Fantasy Sports Betting: The 'New Poker'
Already picked Salah for your team?
Fantasy sports are the opposite of armchair analysis. Fantasy sports betting is often compared to poker. Luck is just one, and far from the main, element of victory. Everyone wants to feel like Guardiola—of course, in his prime, not the present-day version with a scratched face. In this article, we will cover the essentials of the biggest sports betting craze of the past five years. And, of course, we’ll highlight the best betting opportunities.
EPL Big Pick 6
Buy-in: £1.85
Prize pool: £5,540
Fantasy Rules and Betting Odds
Fantasy betting is a type of wager based on virtual teams composed of real athletes from various sports. Bettors draft a team within a fixed budget and earn points based on players’ real-life performances in matches.
For example, you draft a team for the upcoming Premier League round, selecting Salah, Haaland, and others while staying within the budget. Each player earns a certain number of points for goals, assists, recoveries, and other key actions. The total points accumulated by your players determine your final result.
Key distinction: In fantasy betting, players compete against each other, not the bookmaker. The prize pool depends on the number of participants, and the payout structure varies—sometimes the winner takes all, sometimes the top half of participants win, and other times the top three earn prizes.
How Fantasy Sports Betting Works
Choose a format – Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) for single-day tournaments or season-long leagues.
Build a team – Draft players based on the budget and set rules.
Score points – Players earn points based on their real-life performances (goals, assists, saves, etc.).
Determine winners – The participants with the highest scores win the prize pool.
The Future of Fantasy Betting
You can now play fantasy leagues using NFTs. Some platforms issue stocks in players and clubs. Even top footballers acknowledge fantasy managers. For example, last year, Bruno Fernandes humorously apologized to Fantasy Football managers after missing two clear-cut chances in Manchester United’s 1:0 win over Fulham:
According to Straits Research, the global fantasy sports market reached $24.5 billion by 2024, with optimistic projections forecasting growth to $89 billion by 2031.
Top 3 Biggest Fantasy Betting Wins in the Last Five Years
2021 – A player won $1 million on an NFL fantasy football bet.
2020 – An NBA fan placed a $25 bet and won $500,000, predicting the top performers of the night.
UK Record – A British player won £200,000 by assembling the best fantasy Premier League team.
How to Bet on Fantasy Sports on Bet365 (UK Guide)
1. Register or Log In
Visit the official Bet365 website.
If you have an account, log in. Otherwise, register and verify your age (18+).
2. Deposit Funds
Go to the "Cashier" section and choose a payment method (card, PayPal, etc.).
The minimum deposit is usually £5–£10 (varies by method).
3. Navigate to the Fantasy Sports Section
On the homepage, find "Fantasy Sports".
Select a tournament (e.g., Fantasy Premier League or NBA).
4. Choose a Tournament and Buy-in
Available tournament types:
Classic Tournament – Build a team within a fixed budget.
Head-to-Head – One-on-one duels.
50/50 – The top half of participants win.
Live Fantasy – Betting during matches.
Select a tournament and set your buy-in (starting from £1).
5. Build Your Team
Assemble a squad of real players within the budget (e.g., £100M for 11 footballers).
Points are awarded for real in-game actions (goals, assists, saves, etc.).
6. Confirm and Track Results
Finalize your team and confirm your entry.
Track your players’ performances in real matches.
After the round ends, winners receive prizes.
7. Withdraw Winnings
If your team scores enough points to win, funds will be credited to your Bet365 account.
Withdraw via your preferred method (usually takes a few hours to five days).
Juventus
Hellas Verona
Nottingham Forest
Ipswich
Villarreal
Espanyol
Real Madrid
Atlético Madrid
PSV
Arsenal
