Best Social Casinos USA

Written by:
Alex Windsor
Fact checked by:
Michael Fatouros
Updated:
March 25, 2024

Best Social Casinos

Social casinos play an integral role in the US online casino industry. With a handful of states offering real money casino games, social casino gaming is the only safe and legal alternative for the vast majority of Americans.

Players over 18 and based in the USA can now join the best social casinos and start playing games for free. The same games available for real money are featured on many social casino apps, accessible with virtual credits. Registered players can have fun playing slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and other interesting games for free. There is no added pressure which could be there if you are playing at traditional online casinos as there isn’t cold had cash on the line. Just enjoy playing online casino games as you get to learn how everything works gambling online.

A social casino bonus is how you can get started, with several listed below. Alternatively, you can continue reading for the ins and outs of online social casinos.

5 Top Social Casinos for US Players in 2024

1.5M WoW Coins + 35 Free SC
GET UP TO 367,000 GC + FREE 32.3 SC
Unlock 57,500 GC + 27.5 FREE SC
5 FREE SC + 600 Diamonds + 250 Game Coins
630,000 Free Coins + $14 Fortune Coins No Deposit Bonus

Social casinos are not new, available in Europe since the early 2000s. Players in the US rely much more on social casino sites like Lightning Link since legal real money gambling is not yet widely available. This makes our task so much more important, doing our best to find the best performing social gaming sites to play slot games, casino titles, live dealer rooms, and other popular options.

We focus on platforms that provide access to a large pool of titles from several gaming categories, with additional features like bonuses, social casino apps, loyalty programs, etc. The following are rated the highest among Americans, highlighted with their best aspect.

🥇#1 BetRivers.net – best for live dealer games

BetRivers.net Homepage

BetRivers Social Casino draws from the rich gambling experience of Rush Street Interactive and sets up a great social gaming hub. Americans over 21 from all US states can register for an account and play free slots, table games, live dealer games, and bet on sports.

SugarHouse, BetRivers, and their play4fun counterparts feature the same products, making them the best alternatives for those outside states where online gambling is legal.

New users can enter our promo code PLAY200 to get started with $500 VC. Free credits are provided every few hours, with live bingo rooms and loyalty rewards offering additional gateways to play for free.

BetRivers is powered by over 20 software companies, including NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and Big Time Gaming. Some of the games you can play there are:

  • Gonzos Quest Megaways
  • Eye of Gold
  • Black Wolf Hold and Win
  • Super Rich God Hold and Win
  • Disco Beats
  • Jacks or Better
  • Mega Ball
  • Lighting Roulette
  • Live Sic Bo

If you have a flutter for sports betting, check out the Sports Zone at BetRivers.net, which is ideal for practicing before placing your next real money Super Bowl bet.

250 Free Virtual Credit on Signup

🥈#2 My Choice Casino – access to land-based slot machines for free

MyChoice Casino Games

My Choice, previously known as Hollywood Casino Play4Fun, is a prize online social casino. Users can create a profile from any state and play social casino games like slots and table games. The site is licensed by Penn National Gaming, setting it up as the best alternative to real money online casinos.

The tabs you can stroll through to find your preferred titles are slots, table games, keno, video poker, high roller, and mychoice lounge. The total count exceeds 1,000, featuring titles like:

  • Jack Hammer 2 Fishy Business
  • Neon Stax
  • Four Guardians
  • Finn and the Swirly Spin
  • Dead or Alive 2
  • Meltdown
  • Pro Blackjack
  • Roulette Advanced

Completing the registration process unlocks free coins, with additional following up every few hours. The lack of live dealer social games is compensated by the tiered rewards offered to players purchasing coin packages at My Choice Casino. These can be exchanged for prizes at Hollywood Casino locations.

🥉#3 High 5 Casino – massive collection of slots

High 5 Casino Homepage

High 5 Games is a long-standing software developer that has also pierced into social casino gaming. The social casino bonus is reserved for those purchasing coins, with 10 million up for grabs for $9.99. Free coins are provided without a real money purchase, as a daily bonus, and through contests.

Players can join High 5 Social Casino online or through its iOS and Android apps. The collection of 400+ slot games includes some fan favorites, like:

  • Triple Monkey
  • When Pigs Fly
  • Gypsy
  • Triple Da Vinci Diamonds
  • Divine Fortunes Megaways
  • Goldstruck

The lack of table games could disappoint some, but there is no other place with complete access to the High 5 Casino titles powered since the 90s. New games are added weekly, with alternatives offered here by NetEnt.

5 FREE SC + 600 Diamonds + 250 Game Coins

🎖️#4 Rush Games Social Casino – best for free sports betting

Rush games casino

Rush Games, or Rush Casino4Fun, is operated by the same company as BetRivers.net and is also considered a WinStar Social Casino sister site. The same entry requirements and promo codes apply here, so you can switch between the two platforms for unlimited access to free coins and casino games.

Unlike other social casinos, this brand went live before the overturning of PASPA. Despite its early launch, the sorting of games, website layout, and bonus codes provided to anyone joining Rush Games are unrivaled. Some of the titles you can play at Rush Games Social Casino include:

  • Yucatan’s Mystery
  • American Blackjack
  • Rock Vegas Mega Hold & Spin
  • Star Pirates Code
  • Elemental Gems Megaways
  • First Person Craps
  • Bounty Gold
  • Slingo Lucky Streak
  • Infinite Blackjack

The above list should illustrate the inclusion of video and live games here. The addition of free sports and horse racing adds to the overall gaming experience provided at the social casino.

500 Free Virtual Credits No Deposit Bonus

🏅#5 Parx Social Casino – best for mobile play

Parx remains a PA-only real money casino, with additional access through PlayGunLake in Michigan. This hasn’t stopped players from falling for its great slots and casino games. Still, its social casino is the only alternative for the vast majority of Americans who are not in PA or cannot visit.

This social casino was launched in 2014 by WMS as a way to entertain players who cannot visit its land-based locations. Today, it serves similar purposes for users outside PA. Free coins are provided on sign-up, with additional rewards every few hours. Some of the games at Parx free casino include:

  • Red Wizard Fire Blaze Classics
  • 5 Treasures
  • Rise of Mountain King
  • Rawhide
  • American Blackjack
  • French Roulette

Winning at the social casino can boost users’ loyalty rewards, which can be exchanged for free play and real-life rewards at the brick-and-mortar venues owned by Parx. Android and iPhone apps are available for download through the respective stores, offering a free mobile gaming experience.

Best Social Casino Apps

Restrictions don’t sit well with social casino players, who enjoy these gambling sites for their unrestrictive bonuses and rewards that let them play exciting slot games for free. Although social casinos were initially available as social casino apps via Facebook or desktop sites, things have changed with the introduction of new technologies.

Players ask for more, and the best social casinos have switched their products to be accessible through different means. Today, users can play at online social casinos via desktop and laptops, on mobile through a browser, or via apps accessible through Google Play or the App Store. This added flexibility is universal at the best social gambling sites listed on this page, which let you play casino games for free in any way you want. Examples like the Blackout Bingo promo codes highlight the need for some action on your side, but this let’s you in for free, in any device you like.

Social Casino Apps

A single social casino account will let you experience the same features in any supported format. Aside from the above top free casino apps, the following are other great options:

What are Social Casinos?

We have provided a quick overview of how social casinos work, but we should clear the air for anyone still not versed in online gambling.

Firstly, online real money casinos are the most common way that users choose to play slots and table games online. Such sites must be licensed and regulated for each jurisdiction to be legal, which only became a thing in the past four years in the USA. Still, players can access real money casino games in selected states, including NJ, PA, MI, CT, and WV. If based outside these states, social casino sites are the best alternatives.

These platforms feature similar games, often from the same gambling providers. Social casinos utilize bonuses and promotions to support virtual currencies players use to bet instead of real money. This setting makes them legal everywhere in the US, for the most part. Depending on the site’s terms and conditions, anyone over 18 or 21 can join and play.

Most legal real-money casinos will offer a free-play social casino to market their services and attract players to their physical casino locations. Users can purchase coins if they want for money, but this is not required due to the various free coin bonuses.

Real money withdrawals are not possible at social casinos, offering a free and fun-to-play casino setting. However, brands that own retail casinos might provide real-life rewards like free casino play, hotel stays, free shopping access, etc.

Alternatives like Big Fish Casino, myVEGAS Slots, MyJackpot.com, Baba Wild Slots, the Slotomania sister sites, Golden Heart Games, and other stand-alone social casinos don’t feature rewards or prizes.

How do Social Casinos Win Money?

After reading so far in this piece, you might be wondering about the purpose of social casinos. For players, it is a no-brainer – free access to gambling games is excellent. But what about the operators?

As we highlighted, social casino brands operated by real money casino venues or sites see these as a way to market their services. Anyone who enjoys the social casino site can visit the brick-and-mortar casino or sign up and play at the real money online casino. Several players see these as a taster, where they can explore each brand’s features and overall experience before spending real money.

In-app purchases are other ways that social casinos make money. Several sites require a purchase for complete access to games or for additional play time without restrictions. Players who choose to spend real money are essentially saying thank you to the operator for their services and helping it sustain a social gaming environment for all.

Social Casino Slots & Games

Playing at an online social casino is excellent due to the gaming options provided. Players can use the coins provided on registration and every few hours to try out the available casino games. Access can be restricted based on level or minimum bets, but it shouldn’t take long before you can access all titles at your preferred social casino. These vary across sites but often include the following categories:

Online Slots

BetRivers.net Games

Slot titles can range in theme, RTP, volatility, and gameplay like on real money casinos. This category is always the most extensive in terms of options, so you should do some research before playing. Slots often pay on paylines or adjacent reels, with wilds, scatters, and other unique symbols differentiating the payouts and experience. Some social casino slots you can find online include Vegas Megaways, Bonanza, Deal or No Deal, and more.

Slingo variants and progressive jackpot games are also featured at social casinos. These can be great for anyone looking for alternative slot gameplay or larger prizes.

Table Games

Rush Games Casino4Fun Table Games

Card games like poker, blackjack, baccarat, and table games like roulette, craps and wheel of fortune are supported at social casinos. Users can use strategies and techniques to overpower the RNG and stand victorious over the house. Several variants have been devised for each option, providing exciting gameplay, rules, and payouts for variation. Some options from each include the following.

  • Roulette – Double Ball, Mini, French, American
  • Blackjack – American, 21, Switch, Red Dog
  • Poker – Texas Hold’em, Oasis, Regal, Double Bonus
  • Baccarat – American, No Commission, Dragon Tiger
  • Craps – Lightning, First Person

Live Dealer

Social casinos are not renowned for offering live casino titles since these games are streamed from live studios. The costs here are extreme, but some social casinos go the extra mile and offer table games like those covered in a live format. Evolution Gaming is the most prominent company powering live social casinos, offering the following, among other titles:

  • Lightning Roulette
  • Mega Ball
  • Dream Catcher
  • Sweet Bonanza CandyLand
  • Infinite Blackjack
  • Live Baccarat

Social Casino Software Providers

Although most social casinos utilize the same companies as real money casinos to set up their lobbies, some take a different route.

Sites like Gambino Slots, Chumba Casino, Jackpot World, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker, and Fortune Coins power their own games in-house. That’s not to suggest they go as far as reinventing the wheel since they employ similar gameplay to the most popular casino games already on the market. The downside is that they offer a smaller range of slot titles than independently powered social casino sites. Another negative point is the long periods that go by until new games come out since there is a single company behind these online casino sites.

Pulsz Casino, BetRivers.net, SugarHouse Play4Fun, and other social casinos are instead powered by the same software providers that power real money online casinos. This means that you can find your favorite online gaming options and play using virtual credits.

Why Play at Social Casinos Online?

There are several reasons justifying players’ interest in the best social casino apps, including:

  • Free play – although social casino apps offer in-app purchases of virtual credits, they offer more than enough bonuses and free spins to sustain a free online gambling experience.
  • Practice – beginners or experienced gamblers looking to get accustomed to specific casino games can try them out for free on social casinos. By using sweeps coins or free chips, they save money and the frustration accompanied by losing without knowing why.
  • Trying out new games – software providers launch new slot titles and other games almost weekly. Testing them at the best social casinos is a must before you play games for real cash.
  • Testing strategies – this applies primarily to table games like poker, blackjack, and roulette, but also to bankroll management techniques used to play online slots. There is no better time to test different things than when playing at social casinos with virtual credits.
  • Safe alternative – Americans outside the legal gambling states can only join offshore online casinos. These sites operate with real money, but they are in the business of tricking users and stealing them. Social casinos are the best alternative for gamblers who like to play popular casino games since they are legit and do not even ask for cash to provide online gaming access.

The only downside of social casinos is that virtual credits do not hold monetary value. However, real-life rewards via social casino loyalty programs often address this.

Social Casinos That Pay Real Money

1.5M WoW Coins + 35 Free SC
GET UP TO 367,000 GC + FREE 32.3 SC
630,000 Free Coins + $14 Fortune Coins No Deposit Bonus
Unlock 57,500 GC + 27.5 FREE SC
5 FREE SC + 600 Diamonds + 250 Game Coins

Hotel stays, free casino play, and other social casino rewards are okay, but popular games that offer real money wins are hard to match. This is where sweepstakes casinos come in, acting as the middle road between social online casinos and real money gambling sites.

Available only under US laws, sweepstakes casinos are similar to social casinos online. Anyone over 18 can join from all states except Washington D.C. Some sites will provide classic casino games from reputable companies, while others use proprietary software.

The difference here is the inclusion of two virtual currencies instead of one:

  • Sweepstakes coins are not purchasable for real cash but instead added as a casino bonus. Sweeps coins can be redeemed for cash prizes at 1 SC for a $1 rate.
  • Gold coins are the other currency that has no real-world value but can be purchased for cash.

Including two currencies makes real money sweepstakes casinos legal and possible and superior even to the best social casinos. Some of our highest-rated free sweeps coins casinos include:

Prize online casinos like High 5 Games, MyChoice Casino, ZitoBox Casino, etc., are the middle road between sweepstakes and social casino sites.

Getting Started with a Social Casino

Playing at a social casino online is similar to playing casino games for money. First, you must tap on the page links to join your preferred social casino. Then, tap on the register button and provide the required details. These are basic, including things like your full name, email, password, address, etc. The process can be avoided by linking your Gmail or Facebook account.

After registration, an email link will have been sent. Tap on it to receive your social casino bonus and start playing casino games.

Anyone over 18, located in the US, can complete the process without any financial requirements.

Still, if you decide to purchase virtual credits, you will first need to prove you are who you say you are in your social casino account. A utility bill and ID photo are usually requested for such purposes.

Social Casino Free Chips & Daily Virtual Credits

Social casino apps are pioneers in providing free coins through bonuses. Free games in the demo are not the same as social casino games since you need virtual credits for the latter. Getting lucky at progressive jackpot slots can boost your account for life, but this is rare. Most players need to use a social casino bonus and offer to continue playing casino games without ever making an in-app purchase. Each social casino bonus varies, but these are the most prevalent offers.

  • Social Casino no deposit bonus – players receive free spins and free coins right after the online casino sign-up process with this bonus.
  • Welcome bonus – this offer is the best at an online casino but is not so popular in a social casino gaming setting. Usually, a welcome bonus involves free coins and free spins after making your first purchase. This can be a deposit match bonus up to a certain value.
  • Free spins – a free spins bonus can work in two ways depending on the social casino app. Firstly, it might come in the form of 50, 100, or more free spins for selected games. Another form of free spins might apply on a lucky wheel, where you can win daily virtual credits, a jackpot, or other prizes.
  • Daily virtual credits – hardly any social casino app doesn’t implement this offer. Users will almost always receive a set number of daily virtual credits, varying daily and repeated weekly.
  • Loyalty rewards – returning players can earn social casino play credits, exclusive rewards, hotel stays, happy hour bonuses, exclusive bonus codes, and access to bonus games for often playing at the same social casino. A loyalty program will often involve different VIP levels, each with its unique set of offers.
  • Referral bonuses – like any refer-a-friend bonus, a casino site will often credit free chips to your account for inviting friends to play.
  • Reload promo codes – these operate like the welcome bonus, but they are accessible weekly or daily this time. Users must purchase a coins package to qualify for a reload social casino bonus.
  • Social media contests – following the social media platforms of the gambling operators is a wise move. Social casino apps often run quizzes and contests where players can win free sweepstakes coins, gold coins, or virtual credits for participating.

How we rank best Social Casinos

We have listed the best US social casino sites above and now you might be wondering why we chose these specific sites. What is the criteria we use to judge a social casino site? Generally, we feel the below are important factors to consider:

Bonuses and Promotions

1.5M WoW Coins + 35 Free SC
GET UP TO 367,000 GC + FREE 32.3 SC
630,000 Free Coins + $14 Fortune Coins No Deposit Bonus
10,000 Gold Coins & 1 Free Stake Cash
400,000 TRN + 1,000 free Entries on Registration

A generous bonus to attract new users can make a social site what it is. We always rank social casinos highly when they allow opportunities for players to claim free Sweeps Coins, however, that is not the only determining factor. We tend to delve deeper and look into if the platform offers a decent loyalty program, or of they are casino leader boards available. As social casinos are interactive people constantly talk in the online community about the pros and cons of different sites and having a good VIP program will improve the reputation of the operator and thus lead to a higher rating.

Range of Games and Software

Does the site offer the best social casino games available? Are there attractive real money prizes available for the winners? We also look at the quality of the software and if the app allows users to gamble on the go with ease.

Safety

The most important aspect of any form of gambling, whether it be sports betting or online social gaming is that you are safe and protected at all times during your online gaming sessions. If you can’t trust the site, you should never give any details over and even consider signing up for an account. You should look to where the casino is registered and if there are responsible gambling resources readily available.

Customer Support

There will likely come a time when an issue will arise and you need to ask a question. There is where any site must provide a wide range of options for those bettors looking for answers. A good social casino site should offer the following communication methods:

  • 24/7 Live Chat
  • Email
  • Phone
  • FAQ

Payment Methods

Payment options can vary when you look to purchase virtual coins for your casino site. Most of the best US social casino sites provide the following payment methods:

  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • VISA
  • Discover
  • Prepaid Cards

The above are pretty standard among most social casinos. However, to separate from the crowd and rank higher on lists of best social sites, we also look out for the following payment options:

  • PayPal
  • Skrill
  • Bank Transfers
  • Apple Pay

Some sites may even offer payment in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

FAQs

  • Can I win real money at social casinos?

    The term real money social casinos is paradoxical, and those using it shouldn’t. Social casinos do not support real money betting or winning but might provide real-life rewards at retail casino locations or gift cards. Sweepstakes casinos are a form of real money social casinos, utilizing sweeps coins and gold coins in a social setting with real cash redemptions. Both options are provided on this page.

  • How to play at social casinos?

    To start playing at a social casino, you should pick one casino site from our list. Users can click on the read review button to see our ratings and learn more or the play now option to visit the official social casino site. A registration form must be completed to gain instant access to the best social casino games.

  • What games are available to play for free?

    Social casino apps offer the same games as their real money counterparts. These can range from online slots to roulette and from poker to baccarat. Live dealer rooms, game shows, and even sports betting might be available at a social casino site. Sites like Fortune Coins also host fish table games and skill games, which are still missing from brick-and-mortar and online casinos.

  • Social casinos remain legal in all states since they use virtual credits instead of real money stakes. Anyone over 18 can join and play online or get the apps through the virtual stores. The same is true with sweepstakes casinos, despite the cash redemption component.

  • Do I need to pay for coins to access social casino games?

    In-app purchases are the deposit feature of social casinos, where users can buy coin bundles for predetermined cash values. These often start at $0.99 up to $199 per transaction. Still, there is no need to buy coins unless you want to. Social casinos will always add free coins to your account through daily and other promotions.

AUTHOR
Alex Windsor

Enthusiast of the online gaming world, I have a particular fondness for sweepstakes casinos. With a passion for slots, table games, and the unique mechanics of the sweepstakes model, I’m always eager to explore and share insights on the latest in digital casino trends. Las Vegas might be the traditional hub, but the virtual realm is where my heart truly lies.

5 FREE SC + 600 Diamonds + 250 Game Coins
5/5