Is VR and AR Betting The Future of The Online Casino Industry?
It feels like big tech is evolving at a rapid rate, and AR and VR applications have come along and completely transformed the way many of us think about online gambling. VR and AR can be incorporated into many different aspects of gambling as a whole, from basic online casino games to social poker tournaments. it's obvious this has revolutionized the way many of us think about the future of gambling, especially when you consider AR-enabled smartphones and the use of virtual reality glasses. If you thought the normalization of live dealer games was surreal to witness, AR and VR take everything to the next level! In this article, we’re going to discuss the future of VR and AR related to gambling.
AR and VR Basics
These technologies are a huge step for immersive gaming in general, so it was only natural they could be used in the betting industry, similar to how interactive graphics and live gaming were also implemented. However, it's important to understand the differences between augmented reality and virtual reality, along with understanding the concept of the metaverse. AR is a technology that essentially enhances the environment experienced by users by incorporating fabricated aspects into the real world. To put it simply, they utilize special devices such as AR smartphones that will add artificial elements to your actual environment.
AR is commonly implemented in a number of industries, such as fashion, healthcare, and of course - gaming. On the other hand, VR is a bit different. VR has revolutionized technology, and is a key tool used to boost industry growth and expansion. VR is about creating a digital world, where objects are life-like and users are fully immersed in the virtual reality experience through these technologically advanced headsets. The video game industry has fully adapted to VR technology and offers tons of virtual reality games available to play for those who purchase the headset. Virtual reality technology isn't only used in the gamer world either, much like AR. However, the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality is that augmented reality users are only partially immersed in a fantasy world, while VR is fully immersion, and uses nothing from real life to create its environment.
The metaverse itself is a commonly used phrase nowadays and feels tossed around but greatly misunderstood. The metaverse uses a VR interface, which incorporates digital ownership, and avatars to run a virtual universe. It's a space rich with graphics where people can work, play, shop, socialize and even gamble. Without the metaverse, we would have nowhere to play our favorite blackjack or poker games.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Casinos
VR and AR have been used in the betting industry a lot since the introduction of this technology. As a whole, it appears to have created a paradigm shift in the gambling experience, similar to how the Internet revolutionized gambling in the 90s. Users can enjoy a fully immersive live casino experience through augmented reality apps that add digital elements to your real life, or virtual reality headsets that place you at a virtual table with other players and a live dealer. VR has been used to create these virtual online casino environments where players can participate in virtual tournaments, or participate in games where they use an avatar to play. On the other hand, augmented reality is also frequently used in the online gambling space, but the difference is these live dealer games can be accessed using smartphones and tablets, and with AR features, players can interact with elements of a real environment like cards.
Gambling Going Digital: The History Behind Innovation
The digitization of gambling has been an ongoing process. Traditional casinos are pressured to adapt to the digital age in all ways. Online gambling was once thought of as riskier than in-person gambling, but the convenience of online gambling, along with the benefits, as far outweighed any doubts. Traveling out to a real casino to engage in games of baccarat and poker is no longer necessary because online casinos now incorporate unrestricted participation from relatively anywhere in the world. The live casino format is nearly a staple at most casinos new, incorporating an authentic casino experience into the comfort of the average user’s home. These casinos enabled global gaming, which means real-time interaction with live dealers and patrons. This bridged the gap between the real world and the virtual gambling landscape. The high-resolution video streams and other technologies captivated players everywhere. On top of that, AI played a pivotal role in the digitization of gambling, as these technologies allowed players to enjoy personalized experiences. AI will analyze players’ behavior and preferences and uses these insights to tailor recommendations and improve security. AI is also used to detect and prevent fraud and enhance overall trust between the platform and the player. Considering how popular live dealer games have become, it only makes sense that AR and VR is the next step in this tech-based evolution.
When AR and VR were introduced in the online casino realm, it was a leap forward into the future of gambling. This goes beyond what users think of when it comes to playing games using traditional screens. Instead, you can escape into a full three-dimensional world. VR uses the ambiance of real casinos with like life sound effects, like the sounds of roulette wheels spinning and other small details which create a sense of authenticity. VR transports you to a casino that might not exist in reality, but can be accessed from the comfort of your own home, nearly indistinguishable from reality. Of course, VR can be a little more intimidating than AR. AR just overlays digital elements in the real world. So for instance, you can play blackjack on virtual cards using your favorite coffee table or spin a game wheel that is being projected directly into your bedroom with no issues. The line between reality and the game is blurred as virtual spaces combine with physical spaces.
It's important to keep in mind that AR and VR are still a developing field. The technology is not as perfected as say it is when you play a live dealer game. However, VR is becoming more affordable, and with the decline in prices will likely lead to a widespread use of these technologies. The gaming industry as a whole recognizes VR and AR tools are the next step in revolutionizing the gambling experience, reaching new markets and demographics that would have been inaccessible otherwise. After all, think of how old-school game graphics looked in the early 2000s as opposed to now? The quality of virtual reality will increase, and eventually, the game environments will be totally undiminishable from reality, effortlessly merging these virtual landscapes with real life and allowing us to leave the house without really leaving the house - which is especially important for individuals with health conditions or boundary restrictions.
The Future of Gambling
VR and AR are tools in the revolution of gambling as a whole, and this industry's evolution proves there are endless possibilities. The casino world is not shy to hop on and try out new technology, and the industry is driven by technological advancement. The optimization of the blockchain, along with artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality all come together to reshape the industry as we know it today. On top of that, AI will guarantee personalizing gaming experiences. There are new horizons abound, and as long as you're willing to practice responsible gaming, losing yourself in a virtual reality gambling environment could only be a positive. Regulations are still in place too, so AR and VR gaming is as safe as any other form of online gambling. Active collaborations between known developers, and trustworthy platforms will be important for the implementation of this new technology. However, as long as the environments feel safe, this technology will surely usher in exciting opportunities.
Where to Begin
The best way to start gambling with AR or VR technology is to pick a game you're familiar with and give it a try. Sometimes, diving into the unknown can be scary, but worthwhile. Say you choose to try out some VR poker because you’ve just purchased your first VR headset. Well, you should expect a fully immersive, and realistic game experience, which can be a little jarring at first. You put on a VR headset, and you'll be transported to a rich environment or glamour and luxury. You’ll be placed in a virtual casino, complete with sound effects of slot machines ringing in the distance, and the sound of cards being shuffled onto the table. There are other virtual players around you, and you can interact with them. Virtual reality gambling allows you to make friends in a similar way you would if you drove out to a real casino, except you'll be exposed to folks you likely never would have met otherwise. No longer are you confined to only interacting with gamblers who also go to your local casino. Instead, you can be a player in Michigan interacting with a gambler from China, and so forth. While playing with VR, players can even use hand gestures to communicate in the way you would if you played in a real casino.
On top of this, there are just as many game variations in the VR and AR world as there are in the live dealer, or RNG-generated gambling world. For example, the average VR or AR-compatible casino will have numerous variations of poker, like Texas Hold Em. A lot of the time, VR allows players to customize an avatar to their liking, and use that avatar to enjoy a virtual game of poker. Some VR and AR don't yet offer real money gambling, and instead, they might prefer in-app purchases of chips that allow you to hone your card game talents. Before you begin, read through any terms and conditions associated with the game.
Final Thoughts
It's too early to tell whether or not VR and AR will replace in-person casinos. After all, there's still a lot to love about an in-person gambling experience, such as loyalty points players can use to spend on buffets or hotel rooms. Many casinos are full-out resorts, offering a vacation where the exciting world of gambling is just part of the overall experience. However, many of us don't have the time or energy to drive (or even fly) out to our favorite casino and stay a few nights, which is where VR and AR technologies come in. Similar to live casino environments, players will likely adapt to the times by trusting VR and AR-style gambling, and fall in love with the immersive aspects of AR and VR gambling. Who wouldn't want a perfect replica of a real casino in their own house? It seems that AR and VR are on the way to delivering that to us!