Horse racing is extremely popular, especially in countries such as America, where it is the third most popular sport. Yet for many people, it’s the thrill of betting that makes the pursuit so exciting. 

It used to be the case that you had to actually go to the track to bet on horse races, but of course in the digital age that is no longer the case, and you can do all of that online. There are many horse racing and slot online sites that allow you to do just that. Find the one that works the best for you by trying it out, but keep in mind that you should only work with legitimate and reputable betting sites that will keep your personal details safe. They also have mechanisms that prevent any unauthorized access to your betting account.

An interested gamer can start betting by registering at the site. After this, a gamer has to deposit funds into their betting account. You are then ready to set bets, but how do you go about that? There are many strategies that can help increase your odds of winning, and here are a few to get you started:

Do your homework

Many people who bet on horse racing do not bother to read about the horses, their records, and the race. Being knowledgeable about the health of the horses you are interested in, their history, and the winning condition already tells you which horse to bet on. Racing forms, also known as form guides, can also come in handy. These forms contain all the information about the different horses in the race. It also includes information about the race itself.

Try to bet on the favorites as a newbie

Betting on the horse with the most wins in record is the most logical thing to do, especially for newbie gamers. This can help a newbie gamer to recognize the signs of a winning horse and understand the betting odds in that game.

Make different kinds of bets

Making different kinds of bets is like a literal interpretation of the saying “Do not put all your eggs in one basket.” Making different kinds of bets helps a gamer strategize on different payouts to get the highest payout possible.

Bet on many races

Betting on many races is a logical thing to do following the rules of simple probability. Betting on more races means more chances to win. This is also a good way to practice how to spot a good horse to bet on. It also introduces a gamer to different kinds of races and the odds for each one. Betting on many races is a good idea, but there is no need to bet on all races. This is not practical and will take the thrill out of the game.

Budget Wisely

Though this may seem like it is common sense, many gamers overlook the fact that being smart about their spending. Having a budget prevents impulsive gambling and unwise decisions.

These are the core concepts to internalize if you want to increase your winnings in the game. Keep in mind that a cool head and careful thinking will win you more than an emotion-driven decision. At the end of the day, the important thing is to have fun while enjoying the thrill of the game.

The post How To Increase Your Odds In Online Horse Race Betting appeared first on Tech Trends.

Since the first online casino games started to appear in the mid-90s, there has been one goal above all others, to use technology to bring the casino industry into people’s homes, via PCs, laptops and, later on, mobile phones. Arguably, this goal was reached in the middle of the last decade, with the advent of live dealer online casino games. They were a huge success, effectively creating another genre of online casino games.

Since the first online casino games started to appear in the mid-90s, there has been one goal above all others, to use technology to bring the casino industry into people’s homes
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With all the possibilities VR offers we must now ask is it enough to transport the casino to the home? Ten years from now, will it be exciting to use VR to play roulette, blackjack, and so on, as if you were in a real casino? That’s debatable, because VR, AR, MR and XR, offer us so much more in terms of player engagement than simply replacing one reality with another.

VR presents the online betting industry with new opportunities and new questions about how technology can engage their audience. Readers of this site will be well aware that virtual reality is leading us to fascinating new places in the future that go well beyond the idea of simply transplanting us from one place to another. Movers and shakers in the iGaming industry are now looking hard at the possibilities.

VR presents the online betting industry with new opportunities and new questions about how technology can engage their audience
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Gonzo’s Quest could already be considered to be ahead of its time, with its 3D graphics and brilliant gameplay, but the opportunity to bring players ‘into the adventure’ with VR is something else entirely
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One possible answer might be found by looking at the hugely popular adventure-themed game Gonzo’s Quest Slots from NetEnt, where you get a glimpse at how VR and gameplay could be combined for a more thrilling gambling experience. Gonzo’s Quest could already be considered to be ahead of its time, with its 3D graphics and brilliant gameplay, but the opportunity to bring players ‘into the adventure’ with VR is something else entirely.

If you have followed the rise of eSports and video games generally in the 21st century, you will have noticed that they have become more and more competitive and monetised
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The key players in iGaming are well aware that they must grasp the possibilities VR offers now and act fast to evolve their existing offerings to combat competition from video games
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If you have followed the rise of eSports and video games generally in the 21st century, you will have noticed that they have become more and more competitive and monetised. There is now a vast industry in eSports betting, and even a shadow industry of skin betting among non-professional gamers. Traditional iGaming casino games never really had competition before, if you make the exception of sports betting, but now competitive video gaming has changed that landscape and the key players in iGaming are well aware that they must grasp the possibilities VR offers now and act fast to evolve their existing offerings to combat competition from video games.

However, the iGaming industry has a history of forward-thinking and has recognised this before it has become an existential threat and right now developers are working on the next generation of skill-based games, adventure games and new casino concepts that will incorporate VR into the online gambling arena. If you think that traditional table and card games are best confined to the dustbin of history, then you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find when you visit an online casino in the 2020s. It’s not a stretch to say that we will be strapping on VR headsets to play adventure or fantasy casino games for money by the end of the 2020s.

If you think that traditional table and card games are best confined to the dustbin of history, then you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find when you visit an online casino in the 2020s
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Casino operators believe that it’s mission accomplished in terms of bringing the real casino experience into the home, and they now want to breakdown another barrier. And, with affordable, easy access VR set take off with a bang in the 2020s, the possibilities are limitless for developers and the online iGaming industry.

The post VR Set to Fuel Fantasy Casino Gaming appeared first on Tech Trends.

There is little doubt that the online casino industry has gained immense popularity in recent years. But where it comes to winning big, is it all down to luck, or is there a science behind online gambling?

The perception that it’s all random chance is actually incorrect, according to popular site Slottyvegas online. People have actually developed sophisticated tactics and strategies where it comes to playing many of these games. Knowing the rules and applying them correctly is key to success, as is patience and perseverance.

So here are some useful things you should know before ever placing your first bet, whether you’re playing for a bit of fun or thinking of taking it more seriously. Take your time, and brush up on your knowledge before diving in.

The house always wins

The first thing that newbies need to learn is that in an online casino (just like a “real world one” you are always competing against the house. And more often than not, the house carries the day, that’s just the way it is. It is highly unlikely that you will emerge victorious in every single round, as most games tend to favor a casino. Many are times when the casino will win the majority of the games. So before you place your first wager, you do need to be alive to the fact that the games are not designed to favor you, and work out if what you can realistically get is enough for you.

Learn more about the games

As with all things in life, knowledge is power. So even though you might only be indulging in gambling occasionally, you should not be content with just losing money blindly, and that is what is going to happen most of the time if you don’t understand the rules of the game you’re playing. Familiarize yourself with different online casino games before settling onto one you might want to play. And remember, since most of the games will tilt in favor of the casino, you need to be smart about how you approach each game. For you to beat this hurdle, you need to study the secrets of each game if you want to increase your chances of winning.

Do not be a sore loser

You should expect to lose some of the time, and although winning is more fun, if you can’t have fun when you lose, perhaps you should walk away because sometimes the casino will carry every single round. Remember that you’re doing this for fun, so don’t get angry or frustrated with losing, and only bet as much as you’re happy to lose. Losing is part and parcel of online casino. Walk away with your head held high knowing that there is always a next time.

Be a responsible gamer

The cardinal rule of gambling is that you should not bet what you cannot afford to lose. Before placing your first wager, go through some of the guidelines that will provide you with tips on responsible gambling. There are plenty of these guidelines online. Set a hard limit on the amount of money that you can lose and do not be tempted to dig deeper into your pocket. If you happen to notice that you have developed an addiction problem, you should seek counseling services before the situation gets out of hand. Gambling should be fun and not cause you to overstretch yourself or jeopardize your personal finances or relationships.

The legal status of gambling

Not every country or state has legalized online casino games. You need to inquire whether you might be on the wrong side of the law by taking part in online gambling. Ignorance is no excuse, and although prosecutions are rare, you are responsible for your actions, so check that your activities conform with local rules and regulations before indulging in what might seem like a harmless pastime but could get you in trouble.

Now that you’re a little bit more familiar with the world of online casinos, perhaps you’re ready to join the online gambling community. If you think you’re prepared, look for a reputable online casino to register with, and remember to follow the guidelines above before beginning to play and have fun. Remember to always gamble responsibly!

The post Taking a chance? appeared first on Tech Trends.

Playing online Poker is great, but it can get even better with some help from modern-day tech. From having the proper noise-cancelling headphones to owning a travel-friendly cigar humidor, here are ten things that will bring your game to a whole new level.

Sony WH-1000XM2

These are some of the best headphones for 2018

Poker is a mind game that requires concentration and nerves of steel. That’s why many players opt for listening to some tunes to block distracting background noise and annoying opponents. One of the best options for your poker adventures is the Sony WH-1000XM2. These headphones provide the ultimate audiophile nirvana. They are wireless, noise-cancelling and can run for up to 30 hours — enough for several poker sessions. One of the best features for poker players, save for the excellent sound, is that you can silence the music just by holding your hand over the right ear cup — which is quite useful if you need to hear the dealer’s instructions. The headphones also come with a quick-charge feature, giving you access to over an hour of playtime with a ten-minute charge.

Poker is great on its own, but it can get even better with some help from modern-day tech!
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Bose SoundTrue Ultra

Bose’s SoundTrue Ultra, an excellent option for out in public

Going to public places with bulky over-the-head headphones is now trendy, yet it’s not a style for everybody. Bose SoundTrue Ultra is perfect for those times when you need your music without looking like you are wearing antlers. The earbuds are noise-cancelling and among this year’s top picks when it comes to earbud sound quality. What makes this pair even better is the StayHear — an attachment system that creates a secure fit in the ears without having to jam the buds in your ear canal. Bose’s SoundTrue Ultra comes in versions for the Android and Apple, with both options available in black or grey — neutral colours to go with any style.

Going to public places with bulky over-the-head headphones is now trendy, yet it’s not a style for everybody. Bose SoundTrue Ultra is perfect for those times when you need your music without looking like you are wearing antlers
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Samsung Galaxy S9+

The S9+ is one of the best Android phones on the market

Every top poker platform is now offering mobile gaming. And it’s no wonder given the high demand for portable entertainment. If you are the type that likes to play poker on the go, you need a mobile device that can provide lag-free gaming on as big of a display as possible. Right now, your best bet is the Galaxy S9+. Everything about this phone is excellent — the processor, the memory, the battery and especially, the 4K 6.2 in Super AMOLED display. If you must get a game-ready phone, the S9+ is a No-brainer. However, there is a consensus among the tech sphere that those who can wait until 2019 for the S10’s release should do so.

If you are the type that likes to play poker on the go, you need a mobile device that can provide lag-free gaming on as big of a display as possible
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Smartphones are already a preferred gaming device, surpassing even computers

Anker PowerCore II

This Anker power bank is light and compact as well as has enough to charge most phones twice

The smartphone race has resulted in some space-age tech, but one area where manufacturers are yet to show something wowing is in battery life. All the extras that top-level smartphones come with — fast processors, bright colour-rich displays and powerful cameras — are power black holes. To avoid getting the dreaded low-battery message while playing on the go, you’ll need a portable power bank. The Anker PowerCore II fits the profile due to its slim and lightweight design, which holds 10,000mAh of energy. The battery also comes with a quick-charging feature, too.

All the extras that top-level smartphones come with — fast processors, bright colour-rich displays and powerful cameras — are power black holes
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Oculus Go

VR poker is still in its infancy, but it’s likely that it’ll only get better

What if you want the casino experience but without visiting one? And without tripping on a bunch of cables? Then the Oculus Go is for you. Online poker operators are getting into the virtual reality (VR) space with several platforms already offering VR poker, though so far, the experience is limited. Still, VR seems to be here to stay, with more actors paying attention to immersive tech, so it’s only logical that playing poker with a VR headset will be getting better and with the Oculus Go, you can play as the name suggests — on the go. The device is fully standalone, with a controller and a battery that lasts for two hours.

With the Oculus Go, you can play as the name suggests — on-the-go. The device is fully standalone, with a controller and a battery that lasts for two hours
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Google Wifi

Google Wifi provides a stable connection, wide coverage and a user-friendly interface

We covered the basics of playing on the go, so let’s turn to what you’ll need for enjoyable at-home sessions. Playing online poker requires a stable connection to the web. Imagine being on a winning streak, only to lose everything because your connection dropped. Thankfully, Google has come up with one of the best Wi-Fi mesh routers on the market. You can opt for one device or go as high as six for up to 9,000 sq ft of coverage. The setup is as simple as it gets, and you only need to access your smartphone to have Google Wifi up and running. The device requires a consistent connection to a Google account, which is a minor inconvenience, but will provide added security.

Playing online poker requires a stable connection to the web. Imagine being on a winning streak, only to lose everything because your connection dropped
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Secretlab OMEGA 2018

This chair lets you play comfortably like a pro gamer, and you can even nap on it

If you are going to play at home for long stretches of time, you’ll need a comfortable chair. Many players report that playing in bed makes them lazy and sloppy while chairs give them back problems. So, to achieve the best experience, get yourself a high-quality gaming chair such as the Secretlab OMEGA 2018. The Racing-style chair boasts a beautiful design in seven colour combinations. The upholstery is made of luxuriously looking PU leather, there are head and lumbar pillows, and the mechanisms allow flexible adjustments. On top of that, the backrest can be fully reclined for when you need to nap in between play session.

The upholstery is made of luxurious looking PU leather, there are head and lumbar pillows, and the mechanisms allow flexible adjustments. On top of that, the backrest can be fully reclined for when you need to nap in between hands
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Fizzics

Fizzics provides a tap experience in an ultra-portable device

Now that you’ve covered the basics of your home game experience, it’s time to think about the details. Indulging in alcohol while playing poker is not advisable and something that poker pros avoid, but there’s nothing wrong with having a drink on the side. And because poker can be quite exhausting, why not pamper yourself with a device that’ll make any ordinary beer taste as it has come from the tap? You can do that with Fizzics. The device uses a two-step system (including sound waves) to boost your brew’s taste and aroma. It is portable, operates on AA batteries and doesn’t require unique cartridges, so you can take it to your hotel room next time you try your skills at a live tournament.

Indulging in alcohol while playing poker is not advisable and something that poker pros avoid, but there’s nothing wrong with having a drink on the side
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Johnnie Walker: Alexa Skill

Johnnie Walker’s Alexa skill brings a fresh perspective on whiskey

For something more refined, you can’t go wrong with sipping on a good whiskey. The key here is to enjoy it slowly as a mild relaxant, not to get wasted and blow your money away. Here, too, tech can help you have a more enjoyable experience. You can do that if you have Alexa and a taste for Johnnie Walker. The Scotch-making company created an Alexa skill that can guide you through choosing the best label, enrich your knowledge about the drink and even navigate you through tasting whiskey as a connoisseur. Find out more about Johnnie Walker and Amazon Alexa here.

Johnnie Walker created an Alexa skill that can guide you through choosing the best label, enrich your knowledge about the drink and even navigate you through tasting whiskey as a connoisseur
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Davidoff Travel Humidor

With Davidoff’s Travel Humidor you can safely bring your cigars along when you travel

To go all-in, you need a good cigar to go with that whiskey. But good cigars need proper care, which is a challenge if you’d like to enjoy them while travelling. Davidoff’s Travel Humidor solves this problem with a look that combines style with functionality. The device was made with the traveller in mind and is lightweight and compact enough to fit into your luggage. The box holds eight cigars, keeps them fresh for up to three weeks and provides air-tightness that keeps humidity at an optimal level.

To go all-in, you need a good cigar to go with that whiskey. But good cigars need proper care!
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Poker is a battle of the minds, and the one that is most in tune is most likely to come out on top. None of the stuff on this list will guarantee you a triumph at the felt table. But playing in a comfortable setting can give you just the edge that you need to outsmart your opponents.

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post The Tech That Every Poker Player Should Own appeared first on Tech Trends.

Played poker before? Not like this, you haven’t! The world’s leading poker brand, PokerStars, has combined live and online poker in a truly immersive & social VR experience.

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post PokerStars VR is Something New appeared first on Tech Trends.

Poker and data visualisation show the future of the game in the digital age.

Sport is increasingly an industry that embraces technology and innovation, maybe not convincingly when it comes to Football’s goal-line tech and video assistant referees (VAR) but all sorts of sports have bumped their broadcasts up to 4k+ or even 360 video and all offer data heavy and detailed on screen and online interactivity. On my recent trip to France to check out Dimension Data’s rider tracking tech for the Tour de France I saw the exciting technical solutions, expense and effort companies and broadcasters go to engage viewers through data, and we’ve also spotted and covered this trend in other sports such as rowing and sailing recently.

Of course, fans want to be more engaged with the sports and games they love via TV, mobile and online communities and as I found out at the European Poker Tour Barcelona held at the Casino Barcelona last month, PokerStars is a company on a mission to offer Poker fans more.

Sport is increasingly an industry that embraces technology and innovation
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Even for knowledgeable fans, there are a lot of details and quick-fire action that @PokerStars want everyone to be able to easily engage with
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I had never played Poker, or more specifically Texas Holdem when I sat down for the Media Rep Poker Tournament and found out what a fast game it is and how hard it can be for the uninitiated to follow. More than half the time I didn’t know what the heck was going on and I was sitting at the table! Even for knowledgeable fans, there are a lot of details and quick-fire action that PokerStars want everyone to be able to easily engage with. They have seen their online viewing numbers jump in the last couple of years, so I was interested in how they used technology to help make such a  quick and complex game attractive to a broader audience.

The key to getting an audience into a game of Poker is to show them the player's hands, live as the cards are played and as the chips are bet
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The key to getting an audience into a game is to show them the player’s hands, live as the cards are played and as the chips are bet. To find out how they do this Tech Trends chatted to Jonathan Zincke, Senior Producer of PokerStars’ live broadcast team and found out a few tricks of the trade.

In the old days there was a spy camera in the table edge in front of each player and someone used to take a video still of the cards as they looked at them and manually type in the information that appeared on screen, now it is all automatic. The technology we use is RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), every card has a chip in it. They are standard Casino cards, we don’t do anything special to them, but they cost about £80 a pack because of the chips. Each card’s chip is individual in the world so no two cards are the same anywhere. Explained Zincke. The tables are custom built for us with the readers embeded in and it only takes a second for the table to read the player’s cards. It’s commonly available tech that you can buy anywhere, all the technology in the tables is off the shelf but under the table the data is encrypted and secured. If you tried to hack into it, it would take a long time to even get the data for one card by which time it would be useless as the games are quick.

As I found while playing my fellow journalists the speed of the games was a surprise so keeping the viewers updated live is vital and covering a room full of tables is a challenge.

We started using RFID about five or six years ago and what is cool for us is this technology allows us to switch quickly between different tables during broadcast and show all the action going on, before RFID we couldn’t do that. The encrypted data travels along a fibre cable to our graphics system we had custom coded and built. This reads all the cards on the table, the hands the players hold and the flop cards in the middle, there is a sensor there as well. We have televised all sorts of games, fun games streamed on Twitch, the $100K games and of course the main events.

The encrypted data travels along a fibre cable to our graphics system we had custom coded and built
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Online games are popular with viewers who want to watch and learn the game or follow players they admire
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Live games with upcoming amateurs and celebrity players are very popular but a huge part of what PokerStars offer is online Poker, enabling players from all over the world to play together. These online games are also popular with viewers who want to watch and learn the game or follow players they admire. The Twitch platform is perfect for these broadcasts as it is optimised for streaming video and full of social tools, so unsurprisingly PokerStars is looking to innovate there too.

What we have looked at is how to superimpose graphics in a virtual way. We have looked at this but the technology isn’t quick enough at the moment for live use. We have started experimenting with live overlays for players on Twitch, so our system will send our game data to some code the guys at Twitch have written for us which will put up a chip count that the viewer can hover over a little widget in the corner of the screen and bring up an overlay graphic. We are looking at this and what other stats we can release, info that doesn’t interupt the casual viewer but is there for the knowledgeable person that wants a little bit more engagement with the details of the game. For the different levels of players and viewers, we want to cater to all types of fans and players.

Watch live video from PokerStarsFrance on www.twitch.tv

I have embedded a PokerStars France Twitch feed above and you can see how involving it is. With the interest in Poker growing like never before channels like this are pulling in new audiences from all over the globe and PokerStars are always looking at new tech and what it might offer to enhance the audience’s experience.

What we have looked at is how to superimpose graphics in a virtual way
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PokerStars are always looking at new tech and what it might offer to enhance the audience's experience
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When I looked at Dimension Data’s use of GPS tracking in the Tour de France 2018 I was amazed how much relevant info they could pull from only GPS data so I was keen to see how PokerStars might do the same and extrapolate more interesting and engaging stories from the existing RFID tech they use.

There is talk about using RFID tagged chips, we have discussed it at PokerStars as Casinos already use RFID to track chips, so we have looked at this, so when a player moves their chips we could have another reader there and however many chips were moved registers as the bet. Each reader would be on a different frequency so the card readers wouldn’t get confused with the chip readers. It’s extremely expensive so hasn’t been introduced yet but is quite cool, what you can do then is not only track the chips at a certain table for the TV or Twitch broadcast but track all the chips at a tournament giving you loads of data which would tell you details like who is the chip leader at that time. All the viewers and journalists could tap into that and have the up to date info instantly.

Tech Trends is convinced that for sports, gaming, gambling, media and data companies like FIFA, PokerStars and Dimension Data, learning how to use all this data to tell new and exciting stories that engage viewers in the digital age is the future of entertainment. All these seemingly different sectors are now on the brink of merging into broader entities as data starts to drive the entertainment and sports industries. One issue that will no doubt keep the lawyers busy is access and ownership of the data they gather and use, but from what Jonathan already sees in the data PokerStars keeps private, those could be very powerful stories indeed.

Learning how to use all this data to tell new and exciting stories that engage viewers in the digital age is the future of entertainment
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Obviously a lot of the data we have back there we aren’t able to show the public but for us we can see the type of cards that are played and how they are played. If you see 140 hands of Poker in a day you can see the way a certain player plays an ace, or a pocket pair and then you can look into how they bet in relation to those cards which is quite interesting.

Quite interesting indeed! Watch this space for some very exciting news later this month as PokerStars take on the latest and greatest digital medium!

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post Poker in the 21st Century appeared first on Tech Trends.

Zappar is developing a Mixed Reality sports data visualisation tool with a major European gambling brand.

There are plenty of compelling business use cases for the use of immersive technologies across the spectrum. From training Astronauts and surgeons to enabling radical savings and industry efficiencies – be it in construction, cleaning or retail.

But we’re still waiting for things to take off properly in the consumer market, of course. Part of that might be waiting for a critical mass of compelling content to build up, but it also comes down to hardware affordability and ease of use, especially where Mixed Reality is concerned.

British start-up Zappar launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to fund its ZapBox – a sort of Google Cardboard equivalent for Mixed Reality costing $30
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Just over a year ago British start-up Zappar set out to fix half of that problem, by launching an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to fund its ZapBox – a sort of Google Cardboard equivalent for Mixed Reality costing $30. The campaign quickly smashed its target raising $84,356 from 1,854 backers.

Zappar and Kindred are looking to solve the consumer Mixed Reality conundrum by investigating the impact of content
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One of the highest level pledges in that campaign came from Kindred Futures – Kindred Group’s arm dedicated to supporting early stage businesses. Zappar has since gone on to raise a series A investment round just shy of $4 million, proving that many tech companies these days now use crowdfunding as more of a marketing and PR tool for community building and attracting investor’s attention than for raising funds per se.

Zappar has already carved a healthy niche for itself in Augmented Reality
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Zappar has in fact already carved a healthy niche for itself in the Augmented Reality space, specializing in AR-enabled products and infotainment experiences, working with brands, license partners and retailers such as Rovio, Shazam, Warner Bros, Hasbro, PEZ and Universal Pictures as well as several sports teams such as Manchester City Football Club, Sacramento Kings, and the Minnesota Vikings. But it believes that the future lies with affordable Mixed Reality.

“The main barrier of getting Mixed Reality to the mass market is the cost of new hardware,” says Jeremy Yates from Zappar. There’s an exciting future of data visualisation, with mixed reality providing an immersive and engaging way to both view and interact with information. This exploration is all part of our goal of democratising this technology.”

The two companies are now looking to solve the other half of that consumer Mixed Reality puzzle by looking at the impact of content, particularly in relation to the gambling industry. Their partnership is proposing to use MR to analyse sports data and, more specifically, to understand how the technology will change the way consumers interact with that sporting data. According to their announcement:

“Together, Kindred Futures and Zappar are exploring the way sports are watched and data is consumed by building prototypes based on high profile sporting matches such as the 2017 Champions League final and T20 cricket between South Africa and England.”

Where viewers are currently at the whim of broadcasters or have to trawl through tables of data to help make their sporting decisions, Zappar gives users control in an immersive experience where they can explore the team’s players, with insights into their goals, shots or runs – putting the user at the heart of the data. The two demos, powered by data from sports analytics company Opta, look to give an insight into what the future holds for interacting with sports data, with the user interacting with an extra layer of information on top of reality.

“This exploration with Zappar allows punters to discover and interact with data like never before – leveraging Opta data to provide insights that can help them make more informed decisions,” says Will Mace, Head of Kindred Futures. “We’re very passionate about ensuring that audiences are given enough data to make sensible gaming decisions and think that our experiment with Zappar is an exciting step in the right direction.”

With Microsoft still very much focusing on the enterprise market – the HoloLens sells at 100 times the ZapBox price point – and the Magic Leap One Creator Edition only due to ship “sometime in 2018” and unlikely to come cheap, it seems there’s still plenty of room for players looking to move into the Mixed Reality consumer space.

It seems there’s still plenty of room for players looking to move into the Mixed Reality consumer space
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And let’s not forget that traditionally gambling (and porn) content are major drivers for consumer adoption of any new technology, as the Internet has taught us, so this could very well prove to be an interesting move.

This article was originally published on VRScout

Betting On Gambling to Drive Mixed Reality Adoption via @alicebonasio https://t.co/v8Xln85ZQf pic.twitter.com/YSKTquVkzU

— VRScout (@VRScout) December 26, 2017

If you would like to find out how to leverage VR/AR/MR in your own project or enterprise, Tech Trends offers Virtual Reality Consultancy support

Alice Bonasio is a VR Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio on Twitter.

The post Taking a Gamble on Mixed Reality appeared first on Tech Trends.

Is VR going to bring a new boom to the virtual gambling industry?

Virtual Reality is transforming every single entertainment industry out there, from movies to book publishing, music, videogames, animation, and yes, even Porn.

VR and AR (Augmented Reality) – which are increasingly overlapping onto what Microsoft refers to as the Mixed Reality spectrum – are going to continue to disrupt and change the way we do things and interact with each other – both online and offline. So it is hardly surprising to find that online gambling is also predicted to become a part of this newly forming ecosystem. In fact, some are predicting that VR is going to cause a boom in the casino industry, specifically with regard to slot arcades.

Virtual Reality has disrupted every one of the entertainment industries
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An early example of this was CasinoVR, where you could play poker in a virtual casino accessible via Samsung Gear or Oculus. As you can see from the video below, it isn’t exactly the most mind-blowing virtual experience you’re likely to come across – the action is limited to handling digital cards, interacting with a dealer, and looking around a room, so don’t expect the plot of a Scorsese film.

Simple and casual gaming experiences often attract the most users
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Strangely though, in VR it’s often the simple and mundane experiences that prove the most compelling for users; I remember talking to the guys at Linden Lab a while back about their recently launched social VR platform Sansar, and they described that in early demos the most popular activity people chose was picking up and fluffing Ikea pillows scattered on a virtual sofa. A lot of the time it also comes down to the ability to interact with others, and the game let you play in real time with friends, in VR.

But of course the potential of casino gaming moving onto the Virtual Reality space is much bigger than: CNBC recently reported an estimate that VR gaming wagers would rise by a staggering 800 percent in the next five years, with an anticipated volume of bets exceeding $520 million by 2021. Even if these numbers turn out to be on the optimistic side, it is clear that this is a market that will not be ignored.

We will start seeing more sophisticated virtual gambling experiences
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With technology advancing in leaps and bounds, we will surely start seeing much more sophisticated gaming experiences across the board, which will not be restricted to card playing. In fact, slot machines are likely to play a big part in this landscape. Like in gaming, it is often easy to focus on the blockbuster-type experiences which overwhelm you with state-of-the-art graphics, but it’s simple, casual games like Candy Crush, FarmVille and Pokémon GO that attract the most users and consequently rake in the most revenue. The same holds true for gambling, where slot machines are consistently the most sought-after activity, both offline and online. In fact, a 2015 report indicated that nearly half of all gaming revenue in Las Vegas came from slots.

Nearly half of the revenues in Vegas come from slot machines
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People who aren’t attached to this particular gaming genre may be surprised at the variety of popular slot titles on the web, but things these days go well beyond the basic 7’s, BAR icons and cherries you might picture. There are vivid games featuring fun animation built on themes ranging from superheroes to made up characters to rock bands. In short, there’s enough variety to keep things interesting – and this is likely to increase significantly in virtual reality.

We could soon experience a boom in Virtual slots arcades
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As much as poker defines the allure of casino, as easy as blackjack is to try out, and as much fun as games like baccarat, craps, and roulette look even to amateurs, it’s the slot machines that are doing the most business. There’s really no reason for that to change when the industry moves into more immersive formats such as VR.

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Alice Bonasio is a VR Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio and @techtrends_tech on Twitter.

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