Social casinos have been around for some time and are extremely popular in the US. As you probably know, they’re available in most states, with only a few exceptions. In this article, we’ll focus on explaining why platforms like, for example, these verified social casinos recommended by the experts over at online-casinos.com have been widely legalized across the country.
Defining Social Casinos
Let’s start with a quick overview of what a social casino is. This is a form of gambling for entertainment purposes only, meaning you won’t be able to make any real money bets. Whether playing the 5 hot summer-themed online slots, roulette, or a different game, you’ll be doing that using virtual currency (Gold Coins or WOW Coins) with no direct monetary value.
This also means you won’t have the chance to win real money prizes. In some cases, if the social casino also operates on a sweepstakes basis, you may be able to exchange the points you’ve earned (Sweeps or Sweepstakes Coins) from entering different events and promotions for real money prizes. However, the entire concept is still very different from playing at the best casinos to visit in the US or at online gambling sites.
The Legal Framework Behind Social Casinos
To understand why social casinos are legal across the US is to know the legal framework behind them. These sites are positioned as entertainment platforms and structured in such a way that they bypass traditional gambling laws. Unlike real money casino sites, social casinos don’t require a license to operate.
In addition, they’re also more lightly regulated since they fall under sweepstakes laws. You can only play in areas where such platforms have been allowed, and you must meet the corresponding legal age requirements. While social casinos operate legally in most of the US, a few states, such as Washington and Idaho, have taken a more restrictive approach.
The se states have either outlawed or heavily regulated them, seeing even virtual currency models as too close to gambling for comfort. According to opponents of such activities, the fact that players can purchase additional virtual coins with real money can potentially lead to addictive behaviors.
Still, if we are to compare real money gambling sites and social casinos, the two have a few major differences, and the latter involve s significantly lower risk. They are an excellent alternative for those of you who’d like to experience the thrill of traditional casino games without wagering real money.
Real-Money Casinos Vs. Social Casinos: Side by Side Comparison
In the table below, we’ve included the main differences between social and real money casinos. This will help you get a clearer picture of what to expect when playing at each of them. We’ve considered several factors, including legal regulations, associated risk, availability across states, and more.
| Aspect | Social Casino | Real Money Casino |
| Monetary Transactions | Virtual currency only | Real money bets |
| Winnings | You can’t win real money prizes | You can win real money prizes |
| Legal Classification | Operates under sweepstakes or entertainment laws. | Governed by state and federal gambling laws. |
| Risk | Lower financial risk due to free-to-play games. | Financial risk is higher due to real money bets. |
| Availability Across States | Legal in most states, restricted in only a few states like Washington and Idaho. | Restricted or regulated by state laws, not legal in all states. |
| Addiction Concerns | Lower risk of potential gambling addictions. | Higher risk of potential gambling addictions. |
In summary, by using virtual currencies and avoiding real-money wagering, social casinos involve less risk and just about the same level of entertainment as real money gambling sites. The fact that they face fewer restrictions makes them widely available across the country – something that’s currently not the case with their real-money counterparts.
The Future of Social Casinos
Despite any debates and challenges they may be facing, social casinos are here to stay. As of writing this article, online gambling is only legal in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Colorado, Delaware, and Rhode Island. This means that there’s a huge portion of the US population that’s unable to legally access online casino games.
Enter social casinos, which are widely available in most US states, providing a nice alternative, especially for newbies and those of you who’d like to enjoy casino-style games like slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker without having to wager real money. The fact that some of these platforms also operate on a sweepstakes basis has raised some eyebrows.
Just recently, the American Gaming Association released a new anti-sweepstakes policy statement, according to which these platforms fail to ensure fair and responsible gambling practices for players. Still, for the time being, social casinos are not going anywhere. We’ll let you know if there are any changes in the future.