One of the main positives about the gambling industry is that it is constantly trying to stay abreast with the latest innovations in different sectors. This ensures a smoother and more enjoyable experience for various gamblers. Some of the technological developments that will most likely help the gambling sector to continue its growth are virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Online gambling is mainly the sector that will see the biggest changes with the introduction of VR and AR solutions in iGaming. Virtual casinos rank among some of the most visited websites on the web, with various players flocking to gaming sites to enjoy their favourite games. Mobile casinos have also contributed to the increasing popularity of interactive gambling. Casino apps and browser-based mobile casinos allow players to easily enjoy a variety of gaming options at any time and place.
However, in addition to constantly improving the mobile and web-based gambling experience, companies are also looking for new and exciting solutions that will attract even more players. The appeal of VR and AR gaming is that players are offered more realistic gambling even though they are still participating in interactive casino sessions.
If you want to learn how VR and AR are implemented in the iGaming sector and the way the industry is expected to change, you should keep on reading. We will cover all the latest innovations in VR and AR gambling technology and the perks players are offered.
Trends Expected to Take Over Online Gambling Industry
The world is experiencing global digitalisation and various technological developments that have also contributed to the growth of the gambling industry. To further expand its reach, the gambling sector continues to introduce new technology to players, with VR, AR, and hybrid games becoming some of the new trends among casino fans.
With the introduction of online casinos, one of the main goals of gaming developers has always been to provide an experience as realistic as possible. If you have ever tried a VR set, you probably know the type of entertainment VR is offering. Introducing this type of innovation to the gambling industry allows players to see their favourite video slot before their eyes and play in a very realistic casino atmosphere without leaving the comfort of their homes.
Currently, there are not as many gaming options optimised to be played for real money via a VR set. That said, there are several social VR casinos that allow players to play different casino games for free, wagering in-game money. With VR gambling having great potential, however, NetEnt has introduced one of its famous slots to VR users. Gonzo’s Quest is the first real-money virtual slot that has been optimised to be played using VR gear. Providing players with a fun 3D experience and a full 360-degree view, players can see the slot spinning its reels before their eyes.
Another trend that is expected to change the online gambling scene is AR, which is fairly new but has the potential to be very popular among casino players. The AR technology allows players to interact with their favourite casino games by turning their real-world into virtual reality. The AR innovations can make players feel as if they are at a land-based casino while they are still in the comfort of their homes.
There is also another way of technology that introduces a brand new experience to casino enthusiasts. So-called hybrid games can be spotted at some brick-and-mortar casinos, allowing players to combine the land-based experience with online gambling. For instance, hybrid gambling will allow you to place bets online while you are actually in a land-based casino. Another example for hybrid gambling can also be watching a sporting event live and place bets on the game online.
How VR is Expected to Change Online Gambling
To be able to dive into a brand new virtual casino world, you will need a VR set that can be used with video game consoles, PCs, or simply on their own. Using the correct headgear, players have the chance to immerse themselves in another reality where the casino floor might be where their living room is usually located. The type of gaming experience offered to VR plates is very interactive, offering quite a realistic casino time, or at least a very immersive one.
Thanks to VR technology, players can enjoy their favourite games in real-time, playing with other people in a brand new immersive reality. One very fun feature of VR casinos is allowing you to express hand or body gestures that will be translated into the virtual world of the casino. This makes the entire gaming experience a lot more realistic.
To make the whole VR gaming adventure more realistic, VR casinos use sound effects reminiscent of brick-and-mortar casino floors. That way, players can fully immerse themselves into the experience and truly forget about things outside this virtual world. While VR casinos tend to look animated, thanks to the features of this type of technology, one could easily feel like playing at any land-based casino.
VR casinos tend to have separate game rooms that one could enter and explore different casino games. The slot machines and table games are also designed to be as realistic as possible, further cementing the authenticity that VR casinos are offering. Players can also sit on virtual tables and interact with other players at the same casino game.
Even though VR casinos sound like a lot of fun, they are still fairly new and they have plenty of things to work on to provide a better experience to those who enjoy virtual gambling. With VR casino developers paying special attention to every detail, there are expectations for the casino industry to continue transforming, with hopefully more VR casino games being launched in the future.
In addition to offering an authentic gaming time, VR casinos may also offer something that is not achievable in real life. With VR casinos having the potential to be located on other planets, under the sea, or literally any unusual place you can think of, you can immerse yourself in a unique and fun casino experience while still being in your room.
While the VR technology is improving to offer better gaming solutions, the VR gear used to play is also going through significant improvements. Currently, one of the issues of VR casinos is that they are not widely accessible as not every player can afford VR gear. With improvements in both VR sets and mobile technology, the future of VR casinos may present more players with the chance to enjoy this unique type of gaming experience.
How AR Can Transform Online Gambling
The whole concept of integrating AR in online gambling is still fairly new and there is plenty to be explored and improved. However, AR technology could potentially transform the way players are enjoying their favourite casino games. It almost looks like newer smartphones are entering the global mobile device market everyday. The majority of them have implemented AR in many of their features, allowing their users to enter a brand new virtual world that is easily combined with their reality.
Even though online gambling is very popular due to its convenience, there are still many players who still do not see the appeal of virtual casinos as they miss the feeling of playing on land-based casino floors. However, if AR casinos become a common thing, players will have the chance to enjoy a far more immersive gaming experience without leaving the comfort of their homes.
One key element that most players miss while gambling outside the land-based gambling facilities is communication with fellow casino fans. Even though some online casino options have included a chat feature that allows some type of interaction between players, the AR technology can make the whole experience much more realistic.
Thanks to the option to create your own avatar, you can easily enter the AR casino and interact with other characters that represent your peers or the dealers on the tables. Having your personal avatar will make the whole virtual experience more authentic and fun at the same time.
One of the most anticipated perks that AR will bring to the gambling sector is the way one could play their favourite games. AR casinos are expected to be more immersive and still enable players to take a look around and feel like stepping inside a brick-and-mortar casino.
Perks of Using VR and AR for Live Casino Gaming
One step that virtual casinos have taken towards making the gambling experience online more realistic was to introduce live casino games. These variations of classic casino games enable players to play with real professional dealers, in an atmosphere that resembles the one you are used to enjoying at classy land-based casinos.
While this type of experience is still very enjoyable to those who adore the ambience in brick-and-mortar gambling facilities, this type of online casino session can become even more immersive. VR and AR solutions have the potential to make the live casino subcategory even more interactive and win over plenty of new players.
Using AR in live-dealer games can help online casinos gain even bigger popularity, as this innovative way of playing can attract more virtual gamblers. The more realistic the online experience gets, the more players will flock to interactive casinos where they can play their favourite games at any time and place.
Things to Consider Before Diving into VR Gambling
Currently, there are several ways to enjoy the VR casino experience and immerse yourself in a different type of online gambling. However, to be able to enjoy VR gambling, you will need to acquire suitable gear. A compatible VR headset will be required to be able to play in VR mode. What is more, there will be several technical specifications that you will need to meet to be able to enjoy a smooth VR experience.
VR headsets
There are several companies that have developed VR headsets that can be used for your VR casino adventures. That said, Oculus Rift is the VR headset that most people would recommend as it can offer one of the smoothest gaming experiences. Alternatively, you can opt for headsets like HTC Vive, Samsung Gear, or Sony PlayStation VR.
Whichever VR headset you choose to use for your casino endeavours, make sure your desktop device’s hardware will be able to handle the VR set.
If you are using an Oculus Rift headset, the recommended specifications for your computer are as follows:
- Procesor: Intel i5-4590/ AMD FX 8350
- RAM: at least 8 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 970/ AMD 290 or more advanced
- Video Ports: 3x USD 3.0 and one USB 2.0
- Display: HDMI 1.3
- Operating System: Windows 10
For those who have opted for a VR headset by HTC Vive, the recommended specifications for your desktop device are:
- Proces: Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 or later version
- RAM: at least 4 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon™ RX 480 or newer version
- Video Ports: one USB 2.0
- Display: HDMI 1.4
- Operating system: Windows 7, 8.1, or 10
As the VR technology is continuously evolving, Oculus has also released a new model of VR headset, introducing Oculus Quest 2 to VR fans. The main innovation in this headset is the lack of any cables, enabling players to move freely without being restricted in any way. Thanks to the controllers, every move is tracked precisely, making your gaming experience smoother and more enjoyable.
One main issue of VR gaming has also been eliminated with the new innovations in VR equipment. The newest headset solution of Oculus has also implemented the feature of virtually setting boundaries for the playing area. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the virtual world without worrying about colliding with different objects in real life.
Closing Thoughts on Fish Table Games
While VR and AR are barely getting integrated into online gambling, the two types of solutions have the potential to completely transform the gambling industry. As the iGaming sector is constantly evolving and implementing various technological innovations in its operations, the industry is growing continuously. As newer technology is introduced, online casinos are getting more fun, more accessible, and very convenient.
Even though there are still not many options to dive into real-money VR or AR casinos, this industry has the potential to offer players a completely different gaming experience. As both VR and AR allow players to immerse themselves in a different reality, implementing such technology in online gambling will offer casino fans a very realistic experience without actually leaving their homes.
While VR and AR casino solutions have a long way to go, they have the potential to completely change the way players enjoy interactive gambling. Mobile technology, internet connection, and various other sectors are also continuously evolving to improve one’s casino experience. Combining newer casino innovations with VR and AR will only make your gaming time more immersive, fun, and authentic.
