An Introduction to Virtual Dog Racing

It’s almost as if betting is part of human nature, if you simply look at the number of interesting, creative ways in which to bet. At the top of that list is virtual dog racing, otherwise known as virtual greyhound racing.
A greyhound running at a track.
Published on: 31 August 2022

Racing with real greyhounds is prevalent in some parts of the world, but the scene is rife with animal cruelty and poor standards of living for our furry friends. Betting on virtual greyhounds, on the other hand, is a fun, safe, and unique way to wager your money. It’s important to understand the technology behind virtual sports, its robustness, and how it differs from betting on esports before you dive in.

What is Virtual Sports Betting?

Virtual sports are simulated versions of real world sports, with each participant in the sport having a unique number and individually varying odds of winning the game. As expected, there’s a favorite who yields the least returns, then a mid-range group of participants who can throw up a few surprises, and then the outliers with the lowest costs and the highest returns on account of the sheer improbability of them winning – unironically known as dogs.

Virtual sports betting involves registering with a virtual bookmaker that organizes these sports, who will share a betting slip that you can fill in with different types of betting strategies depending on those available for each sport. You can then watch the sport take place before your very eyes, and know whether you’re getting any return on your investment. Click here for a list of the best sports betting operators.

Is Virtual Sports Betting Different From Esports Betting?

Unlike betting on esports, where one bets on esports athletes who are basically human beings playing a video game, virtual sports betting involves no human players in the sport. The sport itself is just a simulation, and the winner is determined by a completely impartial Random Number Generator (RNG) that throws up a winner at – you guessed it – random.

The Random Number Generator forms the foundation of almost any virtual sport out there, and cannot be influenced by bookmakers in any way. This is the same kind of Random Number Generator that is used for other types of casino games such as slots. The system takes the odds of each ‘player’ in the sport winning into account, and generates a random winner that’s rooted in those probabilities.

Virtual sports are evolving to be more realistic than ever, so that betting on virtual sports is as much fun as betting on the real thing – except without any of the drawbacks of real sports. You can only bet on real sports a finite number of times depending on fixture schedules, but virtual sports happen round the clock and at a faster pace than physical events – making them incredibly fast paced and fun, but also making bankroll management more important than ever.

Virtual greyhounds jumping out of a laptop screen.

Virtual greyhound racing is a fun online alternative and can be bet on at any time.

Virtual Greyhound Racing – A Fair, Fun Virtual Sport

Virtual Greyhound Racing meets all the aforementioned characteristics that define a virtual sport. This sport is also based on the RNG system, which generates a completely random outcome that is rooted in the odds of each virtual dog winning the race.

It’s also a completely fair system, since bookmakers cannot influence the Random Number Generator in any way. The Gambling Commission and other regulators regularly inspect a bookmaker’s Random Number Generator to protect the interests of bettors and keep the system fair.

How to Bet on Virtual Dog Racing

Now that you know all about this sport, you probably want to learn how to get started. The first thing we’d advise you to do, is watch a virtual greyhound race before betting on one. At first, you might notice that these dogs barely look virtual at all.

Advancements in virtual sports have seen incredible graphics being brought to these platforms, with add-ons like commentary and crowd noises only adding to the immersion of the sport. With each race getting over in approximately a minute, watching a race is a sheer adrenaline rush. Watching a race before betting on one also shows you what to expect when you finally take a punt on a virtual hound.

To get started with betting on virtual greyhound racing, identify a trusted bookmaker that organizes this sport.

Once you’ve selected your bookmaker and registered on their platform, study the bookmaker’s format of greyhound racing (there are subtle variations) and select the market you would like to bet on.

The bookmaker will then provide a betting slip for you to place your bets based on your betting strategy, and the race will begin at the stated time – which is when you can watch and hope that the dog of your choosing turns out to be a good boy.

Virtual Dog Racing Strategy

  • Just like with other forms of sports betting, the principles of betting remain nearly the same. For instance, always study the dogs participating in each race and get a sense of their strengths and the odds they bring to the race track.
  • Avoid making a single large bet and opt for multiple bets of smaller sizes to maximize your chances of winning.
  • Never place a bet without knowing exactly what the different types of bets are, and always bet only what you can afford – virtual dog racing games take place at the rate of easily 25-30 races an hour, which can make punters lose track of time and their bankroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope this explanation of how virtual dog racing games work and how to bet on them has been helpful for you. We have provided an FAQ below with answers to some of our readers’ most popular questions. To learn more about other niche parts of the gambling world, go to our gambling guides.

How does virtual dog racing differ from traditional dog tracks?

Virtual dog racing is a simulation of an actual dog race - no dogs race in the event, and the outcome is determined by a Random Number Generator. Virtual dog races feature advanced graphics to make them highly immersive, and they’re also not cruel unlike traditional dog racing.

What is the average return to player rate of virtual dog racing?

While this varies from platform to platform, it also varies depending on the type of bet you place. There are several types of bets one can place, after having studied the dogs and the odds. There are several sports betting sites that offer virtual dog racing games so it's worth looking around.

Where can I place virtual dog racing bets online?

Virtual dog racing is gaining popularity and bookmakers are increasingly responding to customer demand with more races than ever, advancements in graphics, and lucrative welcome bonuses.

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