Real Money Virtual Reality Casinos

How Virtual Reality Casinos Work

Online casinos are one of two types of business. They are either real money casinos or entertainment casinos. In an entertainment casino, the users can play the slots and various card games or spin the roulette wheel without winning money. With a real money casino, the business draws in players who want to win real cash.

Thanks to new technologies, these platforms have grown over the years, but they aren’t the same as the real deal. 3D casinos looked as if they might become popular but ultimately failed. Live dealer casinos are definitely here to stay and go some way to recreating the live gaming experience but still feel slightly virtual. VR can change all that and does have a realistic chance of outstanding success, though.

Changes in virtual reality technology have made this new tech accessible and open to everyone. VR games do not simply give players a new, more immersive slot machine. They can place players on the casino floors, giving them the illusion that they are in an actual casino. The gambling VR platform and VR headset can work together to create an enhanced experience that feels and looks like a real casino.

Users get to experience detailed rooms that they can explore fully. They also get to use slot machines that look realistic. The 3D tables allow them to sit with other players and interact with live dealers. They can even use hand gestures and observe the players’ gestures to make the experience more immersive.

It’s not just the visual aspects of VR technology. Players can experience all the sounds they associate with a casino, including special effects that help place them in a virtual environment and make it feel even more real. They can even chat with the other players through their headsets. The casinos can offer lounges and other optional areas that enhance the experience and make it feel more lifelike.

The VR headset is an essential piece of the solution. The four main types of headsets are the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or Quest, the Samsung Gear VR, and the PlayStation VR. In conjunction with the games software, these headsets deliver the VR experience.

FAQs

Can you gamble on VR?

Yes, you can gamble using virtual reality headsets. Sites like Slomillion and others offer games like you’ll find in online casinos, and other sites and apps deliver chances to play poker and bet on sports.

Is there a VR casino?

Slosmillion is the best VR casino currently, and the only one that has working games. XRCasino is developing a gaming solution, while Mr Green offers virtual blackjack and roulette via an interface that’s somewhere between a live dealer environment and a virtual one.

Software Developers

Anyone who has a keen interest in casino gaming will know it’s not just the games and casinos that are important but the firms that make the software. The software drives the experience, makes the games tick, and can mean the difference between an average experience and a great one.

There are some big names in casino software development, and all of them will have an eye on where virtual reality casino games are heading. Those software developers may be the most crucial element in VR gaming development.

Let’s have a look at some of the names involved:

Lucky VR

Lucky VR was the startup that kicked off the first partnership in VR casino gaming by teaming up with Slotsmillion, the first VR casino to open its doors.

So the Canada-based Lucky VR kicked off early with a mission statement that made its intentions clear …..

”Lucky VR develops immersive virtual reality experiences specializing in casino gaming content. We take traditional casino games like slots, poker, and blackjack and make them into engaging virtual reality applications for the Oculus Rift and Samsung’s Gear VR headsets. We’re experts at getting your brand into virtual reality and creating something that people will love to play.”

It’s not surprising then that Lucky VR managed to replicate every aspect of a real money VR casino in virtual format, presenting a replica of a natural environment that could go down to small details, with branding features to make a player feel as if they were on a live casino floor.

NetEnt VR Casino Software

NetEnt is one of the biggest names in online casino software suppliers, with a range of games developed over 20 years. Casino players will recognize these games as some of the most innovative and best quality you’ll get. Early on, NetEnt wanted to get a head start in the virtual reality market.

Their first title explicitly designed for VR – Gonzo’s Quest – was based on an earlier popular version of the game already played in many casinos.

Netent has some big plans in VR casino gaming, using the ICE Totally Gaming event of 2016 to demonstrate what they aim to deliver. They admirably achieved this in the slots demo, which took slots players into ‘Jack’s World,’ a VR version of a famous library title ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’

It’s worth noting that the visuals are not the only focus in Netent games. They recognize the importance of sound, too – something vital in VR and adds to the immersive nature of the experience.

NetEnt virtual reality slots in VR online casinos are widely known as some of the best slots games available.

Microgaming

Another great name in the industry – Microgaming – has won many awards over the years and looks sure to be awarded more in the future for VR games. What would you expect from a software firm that created the first mobile casino software in 2004 and the first online slot designed for playing on a smartwatch in 2014?

Microgaming was quick to recognize the role of virtual reality in the future of casinos. They demonstrated this by creating Virtual Reality Roulette, the prototype of which was developed for use alongside the Oculus Rift headset and Leap Motion hand controllers. These hand controllers act to represent your hands inside a VR experience.

In Microgaming’s roulette, you’re sitting at a table and see your hands placing the bets while a robot croupier watches and spins the wheel.

Virtual Reality Casinos

We’ve covered the game providers, so now we’ll look at the piece of the puzzle that’s most important – where to play the games in VR casinos. Remember here that’s it’s still the early days for virtual reality technology. Hence, the numbers of casinos are limited, and you’ll be choosing the best virtual reality real money casino from a small but select list:

• Slotsmillion VR Casino
• XRCasino
• Mr Green

SlotsMillion VR Casino

One of the first online casinos to offer a virtual reality experience alongside its standard offering, SlotsMillion is well placed to capture an early share of the lucrative VR gaming market.

Using an Oculus Rift gaming headset, you’ll enter a skyscraper-based casino that offers an enticing range of over 40 slot games both in VR format or traditional games from software developers such as NetEnt and NextGen.

In the virtual casino, immersion is the name of the game. The VR environment features a giant slot gaming screen. Hit a big win, and 3D graphics explode from the screen, with a multiplayer feature offering the ability to interact with other players.

SlotsMillion added 80 new slots titles in May of 2017, all supplied by software firm EGT Interactive. EGT integrates an exciting feature into some slots known as Jackpot cards and gives players access to four different levels with mystery payouts and bonus games.

The newer EGT games slot in well with existing virtual reality titles such as Gonzo’s Quest, Immortal Romance, Starburst, The Wild Chase, and branded products Basic Instinct and Rambo. Players can enjoy all of these in real money gameplay.

XRCasino

XRCasino isn’t live and in full operation yet, but describes itself as “the first-ever cross-technology, multiplayer, blockchain technology-based online gambling platform for Extended Reality (XR) technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR).”

It’s an exciting concept, bringing together various forms of alternative reality into one gaming solution under the banner of Extended Reality.

If the implementation is successful, players on different devices will play games against each other. Initially, XRCasino plans to include blackjack, roulette, and slots. Sports betting, baccarat, bingo, craps, poker, and keno are reportedly appearing in future platform enhancements.

The list of supported devices is impressive and includes mixed reality and virtual reality headsets such as Microsoft’s Hololens 1 and 2, Magic Leap’s Magic Leap 1, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest 2, Samsung’s Gear VR, and AR-enabled smartphones, as well as devices such as the Apple iPhone, iPad, and over 39 Android smartphones and devices.

The proposed game features look to be equally exciting and include:

• Multiplayer Games
• Private Game Rooms
• Public Game Rooms
• Text and Voice Chats

Mr Green

Not exactly a true VR casino in every sense of the term, but Mr Green’s innovative offer comes close. Labelled as Live Beyond Live, this service does present a truly unique way of enjoying the virtual casino experience.

You’ll be stepping onto a virtual casino floor of Mr Green’s Los Angeles penthouse, where players will be in a room containing two roulette tables and two blackjack tables. Players can interact via a live stream as if they were really in the casino placing bets. No headsets are required, and currently, you can only gamble at these games using a mobile phone.

Heard About RiftSino VR Casino But Can’t Find It?

RiftSino was one of the early potential VR casino developments, but, sadly doesn’t seem to have escaped the development phase. It promised a virtual reality casino designed exclusively to work with the Oculus Rift headset and deliver games in a realistic virtual casino environment that would look and feel like a Las Vegas bricks-and-mortar establishment.

We’ll be keeping an eye open for future iterations of Riftsino. Sometimes, these developments seem to die a death, and they see some resurrection in a different form. 

VR Casino Mobile Apps & Games

You can play many classic games in real money online casinos like Slotsmillion on a desktop device or computer. Still, there is also a range of VR casino apps that deliver some fascinating alternatives. You can’t play all of these VR game apps for real money; however, they’re great for entertainment, they let you see what casino gaming in virtual reality is like, and they’re ideal for practising to get ready to play for real money when you’re ready. 

Here we’ll explore some specific game apps and titles that firms in the industry built to take advantage of the real-life feel that virtual reality delivers.

Jackpot VR

Although not fully live yet, you can get a taster of the games at JackpotVR. Currently, you can play games in desktop mode or using an Oculus Rift.

Although there are no real money games yet, the website states that there will be ”Support for more HMDs as they are released” although there are no real money games yet.

JackpotVR does not currently support gambling for real money but still may be worth keeping an eye on for the future.

Blackjack Bailey VR

BJ Bailey is a game where you can’t win real money, but it is still worth looking for the entertainment value. It was developed by iCandy Games in partnership with Hologram LTD, a virtual-reality sounding name if ever there was one!

Who’d have guessed it? Blackjack Bailey sits you right in front of a blackjack dealer with straightforward and standard blackjack rules.

The big difference, of course, is that you’re playing a virtual reality dealer as if you were there. The game can be downloaded from various locations, such as the Oculus store, for free, and there’s nothing to pay for or buy after you’ve made the initial game purchase. Just straight VR gaming fun for a few dollars.

Casino VR Poker

Poker has enormous potential to become one of the most played VR gambling games (although, as we know, poker is not gambling but skill-based, right?).

However, the leading poker operators have not been so fast out of the gate with VR poker games. They’re biding their time, and there may be a slight diversion over the next couple of years with the introduction of power-up poker games.

So, your options for playing virtual reality poker are limited at the current time.

Indeed, there are no real money options, but one version worth trying out is Casino VR Poker. It’s a free play and competitive online poker game that can be enjoyed on major VR headsets, namely the Samsung Gear VR and the Oculus Rift.

Casino VR Poker has come out of Switzerland and features a very detailed-looking interface and players complete with full bodies. There are Texas Hold’em tables and immersive voice chats. It works on a few different platforms, including Oculus Rift and Gear VR.

A word of warning, though – the Gear VR players don’t look as lifelike and animated as their Oculus Rift counterparts. There may be support for this product through Steam shortly.

When playing this game, you’ll be gifted a stack of chips to start with and can purchase more through the app or win them in poker games. The chips cannot be changed in for real cash, though, as this is an entertainment casino only – it doesn’t sit in any list of real money games.

The different tables all have their buy-in levels, operating as the real deal. It’s usually the more skilled players who win all the chips, and players can compare themselves to each other and see who is getting the most chips.

The software still needs a lot of work to deliver a truly immersive experience, but it’s fun for some less serious poker gaming.

The real good thing about online poker in VR may come from the benefits to recreational players, so-called because they’re not the pro-level players you can get roasted by at current online poker tables. This benefit may come in the form of more visibility around who you’re playing and, more specifically, what they’re using to enhance their play. It’s likely the software like bots and HUDs won’t be so easily accessible by players at virtual reality tables, giving the recreational players more of a chance to win some hands.

The training experience can also get a lift, with enhanced interaction between trainer and learner. And let’s not forget that one of the great benefits of VR is that it can place you in the virtual company of just about anyone or anything. Fancy playing poker against an alien, anyone? Or an avatar of The Terminator?

Social Club VR

You can get access to the socialclubvrcasinonights.com app via the Oculus store. You’ll be heading to a glitzy casino where the games include Blackjack, Texas Hold’em Poker and Roulette.

Customization options for your virtual avatar and the environment are excellent, with options to change avatar clothing, listen to different music, and what’s displayed on TV screens.

Play in the social club with up to 5 others for an enjoyable night of casino gaming.

VR Roulette

Roulette is one of the staple games you’ll find in any online casino, so it’ll be no surprise that VR casinos have at least one form of virtual reality roulette in their games library. Indeed, there’s a lot of fun to be had by playing roulette in an environment where it feels like you’re actually at the table and watching the wheel spin.

Alternatives

If you don’t have a virtual reality headset yet, there are plenty of alternatives if you want some casino action.

Of course, you can go to a land-based casino, though many find them somewhat intimidating. Of course, you can try out many different types of casino games at regular online casinos.

But for an exciting option, you could look at Dragons.tl, which looks to be the first platform to deliver something even close to the promise of ‘real’ virtual reality without going the whole headset/actual virtual reality experience.

Is Dragons.tl really a VR casino game, though?

Strictly speaking, no. At Dragons. tl, you don’t use a headset to ‘transport’ yourself into the gaming environment – the platform delivers a mixture of skill and luck-based challenges in a virtual island setting. 

Enter the virtual world of trees, water features, and castles and interact with other players using avatars. Use your skills to unlock the island’s secrets, maybe seek help from mentors along the way and win Bitcoins as you go.

Clearly not the full VR experience and more of a virtual world gaming one. But still worth a try.

Live Casino Games

Now, this really is an alternative to virtual reality and is about as real as it gets without walking through the doors of your closest real-world casino.

There are plenty of websites that offer the full live experience online. Using cameras, video, and streaming technology, you can be placing real bets with live dealers on a range of games, all streamed to your desktop or portable device.

Headsets

To enjoy any virtual reality experience, you’ll need a headset, and there are plenty to choose from. Many aren’t that great, though, and to get the best experience, you’ll probably need to lay out a fair amount of money.

The Oculus Rift is perhaps the best known, with the HTC Vive being its nearest competitor. There’s a new kid on the block, though, in the shape of Microsoft, who is pushing their version of headsets under the banner of Mixed Reality.

In casino gaming specifically, it’s the Rift that’s taking the lead. While there may not be a lot of games to compare and contrast here, it has a ton of power backing it up, which makes for more immersive and interactive worlds.

Casino VR uses the Oculus Rift, but you’ll need a powerful PC running it to perform well if you use the Android Gear VR (one of the cheaper smartphone-powered headsets, the experience is far less immersive.

Google has its own VR headset, the Daydream, which works with any Android smartphone. It isn’t compatible yet with either of the games we’ve listed, but the technology is being worked on, and Casino VR Poker may be compatible with it in the near future.

Pros

If you’re read down this far, you’ll probably already have a good feeling about the benefits of playing casino games in virtual reality. Quite simply, the main draw will be the immersive nature of the experience, but added benefits include the potential for some interesting interactions with other players.

Cons

There are a few drawbacks, one or two of which will lessen over time.

Developers have resolved some of the original problems around the technology, and time lag in particular. It’s not perfect yet, and VR has a way to go until all technical hitches have been resolved. 

Cost is also worth noting, with the best VR setups costing anywhere up to $2000. That’s for a top-end headset and the powerful PC you’ll need to drive it, but even the cheaper headsets that work with mobile phones still need the smartphone as the starting point. They’re anywhere up to $700.

Costs will come down, of course.

There’s also the usual risk of addiction to any form of gaming for money. Make sure you read the responsible gaming page and learn how to recognize and avoid the risk of addiction.

In general, one big trick with online casinos is knowing which ones to trust. There are some rogues, and the unregulated nature of casino gaming in some regions might mean that fly-by-night VR casinos spring up too.

Lastly, something particular to the VR experience – there are some dangers from the immersion you’ll experience. These often come in the form of potential injuries to players who get ‘lost’ in the games. This can be easy to do, although playing different types of casino games is unlikely to catch out anyone who’s reasonably careful.

Surprisingly, another aspect of the immersive nature of the experience to consider is precisely that immersion itself. Scientists have shown that users of VR headsets can experience activities in their brains that are triggered by immersion. So, for example, stress hormones can be triggered even though the action isn’t real.

This could mean that the stress of losing or risking money could feel doubled for gamblers. You’re losing cash, and your brain is increasing the feeling of doing so. 

Resources

As usual there are a handful of resources which might be useful.

Videos

You’ll find a good collection of VR casino videos on Youtube. Clearly limited at present but there are some well worth a watch.

Social

If it’s latest information you want there is plenty posted regularly on the popular social networks. Twitter is always worth keeping an eye on while Tumblr posts on VR casino games are limited to less than a handful but are another potential useful resource.

Info Websites

No doubt there will be dozens of affiliate style review websites springing up, but for now most won’t offer any extra value over this page on RealMoney.games. One that’s worth bookmarking which covers virtual reality in general is the directory site at VRIndex.

Forums

VRTalk looks to be one of the most popular forums on VR, with a number of threads dedicated to covering different aspects of VR casino gaming.

Future

For many years if you wanted to play casino games, you’d have been going straight to one of the top online casinos like 888 or Bovada, but how we play is steadily changing.

Now you’re just as likely to be playing social games or even thinking about how you might be able to apply skill to the traditional luck-based gambling games. ‘Straight’ casino gaming probably won’t cut it on its own anymore, particularly if you’re a member of one of the younger generations.

So, where do virtual reality casinos fit in, and where’s their future heading?

We don’t know what the future of online VR casinos will be like. We can only guess at this point, and to some extent, it is futile to guess what’s going to happen. We don’t have a large sampling size to draw our estimates and guesses.

But clearly, new technology is appealing, and there’s no doubting the allure of the VR experience. At the same time, gambling is often undertaken for the thrill of the chase rather than an expectation of winning money. That’s a potent combination, though the ultimate end result is likely to be a combination of various gaming experiences – traditional casino games, social gaming, skill gaming, VR, and augmented reality.

Specifically, advances in technology will be a significant driver on the virtual reality front. We’ve already seen that headset performance needs to be improved, and costs need to decrease. That will happen over time as more companies begin investing in VR.

But it’s the exciting things that VR can deliver that will be the ultimate test. Some possibilities are easy to see – introducing elements of danger into the gaming, for example, such as having to walk a tightrope between two 1000 metre high buildings to double your winnings, or taking us to other worlds to play games and possibilities which haven’t even been thought of yet. 

Some US casinos offer VR platforms to those who visit their establishments. US casinos may produce their own online VR experiences in the future as they try to keep up with the competition.

Summary

Playing virtual reality casino games could be considered a niche way of enjoying real money gaming. There is no vast competition between operators of VR casinos, and places to play are limited.

However, the promise of virtual reality is so big that the gambling industry will eventually give more than its fair share of opportunities. Ultimately it’s entirely possible that all casino gaming will occur in VR environments – a situation that’s many years off. Still, we all know how fast things can move when something big happens with technological advancements.

If you have a good quality headset and the accessories to go with it, you can enjoy casino games in VR right now. If you’re not ready, then in a few years, it’s a fair bet that any casino games you play online will be in a virtual reality environment and very likely on a VR casino app.

Virtual reality casinos are lucrative prospects, as this industry has a lot of money floating around, and investors are sure to step in and get in on the action. Of course, there is no guarantee of success, and not every developer and online casino business will be able to develop or integrate VR technology into their site successfully.

Any casino gaming operator wanting to make a considerable profit in the future will have to consider getting on board with this technology. Over the next few years, the industry will drastically increase its earnings, and we know that casinos are great money-making machines.

You can be sure that all online casinos will be seeking their piece of the virtual reality pie.