What are social casino games?
Social casino games are casino-style games that can be played on social casino platforms. These include games like slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. While you might recognize many of the same titles and game providers that you’d encounter at real money casinos, there are key differences. The most notable difference is the cost of play. At a social casino, you don’t need to spend real money. Instead, you can sign up and play casino-style games for free without any requirement to make a purchase.
Difference between social casinos and demo modes
In contrast, many real casinos require deposits, and games are played with real currency. Of course, some real money casinos offer demo modes for selected games, but these demo modes are different from social casino games; they often have a restricted game variety and don’t offer any redeemable prizes. Here’s where social casino games stand out: not only do they let you play a wide range of games from slots to live casino games, but they also give you the opportunity to redeem actual prizes.
What is the sweepstakes model?
Most of these platforms use a sweepstakes model where, instead of playing with real money, you use virtual currencies like sweepstakes Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. While Gold Coins are reserved just for entertainment, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, and other rewards. With this blend of free gameplay and the possibility to redeem prizes, it’s clear why social casino games have surged in popularity.
Social casino games vs regular casino games
Here’s a closer look at how social casino games compare to regular casino games.
| Social casino games | Regular casino games |
| Purpose | Primarily for entertainment and social interaction. | Primarily for gambling and entertainment. |
| Cost to play | Completely free. Some in-app purchases may also be available. | Real money deposits and bets. |
| Currency used | Virtual currencies (e.g., Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins). | Real fiat currency such as USD. |
| Chance to redeem real cash prizes | Yes, through models like sweepstakes. | Yes, directly through winnings. |
| Platforms | Mobile apps, websites, social media platforms. | Brick-and-mortar venues, online casino websites. |
| Legality in the US | Legal in all states except for Washington | Still illegal in many states. Also, heavily regulated by gambling authorities. |
Are social casino games legal in the US?
Yes. Social casino platforms are different from regular casino sites in that no real money can be wagered or won directly. Because of this differentiation, they are legally allowed to operate in all US states with the exception of Washington. So, if you’re living in one of the states where real money gambling is illegal, such as Alabama, California, North Dakota, or Oklahoma, then social casino games serve as a perfectly legal alternative. This has led to their widespread popularity in the US.
Popular types of social casino games
Social casinos are a true hub for casino enthusiasts, letting you explore a wide range of casino-style games for free.
You can play classic slots, video slots, progressive slots, and branded slots at social casinos. The best social casino slots are developed by providers like NetEnt and Hacksaw Gaming.
Many social casinos offer variations of popular table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Craps. Some noteworthy developers include Pragmatic Play and Betsoft.
While less commonly found at social casinos, leading sites like Stake.us let you play live dealer games for free. Powered by Beter Live, you can play titles like Blackjack Live, Auto Roulette, Gravity Sic Bo, and Teen Patti for an immersive gaming experience.
These are developed in-house exclusively for a specific social casino platform. Some brands with exclusive social casino games include High 5 Games and Stake.us.
The best casinos with free social casino games
We’ve highlighted some of the top platforms that stand out with their social casino games, features, and overall gaming experience. This will help you find the right platform for your gaming preferences.
1. Stake.us: The best social casino games overall
Stake.us social casino
Stake.us original games
Looking to play top social casino games? Look no further than Stake.us. You get to play some of the best games in the industry, all without the pressure of playing with real money. There are hundreds of slots available, including over 30 unique megaways slots such as fan favorites like Sweet Rush Megaways and The Dog House Megaways. Prefer table games? Stake.us has got you covered. Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Video Poker — there’s something for everyone. And a standout feature? Most of these table games can be played with real live dealers, a rarity among social casinos.
Stake Originals
Something else that makes the social casino games at Stake.us stand out is the selection of Stake Originals. These are in-house games exclusive to Stake.us. You will find everything from exclusive slots like Scarab Spin and Blue Samurai to modern takes of classics like Keno, Plinko, Dice, and Blackjack. The reason for their popularity lies in their impressive RTPs, soaring as high as 99%. And since they’re provably fair, you can actually verify the RTP for yourself. If you’re not already a member, use the code: GGCSOCIAL during registration to receive a $25 no deposit bonus, an additional 250,000 Gold Coins, and 5% rakeback.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Stake.us Highlights
- Exclusive promo code: GGCSOCIAL
- Play Stake Originals games for free!
- Drake-approved sweepstakes casino site
2. Sweeptastic: Play social casino games for real money prizes
Sweeptastic social casino
Sweeptastic casino games
Sweeptastic is, hands down, one of the best places to play social casino games online. The site is home to thousands of games, and new releases are being added regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. Most of the games are slots, including classic slots, video slots, and progressive jackpots. Some of the hottest titles that we recommend include:
- Wolf Quest
- 4 Seasons
- Book of Museum
These games have been developed by Betsoft and GameArt, two of the industry’s leading slot providers. And it’s not only about slots. You will also find other popular game types including card games, roulette games, and even poker games. Most social casinos don’t offer this many types of social casino games.
Sweeptastic in-house games
However, what truly sets Sweeptastic apart is the exclusive in-house creations. You can play unique slot games like Dice Dice Baby, Fo Sho, and Space XY. You can choose to play with one of two different virtual currencies: Lucky Coins and Sweeps Coins.
While both can be acquired for free, only Sweeps Coins can be exchanged for real cash prizes. You can kickstart your gaming experience with a welcome bonus of 10,000 Lucky Coins upon sign-up. Then, you can boost your balance even further by completing your profile and claiming daily login bonuses.
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
Sweeptastic Highlights
- Major crypto accepted
- Huge game selection
- Quality loyalty bonuses
3. Fortune Coins: Free social casino games on all devices
Fortune Coins social casino
Fortune Coins social casino games
Fortune Coins is a mobile-friendly sweepstakes casino that sets itself apart with a diverse assortment of social casino games tailored for every player. Unlike many social casinos that only tend to offer slots, Fortune Coins extends its offerings to various other genres. You can play fish games like Emily’s Treasure, poker games like Jacks or Better, and keno games like Candy Keno.
Games at Fortune Coins
Slot player? Fortune Coins has got you covered with slots from top developers like BGaming and TopTrend Gaming. Some popular slot titles include 777 Hotline for its modern take on classic fruit machines, and Lucky Panda for its progressive jackpot that’s worth millions of Fortune Coins (FC), the platform’s Sweeps Coin equivalent.
The difference between FC and Gold Coins (GC) is that FC can be used for cash prize redemptions, whereas GC cannot. Once your balance hits 5,000 FC or more, you can redeem a cash prize. The maximum you can redeem is 955,000 coins every day.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins + $8 FREE Coins
Fortune Coins Highlights
- Great collection of slots games
- Generous welcome package
- Play games using Fortune Coins
Conclusion: Social casino games are here to stay
The distinct advantages of social casino games, such as their widespread legality in the US and the blend of free gameplay with redeemable prizes, have cemented their position in the iGaming industry. Whilst there aren’t any real money social casino games, with renowned platforms like Stake.us, Sweeptastic, and Fortune Coins leading the way with free social casino games, you have a variety of games and redeemable prizes to choose from.
More great social casino bonuses
1.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 3x Deposit
2.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: 9.99
3.
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins + $8 FREE Coins
Players from Virginia accepted
Social casino games FAQ
❓ Can I win real money on social casino games?
While you cannot directly wager or win real money, many social casino platforms use a sweepstakes model allowing you to redeem virtual currencies for cash, gift cards, and other rewards.
🤷♂️ Are social casino games legal in the US?
Yes, with the exception of Washington state. Since no real money can be wagered or won directly, social casino platforms are legally allowed to operate in almost all US states. If you need more information about how these casinos operate, check out our sweepstakes guides here at GamblingGuy.
✅ How do social casino games differ from regular casino games?
Social casino games are primarily for entertainment purposes, with no purchase required to play. They use virtual currencies and offer a chance to redeem real cash prizes through sweepstakes models.
