Betleap plans to launch a multi-platform AAA iGaming casino experience

The platform will work in first and third-person, and the company is promising “character customization, cosmetics, immersive environments, seasonal events, a progression system, and more.”

Online casinos and other iGaming websites boast of how immersive the gaming experiences they offer are. Typically, though, this is limited to accentuated roulette wheel and slot machine noises. iGaming Studio promises traditional casino games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and slots, as well as sports and esports betting, but as part of a video game environment that integrates real money wagering. 

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The casino experience is under development and will be available for PC and Mac. The company has released a 360° showcase video in which the player enters a stylish-looking casino lounge area and can freely walk around and up to the games they want to play.

Betleap founder, Adam Bernath, said of the platform: “The online casino industry has remained virtually unchanged for over a decade while video gaming has experienced exponential leaps in quality and immersion. We're not just updating the online casino experience - we’re completely reimagining it by applying AAA game development standards to create something that feels as immersive and engaging as the best video games on the market.”

The platform will offer real-time movement as well as in-game interaction. iGaming is popular for its convenience, as evidenced by the rise of mobile casino apps, as well as features like online casino bonuses, but it lacks the social interaction that retail casinos provide players. 

Live dealer games have become popular at online casinos, enabling players to interact directly with real dealers, sometimes in real casinos. These games aim to make players feel like they are in retail casinos and enhance the feeling of immersion: a term that is regularly touted in the latest AAA video games. 

Live dealer games have been made possible by improvements in hardware technology, as well as in the rollout and availability of 5G mobile internet and high-speed home internet connections.

For many, virtual reality is seen as the next frontier in iGaming immersion. Players will be able to don VR headsets and enjoy virtual versions of online games. A few online casinos have launched in VR, although the technology has so far proven more popular with online poker sites.

Co-founder Etibar Namazov said: “The future of online gambling isn’t just about better odds or more games - it’s about creating genuinely entertaining experiences that happen to include wagering components. We’re building for an audience that expects the quality and engagement of modern video games in every digital experience they choose.”

Betleap is being developed by iGaming Studio, which was founded in 2018. The company set out with the aim of improving the design and user experience offered by iGaming websites. They specialise in providing design and branding services to iGaming affiliates, and have previously launched the Referric casino affiliate platform.