Over recent years, social casinos have evolved into a strong sector of the international online gaming market, being especially popular among US players. Flourishing on the fertile ground created by the expansion of social media and the incredible growth of mobile use, the concept merges Vegas-style entertainment with the thrills of interactive experience.
With a staggering 70% share in a total GGR generated on a global scale, North America is an indisputable leader in the social casino segment, which is not surprising given the complex (and predominantly restrictive) regulations and policies on gambling activities in the United States. Hence, social casinos became an attractive alternative for US fans of slots, poker, and other games traditionally available on the floors of famous brick-and-mortar venues scattered across the Strip.
By far, only Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have legalized online betting activities – only 7 out of 50 states (not 52 as commonly thought). Social casinos, in their turn, are under control of the Federal Trade Commission, which reflects their legality at the federal level, with a few exceptions. Currently, Nevada, Idaho, and Washington State prohibit sweepstakes play, that’s why social casinos with that feature do not offer their services in those states.
Let’s dive deeper into the exciting world of social iGaming to see how it works and understand why more and more players want to have an with the best social casinos.
What Is a Social Casino?
Just as its name suggests, a social casino is a website where players can enjoy a wide variety of casino-style games in a socially interactive environment. The crucial difference from your regular online casino is that you play with virtual coins instead of deposited money.
Each social casino has its own in-game currency, which can be purchased or earned by taking part in fun contests or completing various challenges. What’s more, on many websites, players receive coins simply for daily or as a reward for their loyalty.
It is worth mentioning that players do not need to make any purchases in order to play games available in the lobby or participate in sweepstakes – everything is free. For those looking for “a catch” and trying to understand the benefits for operators, social casinos are a prime example of a freemium business model that works. Customers get basic features at no cost but have the possibility to access richer functionality and enhance their experience at a fee. Specifically, players can buy extra coins and pay to get exclusive avatars or unlock various advanced features.
How Social Casinos Work
Conceived as web-based entertainment hubs that are always just a click away, social casinos cater to a broad audience of gamers looking for thrilling yet risk-free play. Indeed, you can have a lot of fun spinning the reels of the most popular online slots or testing your own poker strategy at a live dealer table without spending a dime of your money.
Well, skeptics would say that the vast majority of traditional gambling websites have an option for demo play and it’s not a big deal – and they will be wrong. Regular online casinos let undeposited patrons try slots and RNG table games in fun mode but they do not allow such customers to take part in promotions, tournaments, or contests run on social media.
At social casinos, entries to events are also free, so nothing can stand between a player with a competitive spirit and his/her sought-after contest. What’s more, those who top the leaderboard are rewarded with prizes that can be anything from coins to virtual goodies. The main thing, however, is the highest level of social interaction – sharing your wins with fellow players is priceless.
If a social casino has an integrated sweepstakes feature (such websites are also called sweepstakes casinos), it usually uses a dual coin system. One type of coin is used for free play and another for taking part in sweepstakes. Always make time to read the Sweepstakes Rules that can be found in the website’s footer to learn everything about events run by the brand, as well as all possible ways to collect, earn, and spend coins.
Social Casino Bonuses and Promotions
As incredible as it may seem, social casinos not only let players enjoy a wide variety of games for free but also gladly elevate their experience with bonuses and promotions. Happy Hours, Wheel of Wins, not to mention hugely popular refer-a-friend schemes or leaderboards – all the well-familiar perks, just instead of real-money prizes, players get virtual awards.
You have probably already guessed that new customer offers are also part of the plot. Of course, the selection of welcome treats may vary greatly from one website to another, but typically, players can benefit from massive discount packs on their first purchase of coins. In addition to that, many social casinos would generously add a hefty bunch of coins on their second, third, or even more consecutive days after registration.
Quite expectedly, socials make up a big part of the promotional offering. They usually come in the form of giveaways on popular social platforms. Other bonuses provided on a regular (often daily) basis are coin rewards of different values intended to give a significant boost to the balance of each ed player. Without a doubt, the abundance of incentives is one of the reasons for the rapidly growing community of social gamers.
Still, all sorts of contests are what social casinos thrive on. The competitive edge and opportunity to play against other participants make it all so much more fun, especially given that skills and mastery are rewarded with prizes. Interestingly, even the usual refer-a-friend promotion here has an extra layer: a monthly leaderboard with additional awards for those who have had successful referrals during the previous 30 days.
Loyalty Programs at Social Casinos
As already mentioned, social casinos are built on a freemium business model, which, among other things, means they constantly work to expand their player base as the main way of growing their business.
Even though loyalty programs were invented long before the advance of online gaming, they quickly took root in the industry and now are widely used by operators to attract new and retain existing customers. Just like classic internet casinos, their social counterparts offer different types of rewarding schemes and exclusive clubs to say “thank you” to their clients.
Some of the most commonly seen systems are those that consist of several tiers, encouraging players to progress through the levels towards better benefits and bigger bonuses. Customers earn points for playing games with virtual coins on all desktop and mobile devices. The incentives range from daily rewards and prize draws to birthday presents, access to community chat with special promotions, extra coins on every purchase, and priority customer , to cite just a few.
Things to Look For When Choosing a Social Casino
Since you are here for the game, your first look should be at the game lobby – there is no point in ing an with a website that does not offer your favorites. If you are happy with the library, check out the page with promotions and the availability of loyalty benefits – in other words, explore the opportunities to get the most out of your pastime.
Another important moment is the selection of payment methods you can use for making purchases on the website. Again, it can vary depending on the casino and your country of residence, but the majority of websites would feature a decent assortment of options, ranging from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express to Apple Pay, Diners Club, JBC, and Skrill. Also, make a note of whether the casino operates with a license or not, and pay attention to how customer is provided.
FAQs
What games can I play at social casinos?
Typically, social casinos offer online slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and crash games created by top-tier software providers. The best websites also feature live dealer tables and lottery-style shows.
How can I be sure that the games are fair?
Social casinos are powered by the industry’s leading software providers renowned for their integrity and use of Random Number Generator (RNG) technology, which guarantees complete randomness of every outcome.
How can I collect coins at social casinos?
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that players have numerous ways to collect coins at social casinos. That can be done through various on-site promotions and free giveaway contests on social media platforms. Many websites would add coin rewards for daily .
Can I transfer my status as a high-valued player from another casino?
Some casinos offer this option, however, bear in mind that transfers are only available from other social casinos.
Do social casinos offer responsible gaming tools?
Yes, at social casinos, players can request a time-out or self-exclusion from their games. Additionally, there is an option to set a limit on coin purchases.
Can I use a VPN to play at a social casino?
As a rule, social casinos do not allow the use of VPNs or proxies to hide your location if it is not among the accepted US states or other jurisdictions.
