Building a VR Poker App Like PokerStars VR

Poker has always thrived on subtlety. A glance, a pause, a bluff held just long enough to make someone fold. Most digital poker apps reduce the game to numbers and speed, but virtual reality changes that. It brings the table, the tension, and the social cues back into play.

With VR, poker becomes immersive again. Players can look around the room, make eye contact, and place their chips with a flick of the hand. The game feels less like software and more like a shared experience. This added realism is what keeps players engaged and coming back for more.

In this blog, we will explore what it takes to build a VR poker app like PokerStars VR that delivers this level of engagement. From core development challenges to interaction design and multiplayer dynamics, we will walk through the key components that shape a truly immersive VR poker experience.

Overview of the PokerStars VR App

PokerStars VR is a free-to-play virtual reality poker game created through a collaboration between PokerStars and Lucky VR. It blends the social excitement of live poker with the accessibility of online play, delivering an immersive and authentic casino experience in a virtual setting.

Here’s how the app works,

Gameplay and Immersion

Players wear VR headsets like Oculus Rift or Meta Quest and use motion controllers to interact naturally with a virtual poker table. The game focuses mainly on Texas Hold’em, letting users bet, call, fold, and check just as they would in a real casino. 

Detailed motion tracking captures subtle hand and body movements, making actions like handling chips or checking cards feel lifelike. Players can even observe opponents’ physical “tells,” adding a strategic depth similar to in-person poker.

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Social Features

PokerStars VR is multiplayer, connecting users worldwide. It supports real-time voice chat and expressive gestures, allowing players to interact using props such as cigars, drinks, balloons, or fireworks. 

Avatars can be customized with costumes and accessories, creating a personalized presence. Additional mini-games and interactive items enrich the social atmosphere, appealing to casual and social gamers alike.

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Environments and Modes

The app offers various themed venues like Macau 2050, The Showdown Saloon, Monte-Carlo Yacht, and The Void, each providing a distinct casino vibe. Players can join public tables, host private games with friends, and compete in formats such as Sit & Go or Spin & Go tournaments. Features like leaderboards, daily chip bonuses, and virtual rewards keep the gameplay engaging.

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Streaming and Community

Built-in streaming tools make it easy to broadcast games on platforms like Twitch, fostering a lively community. Players often engage beyond the game itself through banter, celebrations, and creative social interactions, making PokerStars VR a vibrant virtual poker space.

Key Market Takeaways for VR Poker App

According to CustomMarketInsights, the online poker market is growing fast, with projections showing it will nearly quadruple in value from around USD 6.3 billion in 2025 to over USD 22 billion by 2034. This surge comes from players wanting more immersive, engaging ways to enjoy poker online, moving beyond the standard digital card games to experiences that feel closer to playing in a real casino.

Source: CustomMarketInsights

These VR apps offer realistic poker tables, customizable avatars, and natural player interactions that make the experience feel more genuine than traditional online platforms. Popular apps like PokerStars VR bring together large communities and host regular tournaments, while PokerVR appeals to users with its cross-device support and social features. 

This blend of gaming and social connection is attracting both experienced players and newcomers alike.

Partnerships with tech giants are pushing VR poker apps forward. In 2024, PokerStars VR teamed up with Meta to optimize its app for the Meta Quest 3 headset, enhancing visuals and performance. 

Meanwhile, PokerVR secured support from HTC Vive, expanding its presence in the Viveport ecosystem. These collaborations are fueling innovation, exclusive content, and larger events that will shape the future of online poker.

The Best Time to Invest in Building a VR Poker App

The virtual reality poker market is expanding quickly as VR technology becomes easier for everyday users to access. Players are looking for more than just traditional online poker, they want the social interaction and realistic feel that VR can offer. This shift opens up a promising space for developers and investors to reach an audience hungry for more immersive and engaging poker experiences.

Building a VR poker app like PokerStars VR offers multiple ways to generate revenue. These include charging for premium memberships, collecting tournament entry fees, offering in-app purchases, running ads, and selling virtual items. Because VR poker is so engaging, players tend to spend more time and money in the app, making it a strong business opportunity.

Successful examples already exist in the space. Poker VR on Meta Quest has created a loyal player base and makes around $2 to $3 million annually from premium features and virtual goods. 

WSOP VR, connected to the well-known World Series of Poker brand, pulls in $5 to $7 million a year, mostly through virtual chips and tournament fees. These cases prove that with the right features and community building, VR poker apps can be both popular and profitable.

Business Model of the PokerStars VR App

PokerStars VR launched in 2018 as a free-to-play virtual reality poker game developed by PokerStars, a brand under Flutter Entertainment. In 2023, the app rebranded to Vegas Infinite, reflecting an expanded vision to evolve beyond just poker into a broader virtual casino experience. This shift aims to deepen user engagement by offering a wider range of games and immersive VR social interactions.

The app generates revenue mainly through these channels:

In-App Purchases

Players purchase virtual chips to participate in games and access tournaments. Chip packages range from $1.99 for 10,000 chips up to $99.99 for 10 million chips. These chips hold no real-world cash value and cannot be withdrawn, categorizing Vegas Infinite as a social casino platform rather than a real-money gambling app.

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Cosmetic and Social Features

Monetization extends to avatar customizations, virtual props, and cosmetic items that enhance the social VR experience. These features encourage personalization and player expression, increasing user retention.

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Revenue Estimates and Financial Performance

PokerStars VR, now known as Vegas Infinite, makes most of its money through in-app purchases. Players buy virtual chips and cosmetic items to enhance their experience. Although exact revenue numbers are not public, estimates show that Steam alone brings in low six-figure earnings in U.S. dollars.

• This estimate covers only one platform. Revenue from other sources like Meta Quest VR and direct downloads is not included but likely adds a significant amount.
• In-app purchases were introduced in 2019, which marked a major shift for the app’s monetization. Since then, these purchases have become an important part of its revenue stream.

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Growth and Platform Expansion

Since launching in 2018, the app has steadily grown. New games and richer virtual worlds have been added to keep players engaged. The recent rebranding to Vegas Infinite and expansion to platforms like Steam VR and Meta Quest are part of efforts to reach more users.

These steps aim to increase both the player base and revenue potential by offering fresh experiences and wider access.

Key Features of a VR Poker App Like PokerStars VR

Here are some of the key features of a VR poker app Like PokerStars VR,

1. Immersive Virtual Reality Environment

The heart of a VR poker app lies in creating a space that feels real. Players find themselves at a virtual poker table surrounded by a casino atmosphere. This includes realistic visuals of chips, cards, and player avatars, which together build a sense of presence that simple screen-based games can’t match.

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2. Multiplayer Social Interaction

Poker is as much about the people as the cards. A VR poker app brings this to life by allowing players to connect in real time. Voice chat and natural gestures let users communicate, bluff, or celebrate wins, making the experience social and engaging.

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3. Hand Tracking and Controller Support

Interacting with the game feels intuitive because players physically move their hands to pick up cards or stack chips. This hands-on control, whether through VR controllers or hand tracking, creates a natural and satisfying gameplay flow.

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4. Variety of Poker and Casino Games

While poker is the main attraction, offering additional games like blackjack, roulette, or slots keeps players entertained longer. It also broadens the appeal, inviting different kinds of players into the same virtual space.

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5. Customizable Avatars and Personalization

Giving players control over their avatar’s look adds a sense of ownership. Changing outfits or accessories makes the game feel more personal and helps players stand out at the table.

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6. In-Game Props and Animations

Simple touches like virtual chips, card protectors, or celebratory gestures make gameplay feel alive. These details bring personality to interactions and keep the experience fresh.

Development Steps for a VR Poker App Like PokerStars VR

Here are steps to develop a VR poker app like PokerStars VR,

1. Market Research & Requirement Analysis

Begin by understanding what players expect from a VR poker app. Look into current VR trends, player preferences, and popular poker formats. Study competitors like PokerStars VR to find gaps you can fill. Defining who your audience is will help you focus on features that truly matter to them.

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2. Conceptualization & Game Design

Plan how the game will feel and play. Decide which poker variants to include and whether to add other casino games. Design social features that encourage players to interact, such as voice chat and gestures. Map out immersive environments that keep players engaged while playing.

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3. Platform & Hardware Selection

Choose which VR headsets to support, like Meta Quest or HTC Vive. Consider adding a non-VR PC mode to reach more users. Make sure multiplayer works smoothly across these platforms so friends can play together regardless of their devices.

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4. 3D Modeling & Avatar Creation

Create detailed avatars players can customize with outfits and accessories. Build realistic or stylized environments that feel alive and welcoming. Include VR-specific elements like hand tracking to make interactions natural and satisfying.

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5. Backend & Multiplayer Architecture

Develop a strong backend to manage real-time games and tournaments. Set up matchmaking and lobbies so players can easily find games. Use fast communication protocols to keep gameplay smooth. Add security layers to prevent cheating and protect players.

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6. VR Interaction & User Interface Development

Build controls that feel natural in VR, letting players handle cards and chips effortlessly. Design menus and buttons that are easy to see and use in 3D space. Incorporate voice chat and gesture recognition to make socializing simple and fun.

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7. Virtual Economy & Monetization

Implement a system where players earn and buy virtual chips. Offer cosmetic items for personalization through in-app purchases. Use daily rewards and challenges to keep players coming back without overwhelming them.

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8. Testing & Quality Assurance

Test the app extensively to ensure comfort during long play sessions and avoid motion sickness. Stress-test multiplayer features to handle many players at once. Collect feedback to improve controls, fix bugs, and polish performance before release.

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9. Launch & Post-Launch Support

Launch the app on VR stores and PC platforms. Listen to player feedback and watch how they play to guide improvements. Keep the game fresh with new content and updates. Maintain servers and provide support to ensure a smooth experience over time.

Cost of Developing a VR Poker App Like PokerStars VR

Building a VR poker app like PokerStars VR involves a high level of complexity and creative engineering. The costs can vary significantly based on features, design quality, and the depth of multiplayer functionality.

Development Phase	Subtasks / Features	Estimated Cost Range
Research and Planning	– Market Research- Concept Definition and Feature Prioritization	$1,000 – $3,000
Front-End Development (VR and UI/UX)	– VR Environment Design (Basic)- Avatar Design (Basic)- UI/UX Design (Simplified)- VR Interaction Development	$4,000 – $15,000
Back-End Development	– Basic Multiplayer Networking- Game Logic Implementation- Database Setup	$3,000 – $12,000
App Features (Cost per Feature)	– Basic Poker Variant (Texas Hold’em)- Social Features (Emotes, Voice Chat)- In-App Purchases (Simple)- Tutorials (Basic Guides)	Varies by feature ($300 – $3,000 each)
Testing and Quality Assurance	– Functional Testing- VR-Specific Testing- Multiplayer Testing	$1,000 – $7,000
UI Polish and Refinement	– UI improvements and refinements based on feedback	$500 – $2,000

These figures are rough estimates based on typical development scenarios for simplified VR poker apps. Actual costs may vary depending on project scope, technology choices, and development team rates.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Developing a VR Poker App Like PokerStars VR

Several factors can greatly influence the development cost of any software, but building a VR poker app like PokerStars VR involves some unique considerations. The nature of virtual reality and the social gaming aspect introduce challenges that add to the overall effort and expense. Here are some key cost drivers:

VR-Specific Development Expertise

Working with VR means needing developers skilled in spatial interaction design, integrating VR software development kits, and optimizing performance for various VR hardware. These specialists are less common and usually command higher fees. Additionally, addressing VR challenges like motion sickness requires extra care.

Immersive Environment and 3D Asset Creation

Crafting detailed, interactive 3D environments, along with lifelike avatars complete with animations and virtual props suited for a poker setting, demands significant artistic and technical work. The more intricate and numerous these assets, the higher the cost.

Real-time Social Interaction in VR

Features like spatial voice chat, natural avatar movements and facial expressions, and interactive objects within the VR space make the game feel alive. Building this kind of social experience requires complex work on both the client and server sides, ensuring smooth, low-latency communication to preserve immersion.

VR Platform Compatibility and Optimization

Supporting multiple VR platforms such as Meta Quest, SteamVR, and PlayStation VR means tailoring the app for each platform’s unique SDKs and hardware capabilities. This multiplies development time and testing needs, adding to the overall cost.

Conclusion

Creating a VR poker app like PokerStars VR takes more than just coding, it’s about crafting an engaging, social experience that feels real. It requires a clear understanding of VR’s unique challenges and a focus on delivering smooth gameplay and authentic interactions. With the right balance of technology and design, such an app can offer players a fresh way to enjoy poker and connect with others in virtual spaces.

Looking to Develop a VR Poker App Like PokerStars VR?

At Idea Usher, we bring over 500,000 hours of coding experience with a talented team of ex-MAANG and FAANG developers ready to turn your vision into reality. We specialize in building immersive, high-performance VR gaming experiences that captivate users and deliver seamless social interaction. 

Check out our latest projects to see the quality and innovation we can bring to your VR poker app development.

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