NFL news: Gambling on Madden 20 simulations is booming

This is an NFL Madden 20 story: Sports fans throughout the U.S. are finding new ways to gamble in the absence of competition.

This is an NFL Madden 20 story: Sports fans throughout the U.S. are finding new ways to gamble in the absence of competition due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One betting website has set up Madden simulations that their customers can bet on, allowing gamblers to choose NFL teams and place their bets accordingly (per TMZ):

We spoke to a rep for BetOnline.ag who tells us they are running simulated NFL games on the “Madden 20” video game.

If you're unfamiliar, there's an option to allow a full computer simulation without any human influence.

In other words, a human can select the 2019 Packers to play the 2019 Chicago Bears … and A.I. takes over from there, simulating the entire game — every single play and even the weather conditions.

The simulated NFL games are also being broadcast on Twitch.TV and feature unique betting lines. The experience is apparently garnering plenty of traction (per TMZ):

BetOnline tells us they've been getting a ton of action on the video game sports so far — “We are getting as much action on them as an average non-nationally televised MLB game, believe it or not. Action keeps getting better daily.”

One rep told us, “I strongly believe simulated betting is here to stay, even once the big sports return.”

Video games have provided an outlet for fans and athletes in the absence of sports such as the NFL.The NBA, MLB and NFL have all set up their own gaming leagues, and individual players have taken to competing online against fans and peers alike.Though the casino business and gambling have suffered over the course of the last month, perhaps these simulations will become the new moneymaking fad until sports return, especially the NFL.