Over time, online casino gaming has grown considerably in popularity. Millions of people worldwide now enjoy this form of entertainment. As popularity and technology develops, the fast-paced online casino market continually changes.
The casino industry is now highly competitive as the number of operators has skyrocketed over the last couple of decades. In order to improve competitiveness and encourage customer retention, casinos must continue to enhance their offering and create new, enticing experiences for players.
However, we’re yet to see VR casino games widely adopted, but how far away are we?
The latest on virtual reality casino games
There is definitely potential for growth in this area, virtual reality gaming has been around for a while now, but in recent years the technology required to utilise VR, such as VR headsets, has become much more accessible and affordable for gamers.
There are now a variety of virtual reality headsets on the market, and a small number of casino game developers are beginning to invest in developing casino games with VR capabilities.
VR casinos offer a more immersive experience in comparison to typical online casino sites, giving players the opportunity to play games in what feels like a real casino from the comfort of their own home. These VR casinos also allow players to interact with one another and visit virtual locations that you would find in a land-based casino, such as a lobby or bar.
Making the comparison with live casinos
One trend that has become highly popular in recent years is live casinos. The majority of online casinos offer live play, something which VR enthusiasts can only dream of. Many casinos are now introducing live games that give players the opportunity to play their favourite games in real-time with a live dealer.
Online poker and blackjack are two of the most popular games that you can play at a live casino, although many of the top casino sites also offer live games of roulette, baccarat and more. These types of games give players the social experience that they would have in a brick-and-mortar casino venue through interaction with the dealer, but the comfort and convenience of being able to play at home.
The increase in live casinos has been driven by technological advancements that have made the development and running of the necessary software possible. As accessibility and player demand has increased, so too has the number of operators offering live casino gaming.
So, once VR casinos take off as much as live casinos, how can they spread the word and encourage people to try it for themselves?
Event-triggered marketing
As the choice in casinos has grown, players have developed higher expectations for the experience that each online casino offers. Personalisation and games that meet their specific interests are now expected.
Many online casinos are now investing in data-driven marketing strategies that help to provide these experiences. One such strategy is event-triggered marketing, which involves using data (usually collected by cookies) to learn about customer behaviours and then sending personalised notifications or emails.
For example, for a player that has made a few losses in the recent games, a trigger email could be sent to provide them with a cashback bonus or exclusive offer that gives the customer a chance to earn some winnings.
The idea behind this strategy is to better meet the specific demands and desires of different customers and improve customer retention. Customer retention is important for online casinos as marketing to current customers is often less costly than trying to bring in new site users.
But how can VR casinos ensure they’re embraced when they’re ready?
Following the example of cryptocurrency casinos
A small number of forward-thinking casino game providers are now accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method; they are also providing players the option to have their winnings paid in bitcoin or other forms of cryptocurrency too. This offering is usually aimed at the whales or high rollers, who are often high net worth individuals with investments in the crypto market.
Making transactions in cryptocurrency has a number of benefits for casino players. Many enjoy the anonymity and privacy that paying with crypto offers. In addition, fees are usually lower in comparison to payment methods that involve traditional banks.
Cryptocurrency transactions are made using blockchain technology. This involves a peer-to-peer network that makes and verifies transactions without personal data being involved.
There is some disagreement about the future of cryptocurrency and whether it will become one of the world’s leading forms of transaction. Some organisations and governments are embracing growing interest in cryptocurrency, while other countries are banning its use entirely.
While cryptocurrency casinos are unlikely to become mainstream anytime soon, for those interested in the crypto market these types of online casinos are proving to be a hit.
These are just some of the things to consider for VR developers and the online casinos themselves, but as online casino popularity continues to grow and new technological advancements are made, we can expect other new exciting developments in the years ahead.