Virtual sports filled the gap. Now, eSimulators make it worth watching

For a long time, virtual sports played a simple role in betting: they filled the gaps. When live matches weren’t on, operators leaned on RNG-driven virtual sports simulations to keep turnover moving.

But today’s bettors expect more. They’re used to watching action unfold, following form and reacting to momentum. They want outcomes they can see, not just results generated in the background. That shift has opened the door for live eSimulators. or ‘eSims’ for short.

Unlike virtual sports, eSims aren’t randomly generated outcomes. They’re live head-to-head matches between real players, streamed from monitored third-party studios, and designed for non-stop scheduling. And because they can be watched much like following a streamer on Twitch, eSims double as watchable entertainment and 24/7 betting content.

Why ‘real’ beats ‘random’

The simplest way to understand eSims is to look at the comparisons to virtuals:

• eSimulators – live, player-versus-player matches in titles such as eFootball, eBasketball, eCricket, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2 and more. Every pass, dunk and shot comes from human skill and decision-making, visible on screen as it happens. Matches are standardised, refereed and monitored to ensure fairness at all times.
• Virtual sports – RNG-driven races or matches. Results are predetermined, outcomes are fair, but every cycle looks structurally the same.

Both provide betting opportunities, but only one gives bettors something to actually follow. That visible human element – how a player handles pressure, whether they press for attack or sit back to defend – is what keeps bettors engaged.

Worth watching, worth betting

In fact, eSims aren’t just markets to bet into – they’re watchable sport. Players compete in real time, and the tension builds even before a wager is placed.

Formats are short and repeatable but still feel human-paced: eFootball wraps in under 10 minutes, eBasketball in under 30. That speed keeps content moving while still giving bettors time to read the play. The result is entertainment that resembles traditional sports far more closely than virtuals ever could.

For operators, this is where eSims deliver their first edge. When bettors have something they want to watch, they stay longer. They wager more frequently. And those sessions feel more rewarding because they’re built on skill and visible competition.

What bettors actually do with eSims

Because eSims are live and watchable, the betting patterns around them often mirror traditional sports rather than virtuals.

• Handle crossover: in some cases, eSims reach 8%-15% of the betting handle of their real-sport equivalents. eBasketball, for instance, can reach around 10% of real basketball’s handle.
• Bettor flow: traditional football bettors move naturally into eFootball during off-hours, while Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and Dota 2 fans often follow Duels between major tournaments. They don’t feel like they’re switching to a different product; they’re just continuing with the titles they know, in a faster and always-on format.
• Confidence of supply: with dozens of trained players on rotation, operators can guarantee there’s always a match running at a professional level. That means 24/7 availability without the repetition bettors associate with RNG-driven products.

The net result: bettors stay engaged for longer periods because they’re following something alive.

From engagement to innovation: live BetBuilder

eSims build engagement through watchability, but they also open the door to innovation in how bettors interact with matches.

Oddin.gg was the first to bring bet builder into both esports and eSims. And today, it’s also the first to make that experience live for eSims – starting with eFootball and expanding to more titles soon.

That means bettors can build virtually limitless bet combinations during a single match, in real time, reacting as momentum shifts. A hot streak, a comeback, a sudden swing – all can be factored into a personalised betslip on the fly. For operators, it transforms short matches into stickier sessions and adds a new layer of depth to an already engaging product.

Transparency you can see

Integrity isn’t just a compliance requirement – it’s part of the product.

The eSims offered under Oddin.gg’s 24/7 Fast Betting Content are streamed from ESIC-certified, third-party studios. Every match is played on standardised settings, with referees on-site and constant monitoring from Oddin.gg. Real-time risk alerts flag any suspicious activity instantly.

Virtuals are fair, too – RNG is certified – but the fairness is invisible. Bettors are asked to trust the code. With eSims, transparency is visible in every broadcast, and that visibility builds confidence for both bettors and operators.

What this means for operators

The real strength of eSims isn’t in replacing virtuals. It’s in offering something virtuals never could: watchable, skill-driven content that resonates with multiple audiences.

• For traditional bettors: sports-style eSims like eFootball and eBasketball extend the betting day with formats that feel instantly familiar.
• For younger, digital-native audiences: core esports titles such as CS2 and Dota 2 deliver non-stop high-frequency Duels in games they already know and play.
• For operators: together, they provide 24/7 availability, multi-demographic appeal and a portfolio that supports both acquisition and retention, without cannibalising existing sports or esports turnover.

Because all eSims share the same live, integrity-driven format – they’re not silos. They form a cohesive 24/7 content engine, built for engagement, not just volume.

When downtime isn’t really down

Operators have always looked for ways to keep bettors active when live sports pause. Virtuals filled that need in the past. But today, the question isn’t just how to fill downtime – it’s how to make it worth watching. That’s where Oddin.gg’s eSimulators already stand apart, giving sportsbooks a way to extend engagement, diversify their audiences and bring betting closer to the live action bettors expect.

Marek Suchar is co-founder and managing director of Oddin.gg, the leading B2B provider of esports betting solutions.

With a background in finance and global business development, Suchar has helped position Oddin.gg as a trusted name in igaming. He regularly speaks at industry events, offering insights on esports trends and how operators can build effective engagement strategies.