Players looking for online gaming options will undoubtedly encounter the terms “Social Casino” and “Sweepstakes Casino,” but is there a difference between the two? These phrases are often used interchangeably, and for good reason—the sites with either label tend to offer similar experiences, and sweepstakes casinos are a specific type of social casino. However, there’s one important difference that distinguishes sweepstakes casinos from other social casinos. That’s what you can win while playing.
It actually helps to divide them into three key categories:
- Social Casinos with no prizes
- Social Casinos with non-cash prizes
- Sweepstakes Casinos
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Social Casinos With No Prizes
Some social casinos are purely made to be played for fun. Players are able to purchase virtual currency and even win more, but there are no prizes beyond the ability to continue playing. The most prominent social casino with no prizes is BetRivers.net. It looks and functions almost exactly like the core BetRivers Casino, but without any real money play.
You may also encounter similar apps in the iOS App Store or Google Play. Gold Fish Casino is one example. Despite these sites fitting the most literal definition of “Social Casinos,” they often fall to the wayside on top lists because they don’t offer real prizes.
Social Casinos with Non-Cash Prizes
Take the social casino format, add prizes that aren’t cash or gift cards, and you’ve got the second category. These sites function somewhere in between social casinos and traditional sweepstakes sites. The most prominent social casino with non-cash prizes is Hard Rock Social Casino. The site allows players to redeem their in-game currency for real rewards, such as Hard Rock branded merch, Unity Rewards, and additional coins.
Sweepstakes Casinos: Redeem Cash Prizes
Sweepstakes Casinos represent the majority of sites in this space (including the top sites we recommend here at Gaming Today). They offer social, for-fun-first gaming with the opportunity to redeem cash prizes down the line.
The sweepstakes casino model involves two or more virtual currencies: one standard (often called Gold Coins) and one premium currency (often called Sweepstakes Coins). The exact terminology can differ, but the idea remains the same. The differences between these two currencies are the crux of the sweepstakes casino space.
- Gold Coins are used solely to play for fun. players can win more Gold Coins, but they have no cash value and can’t be redeemed. Sweepstakes casinos typically offer the option to buy more Gold Coins, but this is not required.
- Sweepstakes Coins or their similarly-named counterparts cannot be purchased. Instead, they’re doled out as part of bonuses or special freebies when you buy Gold Coins. Playing with Sweepstakes Coins gives players the chance to eventually redeem cash prizes or gift cards once they’ve collected enough. Redemption minimums and playthrough requirements vary by sweepstakes casino.
There are well over a dozen sweepstakes casinos serving US customers. If you want one to try, our top recommendation is WOW Vegas.
Which One Is Best For You?
The answer to this question comes down to two key elements: geography and preference. Social casinos (both with non-cash prizes and no prizes at all) tend to be more widely available, so you might want to check them out if you’re in a state like Michigan, Montana or Idaho, which traditionally prohibit sweepstakes gaming.
Second, consider what you want to accomplish. If you’re looking to enjoy casino-style games with low stakes and just have fun, social casinos are the way to go. You can still do that at a sweepstakes site, of course. However, if you want the added perk of potentially redeeming real prizes, you should try a sweepstakes casino.
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