What Are Virtual Sports? How Betting on Virtual Events Works at MyWinners
If you've seen Virtual Sports in the MyWinners app and wondered what they actually are — and whether there's real money strategy involved — this is the guide for you.
Virtual Sports at MyWinners aren't video game simulations with random results. They're pari-mutuel betting events. The outcomes are determined by the pool of money wagered by real bettors, the same fundamental mechanism that drives horse racing, greyhound racing, and Jai Alai on the platform. That distinction matters a lot, and it's the reason Virtual Sports are legal, regulated, and licensed — not a loophole or a gray area.
Here's everything you need to know about what they are, how they work, and how to get started.
The difference between virtual sports and random-outcome games
This is the question worth answering first, because it's the one that separates bettors from slot players.
Random-number generator (RNG) games — slots, instant win games, most casino-style products — produce results using an algorithm. The house sets the return-to-player percentage. You're betting against a machine that has no memory, no form, and no pool of other bettors to balance against.
Virtual Sports at MyWinners work differently. Every event is connected to a real pari-mutuel pool. When you place a bet on a virtual cycling race or a motor racing event, your money goes into the same shared pool as every other bettor on that event. Payouts are calculated after betting closes based on how much was wagered and how the money was distributed across selections. The platform doesn't set the odds in advance — the bettors do, collectively, by where they put their money.
That's pari-mutuel. It's the same system that's governed horse racing in the United States for over a century. The visual format is virtual; the betting structure is as established as it gets.
Why this matters for bettors in 36+ states
MyWinners is licensed in Connecticut — where it holds the exclusive pari-mutuel wagering license — and operates under Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) licenses across more than 35 additional US states.
For customers outside Connecticut, Virtual Sports represent one of the best ways to access the MyWinners platform. Live horse racing and greyhound markets are available across states, but virtual events run around the clock, independent of race schedules and time zones. If you're in a state where pari-mutuel wagering is permitted, you can bet on Virtual Sports at MyWinners any time of day, any day of the year.
The regulated nature of the product is not a minor point. Because Virtual Sports at MyWinners are pari-mutuel events — not fixed-odds or RNG products — they operate within established legal frameworks that protect bettors. Odds move in real time based on market activity. Payouts reflect what bettors as a group put into the pool. There's no house-set margin locked in against you before the event starts.
The Virtual Sports available on MyWinners
There are currently eight Virtual Sports options on the platform, covering motor racing, cycling, and fantasy events. Each one follows the same core structure: a fast-format event, real pari-mutuel pools, and standard win/place/show bet types with exotics available depending on the event.
Drive — A virtual motor racing event with short-format races. Fast to resolve, straightforward to bet.
Maxcar — Another motor racing format, with different field compositions and race dynamics from Drive, giving you variety in how you approach the form.
Motocross — Off-road motorcycle racing in virtual format. Competitive fields and race lengths that suit quick betting sessions.
Slipstream — High-speed cycling. If you follow disciplines like track cycling or criterium racing, Slipstream translates familiar competitive dynamics into a virtual betting format.
Speed Skating — A virtual recreation of competitive speed skating events. Short, decisive, and well-suited to win betting and exactas.
Speedway — Motorcycle oval racing. Typically four-competitor fields, which concentrates the betting pool and makes exotic combinations more manageable for newer bettors.
Stardust — A fantasy-themed event format. The competitive mechanics are the same as the other sports, but the visual presentation moves away from real-world sport aesthetics — useful if you're looking for something distinct.
How pari-mutuel pools work in a virtual format
For anyone new to pari-mutuel betting, here's the short version.
When you bet on a virtual event at MyWinners, your stake joins a pool alongside every other bettor on the same market. There's no house position on the other side of your bet. Once the event concludes, the pool (after the platform take) is divided among winning tickets proportionally. If a lot of bettors backed the winner, each winning ticket gets a smaller share of the pool. If the winner was a longshot — few bettors backed it — the payout per ticket is larger.
This is why odds on Virtual Sports aren't fixed in advance. They shift right up until the event starts, reflecting where the money is going. If you see a competitor shortening in price, it means the market is moving toward that selection. That's real information, derived from real betting activity.
The implication for strategy: you're not trying to beat an algorithm. You're trying to identify value in a market where other bettors are also making decisions. The same bankroll principles that apply to horse racing — line shopping, understanding pool size, avoiding chasing — apply here.
Getting started with Virtual Sports betting
If you're already a MyWinners customer, Virtual Sports are accessible from the main navigation. Open the app or log in at app.mywinners.com and look for the Virtual Sports section.
If you're new to MyWinners, registration is straightforward. You'll confirm your age and identity, and geo-location verification confirms you're in an eligible state before you place any bets. Once your account is set up and funded, you can place your first virtual bet within minutes.
For first-time bettors, start with the simpler formats — win bets on Speedway or Speed Skating, where smaller fields make it easier to read the market before moving into exactas and trifectas. The bet types mirror what's available on horse racing: Win, Place, Show, exactas, and trifectas depending on the event.
Full guides for each Virtual Sport are available in the MyWinners Help Center, covering how each format works, the bet types available, and how results are determined.
Bet on Virtual Sports at app.mywinners.com, download the MyWinners: Racing & Sports app on iOS here or Android here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Virtual Sports at MyWinners based on random number generation?
No. Virtual Sports at MyWinners are connected to real pari-mutuel pools. Outcomes are determined by the distribution of money wagered across competitors, not by an algorithm or pre-set return-to-player percentage.
Which states can bet on Virtual Sports at MyWinners?
Virtual Sports are available to eligible customers in Connecticut and in the 35+ additional states where MyWinners operates under Advance Deposit Wagering licenses. Geo-location verification confirms eligibility before any bet is placed.
What bet types are available for Virtual Sports?
Standard bet types include Win, Place, and Show. Exotic bets — exactas, trifectas, and others — are available depending on the event format and field size.
How often do Virtual Sports events run?
Virtual Sports events run continuously, independent of live racing schedules. That means you can bet any time of day without waiting for a race card to begin.
Are Virtual Sports at MyWinners legal?
Yes. Because they operate as pari-mutuel events under the same licensing framework as horse racing, greyhound racing, and Jai Alai, Virtual Sports at MyWinners are legal in all states where MyWinners holds an ADW license. This is distinct from fixed-odds or casino-style virtual sports products offered by unlicensed operators.
