Guide to VR Casinos – 2024 Update

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been advancing steadily in recent years and has the potential to revolutionize the online gambling industry. VR casinos allow players to immerse themselves into a fully realized virtual casino world and give you the feel of real-life gambling without even needing to leave the house.

Online casinos are already providing enhanced gambling experiences including live dealers, 3D graphics, social elements to gameplay and mobile-first platforms. The natural next phase in the evolution of online gambling is VR. In this complete guide to VR casinos we will explain what they are and how they work, how to get started at one, existing VR casinos, VR gambling games and more.

• What Are VR Casinos and How Do They Work?
• History of VR Gambling
• Benefits of VR Casinos
• How to Get Started at a VR Casino
• Best VR Casinos
• How to Choose a VR Casino
• Virtual Reality Casino Games
• Navigating Virtual Reality Casinos
• VR Casinos vs Traditional Online Casinos

What Are VR Casinos and How Do They Work?

VR casinos are online casinos that utilize virtual reality technology to create immersive gambling experiences for players. They will replicate the feeling of being in a real-life casino environment and allow you to make gestural controls to interact with things you come into contact with. You will create your own avatar and customize the world around you in the way you see fit. You will also be able to interact with other players and participate in tournaments.

There are a number of VR casino games you can choose from across different VR casino platforms, although the quality and range on offer are likely to increase in the following years. We are currently at the beginning of the road for VR casinos, but it is widely considered to be the next big opportunity for the industry, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.1% projected between 2020 and 2025 according to Technavio’s VR gambling report.

VR casinos work by using a VR headset to plug into a platform that utilizes VR technology to create a simulated 3D casino environment where players can enjoy a more immersive and engaging gambling experience. You can download the relevant VR casino software and use it to enter the virtual casino environment which provides a number of games to choose from. These VR gambling games have increased realistic aspects compared to traditional online casino games such as detailed graphics, sound effects and haptic feedback.

Players can chat and compete against one another with the social element to play providing a big attraction for many. Overall, the idea is that you can sample the full casino experience without needing to go to a land-based casino. Navigating around VR casinos is much more immersive than your traditional online casino and mimics going to a real casino as you wander around the gaming floor, taking a seat at a poker table, walking up to slot machines or even having a chat with a dealer. The technology makes you feel like you are really there rather than just looking at a screen.

History of VR Gambling

As VR casinos are relatively new, the history of VR gambling dates back to just 2012 when Tyler Luckey founded the company Oculus. Virtual reality technology has been worked on since the 1970s but it wasn’t until 2014 when Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg bought Oculus for $3 billion and released the Oculus Rift as the first VR head-mounted display to the public two years later that VR gambling took its first steps into existence.

Competition to Oculus has grown from computer giants like Sony and Samsung and by 2017 the first virtual reality casino had emerged. SlotsMillion was the trendsetter and allowed players wearing a VR headset to immerse themselves in a 3D casino environment which they could explore however they saw fit, whilst playing virtual reality casino games and even hanging out at the virtual bar.

SlotsMillion has inspired other VR casino platforms such as Jackpot VR, Blackjack VR, Social Club VR and MetaTable Poker, which we will look at in more detail later.

Benefits of VR Casino Play

There are a number of benefits to playing at VR casinos, including:

• They provide players with a more immersive and engaging gambling experience as you will feel as if you are in a real casino playing games.
• Players can interact with other players and live dealers in a lifelike way.
• You can access virtual casinos from anywhere you like, meaning there is no need to travel to a land-based casino saving you time, money and effort.

How to Get Started at a VR Casino

Getting started at a VR casino is a little more complex than signing up for an account at an online casino. In this section we will take you through the step-by-step process of playing your first virtual casino game:

1. Select a VR casino: The first thing you need to do is select a virtual casino to play at, ensuring it is compatible with the specific VR headset you want. As we’ve already mentioned, there are a number of VR casinos to choose from including SlotsMillion and Social Club VR – just make sure whatever option you choose from is fully licensed and regulated to protect your personal and financial information. Take your time to check out the different VR casinos’ game lobbies and libraries and if you are set on playing a specific game make sure they have it available.
2. Set up your VR headset: You will need a VR headset to play at a VR casino, so if you don’t have one already you will need to buy one. Once you have a VR headset you’ll need to set it up by following the instructions provided with the product, ensuring it is properly connected to your computer. Your computer will need to meet the minimum requirements for the VR headset and virtual casino software in order to work and provide you with a quality gaming experience.
3. Download the virtual reality software: Once you have your VR headset hooked up and ready to go you’ll need to download the relevant virtual casino software. You can usually find this on a VR casino’s site and it should be as simple as following the instructions to download and install the software onto your machine.
4. Create your account: Once you have the virtual casino software downloaded you are ready to create your account. This will grant you access to the virtual casino and open up all the games for you to play. You’ll need to provide a host of personal and financial information such as name, date of birth, address, social security number (SSN) and payment details, as well as further identity documentation to pass any verification checks.
5. Pick your game: Once you have activated your account, you can choose which game you want to play at the VR casino and get started. VR casinos offer an increasing number of options, including titles for slots, blackjack, roulette and poker. Pick the one you want to play first and enter the virtual casino environment.
6. Enjoy! Now you are in the virtual casino environment you can navigate around using the controls on your VR headset. You’ll use the headset to make bets, interact with other players and much more.

Best VR Casinos

In this section we will outline some of the virtual reality casinos you can choose from in more detail:

• SlotsMillion: One of the most popular VR casinos on the market, SlotsMillion offers a strong selection of games, including 40 different virtual reality slots, table games and live dealer titles. There is limited access with Windows 7 or 8 computers, but otherwise the VR casino is really lifelike with a virtual bar where players can socialize with each other and sections for popular games like Starburst. VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are compatible. SlotsMillion also has a non-virtual version of the casino with over 1,300 games to choose from.
• Casino VR Poker: Poker fans will enjoy this one where you can sit at a virtual poker table and mix it with players from all over the world. You’ll compete in real-time against others and can even try and read their body language to call bluffs. Choose from a variety of game modes such as Sit-N-Go tournaments and Texas Hold ’em, while ambitious players can aim to climb the leaderboards.
• Vegas Infinite: Formerly known as Pokerstars VR, players can challenge friends and others at poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and slots. You can customize your experience by choosing from a huge collection of accessories and clothing for your avatar, while the site also features Quest Pro support with face and eye tracking, advanced haptics and mixed reality passthrough.
• Jackpot VR: Choose from a number of different virtual reality casino games including classics like poker and roulette, with a focus on jackpot titles.

How to Choose a VR Casino

There are a lot of factors that go into selecting the right VR casino for your playing style and preferences. Here are the main points of consideration:

• Game Selection: While most established VR casinos will offer a solid range of games, you will often find platforms focus on certain games more than others. If you are set on playing virtual reality slots or just want to play VR roulette that will affect your thinking.
• Interface: VR casinos with user-friendly interfaces will allow you to navigate around your new virtual world with ease. The best platforms are intuitive and fun to explore which lets you get on with focusing on the main event – the games!
• Bonuses: Just like traditional online casino sites, VR casinos will provide a number of bonuses and promotions for players. Welcome bonuses should be maximized when you join a platform, while ongoing promotions are used to ensure you keep coming back.
• Social Interaction: The best VR casinos promote social interaction among their players and have lots of games that offer multiplayer. This increased familiarity with other players around you adds a layer of immersion to the experience.

Virtual Reality Casino Games

VR casino games are becoming increasingly popular for the extra layer of experience they offer compared to traditional online casino games. They utilize sophisticated 3D graphics as well as motion tracking technology to replicate the feeling of being on a real casino floor.

Here are the main options:

• Poker: Enjoy playing against people from all over the world who you can communicate with in real-time as well as tracking your progress on the leaderboard.
• Blackjack: Pull up a seat like you would at a real blackjack table and chat with the dealer as well as other players as you look to make 21.
• Roulette: Place your bets, mix with other players and watch the roulette wheel spin in an immersive casino environment.

Navigating VR Casinos

As soon as players step inside a virtual reality casino they will be surrounded by an environment that aims to replicate what you would experience in a real-life casino. You’ll start in the virtual lobby which sometimes has a virtual bar where you can hang out and chat with other players. In the virtual lobby you’ll see a host of different game options to choose from using your VR headset’s controls or hand gestures.

Each VR casino game will take place in its own dedicated interactive room, which is designed to replicate a real casino and will offer high-quality graphics and crisp sounds as well as further social elements to the gameplay. Players can create as well as customize their own avatars with a range of different looks, outfits and accessories so you can reflect more of your personality when interacting with others.

Most VR casinos provide in-game purchases which allow you to buy virtual items and services like unique avatar items, extra chips or exclusive access to VIP tables. You’ll often receive further rewards and bonuses for continued play including free spins, deposit bonuses or other special promotions.

VR Casinos vs Traditional Online Casinos

In this section we will outline the main differences between virtual reality casinos and traditional online casinos.

VR casinos offer a rich gaming experience thanks to VR technology which creates a realistic gaming environment for players akin to what you would find at a land-based casino. The interaction with other players mimics socializing with fellow gamblers in real life and is a step up from online casinos where you can only chat with players by text.

However, because VR casinos are still relatively new, they aren’t as widely available as online casinos. You will also need a VR headset and the right software to play games, which can be costly. This is likely to limit the range of players who can access the virtual environment, while online casinos can be accessed by anyone with a device and a stable internet connection.