Social Casinos

Social casinos offer customers the chance to play on their favorite slots and games without the need to part with their hard-earned cash.

If real money online casinos aren’t yet available in your state, then this new breed of social casinos can tick a lot of boxes for players looking to get the thrills of a real money casino. Although online gambling is still relatively new in the US, it is growing at a fast pace. Currently, only players from some states can play online casino games win real money; however, social casinos online are a fantastic legal alternative for players from all states.

There is no opportunity to play social casino games for real money, which means social casinos are not treated as gambling at all. They work in a very similar way to a real money casino but without the need to play with real money. You may have heard of sites like Chumba Casino or Big Fish Casino as they continue to expand and attract players who want to gamble without the added pressure of playing for real cash.

Social casino gaming allows players to experience the best casino games in a fun, social atmosphere. Players can enjoy playing social slots against their friends without worrying about losing money. Additionally, bettors can replicate the experience of playing at online casinos or real casinos without needing to deposit.

This page covers all of the crucial information regarding social casinos. We will look at the differences between social casino apps and real money online casinos, a list of social games, live social casino games, and if you can play social casinos for real money. Additionally, we will mention some of the best social casinos for you to try and social casinos where you can win real prizes.

Social Casino Apps

If you are looking to play at social casino apps, then check out the featured sites below:

• BetRivers Social Casino
• High 5 Casino
• Fortune Coins
• Rush Games Casino
• Gambino Slots
• Hard Rock Social Casino
• Chanced Casino

What Is A Social Casino?

There are some key differences between social casinos and real money online casinos that players must understand before playing. Anyone who is interested in wagering real money may not get what they want from a social casino site, but if you just want a fun experience, social gaming certainly provides that.

If you are wondering, ‘is playing at a social casino gambling’? Despite the word casino being mentioned, as you are not playing for real money, you are not gambling. You can be playing a Facebook slots game, video poker, or roulette; however, as you are just playing for things like free coins and free spins, you are not considered to be gambling.

Essentially, a social casino is a platform that allows you to enjoy your favorite casino games for free.

Are Social Casinos Legal?

Anybody living in America interested in gambling games will know that all online gambling activities are restricted and fall under stringent rules across the country. In fact, it is still not legal in most states to offer online casino games to players, which is why most people cannot yet access such games for real money.

However, it is an entirely different story when it comes to social gambling and social casino sites like LuckyLand. The US government does not consider social gaming to be gambling. Because no money is being risked or changing hands, social casinos are completely legal to play within every state except for Washington.

Consequently, social casino sites are an excellent alternative for players looking to play slots or table games but aren’t allowed to do so for real cash. Social slots are legal, and bettors can play them and enjoy the experience without any legal risks. Here on Gamble-USA, we aim to only include legal operators on our list of the best social casinos.

Bear in mind the fact that because you are playing at social casinos, it doesn’t automatically mean you can legally sign-up at real money casinos as well. Always make sure you know exactly what is legal within your state before you create an account on any gambling site out there.

How Are Social Casinos Different From Online Casinos?

As we have mentioned above, it is not considered gambling when playing at a social casino as no money is being risked. Let’s take a look at some key differences regarding social casino sites compared to traditional real money casinos.

Playing With Gold Coins or Free Coins

Real money casinos will require new players to deposit cash into their balance before playing. However, players can enjoy social casino games without any real money risk. Once you create an account with a social casino, players will be awarded free coins or gold coins which can be wagered at slots and other games. Any wins generated will be given in the form of free coins, with bettors competing at accumulating the most coins without risk. LuckyLand Slots hacks and Funzpoints Casino cheats can help win more coins playing there.

In addition to using a gold coin or free coins, some swepstakes casino sites use sweep coins. A sweep coin acts in the same way, in that it is not real money but is used to wager on the games. For example, sweeps coins are used by Global Poker to participate in their sweepstakes promotions.

Social Features

The primary reason players play social casino games is to play against friends and meet people they have things in common with. Social gaming sites provide features allowing players to interact and compete against each other in tournaments and matches and share their rewards and coins with friends. This makes these platforms a fun place to spend time.

Social Casino Apps

Players have the opportunity to play social casino games on the go via social casino apps. They provide the same functionality as desktop sites but have been optimized to fit mobile devices. Most social casino apps are available to download on both iOS and Android devices.

Compare Social Gambling Sites

List Of Social Casinos

There are plenty of social casino sites in the market, and the fact that you don’t have to pay to play often misleads players into thinking that there are no bad choices. We shortlisted social casinos that have comprehensive player protection policies complete with self-exclusion and time-out options, sites with hefty bonuses where you can have a true social casino experience:

• BetRivers.net – launched in 2018, famed for its streamlined app and Evolution live dealer games.
• High 5 Casino – launched in 2012, helmed by one of the most respected i-gaming operators, High 5 Games.
• Slotomania – launched in 2011, one of the longest-running “pure” social casinos in the market.
• House of Fun – launched in 2013, offers a variety of free bonuses each day.
• Skillz Games – launched in 2012, a unique site that offers skill-based games and tournaments.
• Gambino Slots – founded in 2015, one of the most popular mobile social casino apps, has an exceptional sign-up offer.
• Stake.us – launched in 2022, one of the fastest-growing sweepstakes casinos with a well-structured free-play segment and plenty of free currency bonuses.
• Rush Games – launched in 2021, ensures its players have ample credits to use with bonuses that refill every 2 hours.
• Double Down Casino – launched in 2010, gives each player a million gold coins upon sign-up.
• Pulsz – founded in 2020, features a comprehensive library of 700+ games from some of the most reputable slot developers.

Note that some players may recognize several names in this list as sweepstakes sites. Besides being counted among the top-rated sweepstakes casinos, sites like Stake, High 5, and Pulsz have social casino elements like free GC bonuses and free-play modes; the reason why they’re on the list of top social casinos is that they offer games and bonuses that are far superior to competing “pure” social casinos.

1. BetRivers Social Casino

BetRivers.net is arguably the best social casino overall because it’s got all the bases covered. From live dealer games and popular slots to free daily credit refills to a comprehensive Rewards Program, it’s a vivid replica of real money casinos, only you won’t need to spend cash to enjoy its benefits.

Even though the casino sprouted in 2018, BetRivers as a brand has been around since 2009, and its reputation has been pristine to this day.

I recommend BetRivers.net to everyone since it doesn’t have any fatal flaws. Players receive extra virtual credits for free every four hours, and the Spin the Wheel is more than likely to give you enough credits for the entire day.

Tap on our banners to claim your free 250 virtual credits, and if you want a headstart, use our promo code PLAY200 to grab 100% extra credits on your first purchase. If you are struggling to choose which games to play check out our Sugarhouse slots recommendations.

2. High 5 Casino

Even as a sweepstakes casino, High 5 towers above contemporary social casinos with a remarkable selection of 800+ slot, table games, and live dealer lobbies, many of which come directly from its parent company High 5 Games.

The feature of High 5 Casino I like the most is its Diamond booster currency. Players receive 600 for free upon sign-up and dozens for free every four hours onward; diamonds can be used to purchase “boosts on demand” or free spins instead of spending real cash.

If you’re not interested in cash prizes, High 5 Casino has an excellent free-play mode where all of its games are available to use with game coins. I mainly recommend this casino to players who want to grab some free money while gaming since High 5 Casino has both a hefty sign-up SC bonus and free SC daily refills. Use our banners to create a free account at High 5 Casino and grab 5 sweeps coins, 250 game coins, and 600 diamonds for free.

3. Slotomania

Slotomania is rightly considered among the best “pure” social casinos for two reasons – it’s been around for over a decade, and its welcome bonus of 1,000,000 GCs is virtually uncontested.

This is one of those casinos where you unlock features and games as you play. This “progressive” system is why Slotomania is as fun as it is; not only will new slots open up as you play starter games, but you’ll also unlock special bonuses, Slotomania’s take on scratchcard games (SlotoCards), and a variety of gifts that award varying amounts of free gold coins.

I recommend Slotomania to players who are looking for a comfortable, stress-free casino experience that doesn’t involve spending real money. On the other hand, I don’t recommend this social casino to players who dislike having to play the same game over and over until new ones become available.

4. House of Fun

House of Fun is very similar to Slotomania in that both are based on the same progression concept – you make a free account, get a small fortune in free gold coins, and play games to unlock new titles.

The main difference between the two is that House of Fun has slightly simpler features and a cleaner lobby screen. I think this is important for beginners because you won’t get flashy animations whenever you make a spin (as frequently) while navigating between bonus functions and games is a lot easier.

I mainly recommend House of Fun to the same types of players who’d sign up for a Slotomania account. Its regular promos are large enough to keep your GC balance in the black, and there are 100+ games to enjoy as you level up. Tap on our banners to join House of Fun and grab your free 100,000 gold coins.

5. Skillz Games

Among dozens of social casinos our casino experts have tested, Skillz Games stands out as the most unique one. Firstly, it’s a mobile-exclusive platform with casino-like elements, but unlike more traditional casinos, it uses Z Coins as tournament tickets and Bonus Cash for wagering.

More importantly, all games at Skillz Games test skills instead of luck. For example, you’ll need a good aim and strategy to outwit your opponents in a match of Pool Payday or a steady hand and decent reflexes to hit your marks in Big Buck Hunter.

Each game is created and powered by independent developers; according to Skillz, more than 20,000+ devs have contributed to the platform, resulting in over 500+ unique titles.

I think gamers who prefer action over the usual aesthetic of casino play will feel right at home at Skillz Games. You can sign up to this platform using our banners and receive your free Z coins while you’re at it.

6. Gambino Slots

Gambino Slots is a big name in the social casino gaming industry, mainly because of its hefty bonuses. From random hourly drops and daily Mega Wheel spins to various social media promotions, this site offers numerous ways for players to earn plenty of G-coins.

Its gamified app for iOS and Android is among the more sophisticated ones, featuring a sleek interface and easy navigation. I was especially thrilled by its VIP program, which isn’t nearly as “exclusive” as VIP schemes in more traditional casinos.

On the downside, its slot library of 130+ games, all of which were designed by Gambino Slots’ in-house team, pales in comparison to more established social casinos like BetRivers.net or Rush Games.

If you’re looking for a social casino app that gives great bonuses regularly and features games with numerous bonus mechanics, Gambino Slots might be worth giving a shot.

7. Stake.us

Hailed as the “king of sweepstakes casinos” by newbies and seasoned players alike, Stake.us is a site where you can play for free or for real cash.

Unlike pure social casinos that award free gold exclusively, Stake gives new players 1 free Stake Cash upon sign-up, which holds real monetary value and can be redeemed for cash at a rate of 1 SC = $1 when the minimum redemption threshold and playthrough requirements have been met.

Players who’re mainly interested in its free-play aspects have plenty of promos to look forward to. Besides the usual daily login rewards, events like Guess the Game, Daily Races, and social media giveaways can net you outstanding amounts of free gold coins.

I also think that there are no reasons to skip free Stake Cash offers since you won’t be putting your own money on the table, though. The casino gives away free Stake Cash every day via daily login bonuses, but you can always get additional currency through mail-in, Stake Cash giveaways, Slot Battles, Originals challenges, and more.

I recommend Stake.us to both casual gamers and those looking to earn some free cash while playing 800+ slots, table games, scratchies, live dealer games, and specialty games. Tap on our banners, use our exclusive links while signing up, and get your 10,000 GC + 1 SC welcome bonus.

8. Rush Games

Rush Games is a relatively new social casino, but it’s already created quite a buzz by partnering with heavy hitters like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution, and Playson. It currently offers well over 400+ games, most of which are high-RTP titles with dozens of bonus features.

The variety of games at Rush Games Casino is a huge plus in my book. You can play popular slots, table games, and live games, as well as numerous variations of slingo and bingo games. I also loved its polished website and how generous the Spin the Wheel rewards usually are.

Don’t forget to use our exclusive promo code PLAY200 when signing up to get 100% more credits on your first purchase.

9. Double Down Casino

Double Down Casino has been operating since 2010, and what makes it stand out from younger competitors is a revolving door of new promos that helps the casino attain its freshness.

It’s virtually impossible to run out of gold coins at this social casino since it awards a whopping 1,000,000 GCs for free upon sign-up. Like House of Fun and Slotomania, you unlock slots and new rewards as you play. Even though this grind doesn’t appeal to everyone, you get rewarded with additional free coins every time you level up.

Its selection of games and website aesthetics are different from contemporary “pure” social casinos, but the gist of it is the same. If you liked House of Fun or Slotomania, you will most likely have a good time at Double Down Casino too.

Popularity of Social Casinos Explained

Casinos, and slots in particular, are considerably more popular than they’ve ever been, as attested by Fortune’s report that the industry is making roughly $329 billion annually from casino players alone.

If you’re wondering how social casinos, which don’t pay real money and can’t compete with their land-based counterparts in terms of game quality & quantity, can compete with traditional casinos, the answer is simple – casinos are only legal in 6 U.S. states. Most players don’t feel comfortable gambling at illegal sites and for a good reason.

Looking for alternatives, many casino enthusiasts took to offshore sites, but fortunately, more and more American gamblers now understand that these dodgy sites offer little to no protection from data theft and scams.

That’s where social casinos come into play. They don’t need a license to operate (but are required by law to give large no deposit bonuses) and they’re available in almost all US states. They emulate real casino experiences with real slot games that can be played for free.

Social Casino Games

From slots and table games to fish games, jackpot slots, and live dealer games, there are many different types that you’ll encounter in casinos like BetRivers.net or Rush Games. These sites are modeled as replicas of real money casinos and source games from developers that power sweepstakes and online casinos (NetNet, Pragmatic Play, etc.).

Pure social casinos, on the other hand, usually feature games that were developed by their in-house teams. This makes learning more about their specs (RTP, paylines, max win, for example) a bit more difficult, but they can be just as fun as popular slots.

Social casinos also tend to offer a broader variety of fish and arcade games. Minigames are also popular.

There are many social casino sites that feature unique games based on skill. Skillz Games is a schoolbook example of such a casino, offering unique games like pool or big game hunting that completely eliminate the risk factor and introduce a new competitive element on multiplayer platforms.

Are The Listed Social Casinos Worth Trying?

We shortlisted casinos where no real cash purchases are necessary due to big sign-up and daily bonuses, a good variety of games, and simple player interfaces. In my humble opinion, they are worth trying because you’ll never have to put real money on the line, and you’ll get to play as much as you want.

Social Casino Gaming Controversies

Social gaming and social casinos haven’t been regulated as meticulously as sweepstakes and online casinos because legislators find it difficult to define which sites are “gambling sites” and which ones are for entertainment purposes only.

A famous court battle between Zynga and Washington gamblers occurred in 2012, resulting in a $12,000,000 settlement being paid to WA players. As the story goes, Zynga apps didn’t make self-exclusion options available (or transparent enough) while the daily bonuses were too small, so WA players felt the need to make numerous microtransactions, leading to “significant financial harm.”

In 2020, Big Fish Games was faced with two class-action lawsuits with similar content. Plaintiffs argued that they were misled into thinking Big Fish Games apps were free-to-play, arguing that BFG violated Washington laws with its almost “mandatory” in-app coin purchases.

Social casinos must ensure that players don’t need to purchase chips or credits to play; purchasable coin packs and bundles can be included, but it’s illegal for social casino sites to base the entire scheme on the requirements to purchase them.

Play Responsibly at the Listed Social Casinos

The main draw of social casinos is the ability to play games and replicas of authentic slots without wagering real-life money. No matter how large the bonuses offered by social casino sites are, you may still be tempted to purchase more, especially if you don’t want to wait an entire day for your daily coin refill.

Even social casino games can be addictive, and many players don’t feel like they’re spending much since the cost-to-value ratio of coin packs is substantially higher than at sweepstakes or online casinos. For example, you’ll be offered millions of coins for $1.99, which can be burned through quickly as long as you’re thinking that you’re not wasting real money and using max bet settings.

We warmly recommend playing responsibly at social casino sites listed above and encourage you to claim bonuses regularly to keep your account balance afloat.

Social Casino FAQ

Is social gambling legal in the US?

Yes, social gambling is legal in every US state except Washington, whereas real money gambling is much more restrictive.

What does social gambling mean?

As the name implies, Social gambling allows players to play gambling games without any monetary risk. Additionally, these sites offer a significant social aspect to gameplay where players can interact with each other via chat features.

What is the difference between social casino games and online casino games?

When you play social casino games, you are not playing for real money. However, when you sign up and play at a real money online casino, you must make a monetary deposit before playing to win real money. Real Money Casinos offer a free demo mode to test most games. Sweepstake casinos act as the middle ground; they are widely available to players in the US. They can be played for free, but gold coin packages can also be bought with gifted sweeps coins attached that can be played and redeemed for real money prizes.

How much does it cost?

As we have mentioned, you can play at social casinos for free.