How To Bet On Simulated Sports Online

Written by: Joseph Falchetti, Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert
Last updated:
8 minute read
Simulated Sports Betting

Sports sim betting or simulated sports betting is different than eSports or even virtual sports. With Sims, games are simulated using popular videogame titles such as Madden, NBA2K, FIFA Soccer, and more.

The difference here is that no one is controlling the teams in the match, and it is computer versus computer.

However, betting on these games that involve real rosters and coaches is available at many betting sites online.

The Games Feel Similar To Real-life

Wagers and markets are also on par with real games and are graded the same way. 

The games look extremely similar to real-life games involving real players. Best of all, the simulated games are streamed live at sportsbooks through the Twitch.tv platform.

Just like any betting market alone, there is almost always value to be found if you look in the right places and learn to handicap the sport properly. 

Top Sites For Simulated Sports Betting

Rank
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  • 1
    A+
    4.9/5.0
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  • 2
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  • 5
    A
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  • 5
    A
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    100% up to $1,000
  • 5
    A
    4.7/5.0
    50% Up To $1,000

How To Bet On Simulated Sports

  1. Choose A Simulated Sports Betting Site

    We encourage bettors to always choose one of our top-rated sportsbooks with a strong reputation in the industry.

    However, simulated sports betting won’t be available at every betting site. Be sure to check to see if they have these markets before making a deposit.
  2. Make A Deposit

    There are several options available for making a deposit on online betting sites.

    We recommend cryptocurrencies because of their quick speeds, and at most betting sites, deposits and withdrawals are free.
  3. Find Simulated Sports Betting Odds

    These may not be easy to find but should be available under “Sim Sports,” “Simulated Sports Betting Odds,” or something similar.

    They usually won’t be listed under NFL, NBA, or other sports, as those odds will be focused on live games involving real players and coaches.
  4. Choose Your Bets

    This is where you add your wager(s) to your bet slip and choose your betting amounts.

    You will find that most betting options for real-life sports, such as sides, totals, moneylines, and even live betting, can also be found in sport simulation odds markets.
  5. Place Your Sim Bets

    Before confirming your bet, choose the amount you wish to bet and make sure your selection is on the right team and market. Place your bet and then sit back and enjoy the simulation.

Where To Bet On Simulated Sports

Rank Top Betting Sites Deposit Bonus Get Started
1 Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 Bet Now
2 Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $2,500 Bet Now
3 Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 Bet Now

There is good reason to think simulated sports will still be available at sportsbooks due to their popularity, even after the pandemic.

After all, they don’t take a lot of effort from oddsmakers to produce and formulate odds, and they involve real-life players, coaches, and playbooks.

The ratings are also tied to teams’ performance in the real world, making them far more realistic and relatable than virtual sports.

#1 BetUS Sportsbook

BetUS is our top-ranked online sportsbook, and yes, they do offer sim sports betting odds.

Their 100% Up To $2,500 Welcome Bonus is one of the biggest in the industry, allowing you to boost your bankroll right after signing up and depositing.

You may not find many markets to bet on sim sports, but more options will open after you log in to your account. Just wait for a sim sports event to come up.

In the meantime, take a look at real sports to bet on. You can make a profit by taking advantage of the bonus.

#2 BetOnline Sportsbook

Another elite option in online betting markets is BetOnline.ag.

They offer sports simulations for both the NBA and NFL.

BOL’s main promo is their 50% Up To $250 Welcome Bonus. Make sure to claim it with your first deposit.

BetOnline provides a great live betting platform and lightning-fast payouts.

#3 Bovada Sportsbook

Bovada is one of the most recognized brands in the offshore betting industry.

They offer NFL, NBA, and FIFA simulated sports betting odds when the markets are available.

Bovada gives you a 50% Up To $250 Welcome Bonus with a very low rollover, making it easier to clear.

If you are interested in betting on sports casually, we recommend you try Bovada.

Bonus: Mybookie Sportsbook

One of our top-rated betting sites has a host of sports simulations.

Madden 20 and NB2K20 are available throughout the day, and as mentioned above, they are the only betting site to offer UFC3 simulations.

Current betting limits for NBA and NFL sims are $250 at prematch and $500 live. However, wagering limits may rise an hour before the start of a game as MyBookie gets more liquidity or betting action.

First-half and overnight bets are capped at $100.

Simulated Sports Available For Wagering

There are many popular sports video games available for sim betting. Anyone familiar with the video game industry likely knows Madden, NBA2K, FIFA, UFC Fight Night, and other popular sports video games.

Most betting sites list the setting for each game above each matchup. For instance, a Madden simulation may state that the game will be played with “All-Madden” difficulty, have 15-minute quarters, and the weather will be random.

Simulated games are much shorter than their real-life counterparts. Most Madden and NBA2K simulations will take about an hour and a half at most to complete, and they are usually a bit faster.

This is because there are no commercials, and the pace of the game is quicker since there are no user-controlled teams and it is computer vs. computer.

Madden Game Simulations

Madden is world-famous and is easily the most popular simulated game. Betting markets are nearly identical to wagering on real NFL games.

Bet On Madden Game Simulations

Sides, totals, moneylines, and even live betting is available when betting Madden sims.

The only thing you’re usually going to be missing is player props, but it is possible some online sportsbooks have those, as well.

NBA2k Game Simulations

The 2k Franchise may be more popular than Madden these days. Betting sites that offer simulation betting odds will have markets on these two games, at a minimum. 

Betting On NBA2k Game Simulations

If you’re familiar with betting on the NBA, then you will be right at home betting NBA2k. Sides, totals, moneylines, and even some props available where it is offered.

Live betting is also a mainstay at betting sites that offer simulated sports betting.

FIFA Simulated Games

FIFA is another sim that you find at sites that offer simulation betting odds. Markets are a bit reduced for FIFA20, but standard soccer wagers, such as three-way moneylines and totals, are options at most betting sites.

Asian handicaps may be a little harder to find, along with the horde of props available for most live soccer matches.

However, like most betting on game simulations, live betting odds are at hand.

UFC Simulated Games

MyBookie.ag is the only sportsbook only that offer UFC simulations, using the video game, UFC3, but it’s worth mentioning here because it’s one of the more unique sims available for wagering.

Betting On UFC3 Simulations

Also, the propositions available are incredibly close to UFC betting markets in real fights. Aside from betting on the outright winner, you can also bet props, such as will the fight end in a decision.

Tips For Success When Betting Simulated Sports

There can be an edge on any betting market, even simulated games where a large amount of random is going to occur. In fact, there may be hidden advantages that the oddsmakers are unaware of when offering odds on computerized video game matchups. 

Here are a few of our best tips to give yourself a fighting chance to win when wagering on simulated sports betting.

Don’t Forget About Bankroll Management

Simulations offer far more betting opportunities than regularly scheduled sporting events. If you utilize several betting sites, that’s easily a dozen or more simulations a day to bet on, and that may be on the low end.

Managing your bankroll is a vital part of becoming a successful sports bettor, especially when there is the temptation of nearly endless action, which is the case with simulated sports betting. 

Don’t forget to manage your bankroll and attack games where you feel there is an edge. Line shopping is still essential when betting simulated sports as some betting sites may off the same matchups with the same settings but different odds. 

Attack where you feel you have excellent opportunities and lay off in other less favorable spots.

Be Aware Of The Vigorish

From our look at simulated sport betting odds, there have been no betting sites offering -110 odds as base pricing. Sportsbooks are juicing both sides at -115 and, in some cases, -120. 

Remember, betting at odds higher than -110 raises your breakeven percentage. Meaning, it’s much harder to earn a profit betting sports when you’re consistently wagering more than -110, which is the case when wager on simulated sports betting.

You will need hit close to 55% of your bets to breakeven when wagering at -120, versus 52.38% when you’re consistently placing bets at -110 or less. 

Proposition bets normally have -115 vigorish on both sides, but the edges on those wagers are considerably larger than betting on simulated games. 

It’s going to be very tough to beat -115 or -120 pricing on simulations unless you’re sure you have a decent advantage of the market.

Compare Them Against Your Own Ratings, If Possible

Modeling is difficult, but creating your own power rankings or ratings for a sport isn’t impossible, and when it comes to game simulations, checking player ratings and matchups, along with settings, can be easily done.

The oddsmakers could have left out some factors when handicapping the simulations and may not have accurately accessed each team’s rating or some elements of randomness.

If you have an in-depth knowledge of how these simulations are calculated or can build a model yourself, there may be a much larger edge to be had when betting on game simulations.

Simulated Sports Betting FAQ

Is betting on simulated sports legal?

Yes, but it is only found on online betting sites. Regulated land-based sportsbooks will not have odds on sports sims.

What types of bets can you make in simulated sports?

The same bets you can make on live sports. You won’t find as many markets, but all the standard options are there, such as sides, totals, moneylines, and plenty of propositions. However, betting limits are considerably lower than live games with real players.

Is betting on simulated sports safe?

Yes, it is a randomized event and wagers are graded in the same way that they would be if it was a real-life game. The results are random and oddsmakers have no part in the simulations, other than to set the odds.

How do you win simulated sports bets?

Shopping odds and knowledge of the video game and teams helps, but just like any form of sports handicapping, it takes time and effort, and there is luck involved.

Are Simulated Sports Rigged?

No, they are randomized games where computers play simulated games against each other. The ratings of the teams and players are based on their real-life performance, but there is always randomness and variance of outcomes, just like real-life sports.

Learn More About The Safest Betting Sites

About the Author

Joseph Falchetti

Joseph Falchetti

Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert

Joe is the author of the majority of sports betting pages on SBS and he serves as a gambling consultant to our content team. He's been mentioned on Forbes.com as a gaming analyst, and his articles have been linked by larger publications, such as the New York Times.

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