The Virtual Reality Casino Is Coming Your Way
It’s been in the iGaming industry news for several years now. The technology has been developed, tested, and retested. Several websites are already up and serving customers across the globe. To what are we referring? That would be the Virtual Reality (VR) online casino phenomenon, which is slowly moving your way.
In Europe, iGaming enthusiasts have access to some really nice VR casinos. It’s sweeping from one country to the next. In North America, legalizing VR casinos is not yet a reality. However, American online casino players can get access via offshore VR casino operators that serve players from the U.S. Patience is the word for players who wish to remain loyal to the U.S. iGaming community. It’s coming. It’s just a matter of time.
What is a VR Casino?
VR casinos are online casinos that feature a virtual/augmented reality software platform. The VR technology allows online casino players to get closer to a retail casino environment while still enjoying the comforts of home. Everything is presented in the same 3D that inspired us to love VR gaming on WII or Xbox.
How real is the experience? Good, and it’s getting better with every technological iteration.
Getting Started
Excited yet? If so, it’s time to get started on your first journey into the world of Virtual Reality casinos.
The first step you need to take is to find a VR casino that is willing to welcome you with open arms. If you are in Europe, you should have no problem finding a suitable site. All you have to do is type “VR Casino” in your favorite search engine.
If you live in the U.S., you can follow the same process, but we recommend being more cautious. VR casinos are not yet legal in the U.S. Are they coming soon? All signs point to yes in the future. But as you research the available offshore VR casinos, look for ones that are U.S.-player friendly and have high-reliability ratings. Remember, U.S. iGaming players offshore are seldom afforded the same legal protections as local players.
The Tools of the Trade
Next, you must arm yourself with the “tools of the trade.” Once you have a target VR casino in mind, research the site’s recommended tools of the trade. At a minimum, most VR casinos require a quality VR goggle/headset combination. This will handle the audio/visual part of your iGaming VR casino experience.
We suggest you purchase a high-end goggle/headset combination if your wallet allows it. Note: Experienced VR online casino players have confirmed a direct correlation between the quality of your VR equipment and the iGaming experience you will get from it.
If you like accessories, there are a few things you might want to add to your VR iGaming arsenal. We can recommend the following:
- State-of-the-art game controller for interactive video slot bonus features
- Haptic vest to enhance interactive bonus motion requirements
- Motion platform – helps emulate walking and running during interactive bonus features
- VR treadmill to replace a standard joystick – more fun and excitement
How the VR Technology Works in a VR Casino Environment
As you donn your goggles and headset, you can initiate your VR casino. Immediately, you will realize that this is no ordinary online casino. Everything is surreal, enhanced by 3D technology.
Whether moving about on your own or using your favorite motion accessory, you can move about the casino like a retail casino in Las Vegas. You’ll see designated gambling stations filled with popular video slots, video poker games, and perhaps a small selection of table games like blackjack and roulette.
As you approach a game and start playing, you’ll get the experience of picking up chips and placing your bets or pressing slot buttons. You might also enjoy scooping up chips after a big win. To your mind, your gambling activities will look and feel real.
To be clear, game selection is still limited. Top software developers like NetEnt and Playtech have game developers busy creating new games, but it takes time. That said, top software developers have stated they will allocate more resources to VR casinos in the future. Why? It might be related to increased demand as the phenomenon spreads.
Note: VR video slots are also under development as part of the VR casino phenomenon. By all indications, the finished products will be video slot games that include you as one of its primary characters. It will be you who spins the reels or runs about a bonus feature, shooting at targets or trying to collect the right stones for big bonuses.
Preparing for a VR Casino Future
Like the initial days of live online casino gambling, the evolution of VR casinos has been admittedly slow. However, all signs indicate it is a high-demand product in the coming years.
To prepare for what lies ahead, we suggest you start investing a little time, effort, and money to get your feet wet. Instead of confining yourself to traditional online casinos, why not make the occasional excursion into the world of VR casinos? Even if you have to invest in VR equipment now, it will still be helpful in future years.
We can’t see an iGaming world where VR casinos dominate. However, the gaming world has taught us there is a place for VR interactions. Our best guess is the day is coming when standard online casinos, live dealer online casinos, and VR casinos will share the spotlight. That is excellent news for iGaming enthusiasts who crave variety in their iGaming activities.
Bottom line: There is no time like the present to prepare for the future of online casino gambling.