Our older readers out there might remember a time, a dark time when the most reliable way to engage with horse racing was via radio. Through dedicated channels and a time guide, we would sit back to listen to our favorites, cheering them on through the crackle and static. Dedicated racing TV channels would eventually usurp this position, which would later be overtaken by the power of online streaming.
Each of these steps had enormous influence over millions of racing fans, yet they might yet pale in comparison to the potential of augmented and virtual reality. With that bold statement out of the way, why do we believe this is, and what’s stopped these systems from taking over already?
Why VR and AR Lags Behind
The big reason why AR and VR haven't yet taken off in horse racing is that the platforms aren't yet broadly useful. Consider as a counterpoint how far the online betting services at casinoalpha have come on smartphones and tablets, even though they started on computers. These websites like Boho Casino and Bet on Red work so well in part because we already use our mobiles for so many other things. Offering bonuses like free spins and deposit matches helps after this point, but the casinos are already building on a solid foundation.
VR and AR show promise in many areas, but unlike mobiles or TVs, they don’t have another primary use to draw us to first. While they are still growing in popularity and becoming more capable as reported at pcgamer, this pattern of offering no mainstream lures is looking to continue for some time.
What These New Tech Solutions Offer
To start with, the most appreciable offerings from VR could appear as a more direct way to watch. With VR, you could take a virtual spot in the best place in a stadium, getting a front-row seat to the thrills. You could hear the pounding of the hooves and the roar of the crowd all from the comfort of your own home, and without the concern for dress code or weather. In theory, you could also take the view from a jockey, though as techtarget explains, this might be more nauseating than enjoyable.
Augmented reality could take horse racing in a different direction by overlaying a digital racecourse directly into your home. A coffee table could be turned into the Grand Nations, as you take a birds-eye view of the action. AR could also help by providing real-time stat readouts, aiding you in making decisions for wagers, or who to focus on.
The important thing to remember about these potential uses for AR and VR is that the tech is already fully capable of these features. These exciting future uses aren't science fiction, they're a scientific reality that simply hasn't been fully explored or implemented yet. Within the next decade, some businesses and racecourses will likely test the waters, and when they do, you might want to get in on the action. Keep an eye out if you're a racing fan, and you could be a trendsetter that all your friends hide their jealousy of.
You can find more interesting stories in our section on Racing & Wagering.
