World

Virtual Sports Betting on the Rise in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic

Published

6 years ago

June 11, 2020

A number of industries across the globe have been dealt devastating blows by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with the sports betting industry being a case in point.

The serious lack of live sporting events almost anywhere in the world has left an enormous void for the bookmakers and their customers. With much of the world currently being forced into various forms of lockdown and self-isolation, many people feel as though they have too much time on their hands and are searching for a little excitement.

Luckily there are a myriad of online betting options to choose from, so the absence of regular live sports betting events has seen a rise in popularity of other forms of betting, such as slot machines, bingo, poker and casino games.

One that is becoming particularly popular is virtual sports betting. For those of you not entirely familiar with it, virtual sports betting is a process that involves placing bets on computer generated virtual (simulated) games, where the outcomes are decided by numbers selected by a Random Number Generator (RNG).

Virtual sports betting brings you round-the-clock betting, with super graphics and anytime competitions that mean no more waiting and way more action. It’s little wonder that, with traditional sports betting being largely decimated at present, this is now such a fast-growing sector in the online betting world.

These simulations include visuals modelled on real-life stadiums, so that virtual sports can look and feel like you’re watching the real thing live. They often come with commentary and highlight reels for a totally immersive experience so, although it won’t quite match the excitement of a real live sports event, it can get pretty close.

As with live sports events, virtual sports involves a selection of fixed odds bets that can be made on the match outcome, correct score, number of goals, which team scores first and a variety of other markets.

The outcome of any given game is always algorithm-based, with the winner picked in a totally unbiased way. The beauty of virtual betting is that games can be played 24/7, thus enabling customers betting opportunities whenever they want.

Customers can bet on these events as they would real life sports events, but one of the big differences is that each virtual sport event only usually takes between 3-5 minutes to complete. These condensed versions of the game are depicted in a series of highlights, so there are no lengthy delays or substitutions, injuries, etc.

There’s an ever expanding selection of virtual sports to bet on, with soccer, basketball, horse racing, American Football, motor racing, tennis, speedway and darts among those on offer. When it comes to the very latest virtual sports betting offers and promotions available, you can get 24/7 virtual sports betting at Freebets.com. Freebets.com is the go-to site to find all the very best betting offers in one place.

For example, in an American Football virtual sports bet, you will have all your favourite markets available to bet on.

There will be the Money Line, Spread and Total Points Over/Under (e.g. Over 37.5; Under 37.5), Winning Margin (e.g. 1-6; 7-12; 13-18; 19-24; 25-30; 31 or more); Total Points (Bands – e.g. 0-25; 26-30; 31-35; 36-40; 41-45; 46-50; 51+); Spread & Totals (e.g. Green Bay -1.5 and Over 37.5; Green Bay -1.5 and Under 37.5; New York +1.5 and Over 37.5; New York -1.5 and Under 37.5) and Result & Total (e.g. Green Bay and Over 37.5; Green Bay and Under 37.5; New York and Over 37.5; New York and Under 37.5).

Basketball is a fairly new addition to the virtual sports betting stable. In addition to the Money Line, Spread and Total Points Over/Under markets, customers can also bet on the likes of Alternative Game Total Points; Alternative Point Spread; Double Result; Result and Total; Spread and Totals; Team Totals and Game Total Bands (5 Point or 10 Point bands).

In regards to soccer virtual sports, you might have options to bet on the Premiership (based on the English Premier League), Superleague (based on European soccer) or World Cup games. Again, there will be a range of familiar betting markets available for customers to enjoy, such as Match Winner, Number of Goals, Correct Score, etc.

Placing a bet on a virtual sports event is essentially no different to placing any other bet, although it’s worth noting that Cash Out isn’t available for Virtual Sports bets and you can’t combine a sportsbook selection with a virtual sports selection in the same betslip.

As with real life sport, there is a vast selection of free bet bonuses available at many of the biggest and most reputable online bookmakers.

The spread of Covid-19 has resulted in some novelties in virtual sports betting, such as a Virtual Grand National, which saw almost 5 million people tuned in to UK public broadcaster ITV (about half the expected audience for the real race). In this instance, betting on the event produced profits of €3 million ($3.3 million) which went towards the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

There was also a virtual horse race of Grand National champions, pitting the late Red Rum, who won the National three times in the 1970s, against defending champion Tiger Roll.

There has also been some intriguing virtual sports betting on boxing on YouTube, featuring boxing legends Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson and George Foreman. Another betting opportunity came in the virtual soccer match between Chelsea Pensioners and Manchester Blues; two entirely fictitious teams.

It’s widely anticipated that live sporting events will gradually return over the next couple of months, possibly even before the end of May in some instances, barring any rise in Covid-19 cases in the interim period. There will naturally be a dip in virtual sports betting at that point, but the surge of interest in their virtual sports should ensure that its long-term future is assured.

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

1 week ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”