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Ask the best of us players, and they will tell you that nothing hits the spot quite like having fun while landing winning combos on social casino games. The same goes for sweepstakes casinos, where slots take up a big chunk of the lobby, and it's easy to see why.
Sweepstakes and social games are uber-fun to play, with colorful reels and gameplay that won't hurt your brain. The crisp graphics, lovely themes, and cool animations make everything all the more exciting. But what makes the difference between social and sweepstakes casinos?
What are social casinos and sweepstakes casinos?
Social casinos are free-to-play platforms built purely for fun. You spin the reels, hit the tables, and try your luck without spending a dime. These sites hand out virtual coins that let you play as much as you want, but those coins won't buy you anything in the real world. Think of them as gaming arcades where the only prize is bragging rights and a good time.
Sweepstakes casinos work a bit differently. They are also free-to-play platforms, and they give you virtual tokens (aka Gold Coins) to get up and running. Unlike social casinos, they employ a dual currency system where you earn redeemable sweepstakes coins.
Cash prizes vs entertainment
Social casinos are built from the ground up for players to have fun, and that's it. The coins (mostly Gold Coins) you land don't leave the game. You cannot convert them into gift cards, cash, or anything between. However, you look at them, it’s all about entertainment.
Sweepstakes casinos go the other way around. As with social casinos, they give you Gold Coins for playing regular games without having to spend your own money. They also throw in some Sweeps Coins (some platforms call them Sweepstakes Coins or something of the sort).
Once you have amassed enough Sweeps Coins, you can redeem them for prizes, and that’s mostly gift cards. If we’d to pick one big difference, that would be that sweeps coins cannot be purchased directly. You can earn them through playing with Gold Coins, as well as through bonuses and as freebies when you purchase Gold Coins packages.
Currency systems
Social casinos keep their coin system straightforward. Sign up, get your Gold Coins (or whatever they call them), and start playing. You can buy more coins if you run out, but that's about it. There's no second currency, no redemption options, and no complicated rules to follow.
Sweepstakes casinos run a dual-coin setup, with Gold Coins taking much of the gameplay. As at social casinos, these coins are for playing for fun, and they carry no cash value. Sweeps Coins can be used to play the same selection of games, and they can be swapped for gift cards and prizes. You never have to spend money to get Sweeps Coins, and they come as bonuses, rewards, or random gifts from the platform.
Legal status and framework
Social casinos operate without much red tape. Since they don't offer real prizes and everything is geared towards entertainment, they're legal across all 50 states. They're not considered gambling, so they dodge most of the regulations that traditional casinos have to deal with. That said, they still need proper licenses and security measures to keep players safe.
Sweepstakes casinos face tighter rules because they offer prizes. They operate under sweepstakes laws rather than gambling regulations, which is why they can exist in most states. The laws require them to always offer free ways to play and ban them from selling Sweeps Coins directly. They also can't pay out cash for winning games, which is why they use the redemption system instead. Right now, sweepstakes casinos are off-limits in Washington, Idaho, Tennessee, and Nevada.
Game selection and gameplay focus
Social casinos have more freedom to get creative. Developers can mess around with game mechanics (think quirky features or cook up something totally new). The social casino lobby still sports a bevy of slots and table games, but bingo, puzzle games, and other exotic titles that wouldn't flay at traditional gambling sites.
Sweepstakes casinos stick closer to what you'd find at real-money casinos. Off the back of sweepstakes coin-backed prizes, developers try to make the games feel and play as authentic as possible. That means more traditional slots, video poker, table games, and live dealer options. The quality pegs on the higher end because these platforms compete with actual casinos for player attention.
Social and community features
Social casinos live up to their name, with a clutch of social features. Most platforms have chat features that let you talk to other players as you spin the reels or go from poker hand to the next.
Leaderboards are another social-esque gamification feature. They track top performers across different games, and you can share your wins on social media with a quick tap.
Sweepstakes casinos take a step back as far as the social side of things goes. You'll find leaderboards that reward top players with bonus coins, but live chat features are hit or miss. They go heavy on the games and prizes, and that means building a community plays second fiddle.
Wrapping up: are there any similarities?
You'd be forgiven for thinking that social and sweepstakes casinos have little to nothing in common. The other way around is actually true, and you may be looking at upwards of 80% in similarity. A typical online sweepstakes casino offers a bevy of games akin to those found at traditional gambling sites. They may go heavy on slots, but sweepstakes casinos also sport video poker, live dealer, and table games.
The same is true of social casinos. They have plenty of social slots, table games, and live-dealer tables, but they tend to feature a big chunk of social games like bingo and poker. Both types of casinos are built from the ground up with fun and entertainment at heart, and they use some sort of Gold Coins. This Sweepstakes Advantage article is for online casino educational purposes.