Online social casino: Everything you need to know
If you’re completely new to the exciting world of online social casinos, firstly, where have you been hiding?! These fantastic gaming sites have been generating a buzz among casino players in the US for years now, particularly for those with very few legal real-money alternatives in their backyard.
In the interest of getting you up to speed and registered with the best social casino as quickly as possible, our expert team has put together this essential guide, full of helpful tips and information that should give you the what, why, and how of social casino sites. Then, we’ll be recommending six of our favorite providers, each of which offers a terrific introduction to what online social casino play is all about.
Of course, if you’re already pretty clued in with the basics, feel free to go right ahead and skip to our recommendations below. We have some exciting new social casinos to share with you, including Stake.us, McLuck, WOW Vegas, Sweeptastic, Fortune Coins, and Pulsz.
What is an online social casino?
Social casino sites give you the opportunity to play your favorite Vegas-style games for free. There are no payments, fees, deposits, or charges of any kind to pay when signing up for and playing at a social casino online, with all such brands operating on a strict no-purchase-necessary basis.
This might sound a little implausible but the truth is, social casinos do not offer real-money gambling. You won’t be betting with money on these gaming sites, but will instead be using free virtual coins that are designed to mimic the authentic casino experience you might find on the Vegas Strip; we’ll return to talk more about these free coins later in the guide.
Are social casinos legal in the US?
There’s a reason we’re able to recommend the best social casinos with a clear conscience, because these sites are perfectly legal to play at in the US. Since they don’t offer real gambling and are offered on a no-purchase-necessary basis, they’re classed as entertainment websites only and are, therefore, widely accepted in the majority of states across the country.
Hold your horses, though, because social casino sites aren’t permitted in all US jurisdictions. Some states, like Washington, have pretty much a blanket ban on social casinos, while others allow some brands but not others. For that reason, you need to check a social casino’s T&Cs for any regional restrictions which may apply, otherwise, you could wind up on the wrong side of the law.
What is the age limit for using online social casinos in the US?
While we’re talking about legal stuff, we may as well cover the typical age limit for playing social casino games in the US. Most brands enforce an 18+ policy for most users, while on some sites and in certain jurisdictions, this rises to 21+. Again, this is why it’s super important to check a brand’s T&Cs to ensure you’re not inadvertently breaking the rules.
Do social casinos have prizes?
This is where things get a little trickier, and where the distinction between social casinos and sweepstakes casinos comes into play. You see, there are two types of social casinos you can access in the US: pure social casinos, which solely offer a just-for-fun experience, and social casinos with sweepstakes (also known as sweepstakes casinos), which give you the chance to redeem virtual Sweepstakes Coin tokens for real prizes.
All of the brands we’ve recommended below fall into the latter category, with the likes of Stake.us, WOW Vegas, and Sweeptastic allowing players to redeem Sweepstakes Coins for prizes like cash, gift cards, and merchandise.
Are online casino sweepstakes legal?
Social casinos that have sweepstakes games are legal in many US states, although there are some regional restrictions. It’s important to remember that even though these sites do give you the opportunity to redeem virtual winnings for real prizes and claim to offer free slots that pay real money, there is still no gambling involved. You don’t need to make any purchases or use real cash, with Sweepstakes Coins being the key to unlocking real prizes on social casinos with sweepstakes options.
How do social casinos work?
OK, with general introductions and legalese taken care of, let’s take a closer look at the nitty-gritty of how social casino sites work.
Rather than using real money, you’ll remember we mentioned free virtual coins. There are two such tokens you need to familiarize yourself with: Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins.
Social casino tokens | Characteristics | Other names |
---|---|---|
Gold Coins (GC) | Gold Coins are the main virtual currencies used in social casinos. They’re used to access just-for-fun Vegas-style games only, and cannot be redeemed for prizes. Typically, the best social casinos will hand out GC regularly in the form of welcome promos, reloads, and daily bonus drops. You also have the option to purchase more if you run out, although this is entirely optional. | While many social casinos stick with “Gold Coins”, these tokens do go by different names on some brands. Sweeptastic, for instance, calls them “Lucky Coins”, while they’re aptly known as “WOW Coins” on WOW Vegas. Whatever they’re called, they work in exactly the same way on most social casino sites online. |
Sweepstakes Coins (SC) | If a social casino offers sweepstakes, it will offer free Sweepstakes Coins. These free-to-collect virtual tokens can be redeemed for prizes like cash and gift cards, though you will need to collect enough to meet a brand’s minimum redemption requirement. Unlike GC, you can’t purchase SC as this would be classed as gambling. The best social casinos offer lots of ways to get more SC, though, so you shouldn’t have any trouble picking them up. | Like GC, SC often go by different names on certain social casino sites. It should be easy to figure out which is which in a brand’s T&Cs. Some alternative names for Sweepstakes Coins that you may come across include “Stake Cash”, used at Stake.us, and “Fortune Coins”, which, you guessed it, belong to the Fortune Coins sweepstakes casino. |
Whichever online social casino you choose, you’ll be using GC and SC just like you would with regular cash on a real-money casino site. So, whether that means going all in on red or black over at the roulette table or raising the stakes when spinning the reels on the virtual slot machines – it’s helpful to think of these free virtual tokens just like normal cash.
Social casinos attempt to mimic the authentic casino experience as closely as possible, so usually feature a virtual bankroll and wallet where you can manage your coins and check your progress. This is particularly helpful if you’re looking to build up that tally of redeemable Sweepstakes Coins with a view to exchanging them for prizes later down the line.
How to join a social casino site
It’s all well and good recommending six of the best social casinos, but if you’re completely new to this style of online casino gaming, you may not have a clue how to get started with one. Don’t sweat, though, because we’ve got you covered with a no-nonsense step-by-step guide on the entire process.
Although we feel our pick of the best social casino sites is the crème de la crème of what’s out there, we understand that you might want to do a little of your own research first. When comparing online social casino sites, consider the following:
- Game variety
- Customer support
- Bonuses and promo code availability
- Existing customer reviews and testimonials
- Legal standing where you live
- T&Cs and small print
- Availability of sweepstakes games and real prizes
Once you’ve landed on a site you like, go no further until you’ve checked through their T&Cs. Although we’d recommend reading the full terms of use from top to bottom, you’re generally looking for the following:
- Minimum age requirement
- Regional restrictions
- Sweepstakes rules (including minimum SC redemption and playthrough)
- Any other restrictions, limits, and rules that jump out at you
In our view, there’s little point in signing up for a social casino if it doesn’t offer a generous welcome bonus. The best social casinos offer thousands of free coins as a part of their sign-up promotions, along with plenty of other perks and rewards.
So, don’t settle for any old social casino bonuses, BetExplorer can help you find and compare the best social casino promotions, including exclusive promo codes like our ‘STAKEBE’ bonus, which offers 55 SC, 260k Gold Coins, and a 5% rakeback when you sign up as a new user at Stake.us.
Registering with a new social casino is super simple. Often, you can use your existing Facebook or Google credentials to quickly create a new profile, or else add your email address and preferred password to get started in minutes.
If a social casino offers sweepstakes games and the chance to purchase Gold Coins, you will need to pass additional verification checks. This is standard practice on all US sweepstakes gaming sites and is simply a way for brands to verify your ID, date of birth, and permanent address.
Bonus tip: When registering with a new online social casino, look out for places to add promo codes. Some sites, including Stake.us, require you to add welcome bonus codes during registration, so make sure you add the voucher code when prompted, otherwise, you could miss out on the offer.
With registration complete, you’re ready to play. If you’ve claimed a welcome bonus, this should be automatically credited to your account. Most social casinos provide a nice allocation of free Gold Coins to start you off, so you should be able to jump straight into a brand’s library of slots and games.
What games are available at the best social casinos?
Basically, there’s very little difference between the games you can play at social casinos versus those available from their real-money counterparts. And that’s great news for casino fans who have no legal casino options where they live – meaning you can access premium slots, tables, and live dealer games just as you would on a regular Vegas-style online casino.
What always impresses us about social casino sites is the fact that these brands go to great lengths to bring their customers the best choice of games. There’s nothing amateurish about the variety of free-to-play casino games on offer either. Social casino brands fill their libraries with premium titles from top-rated software developers like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Betsoft, Hacksaw Gaming, Habanero, and many more.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of games you can expect when joining a new social casino site:
- Slots: Online slots are the most popular games to play on social casinos. Take your pick from the very best premium video, classic, progressive, and jackpot slots, with thousands (literally) of unique slot games to choose from.
- Tables: Get closer to the thrill of the Vegas Strip with free-to-play social casino table games. Although not as popular as online slots, table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker are perfect for an authentic casino experience with a little strategy thrown in.
- Live dealer games: No we’re not kidding – some of the best social casinos grant access to live dealer games rooms, where you can play classic table games against real dealers and other players for FREE. How awesome is that?
- Alternative games: Aside from classic Vegas-style games, social casinos feature alternative titles that amp up the fun factor. The Stake Originals collection springs to mind here, offering a unique twist on a range of classic casino and arcade games.
6 of the best social casino sites to try in 2024
Stake.us – Our #1 online social casino


- Awesome games library including free live dealer rooms
- Multi-tiered Stake.us VIP Club loyalty program
- Huge welcome deal available with exclusive code ‘STAKEBE’
- Stake.us isn’t available in WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI, and VT
Although it’s a very close call, Stake.us clinches the top spot as our favorite social casino for 2024. There’s something exciting about every aspect of this awesome social casino brand, from its ever-growing library of premium slots, tables, and live dealer games, to its innovative VIP Club loyalty program, integrated player forums, and thrill-a-minute daily bonus drops, which you can enjoy early access to by following Stake.us on its socials.
Speaking of bonuses, we’re delighted to bring BetExplorer readers an exclusive Stake.us promo code worth 55 SC + 260k Gold Coins + 5% rakeback. To claim this incredible welcome bonus, you must be a new Stake.us customer who has never previously held an account with the brand. Add ‘STAKEBE’ at sign-up to instantly collect 25 SC + 260k GC + 5% rakeback, before accessing your Stake.us account every day for the next 30 days to enjoy an additional 30 SC.





McLuck – A newie but a goodie


- Grab 7,500 GC instantly when you register at McLuck
- Premium slots and table games from excellent software providers
- The McLuck Lucky Wheel is super fun to spin for daily prizes
- McLuck is kind of untested vs big-name social casinos
Launched in 2023, McLuck is still finding its feet in the busy social casino gaming market, but it’s already winning fans thanks to its awesome selection of games. From NetEnt to Habanero Gaming, the McLuck games library is a real who’s who of talented software providers, so if you’re looking for free Vegas-style premium slots and table games, you could do a lot worse than signing up at this exciting new social casino site.
Sure, McLuck may not enjoy the reputational clout of bigger brands like Stake.us and WOW Vegas, but it’s making its presence known with some exciting bonuses and player rewards. All new players will automatically receive 7,000 GC at sign-up, while the brand’s daily log in bonus “McLuck Lucky Wheel” gives you the chance to claim a jackpot prize worth 2,500 GC + 2.5 SC. The site also boasts a really slick and intuitive smartphone app, which is more than we can say for many other like-for-like social casino brands out there.





WOW Vegas – One of the USA’s best social casino sites


- Huge choice of 700+ games with more titles added weekly
- Active WOW Vegas community with exciting social contests
- Daily Bonus Drops including free Sweeps Coins
- WOW Vegas offers slot titles only
WOW Vegas certainly stakes a good claim as America’s favorite social casino brand. Firstly, its library of free-to-play games is truly massive, with over 700 titles including Towering Fortunes, Shield of Sparta, and Wilds of Fortune. Remarkably, it also adds new games every week, although we should point out that there’s a heavy emphasis on online slots here (which is of the few downsides).
In all other areas, WOW Vegas delivers with aplomb. The brand is well-regarded for its excellent customer support and loyal fanbase, along with its active social media channels where players can participate in contests and giveaways. WOW Vegas comes through with some excellent bonuses as standard too, including Daily Bonus Drops for returning players that include a free allocation of WOW Coins and Sweeps Coins.





Sweeptastic – Plenty to like about this new social casino


- 27,777 LC + 2 SC available when you join Sweeptastic as a new player
- Grab 1,000 free Lucky Coins every 24 hours
- Huge choice of slots and table games from six game studios
- Sweeps Coins at Sweeptastic have a 5x playthrough requirement
Sweeptastic falls into a similar category as McLuck, with both brands launched around the same time. That means it may not have the trustworthy reputation as some other big-name social casino providers out there, but we wouldn’t let that put you off – particularly when you see the awesome range of bonuses that Sweeptastic has to offer.
First up, when you join Sweeptastic, you’ll get 10,000 Lucky Coins automatically credited to your new account. Then, when you complete your profile and verify your email address, you’ll receive an additional 17,777 Lucky Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins – a very nice welcome package indeed. After that, Sweeptastic gifts all players 1,000 LC per day, which is good news when you see the huge choice of slots and table games on offer here.





Fortune Coins – Massive social casino bonuses up for grabs


- Get a massive sign-up bonus worth 360,000 Gold Coins and 1,000 Fortune Coins
- Generous daily log in bonus every 24 hours
- $10 worth of free Fortune Coins available to new customers
- The Fortune Coins games library could be expanded upon
With just over 100 free-to-play games in its library, Fortune Coins doesn’t claim to be the biggest or the best social casino brand out there. But where it does excel is in its truly formidable bonus offering, which pretty much wipes the floor with all other social casino gaming sites out there.
When you sign up at Fortune Coins, you’ll receive 360,000 Gold Coins and 1,000 Fortune Coins, which is a huge welcome bonus whichever way you look at it. Granted, 1 Fortune Coin doesn’t equal $1 like on other social casino sites, but you’re still essentially getting $10 in free Sweepstakes Coins here (since 100 FC = $1). If that wasn’t impressive enough, the brand also rewards returning players with a daily bonus of up to 3,000 GC + 100 FC, so the good times never end.





Pulsz – An awesome social casino site that delivers in all areas


- Enjoy 2 SC every day with the Pulsz daily bonus drop
- 700+ games and new titles added weekly
- 24/7 customer support
- You’ll need to collect 100 SC before you can redeem prizes at Pulsz
Pulsz is definitely up there among the best social casinos available in the US, offering 700+ free-play casino games from its intuitive, high-performance platform. Standout games available here include 5 Lions Megaways, Gold Express, and Diamond Strike, and with the promise of new titles added weekly, even the most long-standing players will scarcely get bored of the different slots and table games available.
Aside from its games selection, Pulsz comes through with 24/7 customer support and an exciting range of optional Gold Coin pack purchases that bring the benefit of zero ads and bonus scratch card games. The brand’s bonus selection isn’t too shabby either, with up to 2 SC available to claim each day as part of the Pulsz daily promo drops.





Our verdict on the US’ best social casino sites
There’s a lot to unpack and take away from our guide to online social casinos, but we hope this in-depth resource has highlighted what makes these awesome gaming sites so popular. For US casino fans with limited access to real-money Vegas-style games, social casinos have proven a complete game changer, providing ready access to slots, tables, and live dealer games that would otherwise only be available in a select few jurisdictions, or on the Vegas Strip itself.
Of course, while social casinos operate on a strict no-purchase-necessary basis and are totally free to use, you should still play responsibly and in line with regular gaming habits. Be sure to read T&Cs and other rules carefully, particularly when redeeming promotional Sweepstakes Coins, paying close attention to any limits and restrictions may apply to you.
On a final note, don’t forget our exclusive Stake.us promotion, which entitles all new sign-ups to 55 SC + 260k Gold Coins + a 5% rakeback. Getting this deal couldn’t be simpler, with the Stake welcome bonus activated as soon as you drop our exclusive ‘STAKEBE’ promo code during registration. We hope you enjoy, and happy gaming!
Get off to a great start with these social casino bonuses









Best social casinos FAQs
🏆 What are the best social casinos?
That’s a tricky question! There are tons of excellent social casino brands out there, but some of our favorites include Stake.us, McLuck, WOW Vegas, Sweeptastic, Fortune Coins, and Pulsz.
🎊 Do social casinos offer real prizes?
Some social casinos give you the chance to redeem free Sweepstakes Coins winnings for prizes including cash, gift cards, and merchandise. Note: You can’t win money directly from playing and winning social casino games.
🤔 Are social casinos gambling sites?
No, they’re not. Social casinos are used for entertainment purposes only, with no real money gambling allowed.