[toc]Following a successful pilot in Las Vegas, William Hill is broadening its “Virtual Racing” service across the Silver State.
The worldwide sports book recently declared that it would start providing Virtual Racing in Reno, Nevada and also increase the count of casinos in Las Vegas offering the same product.
For several years, the races have been popular at William Hill sports books in England.
What is Virtual Racing?
The William Hill product is not merely about wagering on horse races through their widely-used mobile betting app. It actually offers a 24/7 service of computer-generated horse races.
Players have the opportunity to place bets on the virtual horses in these simulated races. Each horse is assigned winning odds, similar to a real horse race.
This is an example of what a virtual race looks like:
Bettors have the option to place win, show, place, trifecta, and exacta bets on each race. Essentially, it’s a digital version of Sigma Derby machines.
The Sigma Derby, once a popular attraction in Vegas, is now only available in a few casinos such as the MGM Grand. Numerous casino-goers with a sense of nostalgia still enjoy “playing the plastic ponies.”
These races do not have a Daily Racing Form, but they do include commentary from renowned race caller Tom Durkin. Known for his work with NBC Sports and the Kentucky Derby, Durkin is a prominent sportscaster.
The primary distinction between this service and actual horse racing lies in the volume of information available. In traditional races, betting decisions are influenced by elements such as the track, the jockey, the trainer, the owner, and the weather.
Virtual Racing has a slightly higher element of randomness. Bettors merely select a horse based on the given odds and hope for a favorable outcome.
Virtual Racing test driven successfully in Vegas
In July of the previous year, William Hill was permitted by the state’s Gaming Control Board to test its Virtual Racing offering.
The product, a result of a collaboration between William Hill and Inspired Gaming Group, was first made available at the sports books of the Plaza and the Silver Sevens by the company.
Following a successful trial, William Hill announced last month that it would be expanding to Reno and gradually introducing Virtual Racing to all its sports books in Vegas, Mesquite, and Pahrump. The company operates 108 race and sports books across Nevada.
Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill US, said:
For the past two years, William Hill has been working diligently with regulators and Inspired to introduce Virtual Racing in Nevada.
Wagering on virtual sports is highly favored by gamblers worldwide, and it aligns with our dedication to provide the most diverse and creative betting options to our customers in Nevada.
The popularity of horse racing among bettors has dwindled over the years. However, this new initiative, which is available around the clock and doesn’t require prior knowledge of horses or the industry, may revive interest in the sport.
