The Evolution of Metaverse Casino: VR, AR, & MR Gambling

New digital products like VR or AR provide people with new ways of interacting with virtual environments. They’ve been incorporated into day-to-day activities, and although terms like VR, AR, or MR are often used interchangeably, they refer to different use cases. Here’s a breakdown of the most important ones:

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that simulates a real-world environment by immersing users in a completely digital environment. VR headsets allow users to immerse themselves, interact in a 3D environment, and even move around. Currently, players can only interact with a new world using add-ons which gives the digital world a level of realism that has yet to be rendered. Virtual reality can mimic the real world but requires developers to code and create a new world.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented Reality (AR) technology supplements the physical world with virtual objects and information. AR technology overlays contextual information on the user’s field of vision and can be accessed using digital technologies like smartphones. For example, social media filters are an example of AR since it doesn’t transport the user to another environment but enhance the real world through elements like graphics, sound, and GPS data. In the gambling industry, AR technology has the potential to enhance the player experience by combining the old and the new to develop new ways of interacting with the casino.

Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed Reality (MR) technology blends the elements of both VR and AR, providing users with an interactive and immersive realistic environment. MR technology enhances how users interact with their surroundings, creating an environment where digital and physical objects can coexist. MR technology is currently in its infancy, but it has the potential to revolutionize how we experience media, social interaction, and gaming.

Extended Reality (XR)

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that includes all immersive technologies. It promotes a tangible approach to these technologies, creating a seamless digital experience through new developments. XR is achievable through various experiences and new technologies overlaid in our physical interaction. XR technology has the potential to redefine how we engage with our surroundings, creating a blended experience that allows us to interact with both digital and physical elements in a more fluid and intuitive manner.

AR and VR technologies have the potential to significantly impact the future of cryptocurrency gambling by creating immersive and engaging experiences for users. Any technology can completely change how casinos and gambling platforms interact with the player by creating a new reward plan for how gamblers get rewarded. This means that players will no longer only seek quality games but will be enticed by new experiences, leading to more enjoyable gameplay.

Immersive casinos can give players a highly realistic environment replicating traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. At the same time, AR technology can enhance sports betting experiences by overlaying real-time data and statistics onto the user’s view of a live event. Both technologies also facilitate social interaction among users within the gambling ecosystem, fostering community and camaraderie.

By creating new digital experiences that increase interactivity between players and operators through AR/VR, online crypto casinos will morph themselves into new gambling entities. Here are some examples of the transformative effects that AR and VR can offer:

Immersive Gaming Experience

Virtual Reality technology can create realistic virtual environments where players can experience gambling that mirrors real life. They can simulate the atmosphere of traditional casinos and provide interactive experiences with other players. This can lead to higher user retention since users can replicate the same experience.

Enhanced Security and Transparency

By incorporating gambling activities with blockchain, online crypto casinos will have higher trust among players. Why? Because decentralized networks don’t require intermediaries to process transactions. Additionally, users will connect directly with their wallets to completely own their gambling assets and funds. However, The most crucial aspect is the reliance on smart contracts to ensure fair gaming and provide tamper-proof digital interaction.

New Revenue Streams

Metaverse casinos can provide new revenue streams by earning in virtual casinos or using NFTs to stimulate cash flow. Casino developers can also generate income by selling virtual assets like avatars or developing branded games for bigger brands. Finally, they can also sell advertising space, boosting profitability and allowing crypto casinos to differentiate themselves from competitors.

The emergence of VR, AR, and similar technologies has created new ways for gamblers to immerse themselves in gambling. Developing faster blockchains facilitated higher security features and automation, helping companies develop more tangible casino products.
VR casinos have given players the ability to blend virtual and real-world elements. Using smart contracts and NFTs, players were allowed to own their in-game assets. Moreover, players could interact similarly with other gamblers in the metaverse.

Metaverse casinos made gambling anonymously easier since all transactions take place on the blockchain. Players can access a Metaverse casino using just their digital wallets. Currently, VR headsets are limited, but players can still access metaverses from their PC and have a more immersive gambling experience. By rendering the same experience of a real casino VR technologies are revolutionizing the future of the casino industry.

As VR and AR technologies evolve, new casinos are on the market, allowing players to gamble in virtual environments. Here are examples of the most popular casinos currently up and running.

SlotsMillion VR Casino 

SlotsMillion VR Casino is a VR casino launched in 2015 and has been one of the first online gambling platforms to include virtual reality gambling using real money. It allowed players to fire up their VR headsets and access a 3D casino environment where they could play a few games. Since then, the casino has abandoned the VR gameplay and only allows users to gamble, similar to a regular casino. The casino offered over 40 slot games, including popular titles like Starburst or Gonzo’s Quest.

BetMGM VR/AR

BetMGM, a leading online gambling platform, has recognized the potential of AR and VR technologies to enhance user experiences. While the platform has yet to launch a full-fledged VR or AR casino, it has been actively exploring ways to integrate these technologies into its offerings. In 2019, BetMGM partnered with Zero Latency, a global leader in warehouse-scale, free-roam, multiplayer VR gaming.

PokerStars VR for Real Money

PokerStars VR is one of the few poker rooms where players have the same immersive experience as a poker table. PokerStars VR launched as a free-to-play social poker experience. Users can try out the game environment and complete interactive props using lifelike avatars. The platform doesn’t include any real-money games but has expressed interest in introducing real-money games in the future. Still, PokerStars VR is a successful game getting more people interested in mimicking a real-life poker event using digital tools.

Examples of XR

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). These immersive technologies are transforming various industries, including gaming, healthcare, education, and entertainment. In this article, we will focus on an innovative application of XR technology that has recently gained significant attention: non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs)

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are unique digital assets that represent ownership of a particular item or piece of content. Unlike crypto tokens, NFTs are indivisible. This uniqueness makes NFTs ideal for mirroring digital art, collectibles, and other digital assets on the blockchain.

The connection between NFTs and XR lies in the potential for these unique tokens to be used within immersive environments. By utilizing XR technologies, NFTs can be brought to life in previously unimaginable ways. Here are some examples of how NFTs and XR intersect:

1. Digital Art Galleries: Artists can create virtual galleries using XR technologies to showcase their NFT-based digital art pieces.
2. Virtual Collectibles: NFTs representing collectible items, such as trading cards or virtual merchandise, can be integrated into XR experiences.
3. Virtual Real Estate: As metaverse platforms continue to grow in popularity, virtual real estate has become a valuable commodity. NFTs show ownership of virtual land or property in the metaverse.
4. In-game Assets: Weapons, skins, or vehicles can be rendered as NFTs. Users can have full ownership of these assets, use them or even trade them on third-party marketplaces.
5. XR-based NFT Marketplaces: XR-based marketplaces create an interactive platform for browsing, purchasing, and selling NFTs.

To access new digital technologies, you need to know what are some of the best products on the market and what type of device you need for a specific technology. Here’s a short rundown explaining the purpose of each device type.

It’s just a matter of time until virtual casinos and VR technology get integrated into traditional and crypto casinos. The process will be seamless for crypto gambling platforms that are on-chain since its players are already accustomed to using new technologies – including accessing metaverse and trading NFTs. With the growing interest in VR, AR, and MR integrations, casinos can offer their players an immersive and interactive gambling experience, which doesn’t compare with the current gambling activities.

As these technologies continue to be integrated into our day-to-day digital activities, we will see VR gambling taking shape much sooner than later. It’s equally important to stress how decentralized platforms and blockchain technology will play a key role in their development, primarily due to smart contracts that can execute network transactions. Even more important is the use of NFTs, which ensures users have complete ownership over their in-game assets, creating a cohesive virtual world.