AI-Cricket on Betbazar marketplace

How Virtual Sports Are Knocking The Competition For Six

With the world’s leading B2B iGaming marketplace, BETBAZAR, recently adding AI Cricket to its growing esports roster, we caught up with COO, Max Sevostianov, to learn how this evolving vertical can play a key role in attracting new audiences and keeping existing customers engaged.  

Why is AI cricket, along with efootball, ebasketball, and ehockey, gaining such demand among players and operators?

I believe in this case, AI cricket and other virtual sports are gaining traction because they offer consistent, 24/7 availability that appeals to a global audience. Couple that with the instant, fast-paced nature of these games and you have a product that provides opportunities for non-stop betting without any of the restrictions associated with traditional sports schedules and their seasons. The main goal of virtual sports is, of course, to create a new niche within the iGaming industry that’s connected to AI technology. By doing so, you give operators and players much more flexibility and add the possibility of creating fantastic products with a much broader appeal

What demographic is most attracted to virtual sports and how much crossover is there with traditional sports bettors seeking 24/7 events?

Generally speaking, the demographic drawn to virtual sports is often a younger, tech-savvy player category that typically enjoys quick, on-demand entertainment. That being said, there is significant crossover with traditional sports players who are simply seeking constant action outside of their regular schedules. You have to remember that these games are now so advanced that they can successfully emulate the appeal of the real-world sports that they’re based on, making them an attractive alternative for players that offers on-demand competitions and a variety of markets. In this way, they can effectively fill the gaps in operators’ offerings when live sports aren’t available.

How have virtual sports evolved recently in terms of production quality and how has this further boosted their popularity among players?

The production quality found in virtual sports has improved dramatically in recent years and I believe it will continue to do so from month-to-month, not even year-to-year. With AI technology helping to enhance the graphics and realism of virtual events and dynamic elements such as live commentary and in-game statistics all adding to the experience, I think there’s now much more scope for operators to package the product to suit their audience. This evolution makes virtual sports feel far more immersive and helps to bridge the gap between video games and live sports, enhancing their appeal to both casual and serious players and creating a big surge in popularity.

How do virtual sports strike the correct balance between the unpredictability of real sports and using data-driven insights to inform betting decisions?

Virtual sports integrate complex algorithms and AI to simulate the unpredictability of real sports, ensuring no two games are ever alike. Just as in real sports the results are never 100% guaranteed, but all teams and sportsmen are underpinned by actual data and statistics to enable players to plan their choices accordingly. What we don’t want to do is create uncertainty for players, so if an obvious underdog is consistently beating better opposition, there’s obviously a problem – but at the same time, the result shouldn’t ever be a foregone conclusion either. Essentially, what we’re trying to do is provide entertainment first and foremost, but one that’s backed up by solid data.

With AI cricket offering dynamic commentary, realistic graphics and detailed highlights, do you think it’s a good product for operators to cross-sell to their sportsbook customers?

I think it’s always an option when you’ve created a product that has a very similar structure to its real world sport equivalent. We’ve seen it before with FIFA and football and NBA2K and basketball, so why should it be any different with virtual cricket? Most operators already have an existing audience for cricket, so the virtual version will probably also be of interest to them too, especially given its additional capacity to entertain with music and special effects. What I’d expect is that if sportsbook players find the product engaging, they’ll turn to it when there are no live events scheduled and – over time – may blend both games into their regular gaming routines.

What advantages do virtual sports like AI cricket offer operators compared to real sports, such as shorter game times and sustainable margins?

In addition to filling the gaps in their regular live gaming schedule, virtual sports provide a number of advantages over their real world counterparts. These include shorter game cycles and tighter schedules, creating more gaming events and a higher gaming volume in a smaller time frame. Additionally, because these products aren’t tied to real world logistics, they offer stable margins, predictable revenue streams and the possibility for further experimentation. In football, for example, I doubt we’ll see the rules change any time soon, but in a virtual game like FIFA, you can easily adjust the format, see how your audience responds and update your product accordingly.

How can operators use the branding and customisation potential of AI cricket to enhance their offering and provide a unique product?

I think this is an important question when you consider the potential of AI cricket as an acquisition tool. In the virtual arena, the opportunities for customisation are basically unlimited, so there are huge opportunities for operators here. By adding branded elements to both the teams and game environment, they can create something unique that truly differentiates them in a competitive market. On top of that, there’s also scope to introduce features such as localised commentary and region-specific tournaments that resonate more deeply with their target audience, so while we’re still waiting to see the precise requests of our clients, the possibilities are basically endless.