Have you ever wanted to bet on your favorite NFL football team in the spring? Well, thanks to advancements in virtual sports games, combined with the increased interest in sports betting, this will soon be a valid option! Aristocrat Gaming announced Friday that it has partnered with Inspired Entertainment Inc to develop the game via its multi-year, global licensing agreement with the NFL. The NFL-themed virtual sports simulations will provide fans the ability to wager on teams as they go head-to-head in “fast-paced, ultra-realistic simulated matchups,” says the gaming company.
The NFL simulation title will be offered to players in globally regulated markets. Users will see many of the same wagering options as a standard sportsbook including money line bets, over/under total score and total touchdowns. The upcoming game is using Aristocrat Gaming’s multi-year, worldwide licensing deal with the NFL, meaning that the virtual sports simulations will include a variety of NFL imagery including the iconic NFL shield, all 32 team logos, heritage team marks, AFC and NFC Conference logos, and the Super Bowl logo.
“We are delighted to work with the NFL and Aristocrat Gaming on this historic new simulated gaming experience to bring fans a unique way to connect with the game, even in the off-season,” said Brooks Pierce, Inspired President, and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to launching this partnership and reaching millions of NFL fans with exciting entertainment options both online and in retail.”
The main benefit of offering this simulated NFL game is that fans of American football can stay engaged with the league, even while the NFL is out of season. The NFL has become somewhat of a global sport in recent years, playing regular season games in countries such as England, Mexico, and Germany, so there is most certainly an international interest in a regulated, simulated NFL market offering. While the game itself is a novelty, simulated sports betting first became popular in 2020, when the sports world halted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The rise of simulated sports betting is a signifier that even when there is nothing to gamble on, people will find something to gamble on.
If the developed Aristocrat NFL simulation turns out to be a resounding success, it could be a huge step toward further licensing expansion in other leagues, and a whole new branch of sports betting entirely. Virtual sports (as well as esports) have taken a gigantic leap in the past few years, and this writer can only imagine the types of opportunities that will emerge within the gaming industry as it continues to develop. The NFL simulation game will launch in regulated markets across the globe sometime within the next year and look for the rest of the major sports leagues of the world to try and follow suit in the near future.
