Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the most innovative technologies of the last decades and has gained prominence in sectors such as medicine, education, and entertainment. In the iGaming universe, it was no different. In this analysis for GMB, inplaySoft examines the tool and its impact on the online gaming sector.
The industry that encompasses digital casino games and sports betting has incorporated AR to create more immersive and interactive experiences for players. Therefore, 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 overlay virtual elements in the real world, creating interactions between physical and digital environments. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which generates completely immersive and disconnected new environments, AR allows users to view digital information in the real world, in real time, through devices such as smartphones, tablets, and special glasses.
In the iGaming universe, AR can be used to enhance the player's experience by offering new forms of interaction and creating more realistic and dynamic gaming environments.
Augmented Reality in iGaming
Augmented Reality is still in an evolutionary phase in the iGaming universe. However, various applications and initiatives involving the technology are gaining traction in the sector. Among them, we can mention:
AR casino games
Many digital casinos have adopted AR to create more engaging experiences for their customers. Through 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 Slot Machines
AR has the potential to transform the experience of digital slot machines, which are one of the pillars of current iGaming. Some platforms, for example, use the technology to add layers of interactive elements to the slots, such as animations, bonuses, and 3D figures that appear around the player. AR can also be used to customize the experience, by adjusting the graphics and interface based on each player's preferences.
Augmented Reality in sports betting
AR can also be applied in live sports broadcasts and offer real-time statistics, analysis, and interactive data about the 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.
Trends of Augmented Reality in iGaming
AR's use in iGaming is still in its early stages. The future of this technology, however, promises to impact the sector in exciting and innovative ways. Some of the main trends for the coming years are:
Augmented Reality Glasses
One of the main trends of AR in iGaming is the integration with devices, such as AR glasses and other wearables. Devices like the Microsoft HoloLens or Apple's AR glasses, for example, may 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 casino games in AR is linked to 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.
AR's use of MR may transform online games into physical experiences, where players will feel inside casinos and can interact with dealers, other players, and the environment around them.
Customization
Through AR, digital casinos will be able to adapt games and interfaces according to each player's preferences. This may include adjustments to graphics, sounds, and the creation of unique gaming environments based on the player's location. Instead of a generic blackjack table, for example, the 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 bettor's 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 in non-game contexts, is one of the main trends in the iGaming industry. In the coming years, digital casinos and iGaming platforms may incorporate more elements of gamification, such as challenges, rewards, and missions, through AR. This could increase player engagement and create more fun and dynamic experiences.
Final considerations
Augmented Reality has the potential to significantly impact the iGaming industry. The integration with devices, the customization of games, the creation of immersive environments, and the expansion of interactive sports betting are just a few of the many trends that will transform the sector in the coming years.
With the constant evolution of technology and the growing interest in more interactive and realistic experiences, AR should be a central piece of iGaming by offering players a more immersive and engaging way to interact with their favorite games.
Source: inplaySoft
