VIRTUAL REALITY CASINOS: THE NEXT BIG LEAP IN ONLINE GAMBLING? – Scioto Valley Guardian

Talk has been rife about VR, the new technology shaping industries in readiness for the technological shift. Already, this technology has made its way into different sectors, including film and education. Essentially, this technology uses headsets and accessories that users wear to control the actions of avatars in the virtual world. It thus allows people to interact with virtual environments, which was impossible before.

Casino operators have been working around the clock to integrate this technology with their sites, as it offers a wide range of perks. So, what does it offer to warrant such attention?

1. More Socialization Opportunities.

While online gambling comes with convenience perks, it can also feel isolating. After all, people play from their homes or on the go without interacting much with others. Operators have previously tried to address this problem by using live chats and social media. But these do not live up to the physical experience. VR allows players to interact like they would in the physical world, which bridges a gap that players have always felt.

2. Better Gaming Experiences.

Augmented reality has played an integral role in making gaming graphics more realistic. But even with all its capabilities, the gap between the player and the gaming environment was still evident. VR changes this by allowing players to immerse themselves into the gaming realm, thus becoming one with the game. It looks and feels like they are in a physical casino as they can see and interact with the architecture and other players.

3. Heightened Convenience.

Players can enjoy a night of gambling and networking while in their homes. After all, they just have to set up their avatar to match the dress code, wear their headset and accessories, and step into the casino. Once inside, you can play the games by making motions; e.g., if you want to play poker, you can use your hand motions to determine what moves you make while keeping an eye on your opponents. It is a step above playing on the phone, where you don’t have much control over your environment and your actions. 

4. Personalised Gaming.

The standard online gaming experience leaves players with little control over the games and their environments. But with VR, players will have the chance to dictate how they play, e.g., what the game setup looks like. This control will allow players to enjoy the games more as they will be on their terms. 

VR makes gaming seem more real, which allows players to immerse themselves more in the games at their convenience. But it has some downsides that players and operators should consider as they go down this road:

1. High Initial Costs.

Casino operators must ensure their systems are VR-compatible, which requires upgrades and overhauls of the existing software. Along the same line, players cannot engage in VR games unless they have the headsets and accessories that are required. At this time, not many companies are making VR hardware. As such, players who want to enjoy such an experience must part with hundreds to thousands of pounds. The good news is that the investment is only costly in the start, but this still serves as a barrier.

2. Limited Gaming Options.

Since this technology is fairly new and costly to integrate, not many casinos offer VR games on their list. Those that do often have a few games that rely on this technology. As such, any player who wishes to enjoy such games does not have much of a choice, which can limit their playing experience and overall wins.

3. User Discomfort.

VR experiences are exciting for most people. But for others, the experience can be nerve-wracking and uncomfortable. Some have even experienced motion sickness from being in these dynamic environments. Others have also complained of eye fatigue due to the many moving parts. Unfortunately, when such incidences occur, players cannot stay in the game for long, which reduces their playing time and, therefore, playing rewards.

4. Growing Pains.

The VR gaming experience may be out of this world, but it is also prone to glitches that could affect an otherwise great game. These glitches will be around for a while as operators figure out how best to incorporate this amazing technology into their games. Players should thus be wary of such interruptions.