Best Virtual Sports Betting Sites In Canada

Virtual sports betting involves wagering on virtual sports but shouldn't be conflated with eSports betting. A virtual sport is a simulated version of a game, like football, soccer, basketball, tennis, boxing, or darts. The simulation features most of the elements of a real game, so you’ll find teams, players, officials, commentary, and similar rules and outcomes. 

Virtual sports operate independently of real sports leagues and tournaments. The results are computer-generated with the help of sophisticated random number generator (RNG) software. As such, virtual sports are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can explore virtual bets around the clock, and the games take a much shorter time to play out. 

Punters have no control over the outcome of virtual sports, as the RNGs render everything. The RNGs are certified fair, just like virtual slots, blackjacks and roulettes found at online casinos. The sports offer a close enough simulation of what occurs in the real world and leverage advanced technology to render quality graphics and immersive betting experiences.

How Does Virtual Sports Betting Work?

Betting on virtual sports is quite similar to conventional sports betting, with a few key differences. You'll still need to sign up for an account with a trusted sportsbook, fund it and find the virtual sport you want to bet on. Next, choose a market, wager real money, and wait for the event to play out. If you make the correct prediction, you'll receive a payout based on the odds provided for the market you choose. Here are some characteristics of virtual sports betting to help you understand how it works and what makes it different from betting on professional sports in the classical fashion:

• 24/7 Game Availability: Since virtual sports are computer-generated video games like slots and blackjacks, they don't require schedules used in professional sports. Games are always available around the clock, so you can wager on your top sports and markets day and night.
• Shorter Game Time: A typical football match in professional sports takes at least 90 minutes. Virtual sports take one to two minutes at most, so you'll only get the primary highlights and a few other gameplay displays. There's barely half a minute between matches.
• No Live Betting & Cashout: Because virtual sports only last a minute or two and rely on random result generators, they don't offer enough time for in-play betting. Most bookmakers don't feature the live betting or early cashout feature once the match starts.
• Fewer Betting Markets: Virtual sports betting has fewer markets than conventional sports betting. You'll find traditional markets like the moneyline, spread, total, or futures. However, match and player props and exotic bets are not always available.
• Unique Teams & Players: Bookmakers offering virtual sports use unique teams and players. You’ll find tournaments, teams, players, and jerseys/kits close enough to what we have in major leagues. However, the names are slightly changed, so you might find United Team FC instead of Manchester United.
• Relies On RNG Software: Virtual sports rely on random number generators, like video slots, video blackjacks, roulettes, baccarat, poker, online bingo, scratchcards, and more. Leading bookmakers feature RNGs audited by third-party labs for fair results. Since they’re RNG-based, virtual sports are sometimes listed under casino games.

If you're familiar with professional sports betting, betting on virtual sports is easy. All you need to do is find reliable virtual sports betting sites, sign up for an account, deposit funds, and find sports and markets to bet on. Here are all the steps you need to start betting on virtual sports in Canada:

• Create a betting account with a trustworthy sportsbook like Betway, Bet365, Bwin, 888sport, BetVictor, etc. 

• Deposit money to your account and claim a welcome bonus if you find it worthwhile. Read the bonus TCs first.

• Launch the virtual sports tab from the main navigation. It might be under the casino tab on some sites.

• Select your sport (football, basketball, hockey, etc.) and explore the leagues, teams, standings, and matches.

• Choose a match/game and explore the markets and odds. Click on the market/odds to make your selection.

• On the bet slip generated, specify how much you want to bet. Submit your bet and wait for the game to play out.

• Betting must be done within the short duration between matches, as you cannot place a bet once a match begins.

Yes. Betting on virtual sports is legal in Canada, provided you meet the permitted age in your province and aren’t self-excluded from Canadian sports betting websites. No law prohibits virtual sports, so most bookmakers feature the option among their gambling products. However, virtual sports may not be in government-regulated sportsbooks, except for Ontario, which licenses private brands. Punters in other provinces will have to rely on offshore betting sites.

Virtual sports have been around for a few years, but the product is still improving. There are more sports events and games today than at any time in the past. Game providers also feature unique options, so you can find more variations of the same sport. However, you won’t find the comprehensive range available for professional sports events. Below are some of the top virtual sports and events you’ll find in modern sportsbooks and betting apps in Canada:

• Virtual Soccer: You can find plenty of virtual action and odds on the moneyline (win/draw/lose), spread, total (over/under), and props like both teams to score and the first team to score. Some bookmakers have over 20 markets, so you can find your favourite virtual soccer bet.
• Virtual American Football: Fans of the NFL or CFL can find virtual American football action with exciting markets. The experience differs from the real action but offers a fantastic addition when looking for 24/7 football betting markets. Most bookmakers call it American Football because football can also mean soccer.
• Virtual Horse Racing: Horse racing is a popular sport in North America, and even bigger in the virtual space. You'll find many of the top events, including the Aintree Grand National, in virtual options. Virtual horse racing also features the usual markets, including winning horses, each-way bets, and more.
• Other Virtual Sports: Bookmakers offer many other virtual sports, including virtual greyhound racing, basketball, darts, tennis, cricket, cycling, baseball, ice hockey, speedway, and more. The virtual sports product keeps improving daily, and game providers will be looking to model after all options available in the professional sports categories.

Virtual sports offer the same markets you’ll find in conventional sports betting. You can bet on traditional lines like the outright winner of a match, goal/points variation, and total (over/under). Some sportsbooks and games also offer futures and props, although the options are usually limited compared to what’s available on conventional betting. Here are the popular virtual bets you can place:

• Moneyline: The moneyline is the most popular market, whether you seek a virtual soccer bet or a horseracing market. It involves wagering on who wins the match, game, or contest. You can back a soccer team to win, draw, or lose the match, which is known as a three-way moneyline. Some games don't have a draw/tie, so they have two-way moneyline outcomes.
• Spread: Also known as point spread, puck line, or run line, this bet involves wagering on the score variation. It's popular in hockey, American football, and basketball, where you can bet on a team to score "X" number of goals/points more than the opponent. You can also wager against the spread, which backs a team not to lose by more than "X" number of points.
• Total: The total or over/under bet involves wagering on the combined score to be above (over) or below (under) a specific threshold. For example, you can bet on a virtual hockey game to result in over or under 3.5 pucks. An example of an over 3.5 outcome is 3-1 or 2-2, etc., while an under 3.5 outcome would be 1-0, 3-0, 2-1, 1-1, etc.
• Other Markets: Virtual sports offer other markets like futures and props. Futures involve betting on a distant future outcome, such as which team will finish top of the league when all games are played. Props are minor in-match outcomes, like which team scores the first goal or if both teams will score. You can also place parlay bets, which involve having multiple selections on the bet slip.

Betting strategies are popular in conventional sports betting, and some are practical in virtual sports. Strategies like exploring flexible in-play odds are obviously not possible. However, you can still find strategies to buffer your odds of winning and improve the betting experience. Here are four virtual sports betting tips to consider before you place your first wager:

• Join A Reliable Sportsbook: Virtual sports are RNG-based games, so you need a trustworthy sportsbook with certified fair software that gives you a real chance of winning. Stick to legitimate sportsbooks with a license from Ontario, Malta, Kahnawake, the UK, or other reliable regulators. Choose secure websites with convenient payment methods, exceptional support, generous bonuses, and intuitive mobile designs.
• Learn How It Works: Before jumping into virtual sports betting, learn how everything works. Launch a sport, find out about the league and teams, explore standings and previous performances, and determine how many games are left before a new competition starts. Track the results and learn ways to optimize your betting before placing your first virtual sports bet.
• Make Moneyline Parlays: The moneyline bet is the easiest to predict, so you should start with it before trying out other markets. Glancing at the standings gives you an idea of the favourite teams or individuals to back. If the favourites have low odds, you can build a parlay with two or three moneyline bets.
• Bet Responsibly: Virtual sports can result in instant rewards and huge payouts, especially if you’re on a winning streak. However, you also risk losing huge sums within the same short duration. You should always bet responsibly. Set gambling funds aside. Take advantage of bonuses, and try out different sports/RNGs when one is on a losing streak. Learn when to refrain from betting.

The demand for virtual sports betting continues to grow, so most bookmakers feature such options on their platforms. Finding virtual sports betting sites is effortless, but you must review each carefully for the best experience.

Consider licensing, security features, payment methods, bonuses, sports coverage, customer support, mobile experience, and payout duration. Here are some of the top bookmakers we recommend to punters seeking virtual sports in Canada: