When online gambling hit our screens in the late 90s, it really took off. Players loved the opportunity to play poker or online slots – no need to leave home and head to the casino. Now, online gambling accounts for the majority of betting in the US. As this growth has shown, nothing stands still, and the next revolutionary step has been taken. Say hi to virtual reality (VR) casinos.
VR casinos are the next step for online gambling, creating a different experience to anything we’ve encountered before. Whereas live dealer casinos give some semblance of the real-life casino feel, VR casinos take us even closer to the authenticity and vibe of a bricks and mortar casino.
Not only will we be able to talk to the dealer, we’ll also be able to move about the virtual casino, purchase items and interact with other players through our own personalized avatar. It’s a three-dimensional environment in which we can play all the same games but with a deeper immersion.
Joining a VR casino is no more difficult than joining a standard online gambling site. Simply click on sign up/register and open a player account. You will need to check the technical requirements for your hardware to allow you to gamble in virtual reality mode.
In short, you will need a compatible VR headset, along with minimum criteria for your computer. This may put VR casinos for real money out of reach for some people due to the additional costs. However, with the Metaverse having both virtual and augmented reality components, it is likely the equipment will become more affordable in the near future.
Virtual Reality casinos are still a very new concept, which means the number of sites out there are few and far between. However, we have managed to find a few to give you a short casino VR review.
Slots Million
The name on every VR casino enthusiasts’ lips is SlotsMillion. Setting the bar for virtual reality gambling, SlotsMillion allows you to choose between using your headset or entering a lobby that resembles a 3D video game.
At the moment, this casino is really easy to enter as you’re the only player in the lobby. No bumping into cocktail waitresses or other players. However, this is also one of the downsides as it is not offering the true casino experience promised by VR. The other downside is it is not available for US players.
Poker Stars VR
This is a VR casino playable with both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets. With a choice of locations – the Monte Carlo Yacht or the Showdown Saloon – it has a realistic poker environment. There is also the choice of private tables where you can play with invited friends or the public arenas where you can pit your wits against strangers.
Social Club VR
Provided by Meta Quest, Social Club VR is designed specifically for the Oculus Rift headset. Enjoy games like Blackjack, Texas Hold’em Poker and Roulette. You can customize your world and avatar, so if you want to play poker to Ace of Spades, you can!
Is virtual reality gambling the way to go, or do the more traditional online gambling sites still have a lot to offer players?
The answer currently, is that for the serious gambler, VR casino games are not yet up to scratch. For a start, you are going to be hard pushed to find a VR casino for real money. Essentially, the virtual reality experience is for those who enjoy exploring different worlds through VR. They want to imagine they’re playing at one of the best casinos in Las Vegas, rather than looking for top bonuses and casino games.
Online casinos, meanwhile, are still delivering top games, progressive jackpots and excellent bonuses. There’s also more choice. You can find a themed site, one with thousands of slots or with live dealers. On the subject of live dealers, these are at least real people, rather than an avatar you would find in a VR casino.
Each has their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is down to individual preference as to which you would choose. To summarize, we’ve looked at the main pros and cons for each option.
| VR Casinos | Online Sites |
| Pros | Pros |
| + More immersive experience | + Mobile compatible |
| + Customisation of surroundings and avatar | + Array of bonuses and promotions |
| + More interactive with other players | + Greater game selection, including for real money |
| + No need to buy expensive equipment to play | |
| Cons | Cons |
| x fewer games, especially for real money | x not as immersive |
| x Not mobile compatible | x Cannot customise the casino |
| x Costly equipment required | x less interactive with other players |
| x fewer bonuses |
Two of the online gambling sites’ top developers – Microgaming and NetEnt – alongside VR specialist developer Lucky VR are the trio leading the VR casino revolution.
Lucky VR
Lucky VR exclusive develops virtual reality games and they have teamed up with SlotsMillion, providing some of their games. In their mission statement, Lucky VR said:
”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.”
NetEnt
NetEnt is one of the biggest online casino software developers and have been providing casino software for over two decades. Their first title designed for VR – Gonzo’s Quest – was based on an earlier popular version of the game already played in many casinos.
Microgaming
Microgaming is one of the top names in the casino software business. They created Virtual Reality Roulette for use alongside the Oculus Rift headset and Leap Motion hand controllers. These hand controllers act to represent your hands inside a VR experience.
No, PokerStars VR is not available for real money play. It can be downloaded for free and any wagering is done with play money.
Like all games, VR casino games could be rigged if the provider wanted to. However, if the site is dealing with real money transactions, which most aren’t, then it should be subject to the same third party audits as online casinos.
There are a few options, but in terms of price and compatibility, we would suggest an Oculus Rif as Meta is working extensively on their platform.
Meta Quest announced a new game Casino One in Poker VR in March 2022. It is designed for use with their own Oculus Quest 2 headset. However, you cannot play for real money.
All Metaverse and decentralized casinos are safe because they’re built on blockchain technology. VR casinos aren’t held to the same standards as traditional online casinos due to the lack of real money play.
There isn’t a function where you can access your banking info while wearing the VR headset. Instead, you have to use your desktop, without goggles, to deposit and withdraw.
Yes, you can gamble in VR. However, at the time of writing there are few VR casinos for real money. You can enjoy the thrill of playing in a VR environment without having to risk any money.
There is a great tutorial on YouTube which explains how to play at the Poker VR site. It explains which actions you need to complete to peek at cards, make a wager and so on.
The online gambling world is opening up to VR gambling with a number of VR casinos arriving on the scene. The most well-known is SlotsMillion.
You’ll usually be able to find the most popular casino games including blackjack, poker, and roulette and some slots.
