Many players have been turning to social and sweepstakes casinos in recent years. From free-to-play games with real reward potential to wide accessibility and great promotional value, their advantages are many and diverse. If any of this sounds up your alley and you’re interested in joining this growing community, now is the perfect time. Read the following article for tips on playing on these platforms, choose the right brand for you, and get started.
1. Understand the No-Purchase Business Model
One of the primary differences between traditional and social gaming sites is their business model. Unlike standard online casinos, social platforms operate on a no-purchase-necessary basis, first appearing in the US in the 20th century. The system allows all users to enjoy casino-style entertainment without financial risk.
To that end, social casinos don’t take rake. They host free-to-play games, often with modified rules, so if you want to join one, you may need time to understand how this system works. Thankfully, the best brands make this info readily available. You can visit https://sportzino.com/ to get an idea.
2. Learn About Sweeps and Gold Coins
Because they don’t host house-banked games, social casinos work with casino credits. Generally speaking, these credits come in two formats — Sweeps and Gold coins. Both types allow you to participate in games, but only Sweeps coins (SC) let you win rewards you can redeem. The only purpose of Gold coins (GC) is to provide entertainment, which means they don’t have value outside the site.
Most social and sweepstakes platforms feature a Sweeps rules page explaining how virtual coins work and how you can acquire or use them. You should always review these guidelines before you start playing to make the most of the gameplay.
3. Use Promotions and Bonuses
Social casinos tend to go all out in terms of promotions. Most of them feature a long list of easily attainable offers. If you join one, you’ll likely come across:
- A multi-part welcome bonus package offering SC and GC;
- A daily login bonus that awards a small number of SC every 24 hours;
- A referral promo that treats users who recommend the platform to their friends after the friends register;
- Social media contests and giveaways that reward the most successful participants with special promotions, gift cards, free spins, or coins;
- Mail-in requests that send a fixed number of SC to users who request them from the casino following its specific rules.
While social casinos also offer the option to purchase virtual coins (GC) in packages, the promotions mentioned above are a more convenient way to maintain a healthy balance. Make sure you read and follow their bonus terms and keep up with the promo page for additional offers.
4. Choose Games Carefully
Social casino games come in a range of categories, each with different features and reward potentials. You can find traditionally designed and feature-rich slots, classic and modified poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, as well as specialty titles like dice, keno, and bingo.
Take time to read through these games’ rules, gameplay, and paytables to choose the ones that best suit your taste and preferences. Learn how their features work and check out online forums and review pages for strategies to maximize your chances of winning.
5. Practice Responsible Gaming
Despite social casinos’ free-to-play nature, regulating your gaming practices is essential. These titles’ entertainment value and winning potential can be just as captivating as those on traditional platforms are. So, try to adhere to a few basic rules.
Delegate your coins before you dive into action, start playing with GC, and move onto SC only after you’ve got a good grasp on the rules and gameplay, don’t forget to take frequent breaks. Together, these steps will ensure you have a great time without losing control of your gaming or spending habits.
