Explore the key factors that define the best virtual sports betting sites in 2025. Examine platform rankings, odds, and available betting markets. Learn how virtual events are structured, what strategies to use, and which features distinguish one site from another. You can make better-informed choices and approach virtual betting with greater clarity and purpose.
Best Virtual Betting Sites 2025
Peculiarities
- Betfair has a strong competitive position, allowing bettors to place wagers both with the bookmaker and among themselves on the exchange.
- Many events are live streamed
- Bet at some of the odds matched with other players.
- When someone wins more than £250,000 in lifetime winnings, betfair implements premium fees, increasing its commission from 5% to 60%.
- It can be challenging for bettors to choose where to place their bets because of the market's size.
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Excellent "Boosted" Odds
- Loads of bonuses and promotions for existing customers
- 50+ Years in the business
- Online winnings can be withdrawn as cash
- Support available 24/7
- High chance of your account being limited
- Poor “In Play” odds
- Bland looking website
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Great In play betting product
- Coral Connect card means instant cash withdrawals
- Packed with Horse racing offers and promotions
- Strict account verification
- Odds are competitive but rarely the best
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Generous welcome bonus.
- Wide variety of In-Play markets available.
- Quick and easy registration process.
- Poorly rated app.
- Website is dark and unappealing.
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Responsive customer support
- Deposit limits and reality check for responsible betting and gambling
- Information is easy to find and clear to read
- No fees for deposits or withdrawals
- Limited payment options
- Above average withdrawal times
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Well known, reputable high street brand.
- Great range of promotions including free to enter offers.
- Create your own bespoke bets with Ladbrokes’ #GetAPrice feature.
- Ladbrokes can be quick to limit the wagering ability of winning players.
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Loads of bonuses and promotions for existing customers
- Enhanced Odds and unique betting markets
- “Specials” markets Specialists
- Online winnings can be withdrawn as cash
- Focused on UK betting (Football and Horses)
- High chance of your account being limited
- Strict account verification
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Excellent sports coverage
- Secure payment options
- Good commission rate
- Impressive odds available on sports
- The live chat support is not available 24/7
- The website looks overcrowded
- Limited promotion offers
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Bonuses for new and existing customers
- Live chat is always available
- A wide range of sports betting markets on offer
- Impressive casino section
- Customer care is not available by phone
- Betting limits are not particularly high
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Great Esports coverage
- Licensed in the UK
- Generous new customer offer
- Easy to navigate website interface
- No mobile app
- No live streaming
- Limited withdrawal methods
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Easy-to-navigate website
- Large sports betting market
- Apps available both for iOS and Android
- Presence of live betting section with a virtual live tracker
- Limited payment methods
- Live streaming available only for horse racing
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Excellent reward programme for loyal customers
- Extensive range of football leagues covered
- Competitive odds in all markets
- Generous welcome offer
- Some payment methods are not eligible for bonuses
- A slightly overloaded interface
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Wide range of sports available
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent customer support
- No fees for deposits or withdrawals
- Limited payment options
- Difficult to find contact details for support
Peculiarities
- Generous welcome bonus
- Live Streaming of most “In Play” events
- "Best Odds Guaranteed" on UK Horse Racing
- Large bet limits
- Five Star Customer Service
- High chance of your account being limited
- Strict account verification
- Bland looking website
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Great welcome bonus offer
- Easy-to-navigate interface
- Reliable payment options
- Great coverage for sports
- Poor live chat service
- Limited bonuses on sports
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Easy registration process
- Many deposit options
- Expansive sports betting possibilities
- Generous boosted odds on NetBet boosts
- No live streaming
- Support not available 24/7
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Great Mobile app.
- Large Blue Chip company.
- Reliable, Toll-free Customer support.
- Very broad selection of bets.
- Quick to ban customers from Free bet offers.
- Extreme registration requirements.
- Website can be hard to navigate at times.
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- 24/7 live chat
- No fees on deposits or withdrawals
- Live streaming available
- Quick withdrawal times
- No telephone support numbers
- Not many payment methods
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Fantastic range of sports odds
- Live streaming
- 24/7 live chat
- Limited payment options
- Lack of value in general sports odds
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Live streaming options available
- 24/7 live chat support
- No deposit and withdrawal fees
- Few live betting markets
- No promotions
Peculiarities
- Wide variety of betting markets
- Competitive odds on football and tennis
- Bet Builder, Partial Cash Out, Acca Boost, Early Payout
- Detailed match statistics & Insights
- There are few bonuses and live match streams
- No mobile apps
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Premium low commission betting exchange service
- Cash Out available
- Prompt customer service response time
- Good reputation built over the course of 15 years
- User-friendly mobile application for iOS and Android
- In-Play betting only available on a few selected games
- Limited promotional offers
Bonuses for new customers
Peculiarities
- Wide range of markets
- Financial spread betting option
- Mobile app for Android and iOS
- Support is not available 24/7
- Limited promotions
Bonuses for new customers
Virtual Betting Sites — Top 10
Over 30 licensed operators offer virtual sports betting in the UK today. We've singled out ten based on their virtual sports product depth, market coverage, and user experience quality.
Lottoland

This platform leads in the virtual sports variety, covering football, basketball, tennis, baseball, greyhounds, horses, motorsports, cricket, and table tennis. A large, dedicated ‘VIRTUALS’ button in the horizontal scroll menu ensures instant access to virtual betting markets, improving navigation efficiency.
Key strengths:
-
Largest catalogue of virtual disciplines
-
A few football tournaments to choose from (e.g. World Cup, Bundesliga simulations)
-
Rare baseball markets (only 3 UK operators offer the option)


888Sport

The virtual betting site provides betting options on virtual football, basketball, tennis, greyhound racing, horse racing, speedway, velodrome cycling, and golf. It will be of particular interest to golf enthusiasts, as it is one of the few platforms currently offering virtual golf betting. For golf events, a basic form of visualisation is available, showing ball movement and distance to the hole.
Several disciplines are available in "Instant" mode — there is no fixed schedule for virtual matches or races. Instead, users can select an outcome at their convenience, start the event immediately, and receive settlement upon completion.
Key strengths:
-
Extensive range of Instant betting options
-
Decent selection of virtual sports


Betfred

Betting options are available for various disciplines, including virtual football, tennis, horse racing, greyhound racing, motor racing, speedway, cycling, and darts. For those new to this format, a helpful “Virtual Explained” section is available. It uses virtual horse racing as an example to illustrate how virtual betting works.
Key strengths:
-
One of only two licensed operators in the market offering virtual darts betting
-
Virtual sports promotions available for greyhound and horse racing events


Dafabet

This platform offers virtual betting options on football, basketball, tennis, baseball, greyhound racing, horse racing, motorsports (including speedway and NASCAR), and golf. Both traditional scheduled events and Instant mode are available, allowing users to either follow a fixed timetable or launch events on demand. A practical feature is the ability to filter events by provider (Leap Gaming and Betradar).
Key strengths:
-
Virtual baseball betting included
-
Large number of virtual tournaments across football, greyhound, and horse racing


7bet

Virtual betting is available on the site for a variety of sports, including football, basketball, tennis, baseball, motorsports, and table tennis, as well as greyhound and horse racing.It is particularly well-suited for users interested in virtual football, with a wide range of markets and tournaments available. For example, virtual Champions League matches can feature over 100 betting options.
As a plus, a dedicated shortcut in the top navigation carousel provides direct access to the virtual sports section.
Key strengths:-
Good virtual football coverage with numerous tournaments and markets
-
One of the few (3) platforms offering virtual table tennis


Ladbrokes

It covers a wide range of virtual sports, including football, horse racing, greyhound racing, basketball, American football, tennis, motor racing, and even cricket — a relatively rare option in the virtual betting market. Virtual tennis stands out for its variety of available markets, such as Match Result, Handicaps, Total Number of Points, Correct Score, and Winning Margin.
The platform is user-friendly when it comes to understanding how virtual betting works. There’s a clear breakdown of virtual sports rules and RTP (Return to Player) rates available by navigating to Terms and Conditions → Sports Rules → Virtual Sports Rules.
Key strengths:
-
Detailed guides for each virtual sport
-
Betting options on women’s virtual football
-
Quick access to the virtual betting section via the top navigation menu


Matchbook

Matchbook offers a solid range of virtual sports, including football, basketball, greyhound racing, horse racing, motor racing, and golf. The platform is especially suited to football enthusiasts, thanks to the number and variety of football tournaments and match formats available.
Options include virtual domestic leagues, international cups, penalty shootouts, and streak-based formats. Competitions cover regions such as England, Spain, Greece, Brazil, and America, with both league-style play and knockout formats represented.
Key strengths:
-
Quick access to virtual sports via a clearly structured menu
-
14 virtual football competitions and formats


NetBet

This platform has a well-rounded selection of virtual sports for betting, including football, greyhounds, horse racing, cycling, drag racing, and the more niche option of marble racing.
What sets this platform apart is its inclusion of the Crazy Marbles option, where users wager on which marble will reach the finish line first. This option isn’t currently available with other operators, making it a distinctive feature for those looking to try something different within virtual sports.
Key strengths:
-
Exclusive Marble Racing betting
-
Integrated Bet AI tool


Spreadex

This platform provides a standard range of virtual sports for betting, including football, greyhound racing, horse racing, motor racing, and table tennis. However, one standout feature is the inclusion of virtual badminton — a rare option available on only a couple of platforms in the market.
Virtual badminton offers a surprisingly wide range of markets: Match Result, Win Points High/Low, Correct Score, Total Points, Longest Consecutive Points, as well as bets like 1st to Score and 1st to 7.
Key Features:
-
Both fixed odds and spread betting options
-
Referral programme available for users


Unibet

Unibet is one of only four licensed operators on the UK market currently offering virtual cricket betting — a rare option that sets it apart. The virtual cricket section includes a broad selection of core markets such as Match Winner (including Super Over), Total Runs by Player 1 or Player 2, Over/Under for individual overs, and team totals. Examples include bets like “Player 1 Total Runs Over 190.5” or “Will Player 2 lose a wicket in Over 10?”
Beyond the basics, a range of additional markets is available, such as Odd/Even totals, individual batsman performance, and method of dismissal (e.g. caught, bowled, LBW, run out). Each bet type is clearly explained via a pop-up help window, making the section accessible even to those less familiar with cricket betting terminology. Alongside cricket, the platform also offers betting on virtual football, basketball, tennis, greyhounds, and horse racing.
Key Features:
-
One of the few UK operators offering virtual cricket
-
Access to virtual statistics for all sports disciplines of the section for a more immersive experience


Bookmaker
|
Virtual Sports Available
|
Welcome Bonus
|
Min Stake
|
Streaming
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Lottoland |
Football, basketball, tennis, baseball, greyhounds, horses, motorsports, cricket, table tennis |
Bet £10 & get a £10 Free Bet. |
£0.50 |
✅ |
888Sport |
Football, basketball, tennis, greyhound racing, horse racing, speedway, velodrome cycling, and golf |
Use the promo code 30FXS. Deposit and bet £10 to receive £30 in free bets. |
£0.25 |
✅ |
Betfred |
Football, tennis, horse racing, greyhound racing, motor racing, speedway, cycling, darts |
Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bets |
£0.10 |
✅ |
Dafabet |
Football, basketball, tennis, baseball, greyhound racing, horse racing, motorsports (speedway, NASCAR), golf |
— |
£0.01 |
✅ |
7bet |
Football, basketball, tennis, baseball, motorsports, table tennis, greyhound racing, horse racing |
Bet £10, Get £10 in Free Bets |
£0.50 |
✅ |
Ladbrokes |
Football, horse racing, greyhound racing, basketball, American football, tennis, motor racing, cricket |
Bet £5, Get 4 x £5 in Free Bets |
£0.01 |
✅ |
Matchbook |
Football, basketball, greyhound racing, horse racing, motor racing, golf |
— |
£0.01 |
✅ |
NetBet |
Football, greyhounds, horse racing, cycling, drag racing, marble racing (Crazy Marbles) |
Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets + 25 Free Spins |
£0.01 |
✅ |
Spreadex |
Football, greyhound racing, horse racing, motor racing, table tennis, badminton |
£60 in Free Bets for a £10 Bet |
£0.01 |
✅ |
Unibet |
Cricket, football, basketball, tennis, greyhounds, horse racing |
— |
£0.1 |
✅ |
How We Rank Best Virtual Betting Sites
When we look at online bookmakers to bet on virtual sports, we don't just check out the fancy stuff. We really dig into what matters when you're actually placing bets. Here's what we check before we suggest any site:
1️⃣ Market Depth & Variety
Here we look at how many different markets sit alongside the basic win‑draw‑win options. Do you get correct‑score lines, Over/Under goals, various handicap levels and even first‑half or goalscorer markets? A rich mix shows the operator has built out beyond the basics, giving you room to choose simpler virtual bets or dig into more specialist angles as you like.
2️⃣ Virtual Sports Portfolio Breadth
It’s not enough to see only virtual football and horses. We note whether the platform also runs simulated greyhound races, speedway laps, cycling heats, tennis tie‑breaks and the like. A wide selection means more variety and signals that the operator is committed to growing the range, rather than just ticking a box with the most familiar events.
3️⃣ Event Frequency
We measure the pace at which new virtual fixtures of the same type are launched, rather than waiting for a single “match #1” to recur. In virtual football, for instance, you might see a fresh game begin every three minutes, meaning you can settle one wager and almost immediately pick your next spot. Similarly, virtual horse racing might cycle through a new heat each minute, keeping the action flowing. The shorter these intervals, the more chances you have to jump in and out of the market without ever facing a long pause, ensuring your bankroll is always at play rather than sitting idle.
4️⃣ User Experience
We also look at how easy it is to find and navigate the virtual sports betting section. A well-designed layout makes a big difference — the quicker you can locate events, markets, and odds, the smoother your betting experience. We check whether there are extras like provider filters to narrow down your search. If everything’s structured and intuitive, it shows the operator has put real thought into how players interact with the product.
Virtual Sports Betting Odds
We also gauge how sharp the odds are across virtual sports markets. That means looking at the margins built into each price and how those compare to rival platforms. Tight, competitive odds — where the bookmaker’s edge is kept low — give you fairer returns, while unusually wide spreads suggest a bigger built‑in profit for the operator. Below is a table showing examples of margin levels for popular markets within virtual sports.
Why Bet on Virtual Sports?
For newcomers exploring betting, virtual sports deserve a look not because they’re "better," but because they solve real beginner frustrations. Think of them as training wheels with adrenaline.
Picture this: you want to place your first bet, but the big football match is days away. With virtuals? You’re never waiting. Races or matches fire up every 3 minutes, 24/7. Missed one? Another starts instantly. No calendar-checking — just action when you want it.
The simplicity disarms. No drowning in team stats or injury reports — outcomes are determined by RNG (Random Number Generator). Your focus stays purely on betting mechanics: picking winners and understanding payouts. You’ll grasp these basics in minutes, not hours. And because stakes start as low as 10p, you can make 20 practice bets for the price of one real-world coffee. Mistakes stay cheap.
Critically, it’s pressure-free exposure. Each 60-second event is a self-contained sandbox. However, virtual sports won’t replace real matches. But for learning the mechanics of betting? They’re the fastest, kindest simulator. You’ll build confidence in placing bets at an online sportsbook with virtual sports betting options before risking serious cash on sports where analysis matters.
Virtual Betting — Pros & Cons
It is a distinct market. These are the core advantages and disadvantages to know.
Pros:
✅ Always available: Events start every 3–4 minutes, 24/7. No breaks, seasons or closing times.
✅ Instant results: You know if you’ve won or lost in 60-90 seconds. No waiting.
✅ No real-world surprises: Results are computer-generated (RNG). Weather, injuries, refs or player moods don’t affect it.
✅ Lots of choices: Bet on virtual horses, dogs, football, tennis, racing, + more unusual options.
✅ Start cheap: You can bet just pennies. Good for trying things out.
✅ Practice money control: Fast results help test strategies like "bet small % of cash" or "stop after X losses". (Remember: This won’t help you predict winners!)
Cons:
❌ Bigger margins (5-12%+): You’re more likely to lose money because bookmakers take a bigger cut than they do in real sports (which is usually 2–6%).
❌ Dangerously addictive: Quick events + instant results = Easy to bet impulsively or chase losses. Control slips fast.
❌ Feels empty: No real teams/players, stories or excitement—just numbers on a screen.
Types of Virtual Sports
Some bookmakers offer a catalogue of around ten different sports. However, below we highlight those that are currently the most widely available on the regulated UK sports betting market.
⚽ Football
Virtual football matches are available every 3–4 minutes. You can bet on virtual football outcomes like win–draw–win, total goals, handicaps, correct score, first-half result, or goalscorers. Once a bet is placed, the match plays out through short animations showing goals and highlights. Some games follow a fixed schedule (e.g. virtual leagues or cups), while others can be launched instantly. Results are based on RNG models that simulate realistic outcomes. Settlements are processed right after the match ends, allowing for quick, continuous betting.
For betting on this virtual sport, Bwin is a decent option, offering over 100 outcomes across several tournaments.
🏇 Horse Racing
Virtual horse races take place every several minutes. Bettors can pick a winner or back a horse to finish in the top few spots. Each race is shown as a short animation with clear visuals of the horses on the track. Both scheduled and instant race formats are available.
888Sport is an interesting option for predictions because it offers horse racing in both Instant and standard schedule formats with winner, forecast, and tricast options. Meanwhile, William Hill is a good option for those who want to bet on various types of races, including Flats, Jumps, and Sprints.
🐕 Greyhounds
New virtual greyhound races begin every 1–3 minutes. You can bet on the winner or the place positions. The race plays out as a fast animation, and results are calculated immediately after. Since outcomes are RNG-based, there are no external factors like track conditions or weather. This format focuses on simple betting decisions and quick results. With low minimum stakes, it suits players who prefer short, fast-paced betting rounds.
Lottoland offers a good range of bets on the discipline — win, place, forecast and tricast, so you can practice learning about horse racing betting if you are a beginner or just have more options for your predictions.
🏀 Basketball
Virtual basketball games usually last around two minutes. Virtual basketball betting options include match winner, total points, point spread, and individual quarter results. Some bookmakers also offer bets on the first half and combo bets that combine several outcomes. The games use short animations to show key moments like dunks or three-pointers. All results are determined by RNG systems that model scoring patterns.
One of the best platforms to bet on the discipline is 7bet, with around 100 various outcomes to choose from.
🏎️ Motorsports
Virtual motorsports cover different formats such as car racing, speedway, and NASCAR-style events. New races begin every few minutes, and common markets include the race winner, the top 3 finishers, and sometimes the fastest lap. The races are shown through animated sequences that simulate overtakes, crashes, and finishes.
Betfred performs well here overall, offering a good mix of markets like Winner, Forecast, and Tricast, along with the option to choose between motor racing and speedway.
Virtual Sports Betting — Tips & Strategies
Here is some basic advice to follow when betting on virtual sports:
-
It’s RNG: Outcomes are pre-determined by an algorithm. The "stats" shown on screen are just for visual effect.
-
Bookmaker margins are high: The house always has the edge. Look for operators with the lowest margins in your chosen virtual sport.
-
Discipline is key: Set a clear bankroll, define your stake size (as a % of the bankroll), and establish a daily stop-loss. Stick to these rules strictly. Without them, losses are inevitable.
-
Focus on simple outcomes: Win bets usually carry the lowest margins. Rarer markets (like Tricast) often come with inflated bookmaker edges.
-
No “hot streaks”: Past results do not affect future outcomes. Each event is independent.
-
Speed is the enemy: Frequent events encourage impulsive betting. Take breaks. Control your pace.
-
Avoid the Martingale system: Doubling your stake after each loss is a guaranteed way to lose your entire bankroll in virtual sports.
-
Only stake what you can afford to lose: Virtual sports are a high-risk form of entertainment, not a form of investment.
In Conclusion 📋
Choosing the right platform to bet on virtuals in 2025 depends on what you want to achieve and which virtual sports you’re interested in. Some sites, like Lottoland, offer a wide range of options, while others, like Unibet, focus on specific sports, such as cricket. What matters most is finding a balance between a wide choice of markets, frequent events, and fair odds — Fitzdares, for example, offers low margins of around 5% on some bets.
Virtual sports are best used to practise managing your bankroll, not for making predictions. They allow you to place small bets and get results quickly. To reduce risk, it’s important to stay disciplined and avoid bet types with higher bookmaker margins.
The top betting sites are…
Here at Legalbet we have also categorised the top betting sites and their features to make them easier for you to find. They are:
By Sport: Football | Tennis | Boxing | Cricket | Snooker | Golf | UFC | Darts | Greyhound | Rugby | Horse Racing | Basketball | Baseball | Formula 1 | Ice Hockey (NHL) | Volleyball | Cycling | AFL | Netball
By Payment Systems: PayPal | Skrill | Klarna | Debit Cards | Apple Pay | Paysafecard | Neteller | Google Pay | Prepaid Cards | Revolut
By Features: Cash Out | £5 Minimum Deposit | Minimum Bet Sizing | Live Streaming | Betting Exchanges | Safest | Fast Withdrawal | Daily Free Games | New Betting Sites | Horse Betting Apps | Football Betting Apps | Virtual Sports Betting Sites
By Events: Politics | WWE | MLB World Series | Eurovision | NRL Grand Final | Super Bowl LIX
By Esports: CS:GO | Dota 2 | League of Legends | Valorant | CS:GO Betting Sites with Paypal
FAQs
Major providers are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and use RNGs tested by independent, accredited labs. You can check this through audit certificates on operator websites, published RTP figures, and by finding the game in the UKGC public registry — all of which ensure transparency and oversight.
In virtual sports betting, events every 1–3 minutes can trigger impulsive betting and loss of control due to constant stimulation. Effective planning means setting time limits for sessions, taking regular breaks between them, and using time reminders to stay aware of your behaviour.
Virtual sports betting carries a high risk of problem gambling because of the fast pace and 24/7 availability, which encourages impulsive betting and a false sense of control. The risk is slightly lower than with slots (no sensory overload), but higher than real sports, which are slower and more analysis-based.
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