There are more kinds of online casinos than ever before these days. Sometimes, trying to stay up to date with all of them can feel a bit overwhelming. Two of the more recent iterations taking the internet by storm lately are social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. Are they the same thing? Is it better to choose one over the other, or consider using both?
What Is A Sweepstakes Casino?
Sweepstakes casinos have more in common with traditional online casinos than social casinos, in that you can win real cash. They operate in a very similar manner, except for one major difference: players wager using coins instead of real cash. This can be done at a US online sweepstakes casino, as long as you’re 18 or older. Then, you can play any games on the site, sometimes even if traditional gambling is prohibited in your state.
It’s something of a loophole where you can still win real cash. However, Sweeps Coins (the USD equivalent used on the site) can only be “gifted” to you when buying a Gold Coins package.
The play-money tokens, often referred to as Gold Coins, are purchased in advance (or acquired through a no deposit or welcome bonus) using real money and are then used to play and wager on games. People who have ever purchased tickets at a fair, raffle or arcade will be familiar with the process.
Sweepstakes casinos were designed to appeal to people who aren’t fans of the risk/reward style of play that standard online casinos tend to cultivate. They emphasize casual, relaxing play, as opposed to the more adrenaline-based style of trying to win a big jackpot.
What Is A Social Casino?
Most online casinos are for playing games and making deposits and withdrawals via a real-money payment option. But social casinos let people play for free, and don’t offer cash as a prize for winning. And when it comes to features mimicking social media elements, you’re not going to find those at the majority of online casino apps and sites.
That’s what a social casino is good for. These special online casinos still feature many of the fun table, card and dice games that players expect from a well-reviewed sites, but with added functions that allow you to interact with other players. You don’t need to buy coins either, if you log in each day to redeem free coins.
When online casinos first become popular many years ago, players were satisfied to simply have a digital, even portable version of their favorite land-based casino. But over the years, and especially during the Covid period, people began to crave more from their online casinos – they wanted more interaction, both with other players and with the people who work at or operate the businesses.
As with sweepstakes casinos, social casinos are generally legal country-wide. So, people can play casino games in some places where they wouldn’t normally be able to at all.
What Makes A Social Casino Special?
Social casinos almost always feature several functions or mechanics that give users ample opportunities to socialize with other players. In games like poker or blackjack, you’re usually competing with other players and can chat with them. Social online casinos will often have games that allow you to play with other players too.
Games and software are still vital elements of a social casino, and they feel even more immersive when you can send and receive messages to opposing players.
To use poker as an example, many people enjoy talking to their opponents, whether for recreational or strategic purposes. A social casino gives you the ability to play a style of casino games that better mirrors how the game works in real life – minus the real cash aspect, of course.
Social casinos are also likely to include global leaderboards. That way you can see how you fare against the top players in the world, or against your online friends you’ve met and added. For fans of online competitive video games, these social elements will feel very familiar.
Can An Online Casino Feature Both Social And Sweepstakes Aspects?
There are many sweepstakes casinos that also include social casino elements. This makes them the perfect choice for someone who wants to enjoy the thrill of playing games with Sweeps Coins but wants the social elements too.
Conclusion
They may not be quite as big as standard online casinos and online sportsbooks, but social and sweepstakes casinos are catching on. Experienced gamblers and newcomers to the scene are flocking to these sites.
Sweepstakes casinos, in particular, have a lot going for them in the legal department. Because they are technically not considered a form of gambling (due to players using coins to place bets, instead of money), they can thrive even in landscapes that are considered legal minefields. This gives them a staying power that makes them even more popular.
Looking forward, we will likely see virtual reality and predictive AI being implemented on these casino platforms. All sorts of online casinos could integrate them, and this is probably just the beginning for social and sweepstakes casinos.
