What is a Social Casino?
A social casino is an online platform that offers a variety of casino-style games that can be played for fun. Unlike real money casinos, the best sweepstakes casinos typically do not offer real money gambling and do not require players to make any deposits or risk any cash.
Instead, players use virtual currency, which can be earned through gameplay, to play the games and win virtual rewards. They are a form of online entertainment that provides a safe and regulated way for players to enjoy casino-style games without the risk of financial loss.
Another significant difference is that social casinos often incorporate social features that allow players to interact with each other, send gifts, and compete for rankings or prizes. These social features are not typically found at real money online casinos, which are more focused on providing a straightforward gambling experience.
Just keep in mind that the regulations surrounding social casinos in the US can vary depending on the state. Some states allow social casinos to operate without any restrictions, while others have specific regulations in place that limit or prohibit their operation. We will go into more detail on social sweepstakes casino law later.
What is a Sweepstakes Casino?
Sweepstakes casinos have a unique structure, in that cash prizes are often available, but not in the same way they would be from real-money casinos. In most cases, there are sweeps coins that can be earned, and gold coins that can be purchased, but only the former - which cannot be bought for cash - can be exchanged for real-money prizes.
There are a few ways to claim sweeps coins. Most sweeps sites will offer a welcome bonus and some ongoing promotions that reward a set number of sweeps coins to get you started. This will make sure you're never out of sweeps coins for long. Then, you need to play casino-style games at your chosen site to earn more sweeps coins for the chance at claiming prizes.
Real Money Sweepstakes Casinos Explained
Sweepstakes casinos have a threshold you have to reach to claim prizes, a set number of sweeps coins you must earn. For example, if a site has a 100 coins minimum, then when you have that many sweeps coins, you can go to the cashier and claim any cash prizes, gift cards, or other rewards available for that cost.
The more sweeps coins you earn, the higher value the prizes you can claim. If you've made a cash deposit at your chosen sweeps site before, your cash rewards will be paid out to the same payment method. If you haven't, you'll have to choose from the list of available banking options to claim your payout.
The best social casinos typically offer a variety of casino-style games that can be played for entertainment, and the specific games available can vary depending on the platform, but some of the most common games include slots, table games and card games. Very similar to what you would see at a regular real money casino.
However, it's important to note that the best social casino games are not exactly the same as the ones offered at real money online casinos. While some social casino games may have similar mechanics to real money casino games, social casino games do not involve any actual money or the opportunity to win real money.
The same goes for the bonuses offered at a social online casino. Bonuses at the best online sweepstakes casino sites will be very different to the best online casino bonuses in the US offered at real money casinos, which usually take the form of a deposit match bonus or free spins.
Best Sweepstakes and Social Casino Games
What type of games will you find at either social or sweepstakes casinos? Typically, they offer a variety of online casino games that you can play for free, including online slots, table games, and video poker. Slots are a particularly popular offering, and you will notice a wide range of best casino social slot themes.
Many social casinos also offer other types of games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other table games, which are also available at sweepstakes online casinos. These games are often available in both traditional and modern variants, and some even offer live dealer games. Here’s a list of all online casino games you can play for free at either social or sweepstakes casino sites:
Sweeps Coins and How To Buy Coin Packages
Sweeps coins are earned, or given, never bought. However, there is a slight exception to that rule. Gold coins can be purchased in coin packages. These coins can never be converted into real cash, however, some sweepstakes sites will offer sweeps coins as a bonus attached to higher-value gold coin packages
Gold coins can be bought at any time, and, in some cases, can be used to play premium games that are not available to sweeps players. The packages on offer can be found in the cashier section of your chosen sweepstakes casino site. Ultimately, social casinos provide a fun and entertaining way to enjoy your favorite casino games without risking any real money.
Live Social Casino Websites
Sweepstakes social casinos are a relatively new addition to the social casino landscape. Unlike traditional social casinos, which offer virtual versions of casino games, live social casinos offer live dealer games that are streamed in real-time from a physical casino or studio. They use advanced video and audio technology to create an immersive and realistic gaming experience.
Live social casino online games are typically played on desktop or mobile devices, with high-quality video streams that provide a clear view of the game and the dealer. They are a great option for players who want to enjoy the thrill of playing with a live dealer, but who prefer to play for entertainment purposes only and not with real money.