If you like playing casino games online, there is a good chance that you’ve run into something called social casino. If you translate the phrase exactly, you’d think that it is an online casino where you can communicate with other people and have some sort of social interaction.
That’s part of the story, though. Social casinos also have another crucial element that creates the overall story. This is a casino model where players are not required to deposit money, and they bet in a risk-free environment.
So, what is the catch? How can a casino allow you to bet for free?
Well, there is no catch, but there is also no reward. In other words, you gamble using virtual currency that is provided by the casino when you sign up, and you can only win more virtual currency which cannot be exchanged for anything that holds a real-world value.
This means that social casinos are centered around entertainment. The platforms provide some of the most popular games like slots, blackjack, roulette, or poker, and players engage in a digital risk-free environment where they can communicate with each other.
Why have social casinos never existed before? It is a great model that allows us regular people to have fun without losing any money.
How Do Social Casinos Work?
Now that we know what are social casinos, it’s time to dive deeper and find out how they really work. Why would a business offer something for free? What’s their benefit?
Well, social casinos have a couple of monetization strategies that they can deploy. First of all, there are in-game purchases or micro-transactions. Here you can buy things either with virtual currency or real money. These things can be cosmetics, in-game items, unlockable items, special tournaments, and more. People can also top up their virtual currency wallet by buying some more using real money.
That’s how social casinos, like Huuuge Casino, make money. But it is worth mentioning that you can always engage in a free-to-play environment and you are not required to make any investment in order to play. These in-game purchases are purely optional.
Humans are wired for excitement and reward, but not everyone wants to risk their hard-earned money. Social casinos tap into that need for stimulation. You get the dopamine rush from hitting the jackpot, the fun of the game, and none of the “Oops, there goes my rent money” moments.
At this point, you might think, “Who would want to play casino games without the chance to win real money?” Well, quite a few people to be honest just because the numbers prove that the social casino industry is booming at the moment. According to recent data, the social casino market was valued at around $5.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow up to $8.2 billion by 2026.
Types of Games Available
Social casinos are just like real-world casinos. They offer a variety of games that players can enjoy.
- Slots: Slots are the most popular choice for social casino gamers, even though there isn’t much social interaction.
- Blackjack: Blackjack is another popular game that attracts millions of players. Here players play against the dealer, which makes the entire atmosphere positive.
- Roulette: The ultimate game of chance where you bet on where the ball will land on the wheel.
- Poker: This is probably one of the most socially active games found in social casinos, and it is a casino game that started the entire social casino industry.
- Video Poker: Combines elements of slots and poker for a strategic gaming experience.
Why Are Social Casinos So Popular?
Risk-Free Entertainment
The main reason why people love social casino games is because of the risk-free environment that allows players to enjoy their favorite casino games without the risk of losing money. This makes traditional casino games accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience, even for people who avoid gambling altogether.
Social Interaction
People always wanted an online casino environment that feels as realistic as going to a real-world casino. Thanks to the social aspect of social casinos and their many options where people can interact with each other, they are quite popular among players.
They get to send virtual gifts to each other, build connections, and enjoy a sense of community. All of these things make the social casino environment more welcoming.
Innovative Sweepstakes Model
This is actually a fork of the social casino industry. It is a business model that combines payments and free-to-play action. Sweepstake casinos shouldn’t be mistaken with social casinos but they share a lot of similarities.
The only difference is that sweepstakes casinos give an option to people to play with special coins, (that are only redeemable with real money) and when people play with such coins, they can get rewards such as gift cards, crypto, and sometimes even cash prizes.
Skill Development
Believe it or not, some people use social casinos to hone their skills. Want to get better at poker without losing your paycheck? Social casinos are the perfect playground. It’s practice without the pain.
That’s why even professionals in the industry use social casino games to sharpen their skills or test and develop special strategies that will be otherwise costly in a traditional online casino.
