In recent years, online casino-style platforms in the US have gained significant momentum. As there are only a handful of states which have regulated online casinos in the US, there has been an emergence of online gaming sites that offer the hottest slots on a free-to-play basis.
The two most popular online casino-style platforms come in the form of social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. These are very similar, but there is one key difference between the two of them: sweepstakes casinos can offer players prizes, while social casinos have nothing of the sort.
If you’re new to online gaming and want to learn more about popular US online slots, then we have reviews on some of the latest releases available here. We also have guides on what are prediction markets and explaining why the dealer has advantage in blackjack.
The differences between social and sweepstakes casinos
There are a few key differences between social and sweepstakes casinos you should know about before you sign up at either of them.
Redeeming prizes
The main difference between social and sweepstakes casinos is the ability to redeem prizes from the platforms. Whether this is in the form of gift cards or cash, the ability to convert your prizes from the casino can be a massive factor for some players.
Social casinos will not offer players any rewards, but they may still provide players with the capability to buy Gold Coins from the shop. There is no way to ‘withdraw’ winnings, no matter how many wins you get on the slot machines.
Sweepstakes casinos don’t let players ‘withdraw’ funds in the traditional sense, but they do let them redeem Sweeps Coins for gift cards or cash. This navigates the online casino laws and keeps sweepstakes casinos legal, even when real-money casinos might not be able to operate in that state.
Gold Coins vs Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins
The easiest way to know whether an online platform operates as a social casino or a sweepstakes casino is through its currency system.
A social casino will only use Gold Coins, or something similar, because it doesn’t need a dual-currency system. Players receive Gold Coins, they use Gold Coins to play the games with, and there’s no way to redeem the Gold Coins. It’s an entirely closed ecosystem.
However, a sweepstakes casino will use a dual-currency system, as this is how it supports its prize redemption model. If you’re unsure whether an online gaming platform is a social casino or a sweepstakes casino, the quickest way to tell is to see if they talk about using one currency or two. For a more in-depth explanation on the differences between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, as well as how to use them, we have a full guide available here.
Types of games
The types of games available at these platforms can differ significantly, as well as the game providers supplying the titles.
Social casinos will often focus on ‘softer’ online games, such as bingo or keno. These will run for several minutes at a time, depending on what sort of game is running. These games are very low volatility and you’ll notice that even the aesthetics are calming in nature! Overall, many social casinos provide a relaxing, soft experience.
However, many sweepstakes casinos will feature the same game library as real-money casinos. This means you can expect the wild, high-volatility online slots from providers such as Hacksaw Gaming, Pragmatic Play and Nolimit City, just to name a few.
Types of multiplayer aspects
Finally, you’ll notice that social casinos and sweepstakes casinos approach multiplayer functions differently.
Many social casinos will have a simplified multiplayer experience, with the option to spam pre-set lines or emojis in response to someone elses actions. For example, if they make an awful play at a poker table, you might see the rest of the table post the laughing emoji face!
Sweepstakes casinos tend to have a less regulated approach to multiplayer chats, with many online platforms such as Stake having unregulated chats on the side of the screen. This allows players to share tips and tricks, as well as their frustrations, with one another.
