Social vs Real Money Casinos: Key Differences

In a place like a live casino or even an online table game, socializing with other players and even dealers is a given and contributes to an even more memorable casino experience. But while more developments continue to influence the iGaming industry, social casinos are one of the building blocks that allow players and gamblers to socialize online.

However, many people still confuse them for real money casinos online. Read on as we attempt to break down the difference while also giving you some suggestions on where you can find the most lucrative real cash casinos and social casinos online to kickstart your journey.

Trial and Error: Social Casinos

While it may seem self-explanatory, social casinos are yes, by definition, designed for players to play for fun and connect with other players. In other words, you don’t have to think about depositing any real funds to play at a social casino.

A downside to not spending any money at a social casino is that you won’t be winning any real money, either. But, if you’re planning on shifting to a real money casino later on, social casinos like High 5 Casino and WOW Vegas Casino are great virtual places to start.

Free Currency and Coin Systems

When you sign up for a social casino, as we mentioned, there is no need to deposit money to get coins to play. Once you sign up for an account, you will be given coins that have no real value but can be used in multiple free-play platforms. This means these gold coins can be used to play any game on the social casino you signed up for.

Free casinos or social casinos are allowed in the US and have no specific regulations on how they can be used since no player can lose any money when using the coins to play games. Free slots are the number one social casino game patrons and iGamers love to spend their time (and their gold coins). However, there are also free table games you can play, including poker, roulette, and blackjack at social casinos.

People winning in the casino image

We have reviewed and tested some of our favorite social casinos, so if you want to explore more of this, check out our top picks below:

WOW Vegas Social Casino

Welcome Bonus: 3 Million WOW Coins and 50 Free Sweepstakes Coins ($24.99)
Number of Games: Over 350
Operator: WOW Entertainment Ltd.

Chumba Casino

Welcome Bonus: 2,000 Gold coins and two free sweep coins for new players
Number of Games: More than 150
Operator: VGW Malta Limited

High 5 Social Casino

Welcome Bonus: 600 diamonds, 250 game coins, and 5 free sweeps coins (sign up)
Number of Games: Over 800
Operator: High 5 Entertainment LLC

High 5 Casino image

Vegas Gems Social Casino

Welcome Bonus: Max of 1000 Gems and 50% Extra Gems on First Purchase of Shards (registration)
Number of Games: Over 360 free slot games
Operator: JSP Media Holdings Limited

Pulsz Social Casino

Welcome Bonus: 2.3 redeemable sweeps, coins, and 5,000 non-redeemable gold coins
Number of Games: Over 300
Operator: Yellow Social Interactive Limited

Real Betting: Real Money Online Casinos

Now, if you’re ready to take it to the next level, it’s time to try your luck (for real this time) at a real money online casino. Online casinos have basically been around for a while, with limited operations in the US due to state-specific regulations. However, online casinos boast an abundance of slot games, table games, and sportsbooks to entertain all types of gamblers and iGamers.

Game Variety and Monetary Value

The only con to a real money casino is the risk of losing real money and overlooking responsible gameplay. Plus, aside from the variety of games you have access to, real cash casinos give you the ultimate chance to win money. Most slot games in online casinos also have demo or free play rounds before actually wagering in a game. Aside from slots, online casinos also include table games, video poker, live dealer games, and scratchcards.

Legalities of Real Money Casinos

When it comes to following regulations and restrictions in operations, many sweepstakes and real money casinos that operate online and in brick-and-mortar establishments are required to abide accordingly. Most online casinos are accessible and operational in many US states, except Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. Like social casinos, the legal gambling age for online casinos is 18 years old. Therefore, you can play games and win prizes without breaking the law as long as you live in a state where these casinos are permitted.

Again, we have reviewed and tested some of our favorite real money casinos so if you want to explore more of this, check out our top picks below:

PlayStar Casino

Allowed in states: NJ
Bonus: 100% deposit match up to $500
Games available: Table games, poker, live dealer casino, and slot games

BetMGM Casino

Allowed in states: NJ, PA, MI, and WV
Bonus: $10 to play slots
Games available: Slots and table games

Bally Casino

Allowed in states: NJ and PA
Bonus: $100 money-back guarantee and VIP program
Games available: Slots, bingo, and table games

Bet365

Allowed in states: CO, NJ, OH, VA, IA, KY, and LA
Bonus: A first-bet safety net of up to $1,000
Games available: Slots, table games, and live dealer games

Borgata Casino

Allowed in states: NJ and PA
Bonus: 100% deposit match up to $1000
Games available: table games, traditional casino games, slots, and poker

Get Social and Bet Big Your Way

Whether you’d like to try out social casinos that offer a risk-free environment for leisure or to win big in real money casinos, getting the thrill of wins alongside responsible gameplay considerations is still possible in both types of casino gaming. You could opt for the camaraderie of social gaming or the potential rewards of real bets, but choosing the right platform ensures a fulfilling journey in the continuously changing realm of iGaming; the best part though? It’s all up to you.

Get more out of your slot gaming experience, from free slot games to sports news and casino gaming tips at GambleSpot today.