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Set aside everything you know about internet casinos, the next best thing is here. The game-changing power of virtual reality (VR) is transforming online casinos into immersive, interactive experiences. While online gambling and social gaming platforms have long-standing loyal customer bases, VR casinos will soon start to siphon off gamblers and players from 2D and 3D gambling platforms.
For years, VR technology is being touted as the next frontier of online gambling. It’s still too soon to lay down the “disruption” cards. However, VR casinos deliver a lifelike experience so true to life that antiquated gaming technology fails to keep up. From highly-interactive multiplayer gameplay to luxurious casinos you can experience in wholly immersive 3D, VR casinos have everything but free cocktails on the house.
What Is Virtual Reality?
To better understand the concept of VR casinos, let’s first define virtual reality. VR, also known as simulated reality, is a computer-generated technology that mimics the real environment. It employs VR headsets or multi-projected environments, sometimes alongside physical environments, to yield lifelike sounds, images, and other sensations that simulate your physical presence in an unreal or digital environment.
For several years, VR has been a reality, and things are progressing significantly. Long gone are the days of subpar graphics. Simulated reality is now a way more refined world, and casinos are a significant part of it. Online casinos are adopting this technology to create a more realistic gaming environment. VR casinos offer some of the best games, including video poker, 3D slots, blackjack, and roulette. They run on multiple devices, such as Android, iOS, Windows, and headsets like Sony PlayStation and Oculus Rift. It is not surprising that these casinos are attracting gamblers from other platforms.
What Are VR Casinos?
In the online casino realm, you can find two basic types: real money casinos and entertainment casinos. The former targets players who play to win cash, while the latter offers no opportunity of monetary reward for winning. Entertainment casinos let you play card games, slots, or roulette wheel. In recent years, technological advancements have upgraded platforms for leading casinos of both types, from 2D to 3D. However, they lack anything near true realism. And that is where VR steps in.
Credits to significant developments in VR software and hardware, VR casinos are much more than mere pseudo-3D interfaces. A VR headset and compatible VR iGambling platform let you indulge in lifelike, interactive casino experience. You may also engage other players in real-time.
VR casinos feature detailed casino game rooms, 3D game tables, lifelike slot machines, in-game chats, and real casino sounds. You can also display body and hand gestures as well as observe those of your opponents.
As if that were not enough, you can even chat with other players in the lounge or stop off at the bar. Unlike gimmicky gamified casinos, VR platform makers are striving to make the VR experience as realistic as possible, including the ability to light a cigar while playing.
Pros and Cons
Of course, leading the list of pros is the realism and exciting gaming experience. Add to that the tremendous variety of casino games from top developers, more efficient chatting options, lucrative bonuses, and regular updates on games. VR casinos also support social aspects and give you a chance to win real money.
However, VR casino players can be at risk of overspending time and money on wagering. They are expected to bet more compared to regular online casinos. Another drawback is the costly head gadgets, especially for low-income players. Ultimately, since the games are so immersive, gamers might become mindless of the real-time settings around them.
Games
Despite being in its embryonic stage, the VR casino industry boasts several awesome games. Some software developers are shifting to developing VR games. While there are only a few of them, the pioneers are doing great. These developers launched various VR apps and augmented reality to revolutionize gambling worldwide. They team up with top VR headset companies to develop casino games. The best developers include NetEnt VR, Microgaming VR, and Lucky VR, among others.
VR games fit on various headsets. They also come with high payouts and amazing features. VR casinos offer games such as VR slots, VR blackjack for card lovers, and VR roulette for extreme gambling-lovers. Some fan-favorite VR slots include titles like Miss Midas by NextGen, Starburst by Net Entertainment, and Jack and the Beanstalk by Net Entertainment.
Casino VR Poker and SlotsMillion are two of the most popular VR casino games. Developed in Switzerland, the Casino VR Poker boasts a highly-detailed interface, with lifelike full body players. It has spatial voice chatting and six Texas Hold’em poker tables. However, Casino VR Poker is an entertainment-only casino. Therefore, you won’t be able to cashback chips.
Meanwhile, the SlotsMillion is a brainchild of Lucky VR. The game represents VR casino development at its current best. While it has no card games, you can enjoy 40+ slot machines and play for real money. SlotsMillion also boasts a game room that is indistinguishable from the real thing. It operates on Oculus Rift for VR immersion.
The Future of VR Casinos
It goes without saying that VR casinos hold a remarkably promising future. Numerous players are migrating to this innovation due to its advantages. The games are exciting, immersive, and come with an abundance of winning opportunities.
Presently, developers are aiming to copy brick-and-mortar casinos. There will likely be healthy growth in this area for genuine gamblers. But for the players-turned-gamblers, developers will soon notice the need to craft non-traditional casinos to quench their thirst for extraordinary experiences.
For now, no one can tell what exactly the future holds for VR casinos. But judging by current trends and ideas, they will likely enable you to do more activities. Most of these casinos already have common areas and bars. You can expect the range of experiences on offer to increase drastically.
Presently, it’s still quite easy to tell you’re in a VR casino. However, the experience they provide becomes more realistic each day. They will soon reach a point where VR casinos are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Games will become more realistic and immersive.
VR is so close to being the next big thing. However, it will take a while before the world adopts this technology en masse. Tech pioneers, including Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, are going all-in on VR. It is logical to say that VR is for big things. That is considering their power to shape the internet. Casinos will be one of the first sectors to embrace it since it is among the most fiercely competitive industries in the world. Also, casino operators are continually attempting to get an edge over each other to lure new players.
Online Gambling in South Korea
Speaking of disruptive technologies like VR, South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced East Asian nations, second only to Japan. Earlier this year, a VR-enabled tearful reunion of a mother and her deceased daughter made headlines. The people behind this project sought to display the technology’s prowess.
But despite being technologically advanced, online gambling sites based in the country are illegal. Government crackdowns heavily target them, forcing locals to turn to online operators licensed abroad. As a whole, the gambling legislation in South Korea is somewhat confusing.
Several South Korean laws seemingly achieve opposing goals. For instance, physical casinos can legally operate but are not open to citizens. Also, it is illegal for online casinos to run within their borders. However, the country does not have any laws against online gambling. Long story short, locals can turn to foreign operators, but companies cannot operate from inside their borders.