VR Technology in Gambling Pathology and Other Advantages of it

After the introduction of online gaming with the fast-paced development of technology, there comes another technological revolution that changes how players experience online games: the virtual reality technology. In the context of casino gaming or online gambling in general, the introduction of this new technology has created a lot of reactions, both affirmative and negative. On the one hand, VR has created new concerns for addiction professionals. They posit that consistent exposure to this technology may induce a stronger addiction to gambling. The addictiveness of gambling, according to them, can be so severe to the point that gamblers bet everything they own – a fun hobby can be turned into a severe dependency on the activity, which leads to an unproductive lifestyle and even bankruptcy. On the other hand, other health professionals use the same technology for gambling pathology and posit that VR technology can provide the means to practice discipline to individuals who have a gambling addiction.

What is virtual reality technology

Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of technology to generate a simulated three-dimensional environment. Compared to the traditional user interface, VR actually places the users inside experience as they will be fully immersed in the simulated world and be given the freedom to interact inside the created environment.

The promise of VR is to take away casino gamers away from their current environment (house, room, etc.) and place them in a simulated casino environment. Online casinos that provide this interface provide immersive gaming experience where the players can wander through a virtual casino and let them interact with the elements inside the environment.

While there are relatively opposing reactions to this technology being integrated into online gambling, its benefits still outweigh the claimed drawbacks of VR.

How Virtual Reality Therapy Works

VR has allowed users to be inside a simulated world with their while body through close-to-life movements. Researchers in Cyberpsychology Laboratory at Universite du Quebec enOutaouais along with Stéphane Bouchard has been trying to utilize the potentials of VR to help individuals who are suffering from a severe addiction to gambling. Bouchard has been studying VR for almost twenty years and can create a virtual reality program whose purpose is to help gamblers face temptations without real-life consequences and gradually overcome their compulsions.

Basically, the patients will be placed in an environment where can practice facing their temptations without real consequences to their actions. This allows the patients to have insights into what their behaviors will be like in real-life scenarios. There are negative feedback to this assumption, however. There are critics who question the difference it has from letting loose the patients in real casino sites, which they answer in a plain statement. They said that the difference between the two scenarios is that in VR, the therapist has the control over the environment that is presented to the patient. After several sessions, the patients become more aware of their thoughts and actions, which help them practice relapse strategies.

Although there are claimed negative physical effects of VR to the users such as motion sickness and nausea, increased heart rate, and other negative effects on porn-related virtual reality integration, the success rate of in using VR to treat mental disorders like addiction and anxiety is surprisingly high at 85 %. The same framework is also utilized in other mental disorders like schizophrenia, trauma (rape victims), PTSD, and even eating disorders.

While Bouchard claims the positive impact of virtual reality technology to gambling addiction treatment, casino service providers are also stressing the advantages that VR brings to online players and gamers.

Other advantages of VR in non-addict gamblers

There is a prediction that the VR gaming market will grow to 45 Billion by 2025. Now, casino service providers are integrating VR into their online service. The following are the advantages of VR in online gaming:

1. VR provides good and realistic graphics

Since the mid-1990s, there a shift from two-dimensional simulated world to three-dimensional simulation. The 3-D graphics make the online casino look more realistic. Aside from that, players will be able to:

• Sit on the chairs and tables as realistic as it is
• The sounds are clear and good as if the events are really happening
• Use their whole body, both hands and legs to play the games available.
• Experience highly-detailed casino simulation like the casino bars, floors, lobbies, etc.

2. It is more interactive than non-VR online casino gaming

In VR games, the players get to experience interacting with online dealers live, which provides almost the same experience of a real dealer interaction. This is far better than looking at your mobile device and chatting with the dealers during the game. Although you are still looking at your screen, the VR tech integration allows for more close-up interaction with the elements seen inside the simulated reality.

The virtual casinos are also leading towards a more interactive interface where online players can mingle with not just the dealer but also with the other online gamers in real-time. This will be a breakthrough as this paves the way for a better socializing experience in VR casino online sites.

3. VR tech gives more authentic experience than the traditional and ordinary online casino gaming

Of course, nothing can beat the reality a brick and mortar casino brings to the players. However, compared to traditional online gaming, VR provides a more authentic experience as the game becomes more interactive and realistic.

On the VR casino game, the player can:

• Look out the windows to see some landscape
• Visit the bar and drink the virtual drinks available
• Sit on the chairs, benches, or even table on the simulated world

Conclusion

The use of technology will always be akin to how the users, service providers, professionals treat it. As far as cognitive therapy, Bouchard, and her team of researchers are concerned, the VR tech will remain relevant and applicable to pathology and even to the development of the online casino gaming experience, and still, the pros outweigh the cons. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, there is an estimated two million Americans suffer from pathological gambling