VR Casino Games and Slots

Updated May 01, 2024

6 Minute Read

Casino games

Some years ago, we were led to believe that we’d all be living in a virtual reality in the very near future. VR technology was to be a part of our everyday life – both online and offline. The iGaming industry was also to take great strides in VR gaming, and the possibilities were endless. But did this really come to fruition, and was it as much of a success as we expected? Let’s dive in and look at what role VR casino games and slots play at online casinos today.

VR Pokie Machines

If you play VR pokie machines, you more or less play a game that’s just like the video slots you’re used to finding at all online casinos. However, there are some differences between normal immersive games and VR games. Specifically, you’ll get to see the backdrops and the various figures featured in the game in 3D. And, you can even get to pull the level to start the game round, instead of just tapping your phone or clicking your keyboard.

VR Roulette

Virtual reality roulette is an exciting way of playing the game. There are different versions, but being able to place bets directly on the table and lean in to see the roulette wheel spinning are some of the neat features you’ll find in VR roulette. The game is, of course, played just like in any other version of online roulette, so it’s just the experience that’s different.

VR Blackjack

Playing VR blackjack is always exciting since you get to actually (or rather virtually) sit at the table with your fellow players. You can interact with them, as well as with the dealer. If you really want to feel the tension and thrill of the game, virtual reality blackjack is the way to go.

VR Craps

Craps is perhaps the game that really lets the VR technology shine since this is a physical type of game. Due to this, it hasn’t been a very commonly found game at online casinos, in its true form. But with VR, you can in fact act as the shooter, rolling the dice. You might not actually get to hold the dice, but it sure will look like it thanks to VR.

VR Poker

Reading the facial expressions of your opponents might not be possible when you’re playing peer-to-peer poker in a virtual setting. But, VR poker nevertheless offers a much more realistic way of interacting with your fellow players. It’s the closest you’ll get to the poker experience that you can otherwise only get at a land-based casino.

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Benefits and Drawbacks of VR Casino Gaming

As with everything, there are pros and cons even to VR gaming. Some of the cons have for sure impacted just how successful VR games have been. But the pros are also worth noting because these are the reasons why VR games were even invented.

Advantages of VR Casino games

Among the greatest advantages of VR gaming, and arguably the whole point of it, is the realistic immersion in the casino atmosphere that it offers. Unless you physically visit a casino, you’ll never be closer to the true casino experience than what you are when you play VR games and pokies.
The social aspect is one of the top priorities for many players who opt to engage in VR games. As the world has changed in the last few years, more and more people seek social interactions online. So the possibility of interacting with like-minded players over a game is one of the core reasons why many choose to play VR games.
Technology drives us forward, no matter what we do, and the possibility of being a part of the frontier in VR technology is something that attracts many people. And, when this can be combined with your favourite pastime, there is simply no reason to not take part in VR games. The future is sure to offer more and more VR experiences, so to not be left behind, you should simply join the ride!

Disadvantages of VR Casino Games

Although we’ve seen prices decrease in later years, VR headsets are still expensive. Considering that you get a great and immersive game experience without VR, investing in a headset might be too much for some players. After all, even though the way you play might change, VR does not in any way increase your chances of winning. So there is no monetary return on investment as such.
Most games you’ll find at an online casino are not VR games, so your choice of games to play will be very limited. Add to this that you can’t even play at just any online casino you want to play at, since you first need to find a casino that has a catalogue of VR games.

If you’ve ever spent some time wearing a VR headset, you might know that it might induce headaches, dizziness, and even motion sickness. This won’t happen after just a couple of minutes, but with an extended casino session, you might start feeling physically ill.

The Great Expectations of VR Casino Games That Would Revolutionalise How We Play at Online Casinos

The VR technology has been around for many years at this point, and in fact, game providers like Microgaming and NetEnt started experimenting with this a decade ago. Back then, these two were at the forefront of casino game innovation, and they would also lead the way into virtual reality games.

Expectations soared high, some five years ago, and there were no limits to what was talked (and whispered) about. Live casinos where we could virtually walk around from table to table and interact with other players while gambling was supposed to be the new big thing within live dealer game studios. Many expected this to be the “new” way to play. We would just put on our VR headsets on and then “visit” a real-life casino.

Exactly how VR slot machines were supposed to take form was never as clear, but there was talk about being able to walk around the slot and see it from different angles. Exactly how this would greatly change the gaming experience was always a bit unclear. Nevertheless, everyone was excited and the first big VR game was to be Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt.

We waited and waited, and every month we expected the full blast of VR casino games to hit us. But, months turned into years, and we’ve yet to see any signs that this will be the next big thing. Do we have much more realistic and immersive games now than we had back then? Yes, of course. But do we walk around in a virtual casino as if we were in Vegas? No.

Although VR games might not have revolutionised the industry as much as we thought they would, there’s still a chance it might happen. Every day VR technology is introduced to more people, and before we know it, we might all be wrapped up in virtual reality – only time will tell how this story ends.

Eve Luneborg

Sub-editor

Eve Luneborg has been working in the iGaming industry since 2014. She started out spending some years working for one of the leading online casinos in the world, based in Malta. Then, for the last seven years, she’s been sharing her experience and expertise with other players. Eve specializes in writing in-depth game guides, expert casino reviews, and how-to guides explaining how casinos and processes work.

Here at Gamble Online Australia, Eve makes sure that casino reviews and other articles are spot-on and correct for us Aussies. You can also gain insights into her thoughts about the industry by reading her weekly blog posts.