Social casinos are websites or mobile apps that provide gambling activities in the free form. A player may use the virtual currency without spending their real cash. Studies show that online social casinos are gaining more traction and will continue to grow. Let’s consider their principles, opportunities, and features.
What is a social casino?
A social casino is a virtual platform that offers games identical to those found in real casinos but without needing to wager real money. Thus, social casinos allow playing table games, slots, poker, and other titles to feel authentic adrenaline, practice and sharpen their skills. However, players do not spend or win real money.
Understanding Social Casinos
A staple of social casinos is free gambling entertainment. These online platforms or mobile apps feature exciting casino games, like blackjack, slots, roulette, and poker, but without requiring real money stakes. Thus, players may bet with virtual cash, which can be earned through gambling or purchased via in-app online transactions. Social casinos have a long history, and we have analyzed it, highlighting several stages:
| Time Frames | Significant Events |
|---|---|
| 2000s | Social gambling started in the 2000s with the appearance of social networks like Facebook. FarmVille and Mafia Wars were the first games that gained popularity. Players could share their progress, invite friends to collaborate, etc. Thanks to the success of these games, online gaming, and social networking became a staple in the birth of social casinos. |
| 2010s | In this period, the first social casino platforms appeared. They were Zynga Poker and Slotomania. Such websites had in-game chats and casino-style gameplay for a more authentic experience. After that, developers started adding more complex functions to social casinos, attracting more and more audiences. |
| 2010s-nowadays | Smartphones became more popular, so social iGaming grew. Social online casinos are available anytime, as players may take their phones from their pockets and play. Nowadays, social gaming platforms offer real-time multiplayer casino games for a more exclusive experience. |
Therefore, looking for an answer to the question of what a social casino is, you should know that such platforms are focused on entertainment without real money spending. Social casinos frequently have multiplayer tournaments, leaderboards, and social sharing. All these features make social platforms more interactive and engaging.
Social Casinos vs. Sweepstakes Casinos
To avoid misunderstandings about what social casinos and sweepstakes platforms are, we have created a table with detailed explanations.
| Feature | Social Casinos | Sweepstakes Casinos |
|---|---|---|
| Main Concept | These are online platforms where players may enjoy traditional casino games (like table games, slots, and poker) just for fun with no pay and no real-money winnings. | These websites enable players to win real cash or monetary prizes without technically requiring them to make a purchase. |
| Currency | No real cash, just virtual credits or money. | Two types – gold coins (to play for fun) + sweeps coins (if you want to win prizes). |
| Chance to Win Real Money | No | Yes |
| Legal status | Available in all regions without any law restrictions. | Such websites should operate according to sweepstakes laws. |
| Regulations | Mostly, there are any legal regulations. | Regulated under particular sweepstakes laws. |
How Social Casinos Work
Online social casinos are based on the free-to-play model. You can install a social casino app or use a browser-based version and not pay real money for entertainment, using only virtual credits or daily bonuses. Also, players may buy chips, coins, or tokens if they run out of daily credits. Users can also go through in-game tasks or wait for automatic in-day replenishments if they do not want to purchase anything. All the items bought should be used in the game; you cannot convert these credits into real cash and withdraw them.
On top of that, social casinos provide special bonuses for daily logging into accounts. You may also participate in special tournaments and extraordinary events to receive additional free rewards.
The main feature of social casinos is their interaction aspect. Players can connect with other users via in-game chats or social media (like Facebook). Moreover, users can send virtual presents to other players, join various tournaments, and get in touch with each other using in-game chats.
Although social casinos do not provide real money prizes, they still bring profit to their owners. Mobile apps or websites include in-app purchases (coins, exclusive games, etc.). Plus, some websites involve ads or partnerships with top-rated brands to receive more income. Some websites or apps may also provide subscriptions for add-free experiences or access to exclusive games.
Types of Social Casino Games
The next question: What are social casino games? They are similar to traditional gambling titles. Continue reading to learn more about the most popular social casino games.
Slot Machines
Slots on social platforms look like real casino games with bright reels, cool animations, and bonus features. Slots are created in different colorful themes, including top-rated ones like candies, Ancient worlds, adventures, etc. Game results are determined by RNG (Random Number Generator) as in real-money slots.
Players may win virtual cash, badges, and trophies. Alternatively, they may go through levels, achieving higher gaming results. Nonetheless, they cannot cash out or convert their virtual currency into real money.
Poker
Social online casino poker is an online poker game that doesn’t involve real-money betting. Instead, players spend tokens, coins, or in-game currency. Users can also purchase additional chips with real money, but it doesn’t convert into cash winnings. Players can also organize tournaments with friends, exchange gifts, and earn rewards. WSOP Poker: Texas Holdem Game is a top-rated example in this genre.
Blackjack
This game is also really similar to the real-money casino version. Players can use virtual chips or coins for their stakes. Social casino blackjack allows enjoying classic rules: a player should decide between hitting, splitting, or doubling down to collect 21 points. Blackjack in social casinos also allows one to participate in tournaments and earn daily bonuses and incredible rewards. If players desire, they may buy additional chips; still, cashing out winnings is unavailable.
Roulette
Roulette in social casinos is about the adrenaline of the spinning wheel for fun without the risk of losing money. Players place bets using virtual coins or chips to try their luck on black, red, or specific numbers. The interface is similar to traditional roulette. Numerous social casinos allow buying extra chips using real cash. Nonetheless, you can’t win real money and withdraw it.
Bingo
This is also a top-notch casino social game similar to real bingo, but players use free virtual tickets here instead to buy them. If the number drawn matches one on the player’s card, they should mark it off (or cover it with a chip). If you are first to cover all numbers on your card, you become a winner. Online social casinos usually include live chats for users’ cooperation and have in-game purchases in the form of extra tickets.
Other Table Games
In addition to the games mentioned above, social casinos also offer craps, baccarat, and other variations. All games are based on a free-to-play model, allowing players to enjoy the excitement of gambling without any real risk. Players can also socialize and participate in gaming tournaments.
Benefits of Playing at Social Casinos
When explaining what a social casino is, we should also describe the advantages of this type of entertainment. Here is a list of the main pluses:
- Risk-free environment for entertainment. Social casinos do not include real-money stakes, so players may count on a free gambling experience without financial risks.
- Boosting of gambling skills. Players may hone their skills by playing free-to-play games and testing new strategies. These games keep the brain active and stimulate the mind.
- Socialization aspect. Numerous social casinos enable players to stay in touch with friends, communicate, create teams, and use real-time chat. This is an excellent chance to meet new people.
- No geo-restrictions. Players from various corners of the world may use social casino games with no limits. Even if online gambling is prohibited in your country, you still can enjoy blackjack, slots, and other games in social casinos.
We also should mention that online social platforms develop the iGaming area, since they create new workplaces for web designers, programmers, copywriters, etc. This improves the economy and technical industry.
Legal Framework and Regulations
Since social casinos do not involve using real money but operate with virtual currencies, they are not classified as gambling establishments. Such mobile apps do not feature traditional casino structures, as there are no financial payouts for winnings or tangible monetary investments.
Real-money i-gambling operations are subject to strict legislative regulation across various jurisdictions. In contrast, social casinos are generally regarded as entertainment applications. Consequently, operators of social casinos are typically not subject to extensive licensing requirements, and advertising regulations are considerably more relaxed.
Nevertheless, in certain regions, regulatory scrutiny over social casinos is increasing. For instance, in Washington State (USA), there is an ongoing debate regarding the classification of social casinos as a form of gambling. Meanwhile, most European countries treat online social casinos as harmless entertainment with no specific regulatory oversight.In the future, we can see more attention to social casinos from governments, since they will continue growing. Future regulation trends may include getting a license to provide free-play games. We advise you to contact the Legal Pilot team to learn about all social casino requirements in a particular country. Our legal agency stays updated with new laws according to government regulations.
