Crypto kick-off: Gambling on NFL-style, AI-powered football games

For avid sports fans with a penchant for gambling, this time of year can seem a bit dull. Not only are popular professional leagues like the NFL and NBA both on hiatus, the start of college football and basketball are also both a ways away.

One company thinks it may have created a way for betting sports fans to entertain themselves during the summer months. It even comes with a web3 twist. 

SimWin Sports, which bills itself as “the world's first virtual sports” platform, has created a 24-hour football league featuring digital teams and players — powered by artificial intelligence — that go toe-to-toe in contests broadcast online. People are invited to gamble on the games if they desire to do so, even if it’s not possible on SimWin’s platform.

“Regulations prevent us from offering sports betting directly to the consumer, so like the [NFL and NBA] we will license our data and content to casino and sportsbook partners who will offer SimWin Sports betting on their platforms,” the company’s Chief Market Officer Tom Goedde told The Block. Goedde worked at DraftKings before joining SimWin.

Screenshot of gameplay teaser. Source: SimWin Sports

SimWin sports announced a “strategic partnership” with crypto gaming company Immutable this week. Hall of Fame basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson is an investor in SimWin and is actively promoting the platform alongside NFL greats Jerry Rice and Marshall Faulk, the company said in a statement. Other investors include Animoca Brands and 1Up Ventures.

Virtual players on chain

People will be able to purchase in-game digital assets like virtual players they can train or later trade on a secondary market, Goedde also told The Block. He added that users can choose to act as agents and possibly earn income by representing  the AI-powered players.

“The innovative design allows virtual player agents to earn the revenue without selling the player rights,” said Goedde. “So fans can make money while holding the player rights, then sell those player rights for additional revenue down the road.”

Teams in SimWin's football league include Los Angeles Magic, San Francisco Swamp Monsters and the Mississippi Goats. The company hopes to eventually add virtual basketball and soccer leagues to its platform.