Paddy Power begin taking bets on Street Fighter bouts

To mark Friday’s launch of Super Street Fighter IV for the PS3 and Xbox 360, Paddy Power are letting gamblers take a flutter on a Capcom-held event to determine the UK’s best Street Fighter player.

Ryan Hart and Femi Adeboye will be facing off for the challenge, with gamblers able to bet on the competitions overall winner, or hazard a guess at the fastest knock-out round.

“Videogames are as much a legitimate sport as any other,” says Ken Robertson, communications director, Paddy Power. “We wanted to offer sports fans and games players the ultimate thrill by offering the chance to win big on the outcome of a Super Street Fighter IV competition. If it proves popular, we’ll open further books on other videogame competitions.”

“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,” adds Capcom’s Leo Tan. “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 certainly shows how gaming is beginning to permeate into all parts of British society, but we’re a fair bit away from Korean gaming culture, where gifted players are treated as equals to sports stars.

It’s worth noting also that Paddy Power have this book listed under “Novelty Bets”, so don’t expect Modern Warfare frag counts to be fair game for a bet anytime soon.

Place your bets with Paddy Power here.