The iGaming and casino industries are two of the fastest growing in the world. One of the reasons for their exponential growth over the past few years is because of how quickly businesses in these fields have adapted to technological advancements.
It’s clear that when industries can recognise new technologies that could help enhance services offered, and then subsequently implement said technology, success will ensue.
As such the casino industry has shifted and changed entirely, becoming far more profitable in the process. And now, the advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies look like they’re going to boost the industry even further.
Online casinos and online gambling may seem like a relatively new concept already, especially to veteran gamblers who have spent their whole lives visiting their local casinos. But the casino industry fails to stop evolving any time soon, and the introduction of VR and AR proves exactly that.
What is VR and AR Technology?
Augmented reality and virtual reality, while sounding very similar, are in fact different pieces of technology. Each provides its own benefits, but the casino industry will undoubtedly become far more advanced through the introduction of both.
AR refers to a type of computer-generated imagery that will embellish and enhance the users’ environment in real-time. So, in other words, AR will augment your real-time reality. In the sense of a casino game, think of producing a real-life poker table into your dining room.
That is what AR has sought to do in the casino gaming industry.
Virtual reality is similar to augmented reality except that it doesn’t enhance a real-time environment. Instead, VR seeks to place the user in a completely digital environment that does not actually exist.
So, for instance, when using a VR headset, you could visit a high-end, three-story casino with a kitchen, a bar, and an endless array of slot machines, right from the comfort of your own couch.
By using an AR headset, on the other hand, you could mold your very own bedroom into the online poker or blackjack chamber of your dreams.
Both of these technologies, when applied correctly to the gambling and iGaming industry, can completely revolutionise how people visit the casino and play their favourite games.
Let’s take a look at a few ways that VR and AR will impact the casino industry:
How AR and VR Will Influence Playing Casino Games?
The combination of both VR and AR technology has the potential to transform the gambling and online casino industries completely.
Not only will VR and AR provide players with never-before-seen levels of realism and interactivity, but they will entirely change how players actually play the games. Visiting a casino while wearing a VR headset, for instance, can make it feel like you’re in Las Vegas, from the comfort of your couch.
Let’s go into detail on how these technologies will shape different aspects of the casino gaming industry:
1) Completely Immersive Slot Machines and Table Games
One of the biggest challenges facing the online casino industry is being able to replicate the social aspects of gambling. Many veteran gamblers love visiting the casino not only to play their favourite games but interact and talk to other patrons at the gambling establishment.
This is how many people make their intimate connections, form part of different communities, and generally make friends. Playing casino games on your computer at home takes away these interactive and social aspects.
But VR and AR technologies have the potential to change that.
The introduction of digitised worlds and interactive online casinos via augmented reality provides players with captivating and immersive gambling experiences.
AR technology will help bring back high levels of user engagement when playing table games like poker and blackjack at licensed sites like Black Lotus online casino. With these technologies, players will be able to see and gesture towards other users. It will feel like you’re sitting at a real-life poker table while being alone, at home.
2) Convenience and Ease of Use
One of the biggest challenges for any emerging technology is ensuring that it’s easy to use and digest for customers. Luckily, VR and AR devices are extremely easy to understand, and don’t take much getting used to at all.
Many customers who have purchased a VR headset comment on how easy the technology is to understand and how using it causes no discomfort. This is one of the biggest positives for the casino industry, as the convergence of these devices into the realm of gambling is seamless.
Furthermore, the sheer convenience that owning one of these devices affords gamblers is unparalleled. Being able to play casino games and visit virtual casinos from the comfort of your own home could expand the size of the gambling industry tenfold.
More and more people are signing up for the gambling experience, knowing how convenient and easy it is.
3) Customisable Gambling Experience
VR and AR tech provides users the potential to enjoy their favourite casino games in any way they’d like. Want to sit at the beach and play blackjack? Simply choose a virtual beach and add a blackjack table from your favourite online casino!
This level of customisation in the gambling experience allows for personalisation and user-tailored immersion. This could be a massive draw for many newcomers to the gambling industry and has the potential to change how people gamble forever.
Players will also be able to customise their avatars to interact with other users. This level of interactivity with player models and the casinos themselves enhances the social aspect of online gambling massively.
Final Thoughts
It is clear that the casino industry is expanding and growing at an incredible pace. As mentioned above, this is mainly due to how industry experts are embracing technological change in the iGaming world.
Being able to harness the power of VR and AR devices allows online casinos to craft gambling experiences that are convenient to use, highly personalised, and incredibly immersive. The casino and gambling industry has been on an upward trajectory over the past decade and the advances and benefits provided by augmented reality will contribute to continued success.
