Inspired Gaming’s biggest success has been in the Chinese market, centered in Macau.
Inspired Gaming signed a deal to provide Resorts Casino Hotel’s online gaming portal with virtual sports games. It is the second key signing in the New Jersey online gaming market for Inspired Gaming in the past month. Previously, the virtual sports developer signed a similar deal with the Golden Nugget Atlantic City.
Virtual sports is an uptapped form of gaming in the American gambling market so far. Instead, virtual sports is a simulated game played using random number generators and 3D players. Watching a virtual sporting event is like watching a game of Madden on the XBOX.
Virtual Sports in New Jersey
Virtual sports betting is legal, because it does not involve real athletes playing real games. Inspired Gaming has a “Casino Service Industry Enterprise License” from the Division Of Gaming Enforcement of New Jersey. This entitles it to provide virtual sports gambling over the Internet to New Jersey gamblers, if the company has a deal with one of Atlantic City’s casinos, which hold gaming licenses in the state. Now, Inspired Gaming has deals with both Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino.
Inspired Gaming has developed a number of games, including Rush Horse Racing, Rush Football (soccer), and Rush Car Racing. Games exist for darts and cricket and basketball. Rush American Football and Rush Baseball do not exist, but gamblers should expect to see versions of the most popular American sports, now that the London-based company is entering the U.S. gaming market.
Chinese and Italian Successes
The company has been a big hit in China, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Readers might assume that no one would want to bet on (much less view) a simulated game with RNG players, but the idea has been a success in multiple locations around the globe — with various cultures.
That includes countries with legal and regulated sports betting, as well as those with a ban on sports gambling. Virtual sports could make an impact on the US gaming market, because online sports betting is illegal — much less sports betting in most land-based gaming venues. In the absence of land-based sportsbooks, betting on virtual football might be the next best thing.
Robust Online Client HTML5
Games will be provided via developer Spin Games’s Robust Online Client (ROC) HTML5. IG and Spin Games have partnered before. Games are expected to be associated with Resorts Digital Gaming subsidiary on two different websites: ResortsCasino.com and MoheganSunCasino.com. Inspired Gaming is expected to provide additional broadcasts of V-sports for “a unique shared player experience in a sportsbook-like atmosphere,” according to a statement from the company.
Ed Andrewes on the Signing
Ed Andrewes, CEO of EAGCC, which manages the Resorts’ Casino’s “Resorts Digital Gaming”, said of the transaction, “We are thrilled to be adding the Inspired virtual sports product to our already extensive portfolio of games.”
Mr. Andrewes added, “This is a truly unique product in the market and I think it will prove very popular with both the ResortsCasino.com and MoheganSunCasino.com customers. The product is also tailored-made for launch in our unique iGaming Lounge at the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.”
Steve Rogers on the Deal
Steve Rogers, Inspired Gaming’s Digital Games Chief Commercial Officer, hinted that the Resorts Casino deal is just the latest in a coming trend. Rogers said, “The opportunity for players to wager on virtual sports while in the casino is a unique and exciting one, which we expect to see replicated across the US in the coming months.”
Can Virtual Sports Succeed in America?
Inspired Gaming appears to be in a situation where it can position itself as the go-to option for online gaming companies. The virtual sports developer so far has few competitors with major resources behind them. If virtual sports proves to be a winner in New Jersey, several other Atlantic City casino brands might sign deals with Inspired.
The open legality of v-sports is a big potential draw. Perhaps if New Jersey’s challenge of the PASPA sports betting law goes well for the Garden State, virtual sports might not be as much in demand. But if an appeals ruling in September goes against New Jersey — as all other rulings have to this point — then Inspired Gaming’s virtual sports might be the next best thing.
