Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality - Is This the Future of Online Gambling?

How Does Augmented Reality Work?

AR is a digital environment made up of pixels. This can display what you see in front of you (in reality) with the addition of sensory images and audio. Think about the Pokemon GO craze and you have Augmented Reality in a nutshell. 

This revolutionary technology changes your physical environment with superimposed layers of virtual objects. One of the massive bonuses of AR is that you do not need any specialised hardware to enjoy it, just a smartphone will do. 

There are various AR apps already in existence that can be used in a variety of ways, such as GoogleLens and Adobe Aero. AR has already been used in many industries such as fashion, real estate, and healthcare. But how could it be integrated into online gambling?

How Could AR Revolutionise Online Gambling?

AR has a massive potential to innovate online gambling in a variety of ways. It will provide players with more realism and masses of excitement. Online casinos which offer AR will become the top-rated sites to sign up to and the possibilities with this technology are endless. 

AR will give you the ability to walk around an online casino, see and hear other players from all over the world and interact with them. Place chips with your hands on a blackjack table or pull a lever of a real-life slot machine. To put it simply, AR will change the way we gamble - forever.

AR Hurdles

At present, there are a small number of game providers which incorporate some aspects of AR into their operations. Many hurdles need to be overcome though before we see AR incorporated fully into online gambling. And most of these revolve around the costs involved.

Online casinos will need to make huge adaptations to their platforms to accommodate AR. These changes are incredibly costly and time-consuming which will affect the rollout. It’s also possible that gambling authorities may foresee compliance issues, especially surrounding responsible gambling. This could see additional licenses to be purchased by operators.

There’s big money to be made though, by the end of 2028 it's expected that the global online gambling market will be worth $158 billion. Compare this to ‘The Extended Reality Market’ which already incorporates AR into its operations and is set to generate $125 billion by the end of 2026. 

Online Gambling with Augmented Reality: Pros and Cons

Will you be hopping with excitement at the thought of enjoying the most real-life online gambling experience? Or will you prefer to play simple and more traditional games? Let’s take a look at the main positives and drawbacks of AR hitting your favourite online casino:

What is Virtual Reality?

VR is very much like AR and works to alter our perception of a particular environment and change the way we interact within this environment. Whereas with AR your smartphone will give you a real-life experience, you’ll need to wear a specialised headset to experience Virtual Reality.

VR offers a completely simulated environment, allowing users to become immersed both visually and audibly. You will not be able to see a ‘real’ background behind you with VR like you would with AR. You’ll be able to turn your head and see what is all around you as well as interact with others and ‘walk’ and explore environments. 

Virtual Reality Online Casinos

VR is already entertaining players in many online casinos, with proven and effective software. Game providers have already harnessed this technology and incorporated it into successful slots, live dealer, and table games. 

When you play VR you’ll notice that some tables have digital avatars as dealers, whilst on live dealer games, you’ll be able to see the host and choose an avatar to represent you. You can also chat with other players and take a walk around the casino floor, just as if you were in Vegas.

What Does the Future Hold for VR?

Virtual reality is constantly evolving to change the way we engage with gambling online and has a really exciting future within the industry. There are many possibilities:

Virtual Reality and AI

We are seeing more and more online casinos incorporating Artificial Intelligence into their operations. And it’s no surprise that in the future we can see VR combining with this. It could open up possibilities of casinos operating without any human interaction. AI customer service, payments, and security for example.

Cryptocurrency and VR

In the future, online casinos may opt for a purely digital experience for their players, by combining VR and strictly crypto payments only. Check out the Revolut casinos, as most of them have VR games.

VR and More Realism

Yes, an even more life-like experience at your fingertips! As this technology begins to develop we can foresee VR online casinos becoming the same as land-based ones. Offering a fully immersive experience where it’s possible to bet using hand gestures and your voice.

Pros and Cons of Virtual Reality Gambling

Thinking about purchasing some hardware and signing up at a VR online casino? There’s no doubt that VR offers a more engaging and fun experience to a traditional setup. But what are the main benefits and disadvantages when it comes to VR gambling?