The faceoff between Ryan Hart and Femi Adeboye was the first time a bookmaker gave ”in-running betting” to an individual videogames contest.
During the Street Fighter IV match that played last night in London, best out of three matches, bookmaker Paddy Power was streaming the event live and updating the odds on a per round basis.
”The response to the Super Street Fighter IV fight night shows there’s a real interest in competitive videogaming as a legitimate sport,” said Paddy Power’s communications director, reports CVG. This could start a whole new betting trend.
”In-running betting is usually reserved for high-profile sporting events such as football and boxing - but we’re now putting additional resources into tomorrow’s live streaming in order to offer greater choice for our customers, because the demand is certainly there.”
What other games out should make for some interesting ‘in-running betting’? Maybe they should go for the real long shot and see who can play The Sims original and get their household occupants burnt alive first? …what? You wouldn’t bet on that? Pfff.
”Recognising the game as a legitimate spectator event, as fiercely contested as any sanctioned boxing match, is a huge step for videogames as a whole,” said Leo Tan of Capcom, creators of the long-running Street Fighter series.
”Hopefully this is the start of a new avenue for bookmakers, a new way for games players to enjoy their games and, potentially, a new way for the elite players to get the recognition they deserve.” It was Ryan Hart who triumphed 2-1, with Adeboye winning the first round.
