The Best US Social Casinos 2023
Social casinos in the US let you enjoy the fun and excitement of real money casinos without spending a cent. You can play classic games like Cleopatra or Mega Moolah, learning how to maximize your chances for real money play. Read our guide below to help you get the most out of social casinos.
What are US social casinos and how do they work?
Social casinos offer a unique mix of social interaction and casino entertainment, giving you the fun of the casino floor without having to spend a cent.
Unlike traditional online casinos, social casinos provide a platform where you can chat with friends, family, and new acquaintances while playing your favorite casino games. That's because the games at online social casinos in the US are meant to be played for fun, and do not involve placing real money bets every time you spin the reels.
Due to their "free play" nature, social casinos have gained popularity through their unique and fun games and their widespread availability. Social casinos, as they don't require deposits and transactions, are legal across the US. That means all of the recommended US online social casino sites we've recommended should be available to play in whichever state you call home. You will need to be 21+ to enter and play at most social casinos, but please check your local state regulations for full details.
What type of free games are available at US social casinos?
Social casinos are a great way to play a range of different free games that you might not ordinarily try. Their free play nature lends themselves to experimenting and practicing with game types that you haven't had the chance to experience before. We've put together a list below to give you some idea of the type of free games most top online social casinos in the US usually feature.
Slots
Social casinos usually offer a wide range of free slots games. Slots are known for their engaging themes, bonus features, and the excitement of spinning the reels to land winning combinations.
Blackjack
Free blackjack is a classic card game that is available at many top social casinos in the US. Free blackjack lets you play against the dealer, with the aim to reach a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
Roulette
Free roulette is a popular casino table game available in social casinos. Free Roulette lets you place bets on different numbers or colors. You then wait for the roulette wheel to determine the winning outcome based on where the ball lands.
Poker
Social casinos often offer various poker variants, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha. You can test your poker skills and enjoy multiplayer games with friends or other users while learning to play for free.
Video poker
Video poker combines elements of slots and poker, allowing you to make strategic decisions while aiming for winning poker hands. At social casinos, you can play video poker for free.
Bingo
Social casinos frequently include free bingo games in their library, offering a social and interactive experience where you can digitally daub numbers on virtual bingo cards.
Keno
Keno is a lottery-style game where you select numbers and hope to match them with numbers drawn by the game. You can play keno for free at the best social casinos in the US.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a card game that involves betting on your hand, the banker's hand, or the result being a draw. It's a simple yet popular game often found as a free play option in US social casinos online.
Top 5 US social casino slot games
Can I earn real money by playing social casino games?
Social casinos are a type of online casino that allows players to enjoy casino-style games without wagering real money. Instead, you can play for free using virtual currencies like gold coins or sweep coins, which are provided by the social casino platforms. This is great if you want to play for fun, or to sharpen your skills on some of the best free games, but unfortunately it won't let you earn real money.
Instead of gambling with real money, social casinos use a form of virtual currency called "Gold Coins", which is handed out for free when joining. Top ups are given to all players daily, and there are usually chances to win extra coins through competitions and promotions. Some social casinos also award "Sweeps Coins", which are a similar thing but let you play for prizes.
The use of virtual coins and tokens at social casinos in the US provides a very similar experience to sweepstakes casinos, another popular way to play that creates a classic casino experience without you having to spend a cent if you don't want to.
How do social casino coins and tokens work?
At online social casinos, players use virtual currencies or coins instead of real money when gambling. These virtual currencies are provided by the social casino platforms as part of bonuses, promotions, and free daily top ups, and cannot be exchanged for real money as they have no real-world value. The two main types of virtual coins and tokens used at social casinos are:
- Gold Coins: 'Gold Coins' are a form of virtual currency used in social casinos. The best social casinos will hand out a generous amount of gold coins for free when you sign up, as well as topping up your balance every day you log in. You can also buy top-up packages if you need more Gold Coins than you can get for free. These coins are used to let you enjoy various casino games without the risk of losing real money. Gold Coins cannot be redeemed for cash prizes.
- Sweeps Coins: Some social casinos also offer 'Sweeps Coins' as a different type of virtual currency. Unlike Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins have the potential to be redeemed for cash prizes or other rewards, such as gift cards and merchandise. You can get Sweeps Coins several different ways, but they are usually awarded if you choose to buy Gold Coin packages, take part in promotions, register at a social or free sweepstakes casino, take part in a social media offer, or as part of on-site promotions.
Remember, while Sweeps Coins give you the chance to win cash prizes, they are still considered virtual currency that have no real value outside of your chosen social casino. You can't purchase sweeps coins directly; they are usually picked up through promotions and bonuses.
In summary, at online social casinos, players use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to play casino games for free. Gold Coins are used to play all the games on site for free, while Sweeps Coins give you the chance to exchange them for cash prizes or other rewards.
US online social casino mobile play
One of the best things about playing social casino games is that they are available on a range of devices, including most mobiles and tablets.
Mobile gaming is a convenient and increasingly popular way to play, and our recommended social casinos we recommend have worked hard to make sure you can enjoy the best mobile gameplay experiences possible. Whether you prefer to play on an iPhone, iPad, or an Android device, mobile social casino games offer something for everyone.
What game do you want to play most?
How we rate the best social casinos in the US
With so many great social casinos available to play across the US, it can be difficult to know which is the right site for you. At Casino.org, we've created and use a 25-step review process on all of the casinos we test specifically to help you solve that problem.
Our team of expert casino reviewers consider a wide range of factors when looking at all of the brands we check. This includes checking the available gaming options, the type and quality of bonuses, how good the customer service is, what payment methods are available, along with the site's approach to safety and security, and more.
How to gamble responsibly at US social casinos
While you aren't spending any real money while you play at online social casinos, it's still important to keep responsible gambling practices in mind. This is to stop you developing bad habits and transferring them to real money play which could cost you big in the long run.
To help you keep on top of responsible gambling habits, we've listed some tips for you below.
- Set limits: While you don't have to limit your money as social casinos in the US aren't pay per spin, you should still limit the number of spins and the time you spend playing the game. These are great habits to get into when it comes to real money play.
- Don't chase losses: Even though you're not playing with cash, if you're on a losing streak it can be tempting to try and win back what you've "lost" just to "win" the game. Don't. Remember it's not real money and that chasing losses, even pretend ones, is not a safe habit to develop.
- Take breaks: Schedule regular breaks during gameplay to prevent tiredness and compulsive behaviors from developing.
- Keep it fun: Play along with friends, join social chats and communities, and celebrate the pleasure of gaming without the pressure of winning.
If you are ever worried about your gambling habits, or if you think you are currently displaying signs of problem gambling, stop playing and get help immediately. The National Council on Problem Gambling provides assistance for everyone, regardless of which state you're from, and be reached on the phone 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER, by text at 800GAM, or via live chat, and will be happy to help however they can.
FAQs
Can you play with real money at social casinos?
No, social casinos do not involve real money gambling; they use virtual currency for gameplay.
How do I earn coins at a social casino?
You can earn coins through daily bonuses, social media promotions, welcome bonuses, or by purchasing coin packages if you run out.
How do I get free coins to play social casino games with?
You can receive free coins through daily rewards, promotions, and welcome bonuses.
Are social casinos legal in the United States?
Yes, social casinos are legal in the United States, offering a safe and enjoyable gaming experience regardless of experience. They provide a great gaming experience if you're new to gambling because their free to play nature means you can practice games without the risk of losing money. You can check out our list of recommended social casinos to find legit places to play online.