The online casino sphere has grown massively over the past few years. And even though predictions were that in 2017 VR technology would enter the interactive gaming industry in a big way, that did not occur. Instead, virtual reality casinos slowly began to emerge in different iterations over the years. Some carried VR gaming products for real money, and others allowed social play through fun credits.
It is vital to note that many VR online casino US sites do not exist. Only a minuscule number of platforms that supply gambling services to US residents feature VR games. Moreover, ones boasting digital lobbies patrons can wander via avatars are still not a thing, at least not in the traditional form we accept gambling sites. Such options are on hand in virtual shared spaces, such as the Sandbox. Unfortunately, we do not provide casino reviews for those internet game of chance venues.
Below, we perform a quick dive into how platforms that offer online casino games for real money work. What are the most popular VR online slots, and what is the equipment needed to enjoy this immersive gaming experience? Can you enjoy gambling today in an environment reminiscent of the digital realities featured in many 1990s and 2000s sci-fi movies?
A VR casino is a 3D environment where slots and table games for real money get hosted.
What is a VR Casino?
VR casinos are 3D environments that allow users to get a similar level of authentic gambling enjoyment that they would get at land-based properties. More or less, they are traditional VR gaming software that offers real money games, supplying a variety of gaming products.
Think of them as video game representations of online casinos. They should provide many gaming classics such as blackjack, roulette, and slots, while also listing a hefty casino bonus or two for you to grab. They use VR technology to elevate gambling entertainment, blurring the lines between playing at a brick-and-mortar locale and from home.
Where Can I Find a VR Casino?
As you can imagine, VR casinos are not common. The average online casino player does not have a VR headset and this is a big reason why only a few casinos have this technology. While virtual reality is widely regarded as the future of the internet and may be big in future, unfortunately, virtual reality casinos are hard to find. If you have the hardware to gamble at a VR casino we would recommend taking a look at these VR casinos, which we have reviewed for you to make your choice easier.
These casinos regularly have casino bonus offers which you can qualify for just by signing up!
How Does a Virtual Reality Casino Work?
Slots Millions, a gaming site run by SLTM Ltd under an MGA license, was the first VR casino on the internet. Though it now appears that they have closed their VR page. But, if you Google images of it, you will see that this site had a 3D lobby that featured early-2000s-like graphics. Know that the visuals of VR games cannot match those of titles playable on screens due to the hardware resources this technology requires. Hence, for now, most VR games will look pale in comparison to top-end PC and console releases.
As discussed, a VR casino is a platform boasting a 3D environment hosted on servers that players from permitted jurisdictions can access. They may offer third-party slots through virtual consoles, but concerning table games, these must be proprietary creations, as they exist within the operator’s virtually-created world.
Metaverse casinos at platforms that offer a VR option only permit cryptocurrency tokens for wagers. Plus, they only house a limited set number of games. There is not much gaming diversity in these venues existing in virtual shared spaces. Players can enter them carrying the platform’s native token or other accepted ones and take up a seat at tables where one is available. The downside of these 3D establishments is that they face spatial limitations like physical locales. So, unlike regular online casinos, not every game will be available for play at all times. Furthermore, because of the anonymity of token-based gambling, there is no legal gambling age requirement in these virtual spots. That is not the case with VR casinos such as Slot Millions.
Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt is the most popular VR game right now.
Best VR Casino Games
Microgaming presented a VR version of roulette at the London ICE Expo in 2016. However, this product never reached online casino lobbies. Still, this Isle of Man company should get its due for trailblazing VR casino gaming.
Currently, by far, the most played VR gambling product is Evolution’s ground-breaking streaming presenter game, Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt. It showed up online in May 2021, shaking up the interactive gaming scene. Unlike anything you will find at Las Vegas casinos, Treasure Hunt has a presenter and a 3D Gonzo model that joins in the gameplay. It features prize drops and multiple mini-rounds. The max win potential of this Evolution game is 20,000x a gambler’s stake, listing an RTP setting of 96.56%.
NetEnt, which since 2020 operates under Evolution, has also announced plans to unleash a 3D virtual reality version of its legendary video game slot Gonzo’s Quest. If you are looking for VR slot action, Playtech’s Hot Gems has been available at select sites since 2019.
Following in Microgaming’s footsteps, Medialive Casino developed the first live VR roulette game. It provides a 360-degree view of Medialive’s studio and allows players to walk around it, increasing the sense of realism associated with betting fun at physical establishments.
What Is Oculus Rift?
Oculus Rift is a wearable VR headset that can be connected to a PC to view virtually simulated realities. It uses sensors to track the user’s eye movement to allow fluid interaction with the environment. The prototype was first developed by an 18-year-old in California by the name of Palmer Luckey, and after a successful campaign to raise funds, the Oculus VR headset as we know it today was released. Facebook famously purchased the company for a staggering $2 billion in 2014 in an attempt to integrate the software into the social media company.
Oculus Rift was famous for being the first VR headset that made virtual reality accessible to the average consumer. While it was extremely expensive and required a computer with high processing power, it is nevertheless regarded as a pioneer in the VR industry. Today, VR headsets are more affordable due to new entrants in the market that have made price competition possible. On average a VR headset will set you back between $500-$700.
First Time Exploring VR? Here’s What to Know
To play VR games, you need a decent PC. Not an office level one.
To play any VR game on the market, you must possess a VR headset. The best ones are the Oculus Quest 2, Sony’s PlayStation VR, the Valve Index VR Kit, and the HTC Vive Pro 2.
The minimum desktop computer requirements needed to run VR software are a PC that has a processor better than those in the Intel Core i5-4590 series or one that trumps AMD’s FX 8350. A GPU that surpasses the processing power of AMD’s Radeon R9 cards or NVIDIA GeForce GTC 970 series is a must. Naturally, a USB 3.0 port and more than 4GB of RAM are also needed. These are the bare essentials. For everything to run super smoothly, you will need a powerful machine.
If you can not afford to put together a powerful PC to run VR games, then maybe it is best to stick to playing online slots and live dealer tables at safe online casinos on your smartphone. There is nothing wrong with that.
