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Online gaming is an industry that shows no signs of slowing down; over the past 15 years, it has simply exploded onto the scene as an international pastime that knows no age, race or ethnic limits. But as technology is constantly developing, the online gambling industry will have a new development to take into account: Virtual reality.
Virtual reality might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but its existence is real, with companies like Oculus Rift moving forward in their progress every day. In fact, just this month, Slotsmillion, the first real money, multi-player virtual reality casino, streamed its first broadcast of a multi-player, multi-location game. Using Oculus Rift technology, it brought together slot players from Malta's Cash Game Festival in San Giljan and players from Amsterdam's iGaming Super Show.
SlotsMillion CEO Alexandre Tomic extolled the benefits of virtual reality, saying “We can use VR to create beautiful, vivid encounters that are more colourful and life-like than real life. It has the power to transport us to another world.”
The Social Aspect of Virtual Reality
The prevalence of live dealer games in many online casinos is evidence of the great demand for a real experience and a social experience, both of which are now attainable through technology. Whereas players used to have to go to land-based casinos if they wanted any social element involved in their gambling experience, now they can play live dealer casino games without leaving their homes - in other words, they get the best of both worlds.
And virtual reality promises to improve upon these two worlds.
Live dealer games are a basic way to add a social element to online gaming, but virtual reality has the potential to create an entirely engaging experience.
Microgaming showcased this possibility at ICE Totally Gaming 2016, where they presented their virtual reality roulette game that offers a completely immersive player experience.
And roulette is just the beginning. Online poker, blackjack, and baccarat, which originally started out as social casino games, can all benefit from virtual reality.
There is No Stopping Virtual Reality
As with all new technology, virtual reality can seem a bit scary at first, but it is an innovation that will hit the mass markets sooner rather than later. This means that online casinos need to get on the bandwagon now - or risk being beaten by their competition.
The benefits of virtual reality certainly won’t be difficult to sell to both online casino operators and their customers - it has the potential to add a previously-unexperienced level of excitement to all online casino games. And that is something that everyone will want a piece of.
