Paul Jeffrey
Premium
Continuing the trend started by Formula One and in-race betting options, May 1st will see the introduction of fantasy sim racing betting within the genre.
UPDATE 1.4.19 11:59pm - THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS
Although details remain somewhat sketchy on how the new system will work, or even which events will fall under the agreement, it is clear that the ability to gamble real world money on virtual motorsports is right around the corner for sim racers, and the first tentative steps into the new initiative will start as early as this May 1st.
Gambling and sport have long been associated throughout many different levels and types of sporting activity, from track and field to football, the ability to place a wager on the final outcome is nothing new to fans. Although motorsport gambling isn't anything new, Formula One have attempted to take it one step further in 2019 by incorporating in-race betting into their official coverage, and now sim racing is set to follow suit in the coming weeks.
At present, it is unclear as to exactly how official betting will work within the sport, or even how this can be policed in what is traditionally an activity that takes place with the competitors remotely accessing a race server, which could lead to more than a few appeals and issues in the early stages of the initiative.
As sim racing and eSport continues to get ever more professionalised, it was perhaps always inevitable that something like this would come along sooner rather than later.. and it will be interesting to see how this will be implemented within the (e)sport we all know and love.
Stay tuned for more as and when it becomes available.
Image Credit: Icelondon.uk
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