The Ascent of the Virtual Reality Casino and Why It Matters

Virtual Reality (VR) - A SHORT HISTORY

After land based casinos came the online ones that allow us to play anywhere, even from a mobile device. As technology progresses and our visions change, we all start craving new experiences along with high quality graphics, exciting new concepts, and state of the art features. So, what if we told you that you can now achieve a first-person casino experience in your own home? 

This is where virtual reality comes in. As a history lesson, it all started in Renaissance Europe, where the term of perspective was created, meant to define a concept of “multiplying” the “artificial world”. The idea of virtual reality started circulating shortly thereafter, especially in SF novels and movies. However, VR took its official start with Sensorama, the first version of a VR set created in 1962 by Morton Heilig. 

But how does this apply to gambling? Well, if you ever heard about VR online casinos, you may be familiar with the subject. It all boils down to a virtual reality kit that helps you engage with a land based casino with only a few technical requirements on your part. Keep reading to find out more!

ABOUT VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) 
Virtual reality, or VR for short, is a simulated experience based on the real world meant to digitally transport you to a certain place, film, or even game. It consists of computer-made 360° pictures, places, and videos or even 360° landscapes of real places, depending on what you choose to do. The ability to interact with different objects in VR is the result of multi-projected technologies used to create the images, sensations, and sounds. 

When it comes to virtual reality in the online casinos world, the results of this technology are the ability to spin slots or bet at blackjack, which can all be done with VR equipment such as headsets and sometimes even motion controllers. The latter are a pair of devices you hold in your hand in order to interact with the virtual world you are in. These recognize your hand movements and help you feel the whole experience on another level.

THE FIRST VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) CASINO
The first virtual reality casino to launch in the industry was SlotsMillion and, to this day, it is the number one in its area of operation. Inspired by video games, a Malta-based company by the name of ALEA Gaming started the project for SlotsMillion in 2015, and launched it two years later, in 2017. 

The famed casino now offers more than 1,100 slot machines and is known for making the first ever virtual reality casino games available on the market, and thus offering its clients the experience of playing at a real land-based casino. At SlotsMillion, you will find hi-tech games under the brand of some famous names such as NetEnt, BetSoft, Blueprint Gaming, Saucify, NextGen Gaming, along with many more. Thanks to SlotsMillion’s ascent, today it is one of the most accessed and played online casinos, thanks to its quality and what it offers. Of course, there is also the fun branch: Oculus’ VR Casino, a social gaming concept that can not be played for real money. As presented below, here you will find online casino games that can be played with free credits, solo or multiplayer. The idea is based on entertainment only and it is dedicated to people who don’t necessarily want to gamble on VR yet, as this will help anyone get used to it and form an idea of what these casinos are all about.

Other virtual reality online casinos where you can enjoy the full VR experience are Cherry Jackpot, The Virtual Casino, Tipbet, or SlotsAngel. Each one of them has its unique perks and benefits, so you have a variety of choices worth your time at your disposal. CasinosLists.com also offers individual reviews sections for each of them, which will help you get an idea thanks to the feedback left by other gamblers.

VR CASINO TECHNOLOGY: A SHORT GUIDE
In order to gamble at a virtual reality casino, you will need an account for a VR casino, a VR setup, and a controller or keyboard. With your headset on, walk to the game you want to activate. You can also see other players or the outside world while roaming through the simulated casino. In terms of devices, you have plenty of options, but we have selected some essentials and bullet listed them below for you:

• HTC Vive. It is a virtual reality headset, and a more high-end one at that. Due to this, it provides high quality graphics that make for a very realistic experience, which means that it may not be the best choice for someone who just started using VR.
   
• Oculus Go. This is really good for beginners, as it has a great value for money and user-friendly features. Used solely with mobile devices, this is one of the most widely encountered headsets in online VR casinos.
   
• Oculus Rift. One of the leaders due to its popularity and general ratings, the Oculus Rift is one of the most popular headset for VR gambling. It contains all the necessary features that allow you to get an unforgettable experience. These include adjustable realistic images, high-quality sounds, and a variety of choices once you connect it to your device.
   
• Compatible Computer. Once you have the VR setup, you can also use a computer, as long as it supports at least 90 fps. This will make your gambling experience unique and real lifelike while using PC controls.

ONLINE VR CASINO GAMES
There are plenty of games to choose from when it comes to virtual reality gambling, but we have sorted some representatives from this category to help get you started:

• Slots. Slots are known by any gambler, experienced or not. If you are a fan of them you may have heard about NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest, a machine that has been available in virtual reality format since 2018. Enter NetEnt’s world of explorers and enjoy the story by Gonzo’s side while traveling to amazing never-seen before places. The pre-release trailer can be seen below and it will help you make an idea of what the slor all about. The great part is that it gives you the impression of discovering a new world, thus offering you the ability to live a full iGaming experience in Gonzo’s company.

• Roulette. The newest technology MicroGaming offers on the virtual reality front is its 3D VR feature which combines with the brand’s signature high-quality graphics and innovation into MicroGaming’s VR Roulette. Its space theme will put you in that futuristic sci-fi mood instantly with its simulated surroundings. The rules go by the standard European layout, along with the classic roulette features. 

• Blackjack. As blackjack, we would like to present Blackjack Bailey VR to you, a product of iCandy Games. Bailey, seen in the picture below, will be your game partner and croupier for the whole duration of your simulated gambling session. The game can be found on Steam, designed for fun only, and it can be accessed on Steam too. It is one of the most popular VR blackjack varieties out there, even though you don’t get to play it for actual winnings. But knows, maybe one day we will be able to see a real money version of Bailey’s Blackjack!

MOBILE COMPATIBILITY
VR had a blast on mobile in its first years, as Samsung devices could be connected to Oculus and with the help of your smartphone you could enjoy a simulated reality with the help of the corresponding headsets. When Samsung S7 was released, the first orders came with a pair of Oculus glasses with which many games could be played. Today, many online casinos support mobile phones when it comes to VR gameplay.  Also, with a smart TV or a compatible Playstation you can find and improvise many ways to play online casino games in VR. It is all up to you and your ideas!

FINAL THOUGHTS
VR was a science-fiction term until recently, just like FaceTime seemed impossible to have at your own comfort at the start of the 2000s. Today, VR is just another way to play games or watch movies, as we just started the new decade with a huge boom in terms of technology and discoveries. The virtual reality experience is worth trying, especially in online casinos, as it will offer you a totally different feeling than a classic computer or mobile device. Virtual reality casinos are growing in number, as SlotsMillion created a legacy and an evolution in its own niche. Thus, the whole VR casino concept is worth trying, as it is evolving everyday in order to give you the best and most rewarding gameplay out there!