A decade of innovations including fibre optic broadband technology and smartphone technology put gambling and casino gaming online. Mobile casino via data (3G/4G) or WIFI allowed gamblers from the UK and Europe, to play slots and place bets anywhere at anytime in one click. Q4 2020 welcomed Oculus Rift S, so could 2022 be VR gaming’s time to shine?
In the UK, and increasingly, worldwide virtual reality gaming is accessible and spinning slots with VR technology is a very real reality. Poker Stars VR casino allows you to play VR casino games without flashy headsets, glasses or any expensive tech hardware. Meaning you can experience VR gaming on your desktop or mobile device.
What the future holds for UK VR casino gaming industry
Casino games and slot machines in the form of the pub fruity have been part of British culture for centuries with different forms rising in popularity in the modern era. For the baby boomer generation perhaps it will always be nice to handle real money vs computer/mobile gaming.
But there is no stopping technology and developments in VR over the next decade will be no exception. Huge investments in VR by Facebook demonstrate this. Since coronavirus struck the UK virtual games and eSports have been on the rise. Across the world, even in developing countries, fun games, social gaming Apps and virtual activities to try with long-distance friends and family are booming. Apps like House party for instance, which offers virtual gaming with a social twist, continue to dominate the App store charts.
With or without a headset like an Oculus, what VR slots and casino games do well is make video gaming social and fun (especially in isolation). Alluring slots by NetEnt’s VR studio offer immersive gambling to a middle aged crowd who enjoy betting real money online. Established casinos and bookmakers are doing there best to provide NetEnt slots for UK customers via App and desktop computer plus mobile.
Where to play VR casino for real money in the UK
Our current go to casino for a fully immersive experience is Slots Million whose VR Casino has won many industry awards over the past few years. Slots Million features an awesome range of slots and table games like Roulette, Backgammon, Poker, and even Blackjack tournaments in VR or 3D if you opt to play on mobile without a headset.
Fully fledged VR Casinos for players in the UK and further afield are scarce. Although growth plans for AR and VR gaming are in development and we predict a number of key iGaming movers and shakers will be launching VR initiatives very soon as the world adjusts to a new normal - so watch this space!
Tax on VR casino slots - what is the UK law?
VR casino and virtual sports betting fans are sometimes in the dark regarding tax due to HMRC. So, should we declare VR casino winnings when playing games like slots? The short answer is zero — your VR casino winnings aren’t taxable in the UK. Why? Tax on VR casino is the same as online casino in the UK which means players have to pay 0% tax on winnings no matter if you spin slots or shoot craps.
Remember, when playing casino online virtually in the UK, as with online bingo, lotteries, and bets on horses, you do not have to pay taxes on winnings or stakes. It doesn’t matter if you’ve won £50 or £1000 or more!
All VR casinos we list, like Poker Stars VR, are completely legal and fully regulated in the UK by UKGC meaning you can play casino games safe and sound knowing you’ll be able to keep whatever you win totally tax free. IT doesn’t matter if you are playing slots in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland anything you win from gambling is 100% tax free which is ace!
How are UK VR slots tax free?
Taxation on gambling winnings, from casino to sports and everything in-between, was ended by the Labour government in 2001. The then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, decided to get rid of the General Betting Duty (GBD) – which imposed a 6.75% levy on gambling operators which saw many of them threaten to take their operations away from the UK to Gibraltar or Malta. What this meant was that no casual gambler in the UK would have their winnings taxed at either an online or land casino.
The bottom line for VR gamblers, whether casual or professional, is that winnings aren’t taxed. Tax on gaming companies, like The Stars Group who run Poker Stars VR casino, is a different story. Online casino operators are not offered the same treatment as individuals. and income is subject to tax from the UK government – the percentage of which depends on both the type of casino and the type of betting although the average is around 15%.
What are the best real money VR casino games to play in the UK?
VR Slots For Real Money Online
As with legacy slots like Jack Hammer by NetEnt which was released in 2011, VR Slots are becoming the most popular casino games on the internet right now! You’ll find mesmerising 3D slots to play for free or real money.
Why are magical virtual slots the key to VR casino? Maybe it’s the symbols which pop out in 3D and the huge payout potential! Or maybe it’s trying your favourite slot like Starburst in VR for the first time. In the UK, just as in Europe and the US plus even Asia, online casino technology has huge pulling power. Historically, people have gravitated towards slots online, so it makes sense for VR slots to the king of the virtual casino world.
VR Roulette For Real Money Online
VR Roulette is another top game for casino players. VR Roulette from NetEnt has all the killer elements of the normal online Roulette game with added 3D spice and we 100% urge you to try with good hardware. As you may know, Roulette is one of the most played casino games in the UK and Europe after slots so it makes sense for it to get the virtual treatment. As with slots you can enjoy a very real gaming experience as you bet on black or red so why not experience a new reality?!
VR Blackjack For Real Money Online
VR Blackjack allows you to play blackjack in 3D allowing you to get the thrill of playing at an actual casino. VR Blackjack, often called VR BJ online, teleports you from your living room into the virtual casino action. What can you do in the virtual casino setting that you can’t do on a mobile casino? It feels like you are watching a film, interacting with the dealer and monitoring competitors betting habits. With VR Blackjack you make decisions as you would at a land based casino like the hippodrome casino. To put it in a nutshell virtual reality blackjack plonks you in the games driving seat.