Skip to main content
18Betting is for adults aged 18 and over Odds and offers checked
Free bets

Top Virtual Sports Betting Sites

Since first being offered some 20 years ago, virtual sports betting has come a long way. Technological developments mean that the vast majority of virtual sports now have lifelike event simulations for you to watch. And that makes betting on virtual…

Checked Written by the TopRatedBetting editors18+ · BeGambleAware.org
On this page
  1. How Virtual Sports Betting Works
  2. How to Sign up to Virtual Sports Betting Sites
  3. Virtual Sports Betting Markets Explained
  4. Bonuses
  5. New Virtual Sports Betting Sites
  6. Ready to Play?
  7. FAQs

Since first being offered some 20 years ago, virtual sports betting has come a long way. Technological developments mean that the vast majority of virtual sports now have lifelike event simulations for you to watch. And that makes betting on virtual football, horse racing or motor racing as exciting as having a punt on the real thing

Bookmakers we rate for virtual sports

Licences verified against the Gambling Commission register · offers checked 18 September 2026
  1. 1Betway logoEditor’s pick

    Betway Sports

    UKGC 39372
    • Qualifying bet from £10
    • Free bets on any sport
    • Own odds boosts and bet builder
    New customer offerBet £10 get £40 in free betsFree bets credited after the qualifying bet settles
    Visit Betway18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £40 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £10
    Minimum odds
    Evens (2.00)
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Licence
    UKGC · Betway Limited · account 39372 · 039372-R-319367-029
    Offer detail: Free bets credited after the qualifying bet settles. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  2. 2William Hill logo

    William Hill Sports

    UKGC 39225
    • High street brand since 1934
    • PayPal and Apple Pay accepted
    • Best odds guaranteed on racing
    New customer offerBet £10 get £40 in free betsDebit card registrations only, promo code G40
    Visit William Hill18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £40 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £10
    Minimum odds
    Evens (2.00)
    Free bet expiry
    30 days
    Promo code
    G40
    Licence
    UKGC · WHG (International) Limited · account 39225 · 039225-R-319373-015
    Offer detail: Debit card registrations only, promo code G40. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  3. 3888sport logo

    888sport

    UKGC 39028
    • Three separate £10 tokens
    • Qualifying bet from £10
    • Bet builder and in-play markets
    New customer offerBet £10 get £30 in free betsThree £10 tokens: football, horse racing and in-play
    Visit 888sportRead our 888sport review18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £10
    Minimum odds
    1/3 (1.33)
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Promo code
    30FXS
    Licence
    UKGC · 888 UK Limited · account 39028 · 039028-R-319297-014
    Offer detail: Three £10 tokens: football, horse racing and in-play. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  4. 4NetBet logo

    NetBet Sport

    UKGC 39170
    • Tokens split across four markets
    • No wagering on free bet returns
    • Bet builder token included
    New customer offerBet £10 get £20 in free betsFour £5 tokens: bet builder, football acca, racing acca, tennis in-play
    Visit NetBet18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £20 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £10
    Minimum odds
    Evens (2.00)
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Promo code
    MAXNET
    Licence
    UKGC · Netbet Enterprises Limited · account 39170 · 039170-R-319343-032
    Offer detail: Four £5 tokens: bet builder, football acca, racing acca, tennis in-play. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  5. 5Ladbrokes logo

    Ladbrokes Sport

    UKGC 54743
    • Trading since 1886
    • Shops in most UK high streets
    • Grid and acca tools in the app
    New customer offerBet £5 get £30 in free betsFree bets credited once the qualifying bet settles
    Visit LadbrokesRead our Ladbrokes review18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £5 get £30 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £5
    Minimum odds
    Evens
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Licence
    UKGC · LC International Limited · account 54743 · 054743-R-330863-014
    Offer detail: Free bets credited once the qualifying bet settles. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  6. 6Coral logo

    Coral Sports

    UKGC 54743
    • High street chain since 1926
    • Qualifying stake from £5
    • Free bets arrive as six tokens
    New customer offerBet £5 get £30 in free betsFree bets split into six £5 tokens on selected markets
    Visit CoralRead our Coral review18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £5 get £30 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £5
    Minimum odds
    Evens
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Licence
    UKGC · LC International Limited · account 54743 · 054743-R-330863-014
    Offer detail: Free bets split into six £5 tokens on selected markets. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  7. 7Betfred logo

    Betfred Sport

    UKGC 39544
    • Independent chain founded in 1967
    • Largest headline free bet in the table
    • Long-standing racing concessions
    New customer offerBet £10 get £50 in free betsPromo code BETFRED50, sports and bet builder tokens
    Visit BetfredRead our Betfred review18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £50 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £10
    Minimum odds
    Evens (2.00)
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Promo code
    BETFRED50
    Licence
    UKGC · Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited · account 39544 · 039544-R-319290-010
    Offer detail: Promo code BETFRED50, sports and bet builder tokens. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  8. 8bet365 logo

    bet365 Sport

    UKGC 55148
    • Deepest in-play coverage in the pool
    • Early payout and bet builder
    • Cash out on singles and multiples
    New customer offerBet £10 get £30 in bet creditsBet credits released when qualifying bets settle
    Visit bet36518+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £30 in bet credits
    Qualifying bet
    £5
    Minimum odds
    Set by the offer terms
    Free bet expiry
    30 days to claim
    Licence
    UKGC · Hillside (UK Sports) ENC · account 55148
    Offer detail: Bet credits released when qualifying bets settle. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.
  9. 9Unibet logo

    Unibet Sport

    UKGC 45322
    • Part of the Kindred group
    • Deep European football coverage
    • Own pricing and live streaming
    New customer offerBet £10 get £30 in free betsFree bets credited after the first settled bet
    Visit UnibetRead our Unibet review18+ · T&Cs apply · BeGambleAware.org
    Offer terms and licence
    Offer
    Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
    Qualifying bet
    £10
    Minimum odds
    Evens (2.00)
    Free bet expiry
    7 days
    Licence
    UKGC · Platinum Gaming Limited · account 45322 · 045322-R-324275-019
    Offer detail: Free bets credited after the first settled bet. Terms checked 2026-09-17 on the source we used; the operator’s own terms always prevail.

We only list bookmakers that hold a current Gambling Commission licence for Great Britain. Where we earn a commission it is paid by the operator and never changes the order: the ranking is set by the offer, the licence and the product. 18+ only. Free confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.

Virtual sports events run around the clock and typically only last a few minutes. This means you won’t have to wait until the weekend to have a wager on some live sport, or until the end of 90 minutes to rake in those returns. Looking to place a bet on a virtual sports market? We’ve put together a shortlist of our top-rated virtual sports bookies, so all you have to do is choose your favourite and sign up to get started. 

  • RANK
  • BETTING SITE
  • USER RATING
  • BONUS OFFER
  • BADGE
  • KEY FEATURES
  • SIGN-UP LINK
  1. 1 Expert Review

    Editor's Choice

    • Strong Established Sportsbook
    • #YourCall Custom Bets
    • Great Range of Promotions
  2. 2 Expert Review

    Editor's Choice

    • Multiple Bonuses Available
    • Superb Price Boosts
    • Full PayPal Support
  3. 3 Expert Review

    Award Winning Betting Site

    • Great Weekly Promos
    • Acca Attack Boost Up To 50%
    • Great Market Coverage
  4. 4 Expert Review

    Brand New Betting Site

    • Easy to Use Mobile Design
    • Great In-Play Markets
    • 30+ Sports
  5. 5 Expert Review

    Brand New Betting Site

    • Great In-Play Markets
    • PayPal Available
    • Easy To Use Mobile Site
  6. 6 Expert Review
    • Brand new sportsbook
    • Great selection of promotions
    • Easy to use
  7. 7 Expert Review
    • Huge Brand Name
    • Great Horse Racing Markets
    • Great Casino Offering
  8. 8 Expert Review
    • Brand New Bookmaker
    • Wide Range of Cashout Markets
    • Great In-Play Markets
  9. 9 Expert Review

    Brand New Betting Site

    • Brand New Bookmaker
    • Great Acca Boosts
    • Full PayPal Support
  10. 10 Expert Review

    Award Winning Betting Site

    • In-Play Free Bet Club
    • Huge Horse Racing Market
    • 30+ Sports
Hide our review and rating criteria Show our review and rating criteria NEW Try our side-by-side feature comparison tool

Our approach to online casino reviews

At TopRatedBetting.com we take a lot of pride in presenting our users with the best online casinos the UK has to offer. We’re continually reviewing the market to bring you the lowdown on newly launched casinos, as well as updates on long standing brands. Our expert review team research every casino we present to you, making sure you’re in-the- know and join a casino that meets all your needs. The key areas focused on by the TopRatedBetting.com review team are:

Bonus offers

We assess the size, quality and wagering requirements of any welcome bonuses, free spins, offers and VIP programmes.

Games

Game selection is very important – we look for table games, live gaming, and a range of slots from top software providers

Design

We think online casinos should have a distinct brand and design, with modern, easy to use interfaces and navigation.

Device support

We look for the highest quality betting experience across a range of mobiles and tablets, as well as desktop computers.

Cashier

We review the available deposit and withdrawal methods, times, restrictions, currencies and more.

Reputation

We study each bookie’s popularity, trustworthiness and customer feedback to determine the strength of their reputation.

TopRatedBetting.com is an independently owned casino comparison site. In some cases we receive commission from casinos for introducing customers to them, in order to support the free comparison service we provide to UK gamers. While this may occasionally affect the position in which a casino appears, we guarantee it does not affect either the review or the ratings shown, which are produced by our unbiased casino experts. hi

How Virtual Sports Betting Works

Placing a bet on virtual sports is akin to participating in a live sporting event. Many of the opportunities remain similar and you’ll encounter virtual versions of all the most renowned sports, such as football, horse racing, cricket, tennis, etc. Interestingly, the difference is the events you’re investing in are computer simulations that rely on a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is a type of computer software that randomly selects a winner for each event or competition. It’s quite an unexpected twist, isn’t it?

In every choice, be it a squad, athlete, driver or competitor, it is weighted. This means the values they receive rely on how many opportunities they have to dominate the competition, and this reflects in their odds. Similarly, selections with lower odds have a better probability of succeeding but generate lower rewards, whereas higher odds mean greater rewards and elevated risk. It’s a thrilling aspect for many enthusiasts.

How to Sign up to Virtual Sports Betting Sites 

To get started with virtual sports betting, you’ll need to sign up to an online bookmaker which offers virtual sports markets. If you’re wondering which virtual betting site can offer you the best value, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of unbiased and accurate reviews of all the top virtual betting sites right here on our site. 

Compare 

Virtual sports markets are now offered by all the best online betting sites and whether you’re looking for the largest range of virtual sports markets, free bets or a lucrative welcome bonus, we’ve got you covered! Our reliable and up-to-the-minute expert reviews will give you the lowdown on all our featured betting sites, making it easy for you to compare their best offers before signing up. 

Signing Up  

Once you’ve found the welcome bonus that suits you best, you’ll need to sign up and make an account with that featured site. You can do this by following the link on our site, which will take you to a sign-up page. There’ll be a few checks that have to be made first, like a Know Your Customer (KYC) check, just to verify your identity. But all you’ll have to do is provide a copy of your passport or a recent utility bill and once that’s done you’ll be one step away from placing your first virtual sports bet. 

Claim Your Bonus 

The last step is to claim your welcome offer. Whether it’s a free bet or matched deposit bonus, banking those extra funds could give you a headstart when it comes to placing that first virtual sports wager.

Virtual Sports Betting Markets Explained 

When it comes to virtual sports betting, you’ll find that you’ll be able to bet on the virtual equivalents of many of the most popular real sports markets and the majority of those markets work in exactly the same way. We’ve broken down some of the most common markets from the virtual sports offered on our featured sites. 

Virtual Football 

Virtual football is one of the most popular offerings in the world of virtual sports betting. You’ll be able to bet on all the top markets from traditional football betting, like the match winner, correct score and over/under 2.5 goals. These markets will be offered pre-match and there will often be a timer on-screen counting down to when the next game starts, after which you won’t be able to place any more bets. 

Get your bets in before the book closes and then sit back and watch the action. Each game will last a few minutes and you’ll see all the highlights from the match. When it’s done, all the game’s stats will be displayed on the screen so you’ll be able to check if your bets have come in. 

The beauty of virtual football is that the games run 24/7, so you won’t have to wait until 3 o’clock to get going again if the dreaded early kick-off has scuppered your acca. 

Virtual Horse Racing 

Another seriously popular virtual sport is horse racing. Just like virtual football, the races run around the clock and you’ll find all the top horse racing markets available to play. Here’s a look at some of the markets you’re likely to come across: 

Outright Winner – The most straightforward market in virtual horse racing. Simply choose the odds of the horse you fancy to win, add the selection to your betslip, set your desired stake and place the bet. If your horse gets its nose over the line first, you’re in the money. 

Each-Way – When you select a horse’s odds in the outright market, you’ll often be given the option to make your selection an ‘each-way’ bet, usually by clicking a checkbox. What this means is that you’ll actually be placing two bets, one on your horse to win outright and another on it finishing in a specified range of places, usually first to third or to fifth, with the odds for the second bet calculated by multiplying the original odds by 1/4. If your horse then comes in first you win both bets, but if it’s pipped at the line, you’ll have the extra security of your each-way bet to ensure that you don’t come away empty-handed. 

Forecast – A forecast bet lets you pick the two horses that you think will finish the race in first and second place. All you have to do is open the market, select one horse for first place and another for second place and then place your bet. You’ll also be offered the chance to pick the two front runners in any order, so if it’s neck and neck on the line between your two chosen horses, you’ll win whoever nicks it. 

Tricast – A tricast bet works in exactly the same way as a forecast but applies to the top 3 finishers in a race. Just choose the horses you think will finish first, second and third, or choose them to finish in any order in the top three, and should your selections make it down the home straight ahead of the rest of the pack, you could be counting your winnings. 

Virtual Tennis 

Virtual tennis is another common offering from online bookmakers and it’s easy to see why it’s such a big hit with punters. With a wide range of markets and games that take just a few minutes to play out, there are plenty of opportunities to rack up some profit. 

Player to Win – Most virtual betting sites only offer markets on individual games, rather than whole sets or entire matches, so just pick who you think will be victorious in the next scheduled game and place your bet. If they come out on top of their opponent in that game, you win. It’s as quick and simple as that. 

Correct Score – This market is similar to betting on the game-winner, but with an extra level of detail. Just choose which player you fancy to win and then select the margin you think they’ll win by. You’ll have the option to pick a win ‘to love’, ‘to 15’, ‘to 30’ and ‘to 40’ for each player, and although this is a tough market to predict, that difficulty is reflected in the odds, with some high stakes offered for getting the correct score bang on. 

Total Points – Total points is a little bit different to the previous two markets. With this bet, you’ll be offered the chance to guess how many points will be scored by both players in total in the game. So if you think a game is set to be a back and forth thriller with both players racking up some points on the scoreboard, you could find some real value in backing those higher point tallies.

Bonuses 

To make sure you get the most out of virtual sports betting, you’ll want to claim a welcome bonus to give you some extra funds. Luckily, all the best virtual sports betting sites will offer you some kind of bonus for signing up to their site. Check out our accurate and unbiased reviews before choosing a bookie to make sure you get the best value welcome offer for you. 

Free Bets 

Free bets are one of the most common offers you’re likely to see. All you’ll have to do is make a deposit, place a bet to a qualifying minimum amount, and the bookie will credit your account with free bets to use on their site. Make sure you read the fine print on these kinds of offers though, as they usually have minimum spend requirements that need to be met before you can withdraw any funds. 

Risk-Free Bets

Another common offer is the risk-free bet and it works in a very similar way to a free bet. It usually just requires you to place a bet on a sportsbook market included in the offer. If the bet loses, the bookie will refund your stake up to a particular value.

Matched Deposit Bonuses 

With plenty of virtual betting sites offering 100% matched deposit bonuses for new customers, these types of offers can be some of the most profitable for first-time punters. If you go for this type of bonus, the bookie will credit your account with bonus funds equal to the value of your initial deposit. Keep in mind that, like free bets, this type of bonus usually has minimum spend and withdrawal requirements, and there may also be wagering requirements. So make sure you’re clued up on the terms and conditions before signing up.

New Virtual Sports Betting Sites 

The virtual sports betting world is constantly growing and some of the best virtual sports experiences can be found on new online betting sites. Here’s a rundown of some of the best new online bookies for virtual sports betting: 

10Bet

10Bet is an excellent choice for those looking to place a bet on a virtual sports market. Its user-friendly desktop interface is incredibly easy to use and the native app is clean and responsive. It also has plenty on offer in terms of virtual sports, including classics like virtual football, horse racing and tennis as well as some less common offerings like virtual velodrome and speedway.  

10Bet consistently ranks as one of our highest rated online betting sites and it has a great sign up offer of 100% up to £50 matched deposit. It’s an excellent place to get started if you’re looking at plugging into the virtual sports betting world.

Mobile Wins 

You’ll find a wide range of virtual sports available to bet on Mobile Wins, including two virtual football games, as well as virtual horse, greyhound and drag racing, and some other quirkier events like virtual marble racing and a penalty kicks game that you won’t find on most betting sites. 

Mobile Wins also has great free bet sign up offers and a promotions page of bonuses for existing customers. You can head on over to the Mobile Wins site using the link on our list of the best new betting sites to activate your welcome bonus. 

Novibet

Novibet is another newcomer to the market that can compete with the more established sites with the range and quality of virtual sports it offers. You’ll find the likes of virtual football, horse racing, tennis and basketball all available on its site as well as a huge number of markets available to bet on. For instance, there are a whopping 33 markets in Novibets virtual football alone.

Ready to Play?

Virtual sports markets give punters the option of betting on a whole host of exciting events right throughout the day. From football, to horse racing, to tennis and more, there is sure to be something for everyone at one of our top rated virtual sports betting sites. To find the right one for you, simply compare from our list of top bookmakers, sign up to your favourite and claim your welcome bonus today!

FAQs

  • Can I place an accumulator on virtual sports?

    Most virtual betting sites will let you place an accumulator, but there may be some restrictions. For instance, some sites will only let you make selections from multiple events, like picking the winners from different races on a racecard, or from a series of virtual football matches. But you may not be able to pick multiple selections from the same race or match, as this isn’t offered on many sites.  

  • Can I place an in-play bet on virtual sports?

    Whilst each virtual sports event simulation is in progress, you won’t be able to place any bets on its outcome, so technically there is no in-play betting on virtual sports markets. However, most virtual sports events only take a few minutes or less to complete, and there are usually very short gaps in between each event, so they offer a very similar experience to the in-play betting you’d usually find when betting on live sports. 

  • Can I cash out a virtual sports bet?

    Unlike live sports betting, the option to cash out your bet isn’t offered on virtual sports events. Before the event starts there’ll usually be a timer counting down to when the book closes, at which point no more bets can be placed. So get those bets in early, sit back and enjoy the ride. 

  • Is virtual sports betting fair?

    Fairness is one of the most common concerns for virtual sports punters, but there’s really nothing to be worried about. All our featured betting sites are regulated by the UKGC, who require that all RNG driven games are fair and regularly checked to ensure that they deliver the designed return to the player. The RNG software that decides the outcome of the games is often provided by an independent third party to ensure fairness and impartiality. 

  • How safe are your featured sites?

    Making sure all the information on our site is accurate, reliable and safe for the customer to use is one of our top priorities, so we only feature bookmakers that are licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This means that, should you gamble with any of our featured betting sites, your personal and financial information will be protected. 

Read next