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A leading virtual sports studio is offering its titles in the United States for the first time.
Inspired Entertainment broke the news this week, saying its suite of virtual sports games is now available in New Jersey. Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers online casino and sportsbook will feature the category.
In a press release, Inspired Entertainment CEO Brooks Pierce said:
“We are thrilled to partner with RSI to bring Inspired’s premium Virtual Sports to BetRivers players in New Jersey. This collaboration will enhance the gaming experience for BetRivers players and complement their sports betting options. Our strong relationship with Rush Street Interactive and their exceptional BetRivers platform make them an ideal partner for us.”
Inspired’s New Jersey online casino launch is just the first step in the RSI partnership; it plans to roll out its games in other RSI markets later this year. Rush Street Interactive offers sports betting and/or online casinos in 15 states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania.
What are virtual sports?
Virtual sports are fictional competitions that users can bet on. The competitions are similar to the type of gameplay you’d see with a video game.
However, the bettor isn’t playing the game; they’re simply betting on the outcome. The software behind the competitions randomizes the outcomes in a way that’s similar to how slot machines work.
In many cases, virtual sports games allow the bettor to place multiple types of wagers, including the winner and final score.
Virtual sports provide bettors with a nuanced approach to online gaming, paving the way for crossover between the online casino and sports betting crowds.
They’re also growing at incredible speed. Research firm SkyQuest noted in a recent report that the global virtual sports betting market was valued at nearly $8.5 billion in 2023. The market should increase to $35.5 billion by 2030.
“One of the key drivers of the market is the increasing demand for online sports betting,” SkyQuest said. “As more people turn to online platforms for sports betting, virtual sports betting is becoming an increasingly popular option.”
What Inspired Entertainment brings to Rush Street
Inspired gaming has made a big push in the virtual sports market over the past six months:
- March 2024: The company announced the launch of soccer, dog racing, and football products in Italy.
- February 2024: Inspired finalizes a deal to offer a home run derby game in Ontario. The game includes real retired MLB players including Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.
- October 2023: The NBA and Inspire partner to offer virtual sports basketball games featuring NBA branding, archived footage, and logos from all 30 NBA teams.
If SkyQuest’s predictions about the growth of the virtual sports market are accurate, then Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) has done well to bring Inspired aboard.
“Our aim is to continually elevate our customers’ gaming experiences with premium content,” RSI CEO Richard Schwartz said. “Inspired is known for its exceptional Virtual Sports offerings, and we are excited to work together to provide a new and improved online entertainment experience for our players.”
