What Are Social Casinos?
Social casinos provide free-to-play games that you would usually find at an online casino. When you sign up, you’ll receive virtual currency that can be wagered on the many different games. This replicates the gambling experience but takes away the risk, which is a major draw for many players.
One of the fundamental aspects of these sites is that you can socialize with other users while you play. The platforms have in-built chat functions that can connect you with strangers or your friends. And while you don’t need to pay to play, there is still a competitive element to the sites.
Most social casinos will have leaderboards for different games, leagues, and tournaments, and users will instead vie for status as opposed to financial gains. This incentivizes continuous gameplay and keeps users returning to outperform their own records or other users’ top scores. Many social casinos are designed to look like online casinos.
Ultimately, the social gambling of virtual currency is an extremely exciting activity and a great alternative for those looking for more wholesome gaming options. Most modern sites will provide mobile platforms for easy play, and usership is broad amongst all age and gender demographics.
The Legality of Social Casinos
As social casinos do not allow users to directly gamble with their real money, almost all states in the USA permit these games. However, as we mentioned, these sites are closely monitored and there are strict restrictions on minimum age requirements and how they can monetize.
Only three states have banned social casino access. These include Washington, Idaho, and, interestingly, Nevada. In the case of Washington, it’s because the games still fall under the definition of gambling, where something of value is wagered on a contest of chance. This suggests that virtual currency still has value.
What Games Are Available at Social Casinos?
There are plenty of social casino games to enjoy that will cater to all users’ preferences. The most popular of these are the slot machines, which are similar to free versions of slots that you’d find at an online casino. Other popular games include bingo and scratchcard lottery tickets.
You’ll also be able to play table games such as blackjack and roulette for free. This is a great opportunity to improve your blackjack skills and experiment with the betting options on roulette. The same goes for the poker variants, which come in many variants such as Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker.
As these sites differ from online casinos, you will also find several options that are closer to video games than they are to gambling games. There will also be unconventional card games. In many cases, you’ll be able to play by yourself or against other players, so you have great flexibility in the gaming experience.
Can I Win Money at Social Casinos?
As players don’t wager real money at social casinos, there is no way for you to make money while playing at these sites. This is an extremely important point to consider and is what allows social casinos to exist in markets where online gambling is illegal. If there were a financial element, they would be outlawed in most states.
Instead, users win virtual currency and other prizes. While some social casinos may allow users to purchase special coins that can eventually be traded for real money, the laws on this are murky and many sites opt to avoid anything that could be interpreted as real money gambling.
Social casinos are designed to be used to play games for fun and not for real money, which is why they are available in more states than real money casinos currently are.
How Do Social Casinos Make Money?
In order to provide a sustainable business model, social casinos will usually offer in-app purchases to players. While you won’t need to pay to buy virtual currency when you sign up, some sites will give you the option to purchase more if you run out. Be aware that this currency won’t be able to be converted into cash later.
This essentially equates to turning these games into a pay-to-play model. You will also find that many sites include a lot of advertising. While these will never interrupt your gameplay, some players may pay a premium fee to remove the advertising from their experience.
Social Casino Mobile Play
One of the biggest drivers of social casino gameplay is that users can enjoy the games while on the go. You’ll be able to find a social casino app on your chosen site and register entirely through your mobile. In fact, most players prefer the mobile gaming experience, with platforms designed for easy navigation and use.
Minimum Age Requirements
Unlike gambling sites that require players to be 21 years or older in most states, the minimum age requirement for social casinos is generally set at 18 years or older. This is likely in response to Apple setting the age limits to 17 years old for all social games and ensures that there is no controversy around the games. You can take a look at how this compares to other gambling age requirements around the world.
What Are The Top Social Casinos
Now that you understand how social casinos work, you should be ready to register with one of these sites. As we’ve mentioned, it is completely free to create an account. As long as you’re over the age of 18 years old, you’ll be able to start playing free versions of slots, table games, and other interesting titles.
You may be wondering what site to choose. We have recommended several great options, including a new social casino and some that have been around for years. All of these sites cater to US players in legal states and provide plenty of virtual coins once you sign up. These include:
- Chumba Casino
- Stake
- Wow Vegas
- LuckyLand Slots
- Pulsz
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are looking for quicks answers to your questions about social casinos and don’t have time to read the whole article, we’ve got you covered in this commonly asked questions section. Once you’ve finished, we recommend you read more of our online gambling articles to learn more interesting gambling-related information.
What are social casinos?
Social casinos essentially allow players to enjoy a number of popular free gambling games, including slots, table games, and much more. The purpose is to play for fun rather than for money, plus it is completely free to sign up, though you must be at least 18 years old to join.
Are social casinos legal in the US?
Yes, social casinos are legal in the USA. The only states that block them are Nevada, Washington, and Idaho. Most states consider them legal as it is not possible to win real money payouts with these sites. This differentiates them from real money US online casinos, which provide real money gambling options to players in certain regulated states.
Where can I play social casino games?
There are several great sites that provide social casino gaming that we have recommended above. Many of these can be downloaded as apps on your smartphone and tablets too. Good news for bingo fans, as one of the most common games that you’ll find at almost all social casinos is bingo.
What can I play at social casinos?
There are typically plenty of game options to enjoy at social casinos. These include video slots, blackjack, roulette, unique card games, bingo, and lottery-style scratch cards. Some sites also offer unique games that are closer to video games than casino games.
