A Complete Guide to Virtual Reality Casinos
By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 09/20/2023
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Virtual Reality Casinos
- What Are VR Casinos?
- VR Gambling: How to Get Started
- Choosing the Right Equipment
- Top VR Casino Games
- Online Casinos vs VR Casinos
- Frequently Asked Questions
Virtual reality casinos are set to revolutionize online gambling, according to many experts. With VR headsets and accessories, players can now immerse themselves in a 3D casino environment. While virtual reality casinos haven’t caught on yet, there continues to be a lot of hype about them. In today’s blog, we’ll show you everything you need to know about VR gambling, from the best VR poker sites to the equipment and gear you need to get started!
What Are VR Casinos?
VR casinos, short for virtual reality casinos, use state-of-the-art virtual/augmented reality technology to bring casino table games and video slots into a new era. To play at a VR casino, you’ll need to purchase a compatible VR headset like the Oculus Quest 2, and you will then be able to enter these virtual worlds, playing casino games for real money – in a way few have experienced before!
Today, we will show you the ins and outs of VR casinos. We will also show you the best US online casinos, where you can play VR casino table games, VR poker, and more!
VR Gambling: How to Get Started
Ready to dive into the world of virtual reality casino gaming? Here are some important points to help get you up and running. Firstly, you’ll need to choose a VR gambling website. Unfortunately, the technology is still very new, and, as a result, there are limited options.
SlotsMillion is known for being the first online casino to offer VR gambling, and now a few other sites like PokerStars have also started to offer a VR gambling product. No matter which site you choose, ensure there’s a good selection of VR casino games to play games you like!
You will also need to purchase a compatible VR headset. Why? Well, you can’t enjoy VR gambling without the right equipment. Some popular virtual reality headsets include the Meta Quest 2, Valve Index, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR. The Oculus Quest 2 hits a sweet spot between price and performance for many – but later in this blog, we will look at VR gear in more depth to show you precisely what it is, how it works – and how to choose the best headset for your needs.
You will also need to download a special software client. Unlike instant play casinos that are playable in a browser, VR gambling requires downloading the casino’s virtual reality app. This app transports you into the 3D environment. The apps can be pretty big and resource-heavy, so ensure you’ve got plenty of space on your hard drive!
From there, it’s simply a case of playing as you usually would! The only difference is that you’re playing in a virtual world – letting you get closer to the action and experience the thrills of online gambling in a state-of-the-art way!
Choosing the Right Equipment
The key to enjoying a top-quality experience at a virtual reality casino is having the right VR equipment. Without the right equipment, you won’t even be able to play – and the most important thing you’ll need is a VR headset. The headset handles the visuals and audio that immerse you into the virtual world. A VR headset is a head-mounted device that provides an immersive virtual reality experience by displaying stereoscopic 3D images and playing audio that changes based on your head movements.
There are a few different options to choose from, and we will look at some of the most popular options below:
- Oculus Quest 2 – This is one of the world’s most state-of-the-art VR headsets, and it’s revolutionary, so to speak, as it doesn’t need to be tethered to a computer, giving you complete freedom of movement, unlike most headsets. A follow-on from the Oculus Rift, it features improved resolution and refresh rates and boasts super-HD graphics. The processor has also received a major upgrade, so actually, playing VR casino games is much easier. It’s also pretty reasonably priced, retailing new from around $300.
- HTC Vive – The Vive was the first big consumer VR headset released, and it uses “room scale” technology to let you move freely in a space of up to 15x15ft. The headset has good resolution, built-in headphones, and a front-facing camera. It’s a solid option for those wanting to play at VR casinos.
- Valve Index – Considered one of the most advanced VR headsets, the Valve Index displays excellent visuals on dual 1440×1600 LCDs and uses a wide field of view to offer a more immersive experience. The headset is heavier than others, but most expert reviews claim it’s significantly more comfortable than the Oculus and Vive. The Valve Index uses knuckle controllers that track all five of your fingers, although we should point out that a high-end PC is required. The price tag is also high, starting at around $999.
In addition to the headset, you can also get several VR accessories. However, for VR casinos, these aren’t really needed, as they’re more focused on gaming. However, we’ll give you a brief rundown of some of the most common VR accessories in the table below:
| Accessory | Explanation |
|---|---|
| VR controller | Used to interact with objects and navigate in the virtual environment. Many headsets come with customized controllers. |
| Haptic vest | Vests with embedded vibrating motors provide physical feedback during gameplay for a more immersive experience. Brands like bHaptics and Woojer offer them. |
| Motion platform | Special platforms with actuators that tilt and move to simulate motions like walking or driving in virtual reality. |
| VR treadmill | Allows you to physically walk and move your body as you would in real life instead of using a joystick. Examples include the Virtuix Omni and Kat Walk Mini. |
Top VR Casino Games
Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges for players wanting to play at VR casinos today is the lack of games. While the technology for VR casino games has been around for years, it hasn’t really kicked off, and, as a result, few game developers and casinos have been willing to spend time and money developing new games. However, there are a few games/VR gambling platforms worth mentioning, as you’ll see below.
PokerStars VR
Developed by Lucky VR, PokerStars VR allows you to play VR poker with players from around the world. It runs on the PokerStars network, and it’s an incredibly unique way of playing the game, as you can analyze opponents, read their tells, and put your poker face to the test; you can literally see the other players’ virtual VR avatars, and they can see you!
NetEnt VR
NetEnt was the first casino game developer to take VR gaming seriously, and they released a couple of their games in unique VR versions a few years ago. They chose to use two of their most popular video slots – Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst. While the VR versions of these games are pretty hard to find, they’re quite unique – and it really does feel like you’re sitting in a land-based casino when playing them!
Poker VR
Developed by a company called Mega Particle, Poker VR demonstrates how hand tracking, motion controls, and social interaction can take VR poker to the next level. It’s a far more advanced product than PokerStars’, although it’s nowhere near as popular – yet. It’s also currently only available for free-play gaming, so until this changes, it’s unlikely to gain much traction in the online gambling world.
As you can see, aside from a few NetEnt slots, most of the VR products out there are centered around poker. However, even then, you’ll find that most of them are for free-to-play poker games only, so there’s a lot more to be done before VR poker – and VR gambling, in general – becomes a reality.
Thankfully, there are hundreds of great non-VR poker sites. If you want to find the best online poker sites, make sure to check our list of recommended platforms.
Online Casinos vs VR Casinos
Virtual reality casinos represent an exciting new advancement in online gambling, but how do they compare to conventional online casinos? There are some key differences you’ll notice, with distinct pros and cons.
Arguably the biggest difference is the immersive, interactive 3D environment of VR casinos compared to playing on a 2D screen. In VR casinos, you feel like you’re physically inside a casino, and you get to interact with the games and other players – sometimes, even physically, if you have the appropriate gear.
What’s more, VR gambling adds a level of excitement to your gambling session. Rather than staring at a screen for hours on end, you’re actually involved – although some experts have warned this could lead to an increase in problem gambling rates.
However, there are some significant downsides facing the VR gambling world. At the time of writing, only a few VR casino games are available – and this includes just a handful of slots.
Another major downside is the entry barrier facing most players. VR gambling is expensive; you need to purchase expensive equipment like a headset, and if you want to run VR games smoothly, you’ll also need a powerful, high-end gaming PC.
The VR gaming industry has a lot of potential, but, in our opinion, the industry has a long way to go before it’s going to be something that’s considered mainstream or realistic to the everyday player.
