Study Finds Popularity of Social Casinos Growing
A new report analyzes the social casino industry, focusing on its trends, challenges, and future directions.
Social casino games are unlike traditional online casinos, which require payment and regulation. They fall into a new subcategory within the iGaming industry. But as the report points out, although their popularity is growing, there is still some ground to cover to ensure they’re being monitored correctly.
What is a Social Casino?
Social casinos have been around since 2008. They are free games that look like gambling/casino games and you can find them on social media sites. Some popular ones are WOW Vegas, High 5, and Clubs Poker.
These games are different from real online gambling casinos in a few ways, including:
You don’t need to spend real money to play — players use virtual credits instead.
They’re connected to social media sites.
The results aren’t always random like real gambling; they’re often set up to keep players interested and entertained.
The most popular form of social casino games are those that simulate video poker, slot machines and casino table games.
Report: Popularity of Social Casinos Growing
According to the report, from the digital entertainment company Clovr, these games attract players with their entertainment value, competitive elements, and opportunities for social interaction — and the demand for them is increasing.
The report finds their popularity increased by eight times over the last 10 years.
The states with the highest interest in social casinos, according to Google Trends, are Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and Oklahoma.
How Are Social Casino Games Played?
Social casino games can be played in a variety of ways, but the most popular, according to the report, include:
App and Browser-Based: 32% of social casinos provide both app and browser options for gaming.
Browser-Based: 61% of the social casinos examined offer gameplay exclusively through a web browser.
App Only: 6.6% of social casinos focus solely on app-based gameplay.
The report also explores monetization strategies. In some cases, players can buy virtual coins or credits to enhance their gaming experience.
Clearer Regulatory Requirements Needed for Social Casinos
The report states that one of the biggest challenges that social gaming faces is regulation.
Clovr researchers say social casino games frequently lack clear information about the odds of winning, and unlike traditional online casinos, social casinos, also referred to as sweepstakes casinos, encounter varying regulatory requirements depending on the jurisdiction. Some also allow the use of virtual currency, which further complicates regulatory oversight.
According to the report, sweepstakes casinos are permitted in 43 states, with a few notable exceptions:
Washington: This state has stringent laws against online gambling, explicitly banning sweepstakes casinos.
Idaho: Idaho imposes regulations that limit online sweepstakes gambling.
Nevada: Despite being a gambling hotspot, Nevada’s strict laws define legal gambling, excluding sweepstakes casinos.
Montana: Regulations in Montana generally prohibit sweepstakes casinos.
Wyoming: Restrictions on sweepstakes-style gambling in Wyoming complicate legal operations for sweepstakes casinos.
Hawaii: All forms of gambling, including sweepstakes casinos, are banned in Hawaii.
Utah: Utah also enforces a complete ban on all gambling activities, including sweepstakes casinos.
You can check out the list of states where online casinos are legal.
The report stresses that social casinos might face more regulatory scrutiny in the future, and makes it a point to mention that although they do not involve real-money gambling, some authorities and consumer groups worry about their similarities to online gambling platforms.
As a result, addiction becomes a real concern.
The Future of Social Casinos
The study’s authors expect to see more regulations and clearer court rulings for social casinos in the future. They say they will be needed to address their potential for addiction and some of their business practices.
Although social and traditional casinos are similar, there are important differences. However, these similarities could lead to social casinos facing the same level of regulation as traditional ones.
Social Casino Games List
Social casinos let users enjoy the thrill of casino games like slots, poker, and bingo, but here’s the twist: they use virtual currency, not real money. While players can buy or earn virtual currency, they cannot convert it into real cash.
Imagine having all the excitement of a real casino with none of the financial risk. That’s the magic of social casinos! They create a safe, accessible gaming space that appeals to a broader audience – and for operators, this means a steady influx of new players who might be hesitant to gamble with real money.
From Social Gaming to Social iGaming – A Quick History Lesson
To understand social casinos, let’s rewind to the early 2000s when social media exploded, giving game developers a playground to experiment with social gaming concepts. This era was pivotal in the evolution of social casinos.
Early Beginnings (2000s): The Foundation
Social games like FarmVille and Mafia Wars, which gained cult-like followings, were the first to catch on in the 2000s. Social media sites like Facebook let players share their progress, invite friends, and gift items to each other. This made users very loyal. This success showed developers how important social features were for keeping people interested in games.
Early social games that made it easy to interact with friends kept users and spread like wildfire, paving the way for casino-style games to be added to social networks. The way was clear for the next big step, which was to add social casinos.
Expansion and Innovation (2010s): The Rise of Social Casinos
Because social games were so popular, the first social casino sites like Zynga Poker and Slotomania came out in the late 2000s. These games used the same social features that made FarmVille popular, but they added a casino feel to them. Classic games like poker and slots could be played with virtual money instead of real money.
Innovation took off.
These platforms were very popular because they had features like leaderboards, in-game chat, and inviting friends. Soon, players were making groups, competing in tournaments, and finishing quests all in the world of the virtual casino. Operators saw a golden chance: social features like multiplayer tournaments, cooperative gameplay, and leaderboards turned out to be great ways to keep players interested and coming back.
Mobile Gaming Boom (2010s-Present): Gaming on the Go
The mobile revolution took social casinos to a whole new level. With smartphones becoming ubiquitous in the 2010s, players could carry their favorite social casino games with them. This “anytime, anywhere” access made social casinos even more attractive, resulting in an unprecedented boom in engagement and player retention.
Today, social casino games offer live social interactions, real-time multiplayer experiences, and vibrant player communities. These elements bridge the gap between traditional iGaming and the social gaming world, attracting both casino enthusiasts and casual players alike.
What Games Can Players Find in Social Casinos?
Social casinos cover various games, allowing players to find something they enjoy or discover new favorites. Classic casino games like slots, poker, and blackjack are staples, but innovation is ramping up. Social casinos have started offering live-streamed games, real-time multiplayer options, and even gamified experiences that blend elements of role-playing games (RPGs) and strategy.
Are Social Casinos Free to Play?
Yes – and no.
People don’t use real money to bet or win, but a lot of social casinos use a “freemium” model where people can buy virtual money to make their experience better. The game is still free to play, but you can add extra fun, make it your own, or speed up the game’s progression by making purchases.
Do You Need a License to Run a Social Casino?
One thing that makes social casinos stand out is that they are legal. Since these platforms don’t let people gamble with real money, they often get around the strict rules that apply to casinos that do accept real money. Legal systems vary from place to place, though, so it’s important for operators to know the rules in their area to avoid problems.
Monetizing a Social Casino
Want to know how to make money with a social casino? There are several tried-and-true ways for operators to make money:
Affiliate Marketing and Social Casinos
Let’s get down to business. Affiliate marketing can be very profitable for social casinos that want to get more players. Social casinos can reach more people and build their credibility through trusted referrals when they work with affiliates. This is where programs like Scaleo come in handy.
Why Scaleo?
Scaleo stands out as a complete affiliate marketing solution because it has advanced reporting tools and features made just for iGaming. It’s all about strategic insights for people who run casinos. Users can see a big picture of performance metrics with Scaleo’s funnel reports, KPI tracking, and custom pages. Scaleo also provides the following:
With Funnel Reports, you can see where your players are coming from and how they’re using your social casino.
Funnel Reports 📈 – Track where players are coming from and how they’re engaging with your social casino.
KPI and Player Reports 🎯 – Understand player behavior and target specific user groups with relevant offers.
Advanced User Roles 🛠️ – Manage affiliate access and permissions easily.
Invoicing and Payments 💳 – Streamlined financial management for hassle-free payments.
Unlimited Customizations ⚙️ – Create a unique, branded experience for affiliates.
Conclusion
There is a huge market for risk-free games that feel like real gambling. This is making the world of social casinos grow quickly. For casino owners, this trend opens up a new area of iGaming that will bring in more customers and give them more ways to make money.
Affiliate marketing with tools like Scaleo can help your social casino strategy go to the next level if you’re ready to make a move. Scaleo gives you the tools to make decisions based on data and increase your reach, from detailed reports to advanced customization.
Want to change the way your iGaming business works? Check out Scaleo and see the difference right now.