How Casino Learned from Gaming (and Vice Versa)

Casino and video gaming are two distinct but parallel industries. The glamor of a Las Vegas casino floor might seem worlds apart from an evening spent playing a console at home, but both are built around entertainment at their core, and a shared focus on new technology and engaging gameplay means the two have borrowed liberally from each other over the years.

Virtual reality is one of the clearest points of overlap. Healthcare, travel, gaming, and casino have all been chasing a slice of the VR wave, and while traditional platforms like the PC helped headsets like the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR reach the mainstream, the casino industry has pushed a particularly novel use for the technology: spectating live events. Valve built one of the more compelling VR spectating experiences with a Dota 2 add-on dubbed a VR “theater,” giving esports fans a battlefield-level view of live matches, a natural next step from streaming platforms like Twitch. Casino brands have taken note, aiming to bring players from their couch into events like the World Series of Poker, whether as a live experience or a virtual recreation of poker’s biggest stage — still a long way off given the practical hurdles, but arguably the ultimate goal for VR spectating.

Chance is another shared thread. Video games often decide outcomes through a random number generator, and while that can feel like an annoyance, the unpredictability is part of the appeal, whether it is loot dropping from a boss in Final Fantasy XIV, a lucky draw in Hearthstone, or a last-second shot that stops an enemy in XCOM 2. Some players, especially strategy fans, prefer a payoff earned through careful planning, while others are happy to roll the dice — and both styles have a home in gaming and casino alike. Chance sits at the center of the online casino experience too. mFortune, a British brand specializing in slot machines and European roulette, built its newest game, Hansel and Gretel, as a reel-less slot with two unique minigames that boost players’ odds, while a no deposit bonus gives new gamers an incentive to sign up.

Imagery ties the two together as well. Online slot machines are almost always themed, drawing on superheroes, TV shows, pirates, and more, and the makers of properties like Tomb Raider, Call of Duty, and Angry Birds have all lent artwork to slot developers looking to appeal to a younger audience. There is even a push within the casino industry toward replacing classic reels with skill-based video games, where progress comes from completing levels or hitting objectives rather than just spinning. Both industries are old pastimes by now, but the pull toward reaching younger players suggests plenty of room left for both to keep evolving together.