Online casinos are often at the forefront of new technology. They’ve been one of the early adopters of cryptocurrency, while the latest security measures are often adopted in order to protect players.
It’s also been an early adopter of virtual reality, and while what we have so far is great, it still feels like there’s plenty more to come from playing online blackjack, roulette and slots, VR headset on.
We expect to see more and more online sites adopting VR, with brands such as Casino 777 always pushing for the next big thing. But what are the things we want to see from virtual reality casino games in the coming year and beyond?
Real Life Casino Floors
In many games these days, we get exact replicas of destinations. For example, in football games such as FIFA 2023, the stadiums in which you play in are based upon real-life stadiums.
The same applies to F1 games, where you’re playing real-life tracks. So, why can’t casino games team up with the likes of the Monte Carlo casino or resorts in Las Vegas and create surroundings so it’s like playing in the very building.
It would be a real addition if you could play on the Bellagio floor, or perhaps even play scenes from films. Who wouldn’t want to play poker, VR style, in the same room as James Bond in Casino Royale?
What’s more, it would continue to bridge the gap between online and offline gaming, giving a more realistic experience that would encourage those who have usually just stuck to online play to expand their horizons and visit brick-and-mortar casinos without feeling intimidated.
VR Competitions – With Big Prize Pots!
Online casino competitions are already a huge business and moving them into virtual reality would only make them more appealing.
If players could interact virtually, as well as completely immerse themselves in the game, it’s only going to take things to the next level.
We’ve already seen the success of various competitions, particularly when it comes to poker, with many of these tournaments qualifiers to events in brick-and-mortar casinos, and the opportunity for those sorts of cross-platform tournaments are only going to expand.
For poker tournaments that would especially be the case, with players able to spot virtual tells, which really would take online casino gaming to the next level, and improve the skillsets of players who often “train” online ahead of other tournaments offline.
The Ability To Walk Around Casino Floors
Of course, all online casinos have lobbies where you can choose what game you want to play. And it is sort of like a mini casino floor.
However, online casinos could adapt a sandbox game type experience, where players can walk the casino floors using VR to find the game they want, and potentially even interact with other players.
It sort of turns casino gaming into games like Minecraft, but a more adult version, developing small communities of players that don’t just have to play casino games but can use the space as a place to make friends.
It would make it more like the casino experience than ever before and set a real precedent, completely changing the direction of how casino games are engaged with outside of the playing areas, and potentially keep players in the casinos for longer.
More Creative Slots
Slots have gotten more and more creative over recent years, with technology taking them to new heights. VR has the opportunity to do that too, potentially putting players inside the heart of video slot bonus games and producing a slot gaming experience like no other.
It’s here we’re most likely to see real changes over the coming 12 months, and it’s likely here that will capture the imagination of gamers first.
We’ve seen exactly how that can work just through the advancement in technology that has already occurred over the last few years, and it does sort of feel like the opportunities are becoming endless for online slots.
Better Online Card Schools
What’s more, where we really could see major changes is in the education side of online gambling.
You’ll already find a number of online classes and YouTube channels, but these will become more effective through virtual reality, allowing the classes to be much more hands on and engaging.
That could add another string to a casino’s bow, offering these classes potentially, while freelancers and influencers will certainly be able to do that.
From beginners courses to advanced skills and strategies, we’ll likely see more of these pop up, and may even see professional gamblers boosting their profile with guest workshops or courses of their own.
That could see the gaming industry become even more prominent in the mainstream and make more household names of the top players within it.
Hybrid Gaming
While we’ve already spoken about how virtual reality will close the gap between online and offline gaming, and potentially complement each other well, we also might see the two combining.
Hybrid gaming has been tipped to be the next big thing in the industry and it really could revolutionise it.
While the games themselves will be as mentioned above, with full 360-degree views and a more engaging and immersive experience, it’s likely they will also be available to enjoy in land-based casinos.
Similar to arcade gaming, you’ll be able to visit a casino and actually place bets online while you’re there.
It’s essentially expanding a land-based casinos offering, beyond the more traditional games, particularly when it comes to slots.
Some slots simply aren’t playable via a typical slot machine, while hybrid games such as slingo bingo also aren’t, meaning the options available will be increased considerably thanks to VR.
There’s no doubt that virtual reality will continue to change how we game online in the coming year, and none more so than the gambling industry. After all, we’re already beginning to see that.
That’s all rather exciting, and there’s no doubt that the industry will become even bigger than ever before as a result of it.
