What is a social casino?
On the surface, a social casino will look and feel just like a regular casino site. However, there is an important difference. This is that social casinos don’t actually contain real money gambling.
Instead of this, you will be playing at social casinos with virtual currencies. These virtual currencies are usually called something like Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. We’ll discuss them in a bit more detail later, but for now it’s enough to know that they can be used to play for fun and redeem prizes respectively.
The fact that social casinos don’t contain real money gambling means that you can legally use them even in those states where real money online casino gaming is forbidden. So that whether you are based anywhere from Florida to Alaska, there is sure to be a social casino that’s right for you.
- Play casino games with no real money gambling
- Legally available in most states in the US
- Usually contains slots and table games
- Play for free and redeem cash prizes
- Must usually be at least 18 years old to play
Are social casinos really free?
Yes, all social casinos are free to play. However, you will also get the optional to purchase one of the Gold Coins packages should you wish. Just remember that Gold Coins can only be used to play for entertainment purposes only.
It’s also worth noting that many social casinos will let you play their games in a sweepstakes mode where you have the potential to redeem prizes.
The cool thing here is that you should always be able to enter these sweepstakes with no purchase necessary. This means that these sites are legally obliged to let you play for free, and you should always be able to get Sweepstakes Coins for free via a special offer.
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Can you win real money at social casinos?
No, it’s actually a misconception that you can directly win money at social casinos. Instead of this, you get the chance to redeem real-world prizes if you play with the Sweepstakes Coins form of virtual currency. Here are the key things to understand about how you can do this:
- Sweepstakes Coins can only be given away for free
- You will usually have to play through your Sweepstakes Coins a certain amount of times before you can redeem a prizePrizes can only be redeemed after you verify your account
- Real-world prizes can include cash, cryptocurrencies, merchandise and gift cards
- You will usually have to have the minimum amount of Sweepstakes Coins in your account before you can put in a prize redemption request
- Sweepstakes Coins can usually be redeemed at a rate of one Sweepstakes Coin for one US dollar
What are social casino games?
You will usually find that each social casino has hundreds, if not thousands of casino games that you can play for free. Here are just some of the main gaming genres that you may come across:
Each social casino should contain plenty of slot games where you just have to spin the reels and hope to get a winning selection of symbols to land on a payline. Expect everything from standard fruit slots to Megaways slots, progressive jackpot slots, slots with cascading wilds and a whole lot more.
A growing number of social casinos are starting to include table games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat and even craps. Not only are these games fun to play but they often contain a better house edge than the average slot.
These are where you play against a real-life dealer in real-time over a video link. It offers you a seriously immersive way to play anything from classic table games to unique titles that can be based on anything from boardgames to hit TV game shows.
Often called crypto games or casual games, these are usually easy to play but work to create some massive multipliers. Check out hit instant win games like Aviator, Crash, Plinko and Mines for a taste of where social casino gaming could be heading next.
Each social casino is likely to have a few games that defy regular categorization. So be sure to shop around to see where you can play anything from video poker and keno to bingo, fishing games or even teen patti.
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How do social casinos make money?
By now you will understand that social casinos will always let you play for free. This begs the question of how these sites actually stay in business.
Well, the key thing to understand is that they will make money by letting players make optional purchases of Gold Coins packages.
While these purchases are entirely optional, they can come in useful for when you run out of gaming credit. Plus it’s worth nothing that each purchase of a Gold Coins package could see you being given some free Sweepstakes Coins as a bonus.
Are social casinos legal in the US?
Yes, social casinos are legal in the US. After all, these sites don’t contain any form of gambling, and therefore they don’t have to have the same level of licensing as their real money counterparts.
Despite this, it’s worth remembering that each state has the power to set its own sweepstakes gaming rules and decide which social casinos to operate within its borders. You are likely to face more restrictions if you are based in the states of Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Michigan.
Pros and cons of social casinos
While social casinos are a lot of fun, there will be plenty of people out there who will still want to enjoy some real money gambling. So here are the main pros and cons of using a social casino compared to its real money counterpart:
Social casino pros and cons
- Legal in most states
- Always play for free
- Redeem sweepstakes prizes
- Less risk involved
- Potentially smaller game selection
Social casinos vs sweepstakes casinos vs real money casinos
The internet is filled with confusion about the differences between real money casinos, sweepstakes casinos and social casinos. So here is a handy table to all three types of gaming site to straighten things out:
| Social casino | Sweepstakes casino | Real money casino |
| Currencies used | Play with one virtual currency | Play with two virtual currencies | Gamble with your own money |
| Winnings | No, simply play for fun | Redeem real-world prizes | Win real money |
| Payments | Optional purchases of virtual currencies | Optional purchases of Gold Coins | Make real money deposits |
| Cost | Free to play | Free to play | Pay to play |
| Legality | Legal in most states | Legal in most states | Only legal in seven states |
| Age limits | Usually 18+ | Usually 18+ | 21+ |
How to spot the best social casinos?
While there is a huge amount of variance in social casinos, we have found that the best of these sites usually feature the following factors:
Every decent social casino should have much more than just a handful of slots. We’d expect nothing but the latest slots and table games from top developers, along with a live casino and even a few crypto casino games on top.
You should be able to play the games in a sweepstakes mode and the potential to redeem prizes like cash, gift cards and even merchandise. The prize redemption process should be simple to do and clearly explained too.
The social casino should have a decent range of promos for new and existing customers. From welcome offers to daily login deals, each of these promos should be easy to activate and capable of keeping you playing for free.
Every social casino listed here has been checked to make sure that it observes the sweepstakes gaming rules of the states that it operates in. Not only that but they will take good care of your data and payments by implementing the latest digital encryption technologies on their sites.
You should be able to get friendly and responsive support from the customer care team at the social casino. Expect to be able to get in touch 24/7 via live chat, email, phone and even social media.
Trusted payment providers
While those Gold Coins purchases are entirely optional, you should be given secure ways to make the one-off transactions. This means that you might be able to use anything from credit cards and debit cards through to bank transfers, ewallets and even cryptocurrencies.
What are the best social casinos in the US?
There are literally dozens of social casinos currently operating in the US. While each of these sites will let you play for free, some are definitely better than others. So here are the 10 social casinos that you should be playing at:
| Social casino | Number of games | App? | Redeemable prizes? | Review |
| Real Prize | 558 | No | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | Real Prize review |
| Stake.us | 798 | No | Gift cards, Cryptocurrency, Merchandise | Stake.us review |
| High 5 Casino | 1,956 | Yes, iOS and Android | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | High 5 Casino review |
| Clubs Casino | 813 | No | Merchandise, Cash Prizes | Clubs Casino review |
| MegaBonanza | 2,339 | No | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | MegaBonanza review |
| Spree | 1,660 | No | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | Spree review |
| Fortune Coins | 145 | No | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | Fortune Coins review |
| Ding Ding Ding | 1,117 | Yes, iOS and Android | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | Ding Ding Ding review |
| Real Prize | 2,406 | Yes, iOS only | Gift cards, Cash Prizes | PlayFame review |
| Wow Vegas | 1,291 | No | Merchandise, Cash Prizes | Wow Vegas review |
Tips for playing at social casinos
While it’s pretty easy to get started at social casinos, you may benefit from the following tips to take your gaming to the next level:
Social casino sites will provide you with exciting offers. Many of which tend to allow you to boost your virtual funds on a daily basis. Make sure you log into your account and take advantage of these daily, or even hourly, promotions. You’ll be able to accumulate credits which can be used to continue playing your favorite games online with your chosen social casino.
Use two-step authentication
It’s always wise to secure your account as best you can. Whether you are spending real money to buy additional Gold Coins or simply using the free Sweepstakes Coins on offer, you don’t want someone accessing your account. Utilize the 2FA security settings whenever possible.
The entire idea behind social casino sites is for you to have fun. There is simply no need to feel pressured or stressed. You won’t be chasing real money winnings as this isn’t part of the social casino experience. All you need to do is find your niche, sit back, and enjoy yourself to the utmost.
Manage your virtual funds
There’s no need to go ‘all in’ in one go. You should manage your virtual funds as best you can. Stick to a budget as this will allow you to extend your run. The better you manage your virtual credits, the less likely you are to feel the need to spend real money in order to buy more Gold Coins.
Play games you know at first
It’s a good idea to start off by playing games you know well. This will enable you to give yourself the best possible chance of boosting your virtual funds. If you start off by playing games unknown to you, you’ll be far more likely to lose all of your credits right off the bat.
Conclusion – Start playing at the best social casinos
We have shown you that the best social casinos will let you play hundreds of slots and table games for free. Not only that, but you will also get the opportunity to redeem some real money prizes for your efforts.
Such is the appeal of these social casinos that we can expect to see many more brands being launched in the near future. So watch this space to see which social casinos you should be playing at.
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Social casino FAQ
🎉 What is the best live social casino USA?
It depends what you are looking for but most gamers will be pretty impressed with the live dealer games at Stake.us and High 5 Casino. After all, their live casinos have plenty of immersive updates of classic table games like roulette, blackjack and baccarat. .
💸 Do I need to pay when I use a social casino online?
No, all social casinos have to let you play for free. However, you will also get the option to purchase one of the Gold Coins packages. .
🎰 What games can I play with a social casino in the US?
It depends on which site you are playing at. Most social casinos will have lots of slot games, and a growing number of these sites are getting more adventurous with their gaming selections to include table games, live dealer games, video poker, scratchcards and even some innovative crypto games.
❓ Are social casino sites reliable?
Yes, all of the social casinos listed here are reliable and trustworthy. After all, there is no way that they would be allowed to operate in dozens of states if they put on a substandard gaming service.
📲 Can I use my mobile device to access a live social casino?
Yes, Stake.us has made sure that its live casino can be accessed via its mobile-optimized website. Plus High 5 Casino even has some stunning iOS and Android apps that also give you an immersive way to play from the small screen.
