Under the trend of the entertainment and media industry moving towards immersive experiences, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are gradually becoming important pillars in the development of the online gambling industry. Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, as one of the active promoters of this trend, has clearly expressed the company's strategic intent to promote the widespread application of VR and AR in iGaming, and pointed out that overcoming the current technological bottlenecks is essential to truly realize the popularization of immersive gambling experiences.
Immersive Transformation: From Concept to Reality
Although the potential of AR and VR technologies has been anticipated in various entertainment sectors, their widespread implementation in the gambling industry still faces challenges. From technical performance to user experience, many innovations have not yet reached the threshold of commercial viability. Meta's massive investment in the "metaverse" concept, with its Reality Labs division losing $17.7 billion in 2023, serves as a real portrayal of the risks and opportunities in exploring an immersive future in this industry.
Nevertheless, Starostenkov firmly believes that in online gaming, especially in the field of online poker, the prospects for the application of AR and VR are still full of hope. He pointed out, "We are at a critical point where we can 'immerse' players, as long as the interface experience is natural enough and the immersion is strong enough, it can bring unprecedented interactive methods."
Market Momentum: Generation Z Drives and User Behavior Transformation
According to Kantar's 2024 report, 36% of millennials globally now own VR devices, about three-quarters of which are used for gaming, far exceeding other age groups. The acceptance of AR technology is also continuously growing, with 43% of millennials having tried AR experiences. This trend is providing a solid user base for the integration of online gambling with immersive technologies.
Meanwhile, the popularity of live casinos continues to rise. Data from LiveCasinoRank shows that from 2023 to 2024, global live casino revenue grew by 34%, and the average gaming duration increased from 35 minutes to 47 minutes, reflecting the continuous rise in players' acceptance of immersive experiences.
Market research by Altenar also indicates that by 2025, the VR/AR gambling market size is expected to exceed $1 billion, nearly eight times the growth from five years earlier. Notably, 35% of VR device users have participated in gambling-related activities, demonstrating the huge potential for expansion in this field.
Technological Evolution: Breaking Barriers, Creating Personalized Experiences
As an innovator in online poker software, EvenBet is addressing key issues that currently hinder the promotion of VR and AR in gaming. Starostenkov pointed out that insufficient sensor accuracy and unnatural user interactions are still major obstacles to expanding immersive experiences.
"We are actively deploying data analytics and machine learning technologies to optimize player interaction experiences and interface response speeds, enhancing overall immersion and engagement," he emphasized.
EvenBet is also exploring the potential of emerging neurotechnologies such as brain-computer interfaces. "Companies like Neuralink are developing implantable devices that may eliminate the current hardware limitations of VR experiences in the future," he said.
The company has embedded innovative technologies in its multiplayer slots and mobile games and plans to expand this to more game modules, such as interactive poker tables—combining VR visuals to provide a more realistic gameplay experience, enhancing the possibility of integrating player socialization and gaming.
Intelligent Wave: AI+AR/VR Reshaping Game Architecture
Starostenkov believes that artificial intelligence will be the key "accelerator" for integrating AR and VR into games. EvenBet is currently using AI technology for content personalization matching and real-time bonus generation, ensuring players receive highly relevant interactive feedback.
"We use real-time data stream technology to dynamically adjust the reward system based on player behavior, and we also plan to implement content precise delivery through an AI-driven recommendation engine in the future."
Furthermore, EvenBet is developing a new VR multiplayer game mode that allows players to interact in a highly realistic virtual space, not only expanding the boundaries of the gaming experience but also providing more marketing and monetization opportunities for operators.
Integration Trend: The Boundaries Between Physical and Virtual Are Gradually Blurring
Starostenkov pointed out that the boundaries between physical gambling and online gambling are rapidly blurring, and mixed reality environments are becoming new user connection points. This trend is opening up new outreach channels for gambling operators and is also driving the innovation of player-centered experience strategies.
"AR and VR are no longer just gimmicks, but the core of our system for building more interactive and personalized service experiences," he said.
Conclusion: The New Era of Immersive Technology is Upon Us
Although the large-scale implementation of AR and VR in the gambling industry still requires time and technological accumulation, the trend is irreversible. Through technological investment and strategic planning, EvenBet is laying a solid foundation for the arrival of this transformative era.
"We believe that within the next three to five years, with the advancement of sensors, AI, and neurotechnology, immersive gambling experiences will become the new norm in the industry," Starostenkov stated, "EvenBet will continue to lead the way in this wave."
