Virtual reality is a new frontier in gaming, sparking both awe and skepticism. Some view it as a futuristic wonder. Others worry it might encourage bad behaviors, especially with gambling. Politicians and anti-gambling groups may oppose it, but online casinos will likely embrace it soon.
If widely adopted, a future VR casino industry will likely face regulatory challenges. Some gambling jurisdictions might ban it completely, while others may set strict rules. This can slow market growth and limit its audience.
Yet, as VR technology transforms entertainment, its role in online gambling seems unstoppable. Immersive and interactive gaming is here now, and platforms like 22Bet are ready to adapt as the industry changes.
Constructing the VR Casino
SlotsMillion has been working for seven months to build its VR online casino. This is because the Oculus Rift headset likely won’t be ready for sale until early 2016.
The outcome is a virtual casino lobby floating in the sky. It’s on the 80th floor of a skyscraper in a city that looks like something from Blade Runner. At the bar, you can relax and enjoy yourself. You can play a variety of immersive 3D slot games. You can also meet other players. If you lean against the windows and look down, you’ll feel a real sense of vertigo.
As SlotsMillion built its online casino, it aligned with Malta’s licensing authority. They aimed to set new best practices for this emerging medium.
The online casino industry now faces stricter rules. An increasing number of countries are opting to regulate and tax online gambling. Compliance is the watchword for operators.
Of course, a large unlicensed ‘offshore market’ exists, unbound by government rules. In the real world, we have safe, licensed VR casinos. We also have risky, illegal VR gambling dens where anything goes.
Changing Face of the Gambling Industry
The augmented reality at SlotsMillion is truly impressive. Yet, it doesn’t have a market or customers yet.
Is this a mere gimmick or a real glimpse of how gamblers will interact with casino operators in the future? And when a customer base develops, what will it look like? How big will it be?
The first VR casino users will likely be millennial gamers, not traditional gamblers. SlotsMillion expects most users to play on a browser-based 3D version, not Oculus Rift.
Casinos struggle to attract millennials, who prefer Halo 5 over slot machines. Esports are on the rise, and this has turned the gambling industry’s head. Now, they must adapt to this new trend.
Nevada and New Jersey updated their laws to allow “variable payouts” in slot games. This change aims to attract younger players. Skilled players have better odds in skill-based bonus rounds, making gambling more fun for those who enjoy gaming.
Blurred Lines
The line between video gaming, esports, and gambling is fading, and virtual reality (VR) will blur it even more.
Social casinos are set to grow in VR. The industry is worth $3.4 billion and is expected to reach $4.4 billion soon. Land-based casinos are using social casinos to market themselves. VR versions of real Vegas resorts are already in the works. MGM Resorts has done this with MyVegas, letting players explore its properties in 3D.
Analyst Adam Krejcik says social games will be the first to earn money on VR platforms like Oculus Rift. Social casino players think like gamers, not gamblers. They aim to outsmart the game rather than embrace the thrill of risk.
Future VR casinos will probably combine skill-based games, social games, and regular gambling. They aim to draw in millennials and esports fans.
