Best Social Casinos in the US for 2024
Are you looking for the best social casinos with a great welcome bonus, top-quality games, and a user-friendly downloadable app? To help us rate your options, there were other factors we considered, including legitimacy, bonus opportunities, payment options, social interaction features, and customer support efficiency. Read on to find out more.
Roulette Casino | Welcome Bonus | Promo Code | Roulette Games | Legal In All States Except | Site Rating | Secure Link | Terms |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HardRock Games | 2,000,000 Coins Welcome Offer | Not Needed | Over 200 slots , Innovative deisgn , Renowned brand | ID , MI , RI , TN , WA | 5.0 ★ out of 5 | Play Now! | Full T&Cs apply. Play responsibly. |
High 5 Casino | 200 Game Coins + 40 Sweep Coins + 100 Diamonds | Not Needed | 1200+ games, slots, & live dealer games , Free Daily Rewards , Authentic US brand | MI , WA, ID, NV | 4.9 ★ out of 5 | Play Now! | Full T&Cs apply. Play responsibly. |
Pulsz Casino | 5,000 Coins + 2.3 Sweepstakes | Not Needed | Provides realistic casino experience , Pulsz social casino app free download , Purchases available using real money | ID , KY , MI , NV , WA | 4.8 ★ out of 5 | Play Now! | Full T&Cs apply. Play responsibly. |
Rush Bet | Up to 500 Free Virtual Credits | Not Needed | Trusted, long-time casino company , Various email promotions , Exclusive games like Mighty Medusa | ID , MI , WA | 4.7 ★ out of 5 | Play Now! | Full T&Cs apply. Play responsibly. |
McLuck | 10,000 Coins + 2.5 Sweepstakes | Not Needed | McJackpots offered on specific games , Daily reload bonus , Sweepstake mode | ID , KY , MI , NV , WA | 4.6 ★ out of 5 | Play Now! | Full T&Cs apply. Play responsibly. |
BetRivers | Up to $500 Casino Losses Back | CASINOBACK | 1x on slots , 2x on video poker, 5x on all other games | ID, MI, WA | 4.5 ★ out of 5 | Play Now! | New players only. Bonus paid as site credit expiring in 30 days. CASINO500: Bonus match of first deposit (up to $500). 1X playthrough requirement on select games. |
#1 HardRock Games
Hard Rock Social Casino is an excellent choice if you want to enjoy some free-to-play slots and table games. The website is easy to handle and has a very laid-back feel, though we found the app to cause some issues on installation. The Hard Rock brand is fully legitimate and widely recognised, so you can relax and have some fun.
- Run by the Popular Hard Rock Brand
- Extensive Game Library
- Great Promotions
- Mobile App Can Be Clunky
- The Design Hasn’t Been Updated
#2 High 5 Casino
High 5 Casino is an authentic US brand where you can choose from over 1,200 top developer games, including slots, table games, and live dealer tables, using a desktop or mobile. We found the social gaming aspect very appealing. It allows you to connect with players worldwide, compete in tournaments and challenges, and send and receive gifts.
- Connecting with friends and other players
- Sweepstakes casino games
- Mobile game play for iOS and Android
- Lack of phone or live chat support
- Unavailable in MI, WA, NV, & ID
- No loyalty program
#3 Pulsz
At the Pulsz Casino, you can play various casino games using your virtual coins. In addition to hundreds of slots with Megaways and Tumbling Reels features, there are table games like blackjack and video poker. You can take all your favorite games with you on the go using the free-to-download app for iOS and Android devices.
- Play scratchcards and arcade games
- Megaways and Tumbling Reels mechanics
- VIP program
- No live customer support
- PayPal not accepted
- Timely verification process
#4 Rush Bet
Rush Bet is the social casino platform from Rush Street Interactive, a market leader in online casino and sports betting. You can play a selection of games, including casino slots, Slingo, live casino games, live bingo, and sports betting. The software developers behind some of the popular games include Pragmatic Play, Konami, and NetEnt.
- Slingo games
- Progressive jackpots
- Live dealer tables
- No real money options
- No live chat
- Few payment options
#5 McLuck
McLuck social casino offers a well-designed platform with a dark theme that makes it easy to play for hours. The easy-to-navigate games section includes hundreds of slots from renowned developers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Relax Gaming, and Playson. Live table games and Slingo are also available.
- Exclusive McJackpots
- Unlimited play slots
- Exclusive Gold Coin games
- No PayPal payments
- Only live table games
- No mobile app
#6 BetRivers.net
BetRivers is another excellent social casino operated by Rush Interactive. The site is purely play-for-fun offering a variety of games, including slots, table games, video poker, and a live dealer suite. A stand-out feature of this platform is the opportunity to participate in tourneys, which adds a more competitive edge to the experience.
- Live dealer suite
- Redeem Play Points for items
- Sports Zone for sports betting
- No real money prizes
- No live customer support
- No native downloadable app
Best Online Social Casino by Category
Players have unique preferences, which is why we choose to categorize the best social casinos based on various factors. To help you pick a platform that suits your preferences, we consider mobile compatibility, top bonuses, and the number of games. If your requirements are more general, we’ve also got a suggestion for the site overall.
Top Social Casino Overall | High 5 Casino |
Recurring Promos & Prixes | Pulsz Casino |
You might prefer a site that offers a wide range of slots. Alternatively, table games or live dealer titles might be your favorite. The usability of a platform’s interface might also be more critical for some, or the opportunity to battle it out in player tournaments more appealing. Whatever your taste, the best online casinos in the US will have something suitable.
However, if you need help determining which is the best online social casino for you, we suggest you head straight to the top recommended operator because it offers a wide variety of games. There are more than 500 titles covering almost every imaginable theme, as well as an excellent selection of table games, promotions, and more.
What Are Social Casinos?
Social casinos are gaming sites that offer no real money play. In some cases, you can claim real-money prizes, but you’re not making cash wagers. You don’t need to make a deposit, so you sometimes see them referred to as “no-purchase” casinos. Very few restrictions apply; however, you do need to be old enough to gamble and in a location where it’s legal to play at a social casino online.
The fact that there are payment options might be confusing until you realize that these are for buying packages that contain additional chips. You get a certain amount of virtual currency to play with every day, but if you want more, you can buy a package.
Don’t be confused into thinking that the best social casinos are the same as sweepstakes casinos. They have similarities, and some platforms offer both options. However, the difference is that you win cash prizes at a sweepstakes casino site. You can easily pick among the casinos with best online casinos with the best real money payouts
Can You Earn Money with the Online Social Casinos?
Yes, it is possible to earn real money when you play social casino games; however, it’s not an option everywhere you play. Additionally, it doesn’t work how you might think. You don’t win cash prizes directly, as you might if you play at real money online casinos. Rather, you earn through a redemption system or by earning points for entries into various events and promotions that give you a shot at earning cash if you win.
This might all seem a little confusing at first, but don’t worry because our years of experience allow us to explain in easy-to-understand terms. You’ll find out more in the following sections.
Virtual Currencies — Gold Coins vs. Sweepstakes Coins
You have two choices when it comes to playing at online social casinos. You can play with free coins or value coins. However, to confuse matters, different platforms call them by different names. We’ve provided the variations in a table below.
Free coins, otherwise known as Gold Coins or WOW Coins, are purely for entertainment, whereas with value coins or Sweeps/ Sweepstakes Coins, you can exchange them for cash prizes. Thanks to the legal framework surrounding such platforms, they are classified as promotional sweepstakes rather than traditional gambling.[2] This distinction allows them to operate legally and provides users with an opportunity for interactive entertainment and a chance to win cash prizes.
Social Casino | Free Coin (No Cash Value) | Value Coin (Redeemable for USD) |
---|---|---|
High 5 Casino | Gold Coins (GC) | Sweeps Coins (SC) |
Pulsz Casino | Gold Coins (GC) | Sweepstakes Coins (SC) |
McLuck | WOW Coin (WC) | Sweepstakes Coins (SC) |
Rush Bet | Gold Coins (GC) | Sweeps Coins (SC) |
Gold Coins
Gold Coins or WOW Coins are the standard currency for all online social casinos. The premise behind them is the same. You use these free coins to play casino-style games without spending any money.
The coins are given away every day. No purchases are necessary, and there are often various ways to claim your free coins. High 5 Casino, for example, allows you to claim a login bonus of GC10 every four hours. There may be restrictions on how often you can get these coins, but you never have to pay for them. If you use all your free coins there is generally an option to purchase more, but it’s not mandatory.
Sweeps Coins
Sweepstakes Coins or Sweeps Coins are slightly different in that they have an actual monetary value. Typically, this will be $1. You can get these coins in several ways. Either as a bonus when you purchase Gold Coins, as part of a social casino promotion, or by winning them in games. You might also find the best social casinos awarding them via social media contests or mail-in offers.
Once you’ve accumulated enough Sweeps Coins, you can redeem them for real cash prizes. Often, the redemption will be processed as bank transfers or gift cards, depending on the individual casino policy. The addition of Sweepstakes Coins makes them look and feel very much like traditional online casinos, which may be one of the reasons why they’ve become so popular.
How We Picked the Best Social Casinos
For this best online social casino guide, we explored numerous factors. First and foremost, we looked at security and licensing, because your safety is a priority for us. Other elements included the availability of bonus offers, casino apps, and games. Effective customer service is also vital, and a range of respected payment methods is another critical component.
All players are individuals, so that some factors might be more important than others. You can rest assured that we’ve picked the best social casinos to feature. You’ll find they offer a wide range of advantages for their customers.
In our opinion, that means a selection of offers with fair requirements, the availability of an app or option to play using a mobile browser, and a broad selection of games to suit all tastes and styles.
Safety & Regulation
Regarding licensing, online social casinos aren’t subject to the same level of regulation as real money casinos.[1] They operate on a play-for-fun basis, without involving any actual money transactions and, as such, are governed by various agencies in the US, including the Department of Justice. However, they are still not legal in all states.
Whether or not social casinos are legitimate depends on how each location views the sweepstakes model. In Washington, for example, they are still restricted because the Washington State Gambling Commission considers them to be a combination of raffles and promotional contents. They deem this a new type of content still not allowed within the state’s regulations. You can rest assured that all our featured online casinos hold the required licenses and are safe to play at.
Bonuses
Promotions at social casinos are just as crucial as any real money online casino bonuses. You’ll discover a range available, some of which are for new players only. Typically, they’ll take the form of free spins or coin rewards, which come with no wagering requirements. Usually, all you have to do is create and verify your account.
Social Casino Apps
We’ve picked the best social casino apps, but it’s important to remember that not all platforms have one. You can download any native apps from Google Play and The App Store, making them suitable for Android and iOS devices. Much the same as the best US mobile casino apps, it’s a very convenient way to access and play all your favorite games.
Games & Software
Typically, the best online social casinos offer a variety of online casino games that are instantly recognizable. You can play online slots, table games, and video poker for free. The most popular games tend to be slots, so you’ll find they make up the most extensive selection. One of the most popular titles for social casino players is Texas Hold’em Poker, particularly a poker gaming app published by Zynga.[4]
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Poker
- Live Casino
- Baccarat
The top social casino games are virtually the same as those you find at the best real money casinos in the US. The average social platform won’t have as many games as its real money counterparts, but you can expect the main bases to be covered.
Traditional and modern variants are often available, and some online social casino sites even offer live dealer games. Many games are created by the same software developers you find at regular casinos, with names including NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and IGT.
Experience & Support
You should expect the same level of customer service at the best social casinos as you would in the real-money gambling world. There may be times when the software crashes or your purchase isn’t processed quickly. These and other scenarios are when you need a strong, readily available customer support team. We were disappointed that Live Chat was not always an option, but on the whole, we found all issues were resolved efficiently.
Payment Methods
When you play at social casinos online, you use virtual currency, which makes a wide choice of payment methods less vital. However, if you want to buy a package of addition virtual coins, the options should include reputable providers. PayPal is not a popular option, but Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted.
- VISA
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
- PayPal
The very nature of social casinos means there is usually no need to worry about making a withdrawal because there are no real money payouts like traditional games. However, there may be opportunities for you to win real cash prizes through various sweepstakes and promotions. How you withdraw these depends on individual sites.
How are Sweepstakes & Social Casinos Different?
The biggest difference between the best social casinos and sweepstakes sites is that the latter offer cash prizes. Social casinos are free platforms that focus on entertainment and social interaction. In contrast, playing on sweepstakes platforms offers the opportunity to win real cash prizes. Learn more about and find top sites on our page about sweepstakes casinos.
- Focus is entertainment and social interaction
- No risk of losing real money
- Ideal for casual gamers
- No real money prizes
- Not subject to the same regulations and audits
- Opportunity to win real cash prizes
- Excitement of real casino games
- Winnings can be redeemed for sweepstakes entries
- Limited cash out options
- Smaller game selection
Responsible Gambling
Compulsive gambling can be an issue, even for those playing social casino games for fun.[3] It’s, therefore, critical to be able to recognize the signs of compulsive gambling in yourself or someone you love. Indicators that gambling may be becoming a problem include spending more time than planned on gambling, an inability to follow safe gambling practices, and using gambling to mask negative emotions.
Help is available for anyone struggling. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is a nonprofit organization that provides a referral service for individuals and families. It also has a vast library of resources, including advice on how to gamble responsibly. Their national helpline is 1-800-522-4700.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best social casinos in the US?
What is an online social casino?
Can I win real money at social casinos?
Are social casinos the same as sweepstakes casinos?
What games can I play at online social casinos?
Are social casinos free?
Conclusion: Best Social Casinos in the US
The best social casinos have become very popular in recent years, and we can understand why. Our research shows that they are an interesting form of casual entertainment and a fun way to play casino games with friends. Additionally, they are a great way to learn how to play new games or practice your skills before playing for real money.
After our comprehensive testing and research, we’ve chosen the best to feature. You might not have such an extensive selection of games as real money sites, but there are some exclusive games and unique features. With all the important information at your disposal, it’s down to you to pick one that fits.
Our carefully created list features the best social casinos where you can play a diverse range of games for fun and entertainment as well as make new friends.
If you’re still undecided, we recommend you revisit the list of the best social casinos once you’ve created a list of some must-have features. Now you know what to look for; you’re better placed to find a platform that meets your unique needs.
References
- Carroll R., (November 14, 2023), Social Casinos: The New Era of Digital Entertaiinment That’s Sweeping the Internet LWOS Life, Retrieved April 25, 2024
- Dayanim B., (June 09, 2016), Social Casino Gaming: Legal (R)Evolution, Digital Scholarship, Retrieved April 25, 2024
- How Gambling Affects Your Brain (January 31, 2022), Gateway Foundation, Retrieved April 25, 2024
- Social casino gaming – Statistics & Facts, (May 17, 2023), Statista, Retrieved on April 25, 2024.