How IoT and VR are shaping the future of iGaming
The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the iGaming industry by enhancing user experience and enabling more personalized services. IoT allows online players to play simultaneously with brick-and-mortar casino players by connecting them via the internet. It also enables greater personalization by collecting more analytical data on individual players. As a result, an operator can create a customized space full of games, themes, and offers that are specially tailored to players across all its connected devices.
Professor Alexei Dingli speaking with SiGMA News explained that today’s immersive technologies such as VR and AR are revolutionising iGaming experiences. “Advanced headsets like Apple Vision Pro and Quest 3”, he says, “are not just tools but gateways to new realms of interaction”. He shared his insights about how they are transforming everything, from how we learn, work and play and merging the physical and digital worlds.
Dingli described how the transformation in sports and iGaming, driven by technological advancements, is indeed also making a profound impact on sports betting. This includes changes in the structure of betting activities, the emergence of new forms of fraud, and the development of AI tools to mitigate these risks.”
“Even our sports viewing has evolved, with games like football, basketball and Formula 1 unfolding on our coffee tables, enriched by AI -powered analytics predicting player performance and game outcomes”
Professor Alexei Dingli
In the context of the feud between Mark Zuckerberg and Apple over VR sets, the implications of IoT on iGaming become even more significant. Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has been vocal about his belief that Meta’s Quest 3 VR headset is superior to Apple’s Vision Pro. He argues that the Quest 3, as an indirect competitor to the Vision Pro, is “seven times less expensive” and better suited for mobile use cases like gaming and fitness.
This rivalry highlights the potential of IoT in enhancing the gaming experience. For instance, the Quest 3’s passthrough feature, which uses cameras on the outside of the headset to provide users with a live, high-definition video feed of their surroundings, allows users to wear a headset while walking or exercising. This kind of immersive experience, enabled by IoT, could be a game-changer in the iGaming industry.
However, it’s important to note that while IoT brings numerous benefits, it also presents challenges such as data security and privacy concerns. Therefore, as the iGaming industry continues to leverage IoT, it must also invest in robust security measures to protect users’ data and privacy.
Impact of emerging technologies
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) gaming technologies is revolutionizing the iGaming industry. AI and machine learning technologies are enhancing the gaming experience by personalizing games and preventing cheating. They streamline the VR gaming experience, making it more immersive and interactive.
Advancements suggest that the integration of IoT and VR in iGaming will continue to evolve, offering more immersive and personalized gaming experiences in the future.
| Key Points | Integration of IoT in Online Gambling |
|---|---|
| Enhanced User Experience | IoT devices (smartphones, wearables) make gambling accessible |
| Personalized Gaming | Data from IoT used to offer personalized gaming experiences |
| Real-Time Data and In-Game Betting | IoT enables real-time data and enhances in-game betting |
| Improved Security | IoT enhances security measures, protects user data |
| Integration with VR/AR | IoT facilitates integration of VR/AR, transforming gaming experience |
| Voice-Activated Betting | Voice-activated assistants allow hands-free betting experience |
High-fidelity graphics and advanced haptics are blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction. High-fidelity graphics provide a high level of photo-realism, enhancing the gaming experience. Advanced haptics allow users to interact with the digital world through tactile feedback and sensations.
Eye and motion tracking technologies are improving the gaming experience. Eye tracking technology streamlines weapon aiming, menu selection, and triggering in-game events with a glance. Fine-tuned motion tracking improves the accuracy, speed, and sensitivity of tracking using better sensor technology and advanced algorithms.
Spatial audio is enhancing the immersive experience of the game. The sound is three-dimensional, improving the game’s storytelling with sounds rather than words.
Beyond iGaming, VR technology is proving to be helpful in various aspects of every other industry, for example, in healthcare. It allows professionals to connect with each other from remote locations. VR headgear provides a complete 3D environment to teach students and has helped many physically challenged students attend classes. In manufacturing plants, a combination of both AR and VR is used to increase the efficiency of the assembly lines and reduce cycle time. This shows the potential of these technologies beyond gaming, indicating a promising future for IoT and VR in various industries.
Professor Dingli pointed out that as we embrace this new era, “we realise the future is here, and it is virtual”.
Feud between two tech giants
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, competition is fierce and relentless. Mark Zuckerberg, took a direct swipe at Apple’s new headset.
The Vision Pro has been making waves in the tech industry, with celebrities like Diplo and T-Pain seen wearing it in public. Its “passthrough” feature, which allows users to see their surroundings while using the headset, has been particularly praised. However, Zuckerberg, in a video shot using Meta’s own Quest 3’s passthrough, insisted that his company’s headset is “the best product, period.”
Passthrough is a feature used by the most recent mixed reality headsets. It utilizes cameras on the outside of the headset to provide users with a live, high-definition video feed of their surroundings. This allows users to wear a headset while walking or exercising. Meta has been working on this technology for the better part of a decade, and it also features on rival products such as Sony’s PlayStation VR 2.
| Key Points | Meta vs Apple |
|---|---|
| Features | Compares Quest 3 and Vision Pro headsets |
| Prices | Meta’s criticism of Apple’s high-cost products |
| User Feedback | Zuckerberg claims Quest 3 is “the best product” |
| Passthrough Technology | Both Meta and Apple utilize passthrough technology |
| Future Outlook | Mixed reality’s potential in gaming, socializing, education |
| Competition and Innovation | Hinted at shaping the emerging mixed reality field |
Zuckerberg expressed frustration that the Vision Pro is being praised over technology that exists elsewhere. He stated, “I think Quest is the better product, period.” He went on to express surprise that many people assumed that the Vision Pro would be of higher quality simply because it’s an Apple product and costs $3,000 more. He argued that the Quest is superior for the majority of things that people use these headsets for, despite the price differential.
Several people have started to post on social media about returning their Apple headsets. Product manager Parker Ortolani praised the device but said the “physical trade-offs are just not worth it.” This sentiment seems to echo Zuckerberg’s critique of the Vision Pro.
Zuckerberg spent much of his time during the video clip trying to point out why the Quest 3 was better, citing reasons ranging from the ability to move around easily without a cable, socializing, and above all, the difference in price. He stated, “I expected that Quest would be the better value for most people since it’s really good and it’s like seven times less expensive.”
He also insisted that the Quest 3 had a wider field of view and a brighter screen. While he acknowledged that the Vision Pro had some advantages, such as a higher resolution, he was “surprised by how many trade-offs they had to make” in other areas to achieve it.
It came as a surprise to many when Zuckerberg directly criticized “fanboys” who “get upset whenever anyone dares to question if Apple’s going to be the leader” in a type of technology. He argued that every generation of computing has an open and a closed model, referring to how Apple controls what can and can’t be installed on its devices.
This feud between Meta and Apple highlights the intense competition in the tech industry. As companies strive to outdo each other, consumers stand to benefit from the resulting innovation and advancement in technology.
SiGMA News spoke with Professor Alexei Dingli about the significant impact of IoT on the iGaming Industry. He is a global expert in artificial intelligence and highlights the role of sophisticated AI fraud detection tells in mitigating risks associated with online gaming.
Stop Press: the next SiGMA Eurasia Summit takes place in Dubai between 25 – 27 February. The next SiGMA Africa Summit takes place in Cape Town between 11-13 March !
The fourth edition of SiGMA Eurasia will once again be held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Held between the 25 and 27 February 2024, the summit provides invaluable networking opportunities for industry professionals, gain exposure to the latest tech and innovations in the sector, meet key decision makers, and gain insight into new markets.
SiGMA Africa event kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11 March. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2023, SiGMA Group recognizes the need to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry.
