The online casino gaming industry has become a major player in the entertainment sector over the last two decades.
From the early days when all players could do was spin a few rudimentary slots, we’re now in a place where online casinos have hundreds of immersive and interactive games.
As is often the case with multi-billion-dollar industries, people like to look forward and speculate on what the next trends might be. Virtual reality (VR) has long been touted as the way forward for the gambling industry. The seeds have already been sown, thanks to Microgaming. The software provider previewed its VR Roulette game back in 2016. As slick as the game was, it didn’t spark a virtual gaming revolution due, in part, to the lack of technical support.
VR Casino Gaming is Close but Still So Far Away
VR hardware, such as Meta Quest, is improving, but it’s far from perfect. As such, VR has yet to permeate mainstream casino gaming culture. If it’s going to become a go-to medium for gamers, it probably won’t be this decade. A more immediate trend that’s likely to evolve and take hold over the next few years is augmented reality (AR).
The foundation for games such as Playtech’s Buffalo Blitz live slot games has already been laid. Peruse the library of any licensed NJ online casino, and you’ll find an exciting collection of live dealer games. PlayStar offers real-time offerings, including Power Blackjack, Crazy Coin Flip, and Craps Live.
These games have refined over the last decade to the point that players don’t need to worry about previously annoying issues such as lag and dodgy camera angles. These refinements have made live casinos more appealing to the average player. Popularity breeds innovation, which is why companies such as Playtech have merged their live products with AR technology. This has taken real-time action in a new direction.
AR-Augmented Casino Games Open Interesting Doors
Having live and virtual elements in a single game opens the door to creative animations and unique bonus features. Perhaps more significantly, the integration of AR technology could lead to the decline of digital casino games. That’s unlikely, given that players still enjoy their immediacy and speed.
However, if players can enjoy novel virtual experiences while also playing alongside real people, digital games might lose their appeal. This could provide a clearer pathway to virtual reality casino gaming. Developers are eager to introduce VR games, but the leap from traditional digital play to fully immersive experiences has been too far. AR live casino games could bridge this gap—or they might just be enough on their own.
There’s something about the real-time element of live games that players appreciate from both an entertainment and security perspective. Digital games are secure, but seeing everything unfold in real-time adds an extra layer of transparency. No matter which direction casino gaming takes, one thing is clear—live gaming is here to stay, and it will only become a bigger part of the industry moving forward.
