- AR (augmented reality) tech can superimpose virtual objects into real-world scenes.
- There are already a few working examples of AR being used in casinos, but most are clunky & impractical.
- Here are five successful AR casino applications & five failed ones, plus some that could soon launch.
If you've played Pokemon Go or IKEA Place, you're already familiar with augmented reality (AR). This technology allows us to superimpose virtual objects into the real world via a smartphone or headset. It is an evolution of virtual reality in many ways because instead of immersing yourself completely in a virtual world, AR allows elements of both worlds to coexist.
nd bonus casinoWhen it comes to , the possibilities of AR are almost limitless. From playing poker with virtual avatars to exploring far-off destinations without leaving your living room, here are a few ideas that sound far-fetched but may become standard practices in the future.
In this article, I want to look at how AR has been implemented in casinos thus far and which experiments worked and which didn't. Hint: The success rate isn't amazingly high at this point.
Successful AR Casino Games & Apps
1) PokerForce AR Poker Scanner
- Main Features: Scan a table to determine if it's good or bad for playing poker (+ other info).
- Platform: Android;
- Pricing: Free trial, $39.99 full version.
Let's start our AR casino tour with an app designed for live games, more specifically for poker players.
PokerForce AR Poker Scanner was developed by XRSystems, a company specializing in cheating devices for poker players. Their portfolio includes UV contact lenses, earpieces, and cameras disguised as all kinds of things. However, this app is supposed to be used for legitimate purposes only, namely, to help beginners choose the right table.
After downloading the app, you get access to a live map that shows where publicly available poker games are running in your area. Once you've located a game, the app allows you to scan the table and receive information about the players, such as whether they are easy to beat (green), difficult to beat (red), or something in between (yellow).
The information is based on complex algorithms that take into account various factors, including player statistics, body language, and even the position of the sun (allegedly, professional poker players can tell if someone is an honest, hard-working person by looking at the direction of their shadow).
I don't really buy into all that new-age nonsense, but some of the info provided by the app seems useful. For example, the scanner can measure the size of the blinds, the number of players, and the betting stacks – all very important details when choosing a table.
That said, I don't think anyone needs an app to tell them that a table where grandma and her bridge friends play their weekly game is suitable. People with more experience than me could test the app and report back in the comments section.
While Google Play shows mostly 1-star reviews, most of them seem to be from people who bought the app thinking it would allow them to cheat at poker (it doesn't), while the 4- and 5-star ratings disproportionally come from the developer responding to their own reviews. Therefore, I'd take them all with a grain of salt.
2) Winview AR Slots
- Main Features: An interactive layer over real slots; mini-games; social features.
- Platform: iOS;
- Pricing: Free to play; in-app purchases available.
If my research is correct, WinView AR Slots is the first mobile game that uses Apple's new RealityComposer, a tool that allows developers to create AR experiences without knowing how to code.
This application overlays digital content onto actual slot machines, creating an entirely new gaming experience. After putting on their AR headsets, users see animated characters coming out of the screens and engaging in all sorts of hilarious hijinks.
The idea behind WinView AR Slots is to make slot machine gaming more sociable and interactive. In addition to watching cartoon figures dance around the bonus stages, players can also participate in mini-games, chat with each other, and earn various types of rewards.
Although WinView AR Slots is still in its beta version, it looks very promising. If the developers manage to strike the right balance between gamification and gambling, it could attract a whole new demographic to the industry. Of course, the slots themselves will have to be perfectly regulated to avoid any issues.
For example, since it would be impossible to random number generator (RNG) within the actual slot machine, all RNGs would have to happen on central servers, and the results would be displayed on the screen. Reputable software providers like are already doing something similar for , so the technology exists.
As of June 2023, the game is no longer available for download, so I guess it's either dead or in soft-launch mode again.
3) Dice Legends AR Dice Game
- Main Features: An augmented reality twist on dice gambling; single-player campaigns, tournaments, etc.
- Platform: iOS/Android;
- Pricing: Free to play; in-app purchases available.
Dice Legends is another one of those "dead" games that keep coming back to life. Developed by Flow Play, this title lets players roll virtual dice on real-life surfaces, making it feel like you're part of the action.
You can compete against others in tournaments, go through single-player campaigns, and win various types of prizes. As expected, Dice Legends also has lots of microtransactions, allowing generous players to gift their less fortunate peers with new dice, power-ups, and whatnot.
Unlike other AR gambling games, Dice Legends doesn't try to blur the lines between the real and virtual world. Instead, it embraces its own fantasy realm, where giants, dragons, and other mythical creatures use giant dice to settle their scores. Some might say it's a cop-out, but I think it's a clever way to separate themselves from the real world while still allowing users to interact with the items on their tables.
The latest update took place in July 2023, which means the game is still alive (for now). However, it's not very popular, judging by the ratings it receives on App Store and Google Play. Also, I couldn't find any info on how the RNG works, which is a bit concerning.
No Deposit Bonus Codes (November 2023) - Free Chips & BonusesBefore you ask, yes; there's also an . It was released in 2016 and received mixed reviews, which eventually led to its removal from app stores. However, Dice Legends is a different game, and I'd say it's worth checking out if you're intrigued by the concept. Just don't roll your real-life possessions, okay?
4) The Holographic Croupier
- Main Features: Live dealer action with a holographic croupier; multiple games; HD quality.
- Platform: Custom-made;
- Pricing: Variable;
This experiment was conducted by NetBet Casino, one of the older online operators that hasn't forgotten what darkness shrouds the dawn of online gambling.
The holographic croupier was showcased at ICE London in February 2019, and it allowed attendees to play roulette, blackjack, and baccarat against a semi-transparent dealer. To make this possible, the players had to wear special glasses that overlapped the virtual croupier onto the real world.
According to the info provided by NetBet, the hologram was created using RGB laser projectors and beam splitter technology. The end result was a 60-inch floating image with sharp contours and realistic colors.
Casinos Owned by Trump That You Didn't Know He Had a Hand inIt remains to be seen how much it would cost to rent one of these dealers, but considering the equipment used in this demo, we’re probably talking about five-figure sums. Moreover, someone would have to stay behind that screen and animate the character, so it wouldn’t be just a fixed webcam stream.
Would it be worth it? I don’t know; the novelty value is high, but I doubt too many people will line up to try it. On the other hand, this could inspire similar projects that are more affordable and practical. Maybe AR/VR helmets will become mainstream in the following decade, and we’ll all have cyborg Deal or No Deal sisters-in-law. Who knows?
5) HoloTable
- Main Features: A glass surface that displays virtual poker games; multiple players; customizable avatars.
- Platform: Custom-made;
- Pricing: Unknown.
HoloTable isn’t a product you can buy; it’s more of a research project funded by the European Union. However, I think it’s interesting enough to deserve a spot on our list, especially since it passed the Turing Test in 2018.
Essentially, HoloTable is a glass surface that allows several people to play poker against each other in a virtual environment. The idea is to study interaction, negotiation, and deception in human behavior by observing how people act when bluffing a hologram.
Each player can customize his or her avatar and interact with the others via a regular phone or tablet. The system uses AI algorithms to generate realistic behaviors and reactions, including microexpressions that may give away a player’s true emotions.
The researchers hope that by studying how people lie to holograms, they can gain a better understanding of real-world deception and develop more effective lie detectors.
On the one hand, I completely support scientific research that helps us understand the human mind. On the other, I can’t shake off the feeling that somebody should have thought about the implications before building a machine that’s virtually impossible to bluff.
Imagine a group of friends testing HoloTable; one of them figures out the mechanism and starts raising every hand. Everyone else is baffled until they remember that their friend is watching a Star Trek movie that day.
I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no; there is no scene in which Mr. Spock folds to bluff. He may be Vulcan, but he’s also logical, and that trumps feelings every day.
Failed AR Casino Applications
1) Poker Buddy AR
- Main Features: AR graphics showing your cards & the board;
- Platform: Android;
- Pricing: Free; in-app purchases available.
Poker Buddy AR is another live poker assistant developed by XRSystems. According to the developer, this tool allows you to see your hole cards and the community cards in 3D via an AR headset. The idea is to eliminate tunnel vision and help you make better decisions by offering multiple perspectives.
The biggest problem with Poker Buddy AR is that it makes no effort to blend into the real world. The 3D graphics simply float above the table, blocking parts of the real action. Moreover, other players will definitely notice a guy wearing a bulky helmet with two smartphones sticking out of it, so you’ll instantly be labeled as a spy or a madman – not the best way to fly under the radar.
Another major issue with Poker Buddy AR is that it doesn’t offer any strategic advantage. You can see your cards and the board from different angles, but so what? Even blind people can play poker, and nobody wears a tin foil hat to protect their third eye.
Finally, using an AR headset in a live game is simply stupid because it affects your peripheral vision and makes it difficult to read the other players. Basically, Poker Buddy AR turns you into a sitting duck.
2) Augmented Reality Blackjack by ENTROPIX
- Main Features: An augmented reality skin for regular blackjack games;
- Platform: Custom-made for William Hill casinos;
- Pricing: Included for William Hill customers.
Entroplex is a UK-based company that creates immersive branded experiences for various platforms. In 2017, they partnered up with William Hill to offer an AR skin for their blackjack tables.
According to the press release, players wearing Microsoft HoloLens helmets could enter a virtual casino and sit down at a table operated by a pretty girl. Everything happened in a shared space, meaning people not wearing the helmets could also watch the action.
Although Entroplex is known for its high-quality products, this particular experiment didn’t impress me too much. First of all, you need at least £2,700 to buy a Microsoft HoloLens unit, and that’s not including the cost of developing the AR application. Second, you still just play regular online blackjack, except it costs a fortune and looks dumb.
Moreover, the idea of everyone in the room having fun while you put on your dorky helmet and disappear from reality is kind of depressing. And let’s not forget about safety concerns – we’re talking about a device that covers your entire field of view, blocking out the real world. I can just imagine my wife putting a cup of coffee on my head while telling me not to worry; it’s just a refill.
Free Casino Games You Can Play Online Right NowTo be clear, I don’t think AR helmets are inherently bad; however, the first generations will be big, heavy, and expensive. Furthermore, the content available for such devices will be limited, which brings me to my next pick.
3) Tiny Reality Casino
- Main Features: Minature versions of casino games w/ real rewards;
- Platform: Custom-made for Caesars Palace Las Vegas;
- Pricing: Included for guests staying at the venue.
Tiny Reality is an AR app that turns hotel rooms into playgrounds for adults. Guests staying at Caesars Palace Las Vegas could borrow a phone preloaded with this program and enter a world of miniaturized objects, including slot machines, roulette wheels, and blackjack tables.
The idea is to shoot the targets with an AR slingshot and collect points that can be redeemed for real prizes inside the real-world casino. It’s like a video game, except it doesn’t challenge your reflexes or intelligence; it only tests your patience.
Don’t get me wrong; Tiny Reality looked awesome on paper and in promotional videos. However, reality is sometimes brutal, and this app received mixed reviews from the players.
For starters, you must follow a map indicating hidden AR targets throughout the building. It’s like going on a safari but without the animals – or the exercise, for that matter. I don’t have the exact dimensions of Caesars Palace, but I’m certain it’s larger than my couch, so finding a few phones is not my idea of fun.
Best Free Casino Games You Can Play Online in 2023Furthermore, shooting stationary targets with an AR slingshot quickly loses its novelty value, especially if you have thumbs. Most players reported completing the mission out of sheer frustration rather than enjoyment.
Lastly, let’s not forget that you do the same motions with your hands regardless of whether you hit or miss, which means dozens or even hundreds of false bets and possible losses. I don’t know about you, but I consider that a dealbreaker when we’re discussing real money.
4) Sugar Gamers AR Roulette
- Main Features: Animated avatars playing roulette; voice & gestural commands;
- Platform: Android;
- Pricing: Free; in-app purchases available.
Sugar Gamers is a Malaysian startup focused on creating titles for female players. Their most successful project to date is Sugar Smoothie, a simulation game in which players run a cafe and perform various tasks.
In 2018, the company announced a new experiment called Sugar Roulette, which allowed the avatars to spin the wheel and place bets using voice or gesture commands. The idea was to offer a relaxed gambling experience in which players could socialize with their friends without having to press a lot of buttons.
Sugar Roulette entered the closed beta phase in September 2018 and was supposed to be launched officially in Q1 of 2019. However, the game seems to have disappeared from app stores, possibly due to regulatory issues.
Look, I don’t want to sound sexist, but this title seemed doomed to fail from the very beginning. Let’s focus on the target audience: women. Now, what do women like? Chocolates? Flowers? Cute kitties? Shopping? According to Sugar Gamers’ website, it’s roulette. Right.
Moreover, the idea of promoting gambling among women sounds like something out of a bad Hollywood screenplay in which Asians are one-dimensional cardboard cutouts. The truth is that women gamble less than men, regardless of their ethnicity. If you want numbers, check out this infographic by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
of the Best Online Casinos in Canada 2023Of course, those are just averages, and many ladies enjoy spinning the wheel from time to time. Be that as it may, I highly doubt they would flock to a simulation game where they cannot win real money.
5) Bingo x AR
- Main Features: Bingo with virtual balls;
- Platform: Android/iOS;
- Pricing: Free; in-app purchases available.
Bingo x AR is a regular bingo game with some AR effects. When it’s time to draw balls, a virtual machine begins to spawn animations into the real world, encouraging players to catch them with their phones.
Now, I can think of at least three reasons why you shouldn’t download this game:
- First and foremost, it receives awful reviews on both app stores, with most players complaining about bugs, glitches, and pay-to-win mechanics. Even if you like minimalistic bingo games with cartoon machines, there are better options out there.
- Bingo x AR allows players to win virtual coins that can be exchanged for in-game items. Guess what you can buy? That’s right: more virtual coins or a new virtual machine. Talk about circular economics!
- The main feature of this game, i.e., the augmented reality balls, is gimmicky at best and annoying at worst. Yes, it’s cool to see a 3D object on your table, but not if it blocks half of the bingo cards or jumps randomly on the screen.
That said, Bingo x AR is not per se a bad idea. In fact, I think AR technology could revolutionize the bingo industry by bringing players together, regardless of distance or physical limitations.
You could imagine a setup where multiple bingo halls connect to the same server and share the same game. Each participant would see their own cards and the caller on their AR devices, along with the virtual ball machine. Everyone could chat with each other, send gifts, and maybe even flirt a little bit.
However, someone would have to invest a lot of money into making such a thing work, and I don’t see any company rushing to grab the opportunity. Perhaps AR bingo is better suited for retired people or the visually impaired, but even then, you would need dedicated facilities, special chairs, and tons of testing.
Casino Games That Don't Involve Slots (And Really Do Pay Off)AR Casino Slots
You knew it was coming.
A multitude of companies have jumped aboard the AR slot machine bandwagon, and I expect the trend to continue in the coming years.
The basic idea is simple: you install an app on your phone or tablet, hold it above a regular slot machine, and magic happens. The screen comes to life, and all sorts of stuff starts happening inside the game.
Some titles allow you to shoot targets and win extra credits, while others focus on mini-games and social features.
I don’t know about you, but this feels like a waste of time to me.
First, you must carry around your AR device and hold it above every stock machine you encounter. Second, the developers limit your rewards to prevent you from false betting, which kinda defeats the purpose. Third, you are surrounded by real people who might think you’re crazy for aiming a phone at their faces.
Finally, even if everything worked as intended, AR slots would not justify the effort and the risk of being beaten to death. It’s not like you’re missing out on thrills or winning huge jackpots by pressing a button repeatedly.
Perhaps things will look different once AR glasses become commonplace and merge the real and virtual worlds seamlessly. Until then, I recommend avoiding AR slot machine apps like the plague.
AR Casino Poker
There is only one viable option, and we’ve talked about it earlier: .
Is it perfect? Nope. Does it work as advertised? Not always. Is Poker Bot Indicator worth a try? Absolutely.
Here is why.
First, this app does not require you to wear a dorky helmet or wave your phone around like an idiot. Instead, it overlay a small window onto your regular webcam stream, showing you the positions and probable actions of the other players.
The information provided by the Poker Bot Indicator is not 100% accurate or up-to-date, but it’s usually close enough. More importantly, it allows you to focus on other aspects of the game, such as the player’s body language or chat log.
Best Online Slots to Win Real Money - High RTP slot GamesIsn’t that what PKR Teach You?
Getting back to AR, I don’t see another viable solution in the short term. Wearing special helmets may become fashionable one day, but I’m not holding my breath. We need lightweight, affordable, and practical devices before AR poker becomes a reality.
Until then, Poker Bot Indicator is our best bet, even though it’s not perfect. By the way, the developer is open to suggestions, and he often releases updates adding new features or fixing bugs.
AR Casino Blackjack
We also have a winner in this category: .
Is it still accessible? Unfortunately, no.
Entropix, the company behind this experiment, did not respond to my emails asking for details about Tiny Reality. I assume the app is no longer available for download, but if you know differently, please drop a comment below.
So, why was Tiny Reality the best attempt at merging blackjack with augmented reality, and why can’t we play it anymore?
Well, first, the game received mixed reviews from players, with most complaints regarding the long sessions, hidden targets, and lack of excitement. Shooting minuscule blackjack tables with an AR slingshot quickly loses its charm once you realize you’re not actually winning anything.
From a business perspective, Tiny Reality created a significant burden for Caesars Palace. Hundreds of players wanting to hunt golden chips is cool, but thousands of people invading the elevators, hallways, and pools are not. Someone would have had to clean after those kids, and not in a BDSM context.
Finally, let’s not forget that AR helments cost several hundred dollars and weigh several hundred grams. It’s not the type of hardware you throw around; it’s more delicate than a baby kangaroo. Hence, the devices had to be borrowed and supervised by staff members, increasing the operational costs.
In conclusion, Tiny Reality was a proof of concept rather than a commercial product. I’m sure someone will release a better augmented reality blackjack game in the near future, provided the tech industry manages to shrink hardware and lower prices.
AR Casino Games & Gambling
We’ve covered the main categories represented in the AR casino industry, and it’s time to draw some conclusions.
Augmented reality can enhance gamblings in many ways, but we are still years away from holodeck technology. Today’s players must strap awkward helmets or follow maps across vast hotels to shoot animated targets and pose falsely. It might be entertaining for a while, but it’s not gambling as we know it.
In other words, AR games should be considered complementary products that augment (pun intended) your real-time gambling experiences. For instance, you could use the Poker Bot Indicator to read your opponents while sitting at a regular table or an AR skin to relax between matches.
However, playing AR slots at the bus station or participating in an AR blackjack tournament across multiple floors of a casino is not something I’d recommend to my enemies.
The tech is getting there, though. Ten years from now, we may have lightweight AR glasses that overlay virtual information on the real world without blocking our vision. These gadgets could highlight the telltale signs of liability, display historical data about slot machines, or add avatars of your friends to a multiplayer blackjack game.
Will we use them? Hard to say. AR glasses are notoriously uncool, and even futuristic products must pass the test of time. Remember Google Glass? Exactly.
In the meantime, it’s best to stick to regular online casinos or land-based venues. Or you know, mix things up and visit …
