Is Virtual Reality Casino The Next Big Thing?

Not so long ago many people questioned if casino games on mobile would ever be a popular gaming solution? Fast forward ten years and there are very few online casino games that do not have an app or mobile version, with many games now mobile exclusive. What was once a small niche within the gambling industry has now become its most lucrative platform.

With so much money now in the online gambling industry, the rate at which technology is being developed is the only restriction on where online gaming can go next.

Soon after the introduction of the Apple Watch, the first compatible casino app was not far away. Apple Watch apps, whether it slots, roulette, poker or blackjack are currently being developed in the same way games providers began to introduce apps for the iPhone over a decade ago. However unlike its mobile cousin, the Apple Watch is yet to take its place in the mainstream. Currently only popular amongst fitness fanatics and tech enthusiasts, the Apple Watch has not yet proven its worth in the gambling industry. Will Apple Watch apps grow to dominate the gambling industry in the same way mobile apps currently do? Only time will tell.

Similar to apps for the Apple Watch, the casino industry has been quick to adapt to the introduction of new virtual reality technology. Companies such as Casino VR have pioneered the development of casino games for the Oculus Rift, creating a live casino environment that gives players the opportunity to create avatars and immerse themselves in an intuitive user interface that provides a variety of casino games. The company is also looking to introduce gesture recognition along with chat and voice functions.

Virtual reality casinos look to take players a step closer towards being in an actual casino, all from the comfort of their own living room. There is no doubting the casino industry’s ability to adapt and produce gaming solutions that accommodate the latest technology, and for that matter produce games that look good and work well. However, as with the so far unsuccessful Apple Watch, will there be a demand for virtual reality casinos in the future?

The success of mobile casino games was widely due to the freedom that apps and mobile games gave to players. No longer were they restricted to playing on their desktop. Players could now enjoy games on the go, as long as they had access to 3G of Wi-Fi then games could be played and downloaded.

It is too early to predict the success the casino industry will enjoy within virtual reality, yet one thing that may restrict its up take is the space required to enjoy the technology. Similar to mobile gaming, VR tech can be played on the go, however the number of people willing to wear the device out of the comfort of their own home may prove to be one of its most restricting factors.