What Are Social Casino Games?

You may have seen advertisements for social casinos in the past and have no idea about what they are. These fun gambling-style games are in fact available in most states. In this guide, we answer the question, “What are social casino games?” and look at how they compare to online casinos.

To get this guide started, we have briefly described what is a social casino, before looking at the available games at social casinos. From there, we have discussed the important topic of legality and why you can play at these sites in even the most gambling-intolerant jurisdictions.

That said, there are some restrictions to gameplay that set the games aside from real-money online gambling. After sharing some suggestions for some great and safe social casinos, you can find our comparisons to social casino gameplay and online casinos where you can play for real money.

• What is a Social Casino?
• Available Social Casino Games
• The Legality of Social Casinos
• Restrictions of Social Casino Play
• The Top Social Casinos
• Online vs. Social Casinos: The Differences

What is a Social Casino?

A social casino can be defined as a site that provides free-to-play gambling games. After registration, users will be provided with virtual funds that can be wagered on each game. Because users don’t invest real money, these titles provide lower stakes and therefore, don’t technically constitute gambling.

As the name suggests, another major factor of social casinos is that you can communicate with other players through live chat functions. You are able to connect with strangers or your own friends and play alongside or against them. Many games will also have leaderboards so there is still a competitive element.

Furthermore, there are frequent tournaments and game leagues, with top-scoring players earning badges and other rewards such as more virtual money. You will never be able to win real money for your play, though you may be required to spend real money to purchase more currency. We hope that this answers your question about what is a social casino.

Available Games at Social Casinos

If you’re wondering what are social casino games available to you, you’ll be pleased to know that many are free adaptations of casino classics. One of the most popular is the social slots, which are similar to free demos provided at online casinos. You can also play lottery-style games such as bingo and scratch cards.

If you prefer cards and table games, many social casinos will also offer blackjack, roulette, and poker. The poker options tend to include Texas Hold’em. The benefit of these free games is not only the enjoyability aspect but the fact that you can practice your skills and hone your knowledge without risking any cash.

Depending on where you join, you may also find games such as craps, baccarat, and Keno, though these are much less common. While you won’t be able to find a live social casino that offers real dealer games, the ability to communicate with other players still creates an immersive atmosphere.

Other Notable Features

There are several common features that keep players returning to these sites. The first is the inclusion of leagues, which see players matched according to rank and success rate, with different events held for these leagues. Players can also create clubs with friends and other users and hold special events. After all, what are social casino games without the social aspect?

Many sites will hold special weekly or monthly events to boost engagement, which may be held in the form of challenges and tournaments. If you win, you can unlock special rewards and invitations to more events. Finally, loyalty programs can see players climb ranks according to their success and gameplay, which gives players a sense of achievement and prestige.

The Legality of Social Casinos

Social casino gameplay is legal in 49 states. This is because, for the most part, the absence of any real-money trading means that the games do not constitute any form of gambling according to local state definitions. This means that players in Utah and Hawaii, two states that are notoriously unfriendly to gambling, can play these games.

The only states that have outlawed social casino games include Washington and Idaho. In the case of Idaho, this is because all forms of poker are illegal, though available sites will permit play on other types of games. Washington has outlawed social casinos as it has classified virtual currency as something of value.

According to state laws, wagering anything of value on a game of chance constitutes illegal gambling. While most states have a minimum gambling age of 21 years old, social casinos accept players from 18 years old. You will need to prove your age and identity when you sign up.

Restrictions of Social Casino Play

While social casinos have not been classified as gambling in most states, authorities recognize the similarities between real money gaming and the impacts these can have on minors. For this reason, social casinos are unable to market the games to minors. Real money prizes can never be awarded by sites, too.

Due to the social nature of the activity, there are also terms of service that require users to uphold a certain level of decorum with other users. Abusive language or behavior is not tolerated, and users caught offending may be suspended or expelled from sites. Cheating is also not permitted.

Top Social Casinos

Are you ready to try your luck with social casino games? There are plenty of sites that accept players across the USA, but it can be difficult to know which are the best social casino apps. This is why we have provided you with a shortlist below of some top recommended sites with the top games and offers. These include:

• Pulsz.com
• McLuck.com
• BetRivers.NET
• RushGames Casino4Fun
• WinStar

As a new user, you should be able to claim several perks when you join, such as an account with funded currency and opportunities to boost your loyalty level.

Differences Between Social and Online Casinos

There are a number of key differences between social casinos and online casinos. The most notable is the lack of real money gambling at social casinos. For this reason, sites do not have to earn a license to accept new users. This is why it’s important to do your research and choose operators with a strong reputation for security.

Another notable difference is the social element of social casinos. Online casino users are unable to play virtual slots and table games alongside friends, nor are they able to add contacts or send messages to other users. The only way to do this is via live dealer casino play.

You will also likely find that online casinos can offer many more games and variations than social casinos. However, there are currently only six US states with legal online casinos, so for many players, these options won’t be able to be experienced at all. As we mentioned, social casinos are available to players over 18 years old, while online casinos are limited to players over 21 years old.