With the millennial generation soon to become gambling operators’ main target group, many have been wondering what they would come up with in order to attract the attention of the new demographic of gambling customers, one that is generally quite difficult to please. Or in other words, the most important question now is what the next big thing in gambling will be.
Online casino brand SlotsMillion has recently launched a new type of gambling product that may well be the answer of the question above. The gambling operator has spent more than half a year in the development of the world’s first Virtual Reality online casino and has been more than glad to eventually introduce it to gambling customers.
Generally speaking, SlotsMillion’s new generation online gambling product presents players with a casino lobby on a skyscraper’s 80th floor, where they can play a number of immersive 3D slots titles, while socializing with fellow players. High-end technology, futuristic surroundings, and exciting gaming content – all these things are likely to be found appealing by representatives of the new demographic of gambling customers.
And although VR online casinos are definitely something much different from what has ever been offered, they are still a product without a market and without customers. For now. In the first place, they requires the use of certain tech gadget – VR goggles (with the first such goggles being introduced earlier this week) and better gaming PCs. This, in turn, requires additional investment and tech-savvy users. It all shows that the first VR online casino players will indeed be Generation Y representatives. However, it is still too early to say whether the VR technology would establish itself as the preferred means for the provision of attractive casino content.
Although SlotsMillion’s VR casino currently offers only slots titles, more games will certainly be added to the VR offering. Here it is important to note that VR online casinos may eventually result in a crossover between social casino players and ones that prefer traditional casino content. At present, the market draws a strong distinction between the two groups. However, the lines will probably blur significantly in future.
Once again, given the fact that casino companies are looking for ways to attract the attention of the generation of the twenty- and thirty-somethings, they will certainly change their offering so as to become more appealing to them. And what millennials find appealing are skill-based games, options for socializing with fellows, and tech gadgets. As a result, VR online casinos may offer in future a good mix of skill-based, social, and traditional casino titles, featured in a futuristic environment sci-fi environment.
An important thing to take into account is the fact that VR online casinos may face some regulatory hurdles, although it is yet too early to say whether this new type of offering will be welcomed by regulators or will be mumbled upon. While developing its VR product, SlotsMillion has worked closely with the Malta Gaming Authority.
The regulator wanted to watch closely the creation of the VR online casino offering, in order to be able to develop effective regulations and practices for a medium that is nothing like traditional both online and land-based casino offering.
The Malta Gaming Authority had several requirements regarding the SlotsMillion VR casino. For instance, the regulatory body insisted for clocks to be placed on the casino lobby’s walls so that players can see for how long they have been playing. In addition, certain restrictions were imposed regarding a multi-player tournament feature the online casino brand wanted to add in which players’ cash balance was visible to their fellows. The gaming authority wanted customers’ balance to be private.
Bearing the above-stated in mind and given the fact that gambling regulators around the world are becoming more and more stringent in the way they regulate markets, casino operators and developers may, indeed, face certain challenges when trying to convince authorities that VR casino offering is what gambling needs in order to attract and retain the new generation of customers.
In conclusion, it depends on several factors whether and when the VR technology will be the next big thing in gambling. In the first place, it really matters whether it would be adopted by developers and operators in the right manner and time, and for the right purposes. If they find the right formula, then it would likely be welcomed by gambling customers. Regulators may also be a serious challenge to the quick establishment of VR casinos with their constant pursuit of what is good for players. Yet, if everything goes right, VR may turn into what would bring in future customers from the new generation into casinos, particularly online ones.
