Virtual Reality Casinos
If you’re looking for a new virtual reality casino to play at, congratulations, you’ve landed on the perfect page!
Virtual reality casinos first started popping up around 2013-2014, but recently they’ve started gathering pace, and we’re seeing a lot more of them across the web.
To save you the time and energy of looking at all of them yourself, not to mention trying to pick one, we’ve listed the best VR casinos right here. Check out the table below, and also note that we’ve ranked them according to our own expert criteria.
You can also check out the in-depth reviews of each individual site. As you’ll see, we leave nothing in the shadows and tell both the goods and bads of every VR casinos we select.
So, what are the good and bad sides of virtual reality casinos? Let’s look at those next. But first, for those who are still new to the concept, let’s look at what VR casinos actually are.
What Is a Virtual Reality Casino?
Virtual reality casinos are, in a nutshell, digital versions of brick-and-mortar casinos. Rather than having to fly to Vegas for the weekend, you simply slip on your VR headset and walk through the computer-generated doors onto the floor, just like you would in the real world.
Unlike with regular online casinos, where you simply click and interact with games, VR casinos offer a totally engaging experience. There are bars serving cocktails, slot machines, roulette tables, card tables with dealers sitting at them, and other people walking around (using their VR avatars). It’s a fully immersive experience and can make regular online casinos pale in comparison.
Sound unbelievable? The best way to wrap your head around it is to check one out and see for yourself.
Now, let’s get back to the pros and cons.
The Pros and Cons of Virtual Reality Casinos
There’s no doubt that virtual reality is changing everything, and as it speeds up and more and more people get involved, we predict that the majority of casinos will go VR.
Yet there are good sides and bad sides to them, much like everything else. Being positive people, let’s look at the benefits first.
It’s a Novelty Experience
For many long-term players, new games are something welcomed at any online casino. Virtual reality takes things a step further again and offers an entirely new experience altogether. As you enter the digital world of spinning reels and casino games for the first time, you can’t help but think “wow!”
VR is Super Engaging
Let’s face it, one of the main reasons we play casino games is to forget the world for a little while and just enjoy ourselves. We’re looking for immersion, aren’t we? Virtual reality again elevates this element of the casino experience to new heights. As you move around a VR world full of great games, you actually feel as if you have left wherever you are playing from and are living it up in a real-world casino. Hours can go by, and you don’t even notice.
There’s a Social Element
VR casinos are popular for the same reason that live dealer games are, except again, this is a whole other level. When you enter a VR casino, you get an avatar, and you can see other players wandering around the digital halls of games. Things are developing quickly, and you can interact with other players. See an attractive avatar at a VR slot machine? Buy them a VR martini and see what happens.
VR Tournaments and Competitions
We knew VR was here to stay when we heard of the first worldwide VR Texas Hold’em tournament. Since then, all sorts of exclusive VR gambling tournaments have developed, including slots reel races and the like. If you’re the competitive type, this is a new outlet for you to face off against other players.
You Need to Buy a VR Headset
The best virtual reality headsets can cost several hundred dollars, which might be enough to put some players off. While you can enjoy VR casinos using mobile-based headsets such as Google cardboard, and much less expensive versions than the top-of-the-line gear, to get the full benefits you’ll need to invest in decent hardware. Then again, perhaps you already have it, so this might not be a problem for you.
Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing, Baby
If you think a VR casino experience is going to be just like being in the Bellagio, sorry to burst your bubble, but it isn’t quite there yet. VR is developing rapidly, but you’ll still know you’re in a virtual reality world.
VR Can Make Some People Feel Unwell
Some players have reported getting headaches or feeling nauseous after playing virtual reality casino games for extended periods of time. This is simple overexposure in most cases and can be counteracted by taking regular breaks. It’s easy to lose track of time in the VR world, so set alarms and take regular time to unplug.
Digging Deeper on VR Casino Pros and Cons
If you want to go more in-depth than the pros and cons outlined above, we’ve written two more specific pieces on why you should try VR casinos. You can check them out here:
Let’s now turn our attention to the types of casino games available in VR casinos.
What Virtual Reality Casino Games Are Available?
Pretty much all of the popular casino games are now available in virtual reality casinos. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you might experience.
- VR Slots
- VR Blackjack
- VR Roulette
If you haven’t experienced VR slots, you are missing out on a major development in online casino gaming. Long gone are the days of clicking a mouse for spins on a 2D screen. In VR slots casinos, you can pull the one-armed bandit just like you could on the floor of the Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s still evident you’re in a VR casino, but it is an upgrade, for sure.
Card games have taken on new dimensions since the dawn of VR. While live dealer casinos still offer the actual real thing, VR card games are also worth checking out in and of themselves. It’s fun to sit there as your avatar interacts with the dealer’s avatar. As the cards turn over, you see the reactions on the dealer’s face, and you actually feel the emotions as if you were interacting with a real person. It’s scary how they can create a reality like that, isn’t it?
As a casino player, there’s no rush greater than watching the red and black roulette wheel spinning around as your financial fortune is decided in real time by the gods of the game. Digital versions are okay, live dealer versions are better, but VR versions are fantastic. It’s quite difficult to wrap your head around at first, but when you see the ball bouncing between the numbers, hear it clickety clack-clacking, and watch the dealer pay you in chips, it certainly feels like the real thing. This is another of those things which has to be experienced to be understood.
Whether or not you’ll prefer the virtual reality games or the live dealer games is something you’ll have to find out for yourself. Some love it, while others still prefer live dealer games.
What You’ll Need to Play at Virtual Reality Casinos
Unfortunately, you can’t just rock up to a cutting-edge virtual reality casino using a laptop from 2001 you found in your spare drawer. As well as a decent computer (specs outlined below), you’ll need a few other things:
- A VR Headset
- A VR Casino Account
- A Comfy Seat
- An Alarm or Timer
These can cost quite a bit, but they don’t have to. There are VR headsets to suit all budgets, but naturally, the more you pay, the better the headset you’re going to get. Some recommended headsets are the Samsung Gear, Oculus Rift, and the Google Daydream View.
We’ve recommended several trustworthy VR casinos in the table above. You will need to register at one of them and make a deposit before you can play the VR games for real money.
Trust us, it’s perfectly likely that you’ll plug into your first VR experience thinking “Ah, I’ll just have a quick go to check this out,” and will emerge several hours later astonished by what you have just experienced. Get yourself a decent computer chair or a beanbag to help you slip out of reality and into the casino dreamworld created by VR. Which brings us nicely to the last point.
We’re serious when we say you can lose hours in the VR world. To gamble responsibly and keep it fun, make sure you set regular alarms to bring you back to reality. It’s easy to get carried away in there! The best VR casinos will have a “reality check” option, which can temporarily pause or interrupt your gaming experience after pre-agreed time limits.
While not entirely necessary, there is something else which can enhance the VR casino experience even further.
- A Data Glove
We weren’t kidding when we said VR takes you into another world. The data glove helps the casino detect your presence, and it also creates sensations of touch and feeling, such as the feeling that you are actually pulling on the handle of a slot machine or peeking at your cards.
Now let’s take a quick look at the minimum computer specifications required to play at a typical VR casino. You’ll need a machine with:
- An Intel Core i5 or faster CPU
- At least 8G of ram
- 2 USB ports (HDMI 1.3)
- Windows 7 or above
Note: If you don’t have a VR headset yet, some casinos will allow you to explore the 3D VR casinos on your desktop device. Truthfully, this pales in comparison to the real thing. We recommend waiting until you do get a headset and tasting the full VR experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About VR Casinos
Do VR Casinos Accept Players from Everywhere in the World?
Every online casino has restricted territory lists, and VR casinos are no exception. There are legal reasons for this, and real money VR casinos have to follow these rules or face steep penalties. There may, however, be some VR casinos for fun which accept everyone. These are known as social VR casinos.
What’s the Best VR Casino Online?
The short answer is whichever is currently ranked at the top of the table at the top of this page. Don’t be surprised if you see a different casino there next week. We’re always updating our rankings according to the various things we look for when reviewing VR casinos.
Are There Any VR Mobile Casinos?
If your mobile device makes the specs required to run a VR headset and has the appropriate USB ports, then yes. It doesn’t really matter what the device is, as long as it has the power to run the VR headset, which generates the experience. Don’t be surprised, though, if your battery drains extremely quickly.
Will I Meet Other Players in the Virtual Casino?
That depends how busy the casino you pick is, but since there are probably millions of people around the world plugged into VR headsets at any given time, it’s highly likely you’ll meet other players. This brings a social element to VR games which many feel digital online casinos lack.
Are There Any Virtual Reality Casino Bonuses?
You’ll be able to claim the same casino bonuses as everyone else. Whether free spins or a deposit match are offered, you will be able to use the bonuses in the VR casinos just as you would in the desktop one. One or two casinos we have encountered offer extra VR casino bonuses as an incentive to check it out.
Is Virtual Reality like the Real Thing?
It’s getting pretty darn convincing, but don’t worry; you won’t vanish into it like Neo when he plugs into the Matrix. You’ll still know you are you, and there’s enough difference in the detail to understand you’re navigating a digital world (for now).
How Do I Get out of a Virtual Reality Casino?
The exact same way you got in. You can simply slip the headset off at any time, and you’re out. You can also press escape on your computer or take off your data glove if you have one. Don’t worry; this isn’t an episode of Black Mirror. Nobody is going to keep you in there!
Is VR Gambling Addictive?
All gambling is potentially addictive, and so is VR. Put the two together, and it’s worth keeping an eye on things. Just follow the same rules you always do – don’t bet more than you walked in with, set alarms and timers to snap you out of it if you get into wild gaming sessions, and have someone check in on you every once in a while.
Can I Enter Other Areas of My Account in the VR Casino, Such as My Bank and Account Information?
Not in any VR casino we have encountered. The gaming experience is one thing, but all the other stuff, such as making deposits and withdrawals, will have to be done back on your desktop or mobile device.
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