG deserves praise for its low deposit limits. You can start testing virtual sports betting on NRG with a minimum deposit of just £1. For more information on payment methods and deposit limits, check out the NRG sportsbook review.
Mastercard, Visa, Online bank transfer, Cheque, Maestro
✍️ Bojoko Rating
3.1/5
3. Lottoland Virtual Sports
Lottoland is an excellent virtual sports betting site.
The name Lottoland might suggest that the site focuses on lotteries rather than being a sportsbook offering great virtual sports odds. Thankfully, the name doesn't tell the whole story, as we've highlighted in our Lottoland review. In many respects, Lottoland is a well-rounded betting site, and when it comes to virtual sports, it's rightfully earned its spot on the Top 5 list.
At Lottoland, you'll find virtual horses, football, motorsports, baseball, and cricket, among many other options. All simulations run smoothly with high-quality visuals, and we can't emphasize enough how much we recommend you check it out yourself.
Mastercard, Visa, Online bank transfer, Trustly, Paysafecard, MuchBetter
✍️ Bojoko Rating
3.4/5
4. Parimatch Virtual Sports
Parimatch offers great virtual betting opportunities.
Known for its wide selection of top-notch betting offers, Parimatch is also a strong player in the virtual sports arena. Parimatch provides 24/7 HD-quality virtual sports broadcasts across various sports, including horse racing (both flat and jumps), basketball, football, and greyhound racing.
In our Parimatch betting review, we praised the site's expertise in horse race betting, and the same applies to its virtual sports. The sportsbook offers an impressive range of markets and odds on virtual horse racing, with unique races starting continuously.
Ladbrokes is one of the biggest betting sites in the UK.
Ladbrokes excels in real sports betting and offers a massive selection of virtual sports. There are 11 different virtual sports available, and new customers can claim a £20 free bet. . Moreover, Ladbrokes is incredibly user-friendly on mobile, making betting on virtual sports even more straightforward and convenient. We could go on about all the great features of Ladbrokes, but if you want to know more, check out our Ladbrokes betting review.
Mastercard, Visa, Neteller, Paysafecard, PayPal, Maestro, Apple Pay, Rapid Transfer, Google Pay
✍️ Bojoko Rating
4.8/5
Best Virtual Betting Sites - Summary
Best virtual betting sites offer new and increasingly high-quality games. We have selected the top five from the UK's virtual sports betting market.
The best virtual sports betting sites are listed in the table below:
Virtual Betting Site
Sign Up Offer
Number of Virtual Sports
Virtual Betting Odds
Hollywoodbets
£30 back as free bets + 20 free spins
19
94% RTP
NRG
£10 free bet
24
93% RTP
Lottoland
£10 free bet
18
90% RTP
Parimatch
£30 free bet
7
92% RTP
Ladbrokes
£20 free bet
27
91% RTP
How We Rate Virtual Bookmakers
We rate virtual sports bookmakers by analyzing the key factors listed below:
Assessing the variety of virtual sports available
Reviewing the odds offered across different virtual sports markets
Checking the availability of in-play odds and cashout features for virtual betting
Looking for special promotions and bonuses for virtual sports betting
Verifying the payment methods and transaction speed
These rating factors form the foundation for ranking virtual sports betting sites and guide you to the most trusted platforms. To learn more about our review process and full evaluation criteria, visit Bojoko's honest betting reviews page.
New Virtual Betting Sites
Newly introduced virtual sports betting sites offer a dynamic alternative for bettors seeking fresh markets and appealing welcome bonuses.
These platforms provide an exciting new way to engage with virtual sports and enhance the betting experience. To find more recently launched betting platforms check out our page of new bookies.
All new virtual betting sites are listed below:
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Virtual Betting Apps
Virtual sports betting apps offer a quick and efficient way to place bets on simulated events. Using an app provides a better experience compared to a browser, making it the preferred option whenever possible.
Some operators invest more resources into creating high-quality applications than others. We have assessed numerous betting apps, focusing on their performance in virtual sports.
The best virtual betting apps are listed in the table below:
Free bets are the best betting offers to take advantage of on virtual sports betting sites. Other great offers include match deposit bonuses and no-deposit free bets.
Take the most out of the virtual sports betting experience with these valuable promotions.
Free Bets
Many virtual sports betting sites offer free bet offers.
Virtual free bet offers can be directly targeted at virtual sports betting, part of a larger promotional package, and available to both new and existing bettors.
For example, the betting site Fitzdares offers a free bet on virtual sports as part of its welcome package.
At best, you can claim virtual free bet offers with fiver by using, for example, bet 5 get 20 deals.
Betting Deposit Bonuses
Betting deposit bonuses are functional betting offers for virtual sports betting.
You have a bankroll that you're ready to bet on virtual sports. With a deposit bonus, you can increase your bankroll and potentially double it to hundreds of pounds, as shown in our top betting offers list.
Matched deposit bonuses aren't as common as free bets, but they are still popular and great for virtual betting.
No Deposit Free Bets
No deposit free bets let you claim a free bet from the bookie without depositing any money.
They're great for testing the waters in virtual sports betting. We've gathered all the best available no deposit free bet offers on one page.
Some operators pay out winnings as real money, while others may have wagering requirements. Always review the bonus terms carefully before claiming a no deposit free bet.
Payment Methods for Online Virtual Betting
You can use many payment methods like debit cards, Bitcoin and PayPal on virtual betting sites. We've highlighted these three banking methods to serve a mix of punters:
Debit card: Available on all UKGC-licensed betting sites.
Bitcoin: Ideal for bettors who appreciate anonymity.
PayPal: Fast and reliable wallet.
Debit Card
Depositing and betting with debit cards is the most common method on UK betting sites. Of course, this applies to virtual sports betting as well.
Debit cards are fast, secure, and widely accepted across all betting platforms. All bookmakers featured on this page use debit cards, and most offer instant deposits with no fees.
Bitcoin is a virtual currency often associated with esports and virtual sports betting.
According to UK gambling regulations, direct Bitcoin deposits are not permitted, but you can use e-wallets to convert cryptocurrencies into pounds and engage in betting with Bitcoin.
Many betting sites also offer alternative payment methods, such as Paysafecard or Neosurf, which allow you to deposit and withdraw quickly and anonymously.
PayPal
PayPal is one of the most convenient and secure payment methods for virtual sports betting.
Many UK betting sites accept PayPal due to its fast processing times and added layer of protection for users. With PayPal, deposits are instant, and withdrawals are often quicker than traditional bank transfers.
It's an excellent option for bettors who prefer to keep their debit card details private from betting sites. Explore the best PayPal sports betting sites and enjoy seamless transactions when betting on virtual sports.
Betting on Virtual Sports
Virtual sports betting has taken huge leaps in recent years, with better animations and more realistic games. Nowadays, for example, virtual football on betting sites looks very much like the FIFA video game. The quality of virtual betting has gone up, but so has the overall betting experience. The number of betting markets and options for bettors to bet on different things is growing all the time, as is the number of sports.
How Does Virtual Sports Betting Work
Virtual sports games are simulations of different sports that are basically running all day long. The bookies will give you odds normally for different outcomes just like in real sports. The outcome of the events is based on the randomness built into the games and the computer will decide the outcome based on an algorithm.
Virtual games are also quicker and can be enjoyed more frequently than their more-traditional counterparts. For example, a virtual football game often lasts only 3 minutes.
Differences Between Virtual Sports and Real-life Sports
There are obvious differences between real-life sports and virtual sports, even though virtual games try to simulate the real ones as well as they can. Some of the main differences are:
Virtual games are running 24/7.
Virtual game outcomes are decided by computers, not real athletes.
Shorter games and races.
Lack of variables that happen in real sports, like weather, emotions, referees, or other variables.
Image of Leap Gaming's virtual horse racing game and odds
How to Bet on Virtuals
Placing virtual sports bets follows a very similar pattern to any other sports betting. However, we've put together simple steps for you to follow to place your virtual bets with ease.
Placing bets works as follows:
Choose a virtual sports betting site from our Virtual bookmakers list.
Open an account and make your first deposit.
Claim betting offers, if available.
Go to the Virtual or Virtual Sports menu at a betting site.
Explore available virtual games and choose what you prefer.
Pick a market and place your bet.
See when the action unfolds and feel the excitement.
Still unsure if you want to place bets on virtual sports? No worries, check out our best online betting sites UK list, where you'll find the top bookmakers for a variety of sports beyond just virtual betting.
Pros and Cons of Virtual Betting
Virtual sports betting has its advantages, but also comes with drawbacks to consider.
The pros and cons of virtual betting are listed below:
Pros:
You can place bets anytime and everywhere, as virtual sports run online 24/7.
A diverse selection of sports and events is simulated, offering countless betting opportunities.
Virtual events are quick, lasting only minutes, allowing rapid bets and payouts.
No knowledge of team or player history is needed to bet on virtual sports.
Cons:
Algorithms decide the results, adding unpredictability and potential frustration for bettors.
The fast pace can encourage compulsive betting and raise addiction risks.
Virtual sports usually have a higher house edge than traditional sports betting, lowering potential winnings.
Virtual Sports Betting Tips & Strategy
Betting on virtual sports compared to real-life sports is similar but still different. There are certain things to consider if one wants to succeed in virtual sports betting. Firstly, you have to understand that the games are run by computers, and unless you know the exact algorithm, you can't really find an edge for yourself as you can in real sports. Therefore, be very cautious if you see anyone giving "hot tips" for virtuals because you can't. Stay away from virtual sports tipsters.
It's impossible to give tips on virtual sports since everything is decided by an algorithm
The best strategy for virtual sports betting is to apply good risk management, allocate fewer stakes from your bankroll than normal, and bet only the amount that you are happy to lose. We encourage you to bet on virtual sports only for entertainment purposes.
If you do win, as many do, congratulations, but don't think it's because of your own skills. The hard fact is that winning in virtual sports is down to luck as it's, again, a computer-programmed game with a set RTP for each betting market.
Best Virtual Sports Games to Bet On
Virtual football, horse racing, and basketball are the most popular virtual sports games to bet on. These three virtual sports are available on every betting site that offers virtual sports betting.
Virtual Football Betting
Virtual football betting is the largest and most popular option among virtual sports betting markets. You'll find virtual football on almost every virtual sports betting site.
The betting options include national teams and club football, with various tournament formats and leagues available. Whether it's the World Cup or Germany's Bundesliga, you can place bets on it within the virtual football betting markets. Sometimes, you might even find the chance to bet on virtual penalty shootouts.
Virtual Horse Racing Betting
Virtual horse racing is a very popular virtual sports betting market.
Like football, horse racing is a staple on virtually every virtual sports betting site. There are several race formats within virtual horse racing, the most traditional being flat and jump racing.
Additionally, there are sprint races that last under a minute and more giant races with up to dozens of horses on the track. To add realism, many virtual tracks replicate real-world venues, and some virtual bookmakers even offer cash-out options for virtual horse racing bets.
Virtual Basketball Betting
Virtual basketball betting is one of the most popular virtual sports betting options.
Virtual sportsbooks typically offer two main leagues to bet on: the virtual NBA and the virtual EuroLeague. These two leagues bring all the world's best virtual basketball teams from both North America and Europe to the court. One of the most exciting ways to bet on virtual basketball is to follow the games and place virtual live bets.
FAQ
Virtual sports betting simulates real sports, but they're, in fact, computer-generated games run by algorithms. For casual bettors, this doesn't really matter, as many betting sites offer plenty of odds and similar betting markets as for normal real-life sports.
You can bet on virtual football, horse racing, basketball, motorsports, dog racing and many others.
The best betting sites for virtual sports are Hollywoodbets, NRG, Lottoland, Parimatch and Ladbrokes. All of them have good welcome offers for new players and plenty of high-quality virtual sports games. You can check a bigger list of virtual sports betting sites here.
In virtual sports betting, you need to understand that the games are run by computer algorithms. Therefore, each game has a set RTP (return to player) and in the long run, will follow exactly that number. Therefore again, there are no secret ways to win more in virtual sports betting. You should only bet for entertainment purposes, and if you do manage to win, good on you, but don't expect to outsmart the game, because you can't.
You can try to limit your losses and nerves by applying sensible staking and risk management. We also encourage to play with smaller stakes than normal sports betting.
About the Author
Article by:
Teemu Mattila
With a career starting in 2015, Teemu has an extensive background in content writing, collaborating with global companies in Finnish and English.
Since 2022, he has been working with Bojoko, focusing on sports betting and casino content, combining his passion for sports and the iGaming industry.