
Because of the popularity of online casino games, especially in states where gambling for real money is not yet legal, new social casinos are popping up all of the time. This can make finding the right one very difficult.
For that reason, here at Thegruelingtruth.com, weโve put together this guide to turn that difficult process into a much easier one, by doing all of the hard work for you. This guide has everything you need to look for in a new online social casino, as well as some tips to get you started once you join.
Social casinos mostly contain free-to-play games. You can play these games using a virtual currency, sometimes called GC or Gold Coins. The operator will provide players with free Gold Coins when they start to play or give. There will most likely also be daily loyalty bonuses of free Gold Coins. If the player runs out of this virtual currency, they can then go and purchase more of this currency from the operator. Essentially, the player will use real money to buy a virtual currency to play the games on the site. These purchases are the main income of any social casino.
The list of legal social casinos in the USA is an extensive one and for good reason. Social casinos provide the ability to play online casino games like slots, blackjack, or roulette for people who otherwise could or would not. This includes people in states where online gambling is not allowed or people who like playing the games but have personal reasons why they would rather not do it for money.
This does not mean that players cannot buy more of the virtual coins used by social casinos instead of real money. A certain amount is given out free each day by the casino, but if players want to carry on after they are used up, they can purchase packs of coins to play with. These have no value, other than in the game, so cannot be withdrawn. Overall, this makes finding the best social casino with real money options an important task, and one this guide can help you with.
There is a common misconception when playing some of the new social casinos. Players think that because they cannot bet with real money, they cannot win any real prizes. We’re here to tell you the good news! You can, in fact, win real prizes at social casinos. Social casinos follow a sweepstakes gambling model, meaning that you play with what they call Gold Coins, or “Sweeps” Coins. These Sweeps coins can be redeemed for real prizes, depending on the social casino. Another cool fact is that Sweeps Coins can also be swapped for real cash, paid directly into your bank account. In most cases, you cannot purchase Sweeps Coins directly. However, they are offered as a bonus when you buy Gold Coins.
This comparison guide is for anyone to use, and to make the job of finding the right social casino for them a whole lot easier than it would have been if they chose to look at each one individually. However, depending on whether they were an experienced user, or looking for the first time, theyโll be looking for different types of guidance.
If you think you fall into either category or maybe somewhere in between, then weโve got your back. We can show you how to make that search easier by doing the homework for you and using our comparison to turn a long job into a short one.
We’ve touched on this a bit earlier, but this is a vital concept to understand. Let’s set it out for you, so you understand the principle behind the social casino currency system.
Currency System | Description |
---|---|
Virtual Currency | Players are given free virtual coins to play games and can earn more by completing various in-game activities. These virtual coins are for entertainment purposes only and cannot be exchanged for real money |
Premium Currency | Some sites offer premium currency that can be purchased with real money and used to buy special items or features. Premium currency cannot be redeemed for real money |
Sweepstakes System | A few social casinos use a sweepstakes system where players can purchase virtual gold coins or sweepstakes coins for playing games. Sweepstakes coins can be used to enter sweepstakes draws for real money prizes, but cannot be redeemed for cash unless a player wins a sweepstakes prize |
Crypto Currency | Some sites accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as a payment option. Cryptocurrencies are converted into virtual coins or premium currency at a fixed exchange rate |
Loyalty Points | Players can earn loyalty points or rewards by playing games or making purchases. These loyalty points can be redeemed for various rewards, but usually cannot be exchanged for real money or withdrawn from the social casino |
As with other online casinos, all new social casinos provide the player with a multitude of payment methods. As you’re playing on a social casino, you’re not technically making a deposit as you never use real money to make any bets or play games. However, you can use your real cash to buy some new coins if you run out at any stage. Payment methods can range from VISA and Mastercard debit and credit cards to the most popular eWallets such as Neteller and Skrill, and even bank transfers. It would depend on which method is most convenient for you, taking into account your access to any of these methods.
In the age of eWallets and credit cards, it may seem a bit old-fashioned to still use bank transfers as a way of depositing money into an online casino account or if you’re buying some Gold Coins at your favorite social casino. Bank transfers still have some appeal, though, especially to the gambling community. They offer unrivaled safety and security. As this is still so popular amongst players, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a social casino that won’t accept a bank transfer as a payment method for coins. Banks are, for the most part, impenetrable, and players and operators love that extreme sense of security.
You’ve probably guessed what the next payment method is we want to touch on. Yes, trusty old plastic. What makes these so convenient as a payment method for social casinos is that most people already have them in their wallets. The major card providers are VISA and Mastercard, and both offer options at social casinos. Debit cards are a bit easier to get as you don’t have to go through a credit check. The only thing you need in most cases is a bank account. These will always be popular options as almost all US citizens already have one of these cards. They offer quick deposits and are extra convenient.
We wanted to highlight a few popular payment methods we have found quickly. Skrill, as previously mentioned, is an eWallet that has specific products that cater to online casinos. You can also use their products to buy coins at a social casino. Instant ACH, or automated clearing house, is an electronic transfer of money between banks, allowing the receiving account to show the money before it’s debited. Instant ACH provides quicker purchases than even same-day ACH transfers. Lastly, we can have a look at the Paysafecard option. Paysafecard is a token with a 16-digit code that you can use to pay online. The best is that you don’t need a bank account or credit card.
If you want to redeem your Sweeps Coins for cash at a social casino, you will be prompted to go through a Know Your Client or KYC process first. It is a standard procedure and very easy. Let’s have a look.
Here, you’ll have to get ready to get out those embarrassing driver’s license photos. You will be asked to upload a few documents, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID. You can use your passport as well. Depending on where you look the best.
Next, you will need also to send some proof of where you live. These can include any of the following:
Most of these will be sufficient to show that you are a resident of the US, which would be the point.
Lastly, for the KYC process to be completed, you will also be asked for a copy of your bank statement. We know it could seem intrusive, but this is to make sure that there is no money laundering or fraud taking place. Again, this is standard practice and nothing to worry about.
Finding the right place to play all the top social casino games isnโt easy, and if you are going to accept some expert guidance, you are going to need some reassurance that the people involved actually are experts. To put your mind at rest, we carry out in-depth, objective reviews and we leave no stone unturned, but as someone searching for a new social casino, you will want to check out these most important areas:
As you can see, we know what to look for. Our team of experts has years of experience so know what makes a good online casino (social or otherwise), and could even spot something you might miss, saving you from making a time-consuming or even costly mistake.
As pretty much all social casinos are new, this is quite a wide range, but even so, our team has found one that stands out from the crowd for several reasons. Firstly, it is quite a big name that new players are likely to trust, and as such has a range of games to offer that overlap with those you will find in real money casinos.
This is not the only reason why BetRivers gets the nod, as the set-up also offers excellent customer service, a handsome bonus, and frequent rewards for regular players. Overall, this operator is the best all-round performer that should suit pretty much everybody reading this.
BetRivers is, as we mentioned, a good all-around social casino, but that might not suit those who are looking for something specific or somebody who just wants to make their own decision. If this is you, then our comparison can make that easy, as all social casinos are reviewed according to the same criteria and rated accordingly.
This means that all the details are there for you to see without looking at the operators yourself, so you can see in detail what each one has to offer. You can check if certain games are covered, or if your favorite game provider has contributed to the site. Whatever you are looking for, the whole process can be made faster and easier.
Finding the right social casino is one thing but making the most of it is another. To help you with that as well, here are some things youโll need to bear in mind as you start playing:
The longer you make the bonus last, the more fun you can have while playing the game. Putting it all down on just a few wagers means the experience can be much shorter than youโd like, and youโll have to wait until tomorrow for more virtual coins.
New coins should be available each day, so make sure you make the most of it โ especially as many social casinos have incremental awards for those that log in consistently.
Using your virtual coins in the casino is great, but if there is also a sportsbook available, it can be double the fun.
While new experiences can be fun, youโll get more value for your coins by playing games you know, rather than wasting time on finding out you donโt like a game.
Social casinos are made to be fun but donโt get so immersed that you miss out on other things. Limit your time on the site each day so you can play responsibly.
Social casinos are e great stress reliever and time-killer. The main benefit we can see is that playing at a social casino is totally free. There is absolutely no obligation on you as the player to fork out any money to buy coins. Social casinos reward loyalty on a regular basis by showering players with free coins.
If you take advantage of their social media challenges, usually on the social casino’s Facebook page, you will have enough coins for casual play. You are not forced to buy any coins. The choice is totally up to you. If you’re on the newest social casinos, you’ll also be treated to new games with great graphics and sounds.
Playing at an older social casino can become a drag. The first thing you’ll probably realize is how dated the games would look at one of these older casinos. They also might not handle as quickly as newer casinos as they are not optimized to work with the latest browser and operating system technology.
Another disadvantage is the availability of new payment methods. You’ll most likely be limited to only a few options when playing in an older casino. Newer social casinos have better loyalty programs than older ones, as older casinos have not consistently developed their marketing strategies as with newer ones.
Finding the right social casino can be problematic but using this guide can make it a whole lot easier. It not only has an editorโs recommendation, but it also has the main criteria you should look for when finding one yourself. This guide also points the way to our reviews and comparisons that do the heavy lifting for you and save you from the uncertainty of going around each one yourself.
Youโll agree this guide is a useful, time-saving tool, and there are plenty more for you to use here at Thegruelingtruth.com.
Social casinos donโt operate in exactly the same way as real money casinos but do still have a lot of things in common. To discover whether or not a welcome bonus is one of these, read our online guide.
There are so many social casinos that this can change quite often, but by reading this guide, you can discover an easy way to find out which one is currently the top-rated.
Social casinos give you free virtual coins when you join up and every day when you log in, so you might wonder why they do it. To get the full story on how new social casinos make money, read our online guide.
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