Social casinos are becoming increasingly popular in the US, with the market estimated to be worth $6.2 billion1. This rise is largely due to the social aspect of online casinos and the fact that players don’t have to play with real money. This article will explore what social casinos are, how they work and how they make money through in-app purchases and other revenue streams.
Overview of social casinos
Social casinos are online platforms that recreate classic casino games like slot machines and poker in the virtual world. Instead of using real money social casinos use virtual currencies. This can differ between platforms, but the most common type is virtual coins.
Social casinos also give players a chance to connect with likeminded people, challenge friends and compete for the top spot on the leaderboard.
How do social casinos work?
Players can join a social casino online, on a mobile app, or on social media. Once you join a game you are typically given a certain amount of virtual currency as a sign-up bonus. This can be in the form of chips, coins or credits. Players then use this currency to play the game, such as by placing a bet in poker or putting a coin in the virtual slot machine. If you win, then you earn even more virtual currency which you can use to play again and again. There are also other rewards, small bonuses or positions on a leader board which you can expect to accumulate the more you play.
Popular social casino platforms
There are a wide range of social platforms available, including:
- Zynga Poker – One of the most popular online Texas Hold ‘Em games. Players can take part in poker tournaments, earn rewards and challenge other competitors.
- Big Fish Casino – A virtual slot machine game with over 100 fruit machines to choose from where players have the chance to earn virtual coins and unlock bonuses.
- Slotomania – A range of slot machine games to earn coins and level up.
- High 5 Casino – Over 1,200 different games to play to earn diamonds. Players can supercharge their spins to enhance their gaming experience.
- Heart of Vegas – Vegas-style social casino game where players can play on a range of themed slot machines to win virtual coins.
How do social casinos make money?
Social casinos earn money through in-app purchases. Players have the chance to purchase more virtual currency, special items or premium packages to enhance their game play.
Advertising, partnerships and sponsorships are other common revenue streams. Social casinos can reward players for watching ads or even embed branded content into the game itself. These ads should not impact gameplay too much, and players can be rewarded with more virtual currency for engaging with the ads.
What’s next for social casinos?
The world of social casinos is only set to grow due to advancements in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The integration of these technologies will provide players with a more immersive experience, replicating the feeling of stepping inside a real casino. Furthermore, AI will enable personalization so that the gaming experience is more tailored to the individual, further refining gameplay.
Stricter regulations around data and privacy are also coming into effect as users are becoming increasingly concerned over how their data is handled and shared. This should mean that social casinos will need to enhance their security measures which is only good news for players as their data and information will be better protected.
Social casinos: A new way to play classic casino games
It’s not hard to see why social casinos are becoming so popular and are showing no signs of slowing down. Thanks to advancements in AI technology and data privacy, social casinos should become even more enjoyable for players as they will be more immersive and secure. To enhance security even further, players can use a secure deposit option like Skrill to make in-app purchases.
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