Virtual reality is not a new technology, but it has only recently started to influence the casino industry. The first VR gambling sites were launched only a few years ago, and they’re still not mainstream. The following guide explores the perspectives of virtual reality in casino play and the possible obstacles to implementing this technology in the niche.
The Current State of VR Usage in the Casino Industry
Today’s virtual reality casinos are not numerous, but there are already a few decent options to choose from. Most gambling sites offer VR games together with regular online and live gambling machines. Only a few casinos are focused exclusively on virtual reality content. The biggest problem for modern VR casino sites is the lack of content. With a few thousand available online slots and hundreds of table games available to the players, a few dozen virtual reality gambling machines are just no match. The situation is slowly getting better, and the top software studios are paying more and more attention to this kind of content. It, however, will take at least a few years to create enough casino games to push the industry further significantly. Other obstacles on the way to widely implementing VR in gambling include:
- the high cost of VR headsets,
- few websites willing to offer VR games,
- expenditures related to VR implementation on the site.
Despite all the barriers on its way, the industry is again on the brink of something new, as it was with mobile play and crypto casinos. It’s a true marvel how quickly it has evolved. Click to find more info about the stages of its development and evolution.
What Gambling Content is Available Right Now?
VR gambling is at its dawn, but you can already enjoy some of the best casino games in virtual reality. There are several options available here. The first one is free slot apps. They offer you to play different slot machines in VR. These apps are distributed via Google Play and App Store. They usually don’t offer real-money gambling and include only fun play. Though, there are often lots of in-game purchases you can make. The second option to try is virtual reality table games. The ones you can already play in VR are:
- blackjack;
- roulette;
- baccarat;
- craps;
- poker.
The third variant to try is popular real-money slots that were adapted for virtual reality. One of the best examples here is Gonzo’s Quest slot machine. This slot received a VR version in 2018. It looks like a mini video game with amazing 3D space, virtual characters moving around, and reels in the form of a virtual wall. Though NetEnt has recently stopped offering the product, this release has motivated many other software developers to work on content for the niche and adapt their existing games for virtual reality.
What to Expect in the Nearest Future?
Since VR technology has already existed in the gambling niche for some time and there was no quick breakthrough, we don’t expect it in the future, either. Slow evolutionary growth is a more likely scenario. The most obvious changes to occur in the next few years are
- an increase in the number of casinos that support virtual reality gambling;
- more content from existing and new software developers;
- wider availability of VR gambling due to cheaper headsets;
- lower minimum deposits in virtual reality casinos;
- VR games that you can try in a free demo.
The most significant change to expect is the decline in the cost of VR gambling. You’ll soon be able to choose a low-deposit virtual reality casino the same way you can now find a $1 deposit game club on the BestCasinoPlay website. This will attract thousands of new players to the niche and hence spur its growth.
Long-Term Perspective for VR Casino Gaming
The long-term future of virtual reality gambling is more difficult to predict, but some things are very likely to happen. First of all, we expect an even more immersive experience for players in VR casino games. It will be achieved due to enhanced virtual reality technologies and probably artificial intelligence, which may become the “brain” of the gambling machine. You’ll be able to freely interact with in-game objects and even communicate with characters built using an AI language model.
The future will probably bring a wider choice of VR devices and offer more advanced gadgets that will have increased productivity, less weight, and a better time of battery life. As it’s now with smartphones, there will be devices of a low, medium, and premium niche. One of the latest proofs of this, though, is the launch of Apple’s VR headset. This is the product able to change everything like it was with the iPhone and iPad. Another obvious perspective for the future of VR casino gaming is a new level of social interaction.
It’ll include in-game communication between players in the virtual reality setting. This will most likely be akin to visiting a real casino and communicating with other gamblers, but all in the virtual space. Such an experience is something many people would like to have because the perspectives of it are just amazing.
Conclusion on the Future of VR Casino Gaming
Virtual reality is a very promising technology that the casino industry will actively employ in the future. You shouldn’t expect it to supplant traditional online and offline gambling, but wide availability is guaranteed. Looking further into the future, the long-term prospects for VR casino gaming include advancements in immersive experiences through improved VR technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, the development of a greater variety of VR devices, including more affordable options and enhanced social interaction among players in virtual reality settings, is foreseeable. Despite the current challenges, the potential for VR in the casino industry remains promising, offering exciting opportunities for immersive and interactive gambling experiences.