How The Rise of Virtual Reality Gambling Could Shake Up The Casino Industry

Not everyone lives close enough to a land-based casino to visit whenever they’d like to play a few slot machines or table games. So once the internet came along, it’s hardly surprising that online casinos and slot sites proved to be highly popular from the moment they launched. As technology developed, online casinos did too, making it possible to play slots and table games on smartphones for gaming on the go.

But now there’s a big new shake-up to the online casino industry on the way, and it’s all thanks to advances in virtual reality (VR). Rather than watching games play out on a screen, players can completely immerse themselves in the experience, which is just like visiting a bricks-and-mortar establishment. The latest virtual reality headsets offer lag-free, high-resolution imagery to make the experience as realistic as possible.

Just like visiting a real casino

Players choose an avatar before making their way around the virtual casino, moving between rooms, browsing the games on offer and choosing which ones to play. All the usual games are available, including slots, Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat. And you can choose your seat and chat to the dealer, as well as to other players.

In fact, it’s the social element of online casinos that VR really plays into, so right now it seems to be social casinos that are leading the way. You can decide whether to play alone at a slot machine, or to take part in multiplayer games. Sophisticated software detects when players enter or leave a game, opening up the relevant chat channels to enable conversation.

Choice of VR headsets

An immersive virtual reality casino requires some serious processing power, so a powerful computer is a must-have. And a top-quality headset is also needed, such as the Oculus Rift, Daydream View, Oculus Quest 2 or HTC Vive – try checking out online reviews to find the best model for your setup.

You can combine the use of a VR headset with a data glove to enhance the experience even further. But be aware that it’s all too easy to get carried away when playing virtual reality casino games. That makes it more important than ever to set out time and budget limits before each gaming session, so you don’t end up spending more than you intended. That’s a potential risk at any gambling establishment, but the fully immersive nature of virtual reality makes it even more of an issue.

Claim the right bonus

One of the ways in which all types of online casino encourage players to gamble more is by attaching high wagering requirements to their bonus offers. That apparently generous bonus award doesn’t look quite so attractive when you dig a little deeper to discover it has to be played through thirty or forty times – or even more in some cases – before you can withdraw your winnings. It’s well worth taking the time to seek out No Wagering casinos that come with much more straightforward terms and can allow customers to withdraw any winnings straight away.

One of the important positive ways that VR could be used in the world of online casinos is in the fight against gambling addiction. Therapists could potentially use the technology to control the casino environment, enabling them to better understand and monitor the feelings and behaviours of gamblers. This simulation of a casino environment could help doctors and other medical professionals when planning appropriate treatment.

VR Casinos are on the way!

The full potential of the technology has yet to be unleashed. One day soon it might be possible to take a virtual stroll in Las Vegas and step inside your casino of choice. Or you could visit a casino on a virtual space station, or in any environment that the developers can dream up. One thing is certain: these days you don’t have to visit the casino – the casino is more than happy to come to you!