Social casinos are popular with online players. (Image by Memin Sito from Pixabay)
Online casino gambling is an ever-growing industry. Estimates are that 26% of the world’s population partake in some form of casino play, which would be equal to 1.6 billion people. As far as those who do their casino gambling via online betting sites, the experts put that total at 9.6% of those on the planet, approximately 155.3 million people.
However, there are still many parts of the world where this form of casino gambling is either not available for play, or is in fact against the law. In those cases, many people are turning to the option of social or sweepstakes casinos to fill the void and give them the chance to play slots and table games online.
While on the surface these online social casinos look and operate remarkably similar to standard online casinos, there are stark differences that enable these sweepstakes-based casinos to function in areas where online casinos cannot go.
Let’s take a look at what those differences are, how sweepstakes casinos operate and which are some of the best social casino sites that are available to players around the globe.
Social Casino vs Online Casino
There are many similarities between social or sweepstakes casinos and standard online casinos. In fact, often the games you’ll be playing inside a social casino are the same ones you’d be playing were you doing your gambling at a prominent online casino site.
There are slots, table games and in some cases, even live dealer areas accessible via a social casino. Many sweepstakes casinos also offer the possibility to play their games via a mobile app.
The major difference between a social casino and a regular online casino is that it is entirely possible to play inside a social casino without spending any of your own money. Of course, the flip side to that equation is that you also won’t be winning any real money.
Social casinos offer two types of game play. In regular mode, you’ll play with what are generally referred to as gold coins. Gold coin play is entirely for fun and entertainment purposes. You’ll never win any money, and while it is possible to purchase gold coins from these social casino sites, it isn’t a requirement to play. Social casino sites will offer you several methods to acquire gold coins free of charge.
The other version of play is known as sweepstakes mode. This variance is played with sweeps coins. When playing in sweeps mode, you are winning virtual currency that can then be exchanged for prize winnings. Often these prizes take the form of gift cards for major retailers, although in some instances, it is possible to get winnings paid out in cash.
This significant alteration is the major aspect that differentiates sweepstakes casinos from regular, real money online casinos. Since you aren’t risking your own money bidding to win more money, it’s not considered to be gambling under the laws of many countries. Instead, these social casinos are governed by the same rules and laws as other sweepstakes competitions.
Estimates are that 85 million people partake in social casino play around the world. According to research conducted by Statista, social casinos generate 6.2 billion US dollars in annual revenue. Even though people can play for free at a social casino, the most recent data available, from 2021, showed that on average, people were spending 12.28 US dollars per year to play inside social casinos.
Popular Social Casino Sites In North America
Internet influencer Paris Hilton is a spokesperson for the WOW Vegas social casino. (Public domain photo).
There are numerous options for players in North America when it comes to social casino choices. Here’s a rundown of some of the best and most popular sites that are worth considering if you want to give social casino play a try.
Pulz Casino: In the USA alone, there are a half million people who play regularly with the Pulz Casino. Operating since 2020, the Gibraltar-owned Pulz Casino delivers some 700 games. The slot game selection includes Megaways games, tumbling reels, jackpot slots and hold and win games. For table game players there is blackjack, roulette, baccarat, as well as Texas Hold’Em for card players. There’s arcade games like keno, mines and HiLo and also scratch cards. Sweeps coins can be exchanged for gift cards.
WOW Vegas Casino: A site promoted by internet influencer Paris Hilton, instead of gold coins, you play with their own brand of WOW coins. You’ll find both regular and jackpot slots, even some exclusive offerings among the 700 games offered inside the WOW Vegas Casino. And you can exchange sweeps coins for real cash.
High 5 Casino: In business since 2012 and boasting of more than 300 million customers worldwide, they deliver more than 800 games to play inside the High 5 Casino, including many progressive jackpot slots and the always popular Megaways games. They even offer a VIP rewards club for regular players and a standalone app that works with iOS and Android devices. There’s no cash prizes offered at this site. However, you can exchange sweeps coins for gift cards.
Sweeptastic Casino: Only in operation since 2023, the Sweeptastic Casino delivers more than 1000 games to their players. Instead of gold coins, you play their standard for fun games with what they call Lucky Coins. Winnings earned from sweeps coins play can be accumulated and cashed in for prize earnings. These prizes can be taken in the form of cash, gift cards, or merchandise.
McLuck Casino: You’ll be able to play the 400 games offered inside the McLuck Casino for free with gold coins and discover that the caliber of their slot games are on par with any of the major for-pay online casinos. In fact, many come from the same game developers. When playing in sweeps mode, the McLuck Casino offers the chance to exchange earnings for gift cards or cash.