The digital casino gaming and sports betting industry has embraced AR to create more immersive and interactive experiences for players. In this article, inplaySoft will explore the current use of AR in iGaming and the trends for the coming years.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology used to superimpose virtual elements onto the real world, creating interactions between physical and digital environments. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates completely immersive and disconnected new environments, AR allows users to view digital information in the real world, and in real time, through devices such as smartphones, tablets and special glasses.
In the iGaming world, AR can be used to enhance the player experience by offering new forms of interaction and creating more realistic and dynamic gaming environments.
Augmented Reality in iGaming
Augmented Reality is still in its early stages of development in the iGaming universe. However, several applications and initiatives involving the technology are gaining traction in the sector. Some of these include:
AR casino games
Many digital casinos have adopted AR to create more immersive experiences for their customers. Using the technology, instead of playing on two-dimensional screens, players can use their mobile devices to explore 3D environments with interfaces that interact with the real world.
Roulette and blackjack games, for example, can be played on virtual tables, with elements of physical casinos appearing around the player and providing the sensation that they are in a real casino without leaving home.
Interactive slots
AR has the potential to transform the experience of digital slots, which are one of the pillars of current iGaming. Some platforms, for example, use the technology to add layers of interactive elements to slots, such as animations, bonuses and 3D figures that appear around the player. AR can also be used to personalize the experience, by adjusting the graphics and interface based on each player’s preferences.
Augmented Reality in sports betting
AR can also be applied to live sports broadcasts and provide real-time statistics, analysis and interactive data about games. This creates more engaging experiences for bettors, as it allows them to see additional information about odds in an immersive way while watching a match.
Augmented Reality trends in iGaming
The use of AR in iGaming is still in its early stages. The future of this technology, however, promises to impact the industry in exciting and innovative ways. Some of the main trends for the coming years are:
Augmented Reality glasses
One of the main trends for AR in iGaming is the integration with devices, such as AR glasses and other wearables. Devices such as Microsoft HoloLens or Apple's AR glasses, for example, can allow players to interact with virtual environments in a more natural and immersive way, without the need for external screens.
Mixed reality
The future of AR casino gaming lies in the development of Mixed Reality (MR), which combines AR and Virtual Reality (VR). This will allow users to play in fully immersive environments where they can interact with other people and casino elements in 3D spaces, with realistic graphics and animations.
The use of MR can transform online gaming into physical experiences, where players will feel like they are inside a casino and can interact with dealers, other players and the environment around them.
Personalization
Through AR, digital casinos will be able to adapt games and interfaces to each player’s preferences. This could include tweaking graphics, sounds, and creating unique gaming environments based on the player’s location. Instead of a generic blackjack table, for example, a player could be transported to a casino table located on an exotic beach or in a futuristic city.
Sports betting
AR has the potential to transform sports betting by making it more interactive and informative. Instead of watching traditional broadcasts, bettors will be able to view dynamic information about players, teams, and statistics in real time and directly in their field of vision. Additionally, AR can help predict possible game scenarios through 3D simulations of plays or tactics, which will enrich the betting experience.
NFTs
AR can be used to display non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in more tangible and interactive ways. Players, for example, will be able to view and interact with their NFTs directly in virtual environments through AR, whether in digital casinos or on sports betting platforms.
Gamification
Gamification, which is the incorporation of game elements into non-game contexts, is one of the main trends in the iGaming industry. In the coming years, digital casinos and iGaming platforms will be able to incorporate more gamification elements, such as challenges, rewards and missions, through AR. This could increase player engagement and create more fun and dynamic experiences.
Final thoughts
Augmented Reality has the potential to significantly impact the iGaming industry. Integration with devices, game personalization, the creation of immersive environments and the expansion of interactive sports betting are just some of the many trends that will transform the sector in the coming years.
With technology constantly evolving and the growing interest in more interactive and realistic experiences, AR is set to become a central part of iGaming by offering players a more immersive and engaging way to interact with their favorite games.
Source: inplaySoft
