Boyd Gaming and IGT together launches the new VR product called “Virtual Zone”

As casinos are always eyeing the customers, they keep seeking new ways to allure visitors and keep them clinged to the casino by adding mind-blowing and captivating games.

The latest technology being tested targeting this is virtual reality (VR), where people “compete against each other for cash prizes in spirited VR tournaments.”

Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), an American gaming and hospitality company based in Paradise, Nevada is the first to launch the new VR product called “Virtual Zone” from HTC and International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT), which enables players to compete for prizes in the casino. If this makes a go of, it could be the first in a series of VR offerings for casinos.

 Gaming in a virtual world

The initial application for virtual reality in casinos is tournaments that will test the market and offer people the opportunity to win cash prizes. Think of it a little like a skill-based game like poker, but in VR. It is not gambling per se, but there is an element of luck, and with IGT in the mix, there is the possibility that gambling elements could be added and pass regulatory muster because the company is a regulated game maker.

Boyd’s The Orleans is the first casino to have the Virtual Zone, and there are group and single-player archery games that cost $30 and $10, respectively. If you get the high score in the six-hour window the game is open, you can win up to $150.

The current game may seem simple and more like a gimmick than a long-term business. But if it gains any sort of traction, the options for VR in the casino are almost limitless.

Casinos could be anything in VR

Betting in casinos is already starting to move away from the traditional casino floor, and this may be an extension of that trend. Casinos are now rolling out online games like poker or sports betting, adding to a growing suite of digital games on the casino floor. Virtual reality could take the experience to a whole new level and bring an unheard of level of customization.

Imagine playing poker against a full table of players from the comfort of your hotel room, or placing bets at a table game with a virtual dealer while in a personalised virtual world. Casinos could offer a plethora of experiences to users, whether they are gambling or playing games in VR.

It’s also possible IGT could bring casino-style gambling to those outside of the casino. In regions where online gambling is legal, a virtual experience may be more desirable and interactive than playing a game on your computer at home.