Virtual Sports Betting Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Virtual Sports Betting Market is projected to expand significantly, rising from a valuation of USD 14.42 Billion in 2025 to USD 35.44 Billion by 2031, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 16.17%. This sector involves fixed-odds betting on computer-generated sporting events where results are dictated by Random Number Generator (RNG) algorithms rather than actual human performance. A key factor fueling this growth is the capability to provide incessant, high-frequency betting options that function independently of real-world sporting calendars, weather disruptions, or seasonal breaks. Consequently, operators can sustain user engagement and revenue flow around the clock, even during off-peak times or live sports off-seasons, while the swift conclusion of these matches increases transaction velocity compared to traditional wagering.

However, the industry encounters substantial hurdles related to regulatory compliance and responsible gambling mandates. Since virtual sports employ mechanics comparable to high-frequency casino games, they frequently face intense regulatory examination regarding consumer protection and addiction risks. This scrutiny often leads to rigorous operational restrictions, such as enforced stake caps or curtailed advertising privileges, which can dampen revenue prospects in established markets. For instance, data from the UK Gambling Commission indicates that the Gross Gambling Yield for the virtual betting sector in Great Britain was £9.5 million in the second quarter of 2024, illustrating the specific magnitude of this niche within a heavily regulated market framework.

Market Drivers

The widespread adoption of smartphones combined with high-speed internet connectivity is a primary catalyst for the Global Virtual Sports Betting Market, granting users seamless access regardless of location. The extensive presence of mobile devices and the deployment of 5G infrastructure enable bettors to stream data-heavy, high-definition simulations with minimal latency, mimicking the immediacy found in live sports broadcasts. This technological backbone supports the continuous operation of virtual events, allowing operators to generate volume outside standard peak times. The magnitude of this digital transition is reflected in the results of major operators; for example, according to Entain's 'Annual Report 2023', released in March 2024, the group's Online Net Gaming Revenue reached £3.4 billion, highlighting the prevalence of digital channels in distributing gaming content.

Additionally, the strategic incorporation of virtual sports into prominent betting platforms fuels market expansion by enabling operators to fill voids in real-world sporting calendars. By embedding these virtual events within the main sportsbook interface, companies can effectively cross-sell to their current user base and sustain activity levels during quiet periods or off-seasons. This segment has evolved into a significant revenue source for B2B content suppliers. According to Inspired Entertainment's 'Second Quarter 2024 Results' from August 2024, revenue from their Virtual Sports segment reached $11.7 million, proving its commercial value. Furthermore, illustrating the substantial volume in mature markets, an Agimeg article titled 'Scommesse virtuali: nel 2023 spesi 416 milioni' in January 2024 noted that total spending on retail virtual betting in Italy amounted to €415.7 million for the full year 2023.

Market Challenges

Regulatory compliance and responsible gambling requirements present significant obstacles to the growth of virtual sports. Since these products rely on high-frequency Random Number Generator systems similar to slot machines, regulators frequently categorize them under stringent casino protocols rather than standard sports betting guidelines. This classification directly hinders growth by imposing mandatory waiting periods between rounds and strict stake limits, effectively negating the product's core benefit of rapid event turnover. Consequently, operators are restricted from maximizing hourly transaction volumes, which directly reduces daily revenue potential and decelerates the betting cycle that is essential to this market.

Moreover, these rigorous consumer protection protocols often include severe restrictions on advertising, constraining operators' ability to attract new players or cross-sell to existing sports bettors. The consequence of such a restrictive regulatory climate is reflected in the vertical's relatively low market penetration. Data from the European Gaming and Betting Association in 2024 reveals that virtual betting and esports combined produced a Gross Gaming Revenue of just €0.1 billion among its members, accounting for only 1% of the total online market share. This statistic underscores how regulatory friction confines this sector to a niche status, preventing it from attaining the scale observed in less regulated verticals.

Market Trends

Improvements in hyper-realistic 3D graphics and motion capture technology are transforming user acquisition strategies by minimizing the visual distinction between simulated and live sports. Developers are increasingly adopting cinema-grade motion capture and sophisticated rendering engines to produce smooth, lifelike animations that bolster player immersion and confidence in game integrity. This visual quality is essential for capturing a demographic used to high-definition video gaming, converting betting into a spectator experience akin to watching a live broadcast. The commercial appetite for such high-end simulations is reflected in the financial results of leading tech providers; according to Sportradar's 'Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results' in November 2024, the company reported a 37% year-over-year rise in Betting & Gaming Content revenue, largely driven by strong adoption of its premium portfolio.

Concurrently, the rise of micro-betting and rapid-outcome formats is boosting transaction volumes by catering to consumer desires for instant gratification. In contrast to traditional sports that take hours to conclude, virtual versions compress matches into minute-long cycles, facilitating a continuous betting loop that maximizes turnover during each user session. This increased frequency is pushing the industry's supply side to record levels to satisfy bettor demand for non-stop action. Highlighting this immense operational scale, an SBC News article from September 2024 titled 'SIS: gaining a competitive advantage with our racing & esports suite' noted that the supplier now delivers over 630,000 betting events annually to operators, emphasizing the structural move toward high-volume, rapid-turnover content.

Key Players Profiled in the Virtual Sports Betting Market

• Sportradar AG
• Bragg Gaming Group
• EveryMatrix S.R.L.
• Microgame SpA
• Inspired Entertainment, Inc.
• Kiron Interactive Ltd.
• NSoft d.o.o.
• Playtech PLC

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Virtual Sports Betting Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Virtual Sports Betting Market, by Type:

• Random Number Generation (RNG)-based
• AI-based

Virtual Sports Betting Market, by End User:

• Individual customers
• Commercial customers

Virtual Sports Betting Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Virtual Sports Betting Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.