Land Casinos vs Virtual Reality Casinos

It’s a brave new world we live in, and virtual reality is changing
everything. Casinos won’t escape the shakeup, and in fact, the online gambling
industry is the tip of the VR spear.

We’re going to look at what VR casinos are, how they’re likely to evolve and
develop in the next few years, and how VR casinos compare to brick-and-mortar
casinos. By the end, you’ll have a much better idea of which is best for you.

Let’s begin with the basics. If you’re new to VR casinos, we’ll take a look
at exactly what they are and how they work.

What Is a VR Casino?

If you’re a little confused by the very concept of a virtual reality casino,
don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’re entering uncharted territory with VR, and
it’s natural to feel a little mind boggled by the whole thing.

VR casinos, in a nutshell, are purely digital casinos which feel real.

These are virtual mini-worlds generated by a VR headset, which allow you to
move around the VR casino, interact with dealers and players, and play various
casino games, just as you would if you were on the floor of Caesars Palace in
Vegas.

They work in the same way any virtual reality experience does. You slip on
your headset, and it generates a 3D world which you can explore. If you use a
data glove, it’s even possible to feel tactile sensations in VR casinos.

Pretty amazing stuff, isn’t it? The truth is, VR is only getting started!

If you’re interested in following the progress of virtual reality to this
point, check out our History of Virtual Reality page by clicking the button
below.

Comparing VR Casinos and Land-Based Casinos

The first casino to open on the Las Vegas strip was the El Rancho Vegas, way
back in 1941. Ever since, Vegas has been the jewel in the crown of the casino
world.

However, VR could shake Vegas (and elsewhere) up in a massive way. While we
wouldn’t go as far as saying it poses an existential threat to Sin City, it’s
certainly going to cause some casino owners a few
sleepless nights.

As it develops and reaches its full potential, it’s possible that you won’t
even need actually to go to Vegas or any other land-based casino in a physical
sense!

With such exciting things on the horizon, it’s natural to want to try VR
casinos for yourself. Before making that decision, let’s compare VR casinos to
land-based ones, looking at both from various angles.

Chances of Winning the Games

As far as actual mathematical probability goes, your chances of winning
casino games are roughly the same in both VR and brick-and-mortar casinos.

Whether playing in a digitally generated world or a real-world establishment,
a game of roulette is a game of roulette and the odds don’t change that much.

Of course, they do change between variants (single zero versus double zero,
for example), and the strategy you use, but whether you’re playing in virtual
reality or actual reality makes little difference.

One thing which could slightly improve your chances of winning at online VR
casinos is the bonuses offered. Free spins on VR slots and deposit bonuses, for
example, are widely available online. Unless you’re a high-roller, a real-world
casino is unlikely to comp you anything.

That said, each bonus comes with its own terms and conditions, and it’s up to
you to decide whether it actually helps or hinders you.

Social Value

Human beings are social animals, and part of the fun of going to a casino is
the chance to interact with other players and dealers.

Yet, VR is not a lonesome experience, either. As things have progressed, it’s
now possible to interact with other players’ avatars within the VR casino.
Dealers will also have avatars, and you can interact with them like you would
when playing live casino games.

These simulated social interactions trigger the same chemicals in the brain
as actual real-life scenarios. A rush of blood to the head when a hot avatar
walks past, or a mutual grin when a winning streak occurs feel real to the
brain, which interprets them the same.

Yet, there are definite limitations to the VR social experience. In a
real-world casino, you can shake hands, high five, hug, enjoy drinks together,
and maybe head to a club or after party with the people you meet there.

There’s no denying it – real casinos win the social value point. For now, at
least!

Which Costs More?

This is a tricky question to answer because it depends on a variety of
factors such as how close you live to a brick-and-mortar casino.

It’s probably best to outline the main costs associated with both, and you
can decide for yourself which apply to you.

When playing at real-world casinos, costs include travel to and from the
venue, food and drinks, the cost of playing the games themselves, and possibly
hotel rooms (if on vacation). The minimum buy ins for table games is likely to
be slightly higher, too.

The costs associated with playing at VR casinos include the initial headset
price, a data glove (optional), and the cost of playing the games.

Since decent VR headsets can now be bought for as little as $100, we would
say the cost of playing at real-world casinos is likely to be more.

Which is More Popular?

Land casinos are by far the more popular, for now.

In 2017 alone, over 39 million people visited Las Vegas, and we’re willing to
bet a substantial percentage of them visited and played in a casino. Also keep
in mind that while Vegas is casino mecca, the number of casinos there is a drop
in the bucket when you consider the whole world.

VR casinos are springing up all
over the web, and the number of online casino players is increasing year by
year. As the experience gets better (more life-like) the demand for VR casino
experiences will grow, and once a tipping point is reached, there’s no telling
how big virtual reality casinos could become.

There will always be some advantages to visiting a real casino, such as
eating delicious food and enjoying real-life shows and entertainment, but as VR
technology develops, that gap is going to begin closing.

Let’s revisit this question again 10 years from now and see what’s up!

Which is More Fun?

Ask 20 people what “fun” means, and you’ll get 20 different answers. Whether
VR casinos or real ones are more fun depends entirely on one thing…you!

One the one hand, VR casinos can offer endless game variants (usually many
more slots than real casinos can offer, for example), the convenience of
slipping on a headset and playing in the comfort of your own home, and the
chance for shyer, more introverted players to interact in a way they feel
comfortable with.

On the other hand, land-based casinos offer tasty food, alcoholic beverages,
most offer some form of entertainment such as a band, and there’s the chance to
meet other real people and enjoy all the other scenarios which may unfold from
your interactions with them.

Both VR and land-based casinos are fun in their own ways. We’ll leave it to
you to decide which is more fun.

Which is Safer?

That’s a good question, and the answer is, both have some risks, and they are
completely different.

You’ll be happy to know that the chances of being held up in robbery in a
real-world casino are pretty slim. While such instances have occurred, they are
extremely rare. Your chances of being held up in a virtual reality casino,
however, are zero.

Where money is involved, a few aggressive outbursts and fights are
inevitable. The odd highly-strung player does kick off at a real-world casino
after losing, but the danger to other players are minimal. Take a look at the
security team the next time you enter such an establishment. Very few dare to
mess with those guys.

With regards to theft, the risks in both instances are slim, as long as you
play at reputable casinos. The best VR casinos operate on secure, encrypted
connections and take data security seriously. The best real-world casinos have
world-class security operations, so the only real danger is if you leave the
joint with a 6-figure sum of cash in a briefcase.

Deciding Which is Best for You

Remember, most of the points listed above have a subjective quality to them
and depend on you as a person and your individual preferences. It’s impossible
to put an objective spin on “fun,” for example.

You’ll need to consider:

• What sorts of games you want to
  play, and which offers the best variety
• What your budget is, and which
  offers you the most bang for your buck
• Whether you are willing to invest
  in a solid VR headset if you decide to go that route
• Whether you want to meet real
  people or are more comfortable interacting online
• What you’re looking for from the
  overall experience. Do you just want to play games, or do you want to eat,
  drink, and be entertained, as well?
• Which is safer, from your own
  perspective of risk
• Whether or not you’re going to
  spend enough to get perks from a real casino, or whether an online VR casino is
  more likely to give you a bonus

Answer whether a real-world casino or VR casino suits you best for each of
the points above, then add up your total number of answers for each. This will
tell you which type of casino is best for you.

Conclusion

VR casinos still have a long way to go before they catch up with the overall
experience of real-world casinos, but there are already some ways in which they
have the competitive edge.

While you can’t eat a real steak dinner in a 5-star restaurant at a VR
casino, you can sit on your own sofa, without having to move an inch, and enjoy
an equally immersive experience.

Ultimately, there are pros and cons to both. Hopefully, this has been an
insightful read and you now have a better idea as to which type of casino you
should choose.

Either way, best of luck. May the gods of odds have you in their favor!

Frequently Asked Questions