Virtual Reality: How VR Technology Will Transform iGaming Sites

Having long been tipped to the ‘next big thing’, virtual reality (VR) technology is finally crossing over into the mainstream.

Industry analysts have forecast the VR market will generate $7 billion in revenue globally in 2023 – over 50 percent more than last year.

The bulk of the revenue will come from sales of headset kits, with VR games and enterprise applications largely accounting for the rest.

Significant improvements in the supporting technology have been the primary driver for growth, allowing the hardware to deliver truly immersive use experiences.

Online gaming is expected to be one of the biggest adopters of VR, with the technology likely to fire the sector into another stratosphere.

The associated iGaming industry has been at the forefront of the charge to embrace the technology, with numerous operators eager to add VR titles to their portfolio.

This desire is even more pronounced in emerging jurisdictions such as the Middle East, where iGaming brands have a blank canvas to work with.

One of the leading sites in the region, YYY casino in Arabic, has already forged a strong link with the top developers of VR games for iGaming.

Evolution Gaming have forged a strong reputation in the sector, particularly with their award-winning array of live casino games.

They ramped things up a notch in 2021 by launching a revamped version of Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt – an exciting VR game which received widespread critical acclaim.

This live online game show was the world’s first casino game to bring together live and slots-style gameplay, and the first with the option to play in VR mode.

Players team up with Gonzo and a game host to search for hidden treasures against the stunning backdrop of an ancient Incan world.

With thoroughly immersive gameplay and massive cash prizes up for grabs, it is easy to see why iGaming operators are keen to head down the VR route.

VR slot machines will likely be the primary focus for developers in the short term given that Evolution’s creation highlighted the possibilities in this area.

A common criticism from online slots players is the games fail to replicate the physical thrills generated when visiting a land-based casino establishment.

VR technology addresses this issue by transporting users into an environment that has the same sights and sounds as a brick-and-mortar casino.

Players can press buttons or pull the slot machine lever in the same way they would in real-life, but with the added bonus of not having to physically travel to the casino.

Table games are also likely to be revolutionised by VR, with the technology capable of bringing a completely different dimension to the iGaming experience.

VR headsets allow you to mimic the thrill of walking up to the roulette or blackjack table, sit at a chair and interact with the croupier or dealer.

Poker is another popular table game which could be transformed by VR, with players able to compete against other VR users in cash games or tournaments.

From virtually visiting a top Las Vegas casino to going back in time to a table in a Wild West saloon, the possibilities for VR poker are endless.

Unlike digital poker variants, VR allows you to pick up tells from your opponents – a crucial element of the game in land-based settings.

Interactive in-game chats will also be possible through VR, which offers a greater degree of authenticity when compared to instant messaging software.

By using an integrated microphone, players will be able to talk in real-time to other people at their chosen iGaming table.

This will undoubtedly improve the social element of the different games, aligning the experience more closely to playing in a brick-and-mortar casino.

With the supporting hardware becoming more affordable as more units are sold, VR is well on course to shake off its tag as a niche technology.

Live casino games are already outstripping their digital counterparts in the popularity stakes in numerous jurisdictions and VR will move things up another gear.

Given how the landscape has changed in iGaming over the past few years, it would be a major shock if VR games are not commonplace in the sector by the end of the decade.