The ultimate guide to social casinos

So, are you ready to dive headfirst into the world of social casinos? Let's do this! Now, for all intents and purposes, we don’t see ourselves as high-stakes gamblers per se - but if we were, we’d surely be curious about what these online playgrounds have to offer. Real-money social casinos differ from physical casinos, so learning how to make the most out of your gameplay could diversify the way you maximize your winnings. So, sit back, relax, and let's take a deep dive into the world of social casinos, discover new social casinos in the market, and check out our social casino list must-tries!

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📖 Published on: June 27th, 2023

✍️ Updated: 5 months ago

⏳ 16 mins read

What's the deal with social casinos?

Well, my friend, online social casino games are like the friendly neighborhood poker games of the online world. In other words, these are spots where folks can get a kick out of casino games -without betting a dime of real money. You can play slots, table games, and even some poker, all from the coziness of your abode. And the best part? You don't have to worry about losing the proverbial shirt on your back because there's no real money involved.

Now, you might be thinking, “What's the fun in that?" Well, let me tell you, these social casinos are more than just spinning wheels and flashing lights. They're like a big ol' family reunion. You know, the standard places where folks gather to play, compete, and shoot the breeze. It's like a night on the town at the casino, minus the smoke, the big crowds, the racket, and, more importantly, the dent in your wallet.

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Latest Social casino News

Vegas Infinite Social Casino Now Available on Android Device
June 12th, 20243 mins

Vegas Infinite Social Casino Now Available on Android Device

May 29, 2024 - PokerStars recently launched the mobile version of Vegas Infinite, the virtual reality social casino for iGaming enthusiasts. It first launched in 2018 and in 2023, the PC version which doesn’t require the use of headsets became a popular option among gamers. This May, Vegas Infinite launched its free-to-download mobile app.

Available on the Google Play Store, players who are of legal age, 18 years old and above can now take their social casino gaming on the go. This big update is part of PokerStars’ commitment to expanding and innovating the social casino experience for gamers alike.

Aside from bringing the virtual experience to PC, with the help of a unique user interface designed with mobile devices in mind, players may play at tables, interact with props, peek at cards, handle chips, and explore places while conversing in real time with other players.

“We’ve rebuilt Vegas Infinite so that it's easy and intuitive to play on an Android device, without losing any of the richness and variety of experience our players expect.” shares James O’Reilly, Director of VR and Innovation at Poker Stars who was excited to share the new Vegas Infinite mobile app this Spring.

Welcome Bonus: 30,000 Chips Worth

Another feature players will find exciting is the welcome bonus for first-time players who sign up for an account via the Android app. A 30,000 Chip Welcome Bonus will be given to players who signed up for a Vegas Infinite account. Every 8 hours, players get free chips and other gameplay creds.

One of the upgrades to the mobile version of Vegas Infinite is the new avatar system which allows players to customize their characters and personality in every virtual table game. They have the option to select custom-designed characters with 30 different design templates to choose from. PokerStars aims to work on expanding and evolving the avatar system at Vegas Infinite over the year to provide iGamers and loyal players with more immersive and personalized gaming experiences.

AutoSave Using the Vegas Infinite Player Account

Another neat feature mobile players will appreciate is how they can save their game progress through Meta Quest and Steam VR and PC without any fuss, all through their Vegas Infinite account. This seamless integration ensures that no matter where or how users are playing, their gameplay progress is always up to date.

Whether they're diving into a quick game on their phone during a break or settling in for an extended session on their VR headset at home, Vegas Infinite keeps everything synchronized. Plus, with cloud-based saves, they never have to worry about losing their hard-earned achievements or customizations.

Responsible Gambling

To help its committed moderating crew, Vegas Infinite leverages Tox Mod, an AI live chat monitoring platform. A variety of in-game safety features are also available to players, such as the ability to impose spending caps, take breaks from games, report other players, and adjust the degree of in-game interaction.


BetMGM New Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin Debuts in Michigan
June 12th, 20244 mins

BetMGM New Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin Debuts in Michigan

May 30, 2024 – BetMGM and software developer IGT recently launched their latest slot game, Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin. The iGaming and eSports operator backed this new casino endeavor to give avid slot game players and BetMGM subscribers 720 ways to win the slots, coupled with new bonus features to look out for. With 41 seasons of the titled show Wheel of Fortune, this slot game is the first MGM brand-led online casino of the game show to surface in the North American iGaming market.

While the Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin launched in the Michigan online casino app, BetMGM has prioritized the game’s accessibility in other parts of North America and through sister platforms like Borgata Casino and Wheel of Fortune Casino. Players can enjoy the nostalgic feel of the classic game show while experiencing the excitement of modern slot gaming. BetMGM's commitment to innovation ensures that more unique and engaging games are on the horizon for its users.

GameCode and IGT Partnership

Oliver Bartlett, the vice president of gaming at BetMGM shared in an official press release that this new addition to its array of slot games will offer players an exclusive slot game that both caters to BetMGM’s user base while building on its continued partnership with the brand Wheel of Fortune and software developer IGT.

IGT PlayDigital President, Gil Rotem comments that they continue to welcome its fruitful partnership with the iGaming juggernaut enhancing customized user experiences for BetMGM players through meaningful brand-led Wheel of Fortune Casino. Moreover, the new slot game’s launch follows the company’s partnership with North American iGaming provider GameCode which brings Michigan and New Jersey players more variety in game options including but not limited to titles like Boom Boom Boom and HammerCash.

Continued Brand Success for Wheel of Fortune

IGT and Sony Pictures Television tied a 10-year licensing deal enabling exclusive use of the Wheel of Fortune brand. The new slot game boasts 5-reels and offers a vibrant, engaging experience with stunning graphics and sound effects. Novice and seasoned players alike will find multiple bonus rounds and modern elements of the classic fruit machines adding to the excitement and increasing the chances of big wins.

Other features of the game players can expect are colorfully illustrated symbols, with luxury objects like yachts, sports vehicles, and necklaces representing the higher value symbols. Conversely, a variety of fruits represent low-value symbols. Ten thousand times the bet is the maximum reward. Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin has numerous bonus features, including the Mini Wheel Bonus and the Triple Extreme Spin Bonus, in addition to the two bonus symbols.

Responsible Gaming and Gaming Variety in Michigan

Since 2021, BetMGM has been active in Michigan casinos online and continues to offer more than 1,500 competitive games on the platform. Its no-deposit bonuses in Michigan along with its exclusive jackpot network makes it some of the most anticipated features of online gaming in Michigan casinos. Aside from GameCode, BetMGM also moved towards recruiting game developers like Boldplay to further improve its game catalog.

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation licensed the GameSense initiative to MGM Resorts, and BetMGM's platform offers tools like this one to encourage responsible gaming.

To learn more about the Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin and its new gaming features, visit Wheel of Fortune review.


High 5 Social Casino Declared Illegal in Washington
June 20th, 20242 mins

High 5 Social Casino Declared Illegal in Washington

Two social casino apps run by New York-based High 5 Games have been declared unlawful in the state of Washington by a federal judge. According to the state's Recovery of Money Lost at Gambling Act (RMLGA), the corporation may be liable for millions of dollars in damages following Judge Tiffany Cartwright's June 11 order in Western Washington District Court. “That's not toy money; that's actual money” according to 

Cartwright concurred with former player Rick Larsen, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, who claimed that the games broke both the RMLGA and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA). If players wish to keep playing after using up all of their virtual bankrolls, they must buy more coins with real money. Court filings show that Larsen played the apps for $7,470.50.

Anyone who bought virtual currency for one of the applications in Washington after April 9, 2014, may be eligible to obtain damages through a class action lawsuit. That's important since gambling is defined by Washington as "risking something of value to receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome in a contest of chance or a future contingent event, not under the person's control or influence."

Washington is not like other jurisdictions where cases pertaining to the "value" of virtual playing chips have been filed. The plaintiffs in the Big Fish lawsuit split a $155 million settlement. Cartwright concluded that the virtual currency of High 5 "functions identically" to that of Big Fish.


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The nitty-gritty of social casinos

Now, let's get down to brass tacks. How do these social casinos work? Well, when you hop on board, you're handed a certain amount of virtual coins. These coins can be used to play the games on the site. You can't cash them out for real money, but you can use them to play and compete with other players.

And here's where it gets interesting. Some of these social casinos offer real-world rewards. That's right, by playing the games, you can earn points that can be redeemed for things like hotel stays, meals, and even tickets to shows. It's like getting the royal treatment at a brick-and-mortar casino, without having to gamble away your hard-earned greenbacks.

Social casino games

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Now, let's talk about the games. Social casino games are the heart and soul of these platforms. They're the whole reason you log in, the reason you compete, and the reason you keep coming back for more after all is said and done. From slots to poker to blackjack, these games bring all the thrills of a Vegas casino minus the risk.

The cherry on top? You can play these games without spending a single penny. Yes, you heard it right - you can spin the slots, deal the cards, and roll the dice without it costing you a dime. But if you're looking for a little more excitement, some social casinos offer games where you can wager and win real money. It's the best of both worlds, and these are what we call social casino games real money.

Are social casinos the future of gambling?


The social casino industry is a booming market in the US, with an increasing number of players flocking to these platforms for a no-risk, sociable gaming experience. As technology keeps pushing the boundaries, we can expect to see an influx of even more creative and captivating features in social casinos.

However, it's also important to note that while social casinos offer a fun and risk-free gaming environment, they should still be enjoyed responsibly. Even though real money is not at stake, players can still become overly invested in the games, leading to excessive play. As with all forms of gaming, moderation is key.

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5 Best Social Casinos in the US in 2024

While you’re busy finding more reasons to play on social casino apps, here’s a list of social casinos; we think it’s high time you start exploring, don’t you agree?

 

1. 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.

Your social media ads are probably already stacked with a bunch of social and real money casinos from industry giants like WOW Vegas. Of course, they’re not one to shy away from giving their players a platform for fun social casino gaming and sweepstakes play. It’s one of the top social casinos in the market today and boasts a variety of free casino games to try out.

Now, if you’re a noob at taking advantage of free social apps like most non-gamblers, then WOW Vegas shouldn’t be such a bad choice, right?

Their app can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store, which is great if you prefer playing from multiple devices. What we like about this social casino app is that it’s affiliated with Novomatic and Pragmatic Play which are no strangers to the gaming industry. We personally enjoy jackpot slots, and WOW Vegas doesn’t fall short in terms of game variety, with more than 350 games in its arsenal, and, what’s more, it has no deposit requirement for first-time customers.

 

2. 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

Don’t let this one out of your radar, because as one of the top social casino apps in 2024, Vegas Gems might be one of the newer social betting apps to check out, and it shows a lot of promise in terms of offerings and game range. With more than 360 free social casino games, you definitely won’t have a problem dealing with finding new games to try. 

The best part? You get a welcome bonus once you register, up to 1,000 gems, and a little extra 50% gems on top of the first shards you opt to spend a little more money on. While they offer a bunch of slot games, Vegas Gems is currently working on adding table games to their app, to liven up the mix, expand their user base, and give social gamers more long-term options. What we find quite interesting is that this new social casino supports crypto payments, giving anyone on the ether a chance to spin their way to success!

 

3. 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

Operating mainly in the US and Canada, Chumba is a social casino site that comes with an app also called Chumba Lite, which is a crowd favorite with its scintillating draw on engagement and its social media prowess.

Well, if you’re one of those doom scrollers who fell for it and enjoys the free social casino app, then join the club! What we can’t get enough from Chumba is the wide variety of slot games, video poker, baccarat, and slingo games we can try out for free. They’re also pretty generous about their welcome bonuses, giving first-time players a lot to work with when fumbling with those baccarat games.

 

4. 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

Great for video slot enthusiasts, Yellow Social Interactive Casino is the virtual place to be if you enjoy exploring multiple slot games on one platform. We think the best part about YSI’s free social casino is the Megaways games and jackpot slots that can be found in more than 300 of its free slot games. Table games and other “hold and win” slot games are available on this platform. Their nifty little app is also perfect for on-the-go players who like to kill time with a few sweeps here and there.

 

5. 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

Recently awarded the best social gaming operator in 2023, High 5 Social Casino aims to please you with a whopping 800 slot games, table games, and jackpot slots combined. It’s perfect for folks who love to try multiple free social apps at once since they offer a generous welcome bonus package.

In addition, you could max these bonuses out after signing up and get offers to purchase more sweep coin packages for more chances to win in sweepstakes games. If you stay a while, you might even get access to gaming credits and more VIP points! What else could you need, right?

The Best of the Best: Top Social Casino Games at Your Disposal

Now, there are a lot of social casinos out there, but some are a cut above the rest. Sites like Pulsz Casino, Wow Vegas, and Double Down Casino offer a wide variety of games, great social features, and even those real-world rewards we mentioned earlier. They're the cat's pajamas, the big kahunas, the... well, you get my drift.

 

The legality of social casinos

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room - legality. You might be wondering, "Are these social casinos even legal?" Well, the short answer is yes. Because there's no real money involved in the games, social casinos are legal in most places.

They're not considered gambling, so they don't fall under the same laws and regulations as online casinos. However, it's always a good idea to check the laws in your specific location just to be on the safe side.

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Social Casino USA: Factors to Consider when Choosing a Social Casino for Your Gaming Needs

Many operators continue to break the monotony of the same games by developing free social casinos and social betting sites that give players variety and access beyond compare. Finding an exciting and wide-scale US social casino can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look out for, so trust us - as a newcomer to free social betting sites and apps, a quick guide could make a world of difference.

 

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Flexible Payment Options

You could be playing from Texas or New Jersey and payment methods could be limiting. So, an important factor to consider is how much flexibility a social casino can give you in terms of how you can keep playing. From Neteller to crypto payments, there’s a bunch you can look into so you don’t have to get stuck with the same games over and over.

 

Game Variety

Now, who doesn’t want more games to play, right? Exploring social casino games is always the best part of signing up for social betting apps. Having game options from jackpot games and table games to free online slots, finding which selection of games best suits you is key.

 

Operator Reputation and Reviews

As I said, a lot is coming from social casinos and social betting sites that are trying to make their way into avid iGamers’ radar. While trying them all out one sign-up at a time seems like a practical way to go about it, it’s not always the smartest. Make sure you do your research, double-check the legitimacy of the apps, and read through user reviews before committing to anything.

 

Data Security

Your information, especially your banking details, requires severe protection, which some operators fail to acknowledge without even realizing it. Read about security reviews on personal data, and read through the terms and conditions so you won’t fall for any scams targeting your financial information.

 

Mobile Experience

Convenience, user-friendly features, and navigable interfaces make a big difference when playing on social casino apps. If you’re after free slot games on social casino sites, make it a point to explore certain features that are best suited for iOS and Android devices. Depending on your preferences, make it a point to do your research on which features and games work best for your mobile gaming preferences.

Pros and cons of social casinos

Like everything in life, social casinos have their ups and downs. On the upside, they're a fun, risk-free way to enjoy casino games. They're a great way to meet new people, compete for bragging rights, and even earn some real-world rewards.

Plus, you can play anytime, anywhere, without having to set foot in a real casino. Some new social casinos, give users a more intricate virtual currency system that may not give out real winnings to withdraw but credits that can be applied to real rewards in some partner establishments. If you’re new to playing new social online casinos, these games are great for practicing your game at slots and unlocking new levels before trying out real money casinos with actual deposits involved.

On the downside, because there's no real money involved, the stakes can feel lower than in a real casino. Some folks might miss the thrill of risking real money. Plus, while you can earn real-world rewards, you can't cash out your winnings like you would in a real casino. Another con could be the monotony some players may experience because of the limited selection of games in some social casinos online.

Pros

A risk-free way to play casino games online

An avenue for social interaction and global competition

Convenient access and user-friendly features

Virtual currency system convertible to real rewards and credits

Good practice round for real money casinos

Cons

Low stakes: No real money involved

No cash-out options

Monotony due to limited game selection

Experience Social Casinos!

Immerse yourself in the world of social casinos with our expert reviews. Discover a vibrant community of players and enjoy a wide variety of social casino games. From slots to table games, explore the best social casino sites and join the fun!

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The Bottom Line

So, there you have it. Social casinos are a fun, risk-free way to enjoy the thrill of casino games. They're a great way to meet new people, compete for bragging rights, and even earn some real-world rewards. So, why not give them a shot? Who knows, you might just hit the jackpot.

Well, that's all for now. Remember, the house always wins, but at a social casino, you can still walk away with a smile. Happy gaming, my friends!

FAQ

What is a social casino?

A social casino is an online platform where you can play casino games like slots, poker, and blackjack with virtual coins. There is no actual cash on the line, but you can go toe-to-toe with other players and rack up points for rewards you can use in the real world.

Can you win real money at social casinos?

No, you can not win real money at social casinos. However, some social casinos offer real-world rewards you can earn by playing the games. In some cases, there are social casino real money games where you can wager and win real money.

How do you get coins to play at social casinos?

When you sign up at a social casino, you are usually given a certain amount of virtual coins to start playing with. You can also earn more coins by playing games, competing in tournaments, and taking advantage of daily bonuses.

What are some of the top-dog social casinos?

Some of the top-rated social casinos include Pulsz Casino, Wow Vegas, and Double Down Casino. These sites dish out a smorgasbord of games, top-notch social features, and rewards that you can use in the real world.

Author
Joey Dacillo
Writer | Content Strategist

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