Pros and Cons: What Are Social Casino Games?

Social casinos are not new, but their popularity has not seen a significant surge until recently. A major reason for this development, apart from regulatory changes, is their gaming content. Slots and specialty titles have captivated players with different gaming preferences.

This post will be the perfect introduction if you’ve never played in a social casino. Read on to learn about operational models, mechanics, features, and the pros and cons of social casino games. Find out if they’re a good fit for you.

What Are Social Casino Games?

Social casino games are a form of entertainment available on online social casino platforms. In many ways, these titles are similar to their traditional counterparts:

They come in many categories, including slots, table games, and specialty games.
A variety of more and less famous gaming studios source them.
They include diverse game features and mechanics, like Megaways, multipliers, bonus rounds, etc.
They feature a range of exciting themes, from unique movie, animal, and adventure-themed slots to classic blackjack and video poker.

However, social games differ from the those in standard online casinos in terms of their rules and operations. As part of social gaming platforms’ offerings, these games don’t work with real funds. The no-purchase-necessary business model relies on special casino credits instead. In most cases, these credits include Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC).

Many social casino games have unique rules. For instance, some titles use cards instead of a roulette wheel or dice. These rule modifications were prompted by strict gaming regulations that forbid the use of specific equipment in casino-style games.

Pros of Social Casino Games

Now that you’re familiar with the concept of social casino games, let’s consider their best qualities. The following list features reasons so many players find these games so appealing:

Wide accessibility — The rule modifications we’ve discussed above make social casino games much more accessible than their classic counterparts. They’re typically available in territories with stringent gaming laws, like the US. In this way, they provide a legal avenue for everyone to enjoy casino gaming.
Free-play entertainment — As expected, the free-to-play mode makes social casino games particularly appealing. It allows you to play for hours and secure amazing rewards without spending a dime. This quality makes the games available to tight-budget players as much as high rollers. It also gives players plenty more opportunities to practice, hone their gaming skills, and develop successful strategies.
Gaming on the go — Mobile gaming has recently become quite popular in the industry as a whole. However, social gaming sites embraced it much more than their traditional competitors. Most, if not all, social casino games are optimized for mobile devices. With them, you can enjoy your favorite pastime, whether you’re out and about or in the comfort of your home.
Gamification — Social casinos try to replicate the gaming experience people enjoy in land-based gaming venues. Their games rank players’ achievements on leaderboards, allow participation in tournaments and competitions, feature live chat tools, and more. These tools encourage healthy competition, help foster a sense of community, and contribute to an overall immersive gaming experience.

Cons of Social Casino Games

Despite their fantastic qualities, social casino games come with a few downsides. Here’s what you need to know before giving them a try:

Lack of real rewards — Unless they’re part of social casinos with sweepstakes elements, like Fortune Coins, social casino games don’t offer tangible rewards. You can play and win, but these winnings won’t be available for redemption. You’ll only be able to use them to play other games on the same site.
Smaller game selection — Social casino games are still gaining prominence in the sector, so they’re not as widespread and diverse as traditional gaming titles. Most social casinos feature a smaller number and fewer categories than you’re used to seeing in real-fund casinos. As a result, some players don’t find them as exciting as classic casino games.