Social Casinos vs Real-Money Casinos: What’s the Difference?

Browsing for casinos in the app store or scrolling through the gaming ads, you might have stumbled across the terms “social casinos” and “real-money casinos”. 

While they may seem identical at first glance, with all those flashy slots, spinning wheels, poker tables, jackpots, and whatnot, the visuals feel the same. If they offer a very similar experience, then what’s the actual difference between these two? The truth is that there’s quite a lot. 

In this article, we will be discussing the nuances social casinos vs real-money casinos, and what separates them. We’ll also take a look at how each works, what risks and benefits are offered by both, and which style of game suits which type of player.

What is a Social Casino?

A social casino is an online casino game, played purely for entertainment purposes, and not for making monetary winnings. The player can buy in-game coins with real money or earn them, but can’t cash them out or win prizes. With the available virtual coins, you can play slot games, play poker or blackjack, join public challenges, and enjoy reaching the top of the leaderboard. 

Even if you hit the jackpot in a social casino, the value is only applicable within the game and can’t be withdrawn. 

Features of a Social Casino

• You can interact with your friends
• Compete with others on leaderboards
• Some social casinos allow sending or receiving gifts
• Join clubs or teams
• Earn daily in-game rewards and win missions

Do Social Casinos Cost Money?

Social casinos can cost you money, only if you choose to pay or make in-game purchases. Most of the social casinos are free to download and come with a starter coin pack. You can either buy more coins when you run out of them, or you can collect them by doing simple tasks like watching ads, just like any other mobile game.

While you may have to spend money in certain cases, remember that you can’t and won’t be able to win real money back. 

What are Real-Money Casinos?

Real-money casinos, be it online or physical, are the place where you bet or gamble with actual money, and win actual prizes or money. While the main difference might seem obvious, it comes with certain risks, such as:

• You deposit real funds
• You wager real money
• You can lose your money
• You can withdraw real funds if you win

In a real-money casino, everything has an actual financial outcome, in contrast to social casinos, where there are at most in-game purchases and wins. 

Features of Real-Money Casinos

• Real money betting and payouts
• Huge variety of games
• Bonuses and promotions for all players
• Secure payment modes
• Operate under strict regulations
• Fairplay games, based on random number generator

Real-Money Casino Platforms

• Online casinos
• Mobile apps
• Traditional gambling casinos

Types of games offered at a real-money casino include slots, baccarat, roulette, poker, live dealer tables, etc. These casinos that use real money for gambling must follow the strict legal guidelines of the country they are operating in, verify the player identities before the gameplay, and ensure that fair play is practiced.

Differences in Social Casinos vs Real-Money Casinos

Let’s break down the key Differences in Social Casinos vs Real-Money Casinos to understand how each one stands apart:

• Money: Social casinos involve no real money payments and use virtual coins that may or may not cost money. However, real-money casinos can cause loss or gain of actual money, based on the outcome of your game. 
• Purpose: Social casinos are purely for entertainment, relaxation, or social engagement purposes, without spending money. Real-money casinos are for gambling, the thrill of risk, and potential financial rewards.
• Legal Regulations: Since there are no wagers involved, social casinos are not regulated like an actual casino, and are considered another online game. On the other hand, real-money casinos, as the name suggests, involve real money and are required to follow strict rules and regulations, and must have a license to operate.
• Accessibility: Social casinos can be accessed from almost any part of the world, as there are no risks of real gambling involved. In contrast, real-money casinos are available only in regions where it is not banned or considered illegal.
• Risk Level: Social casinos don’t usually come with risks, other than the chances of overspending on virtual coins. However, the risk level tied to the real-money casinos is higher due to the involvement of actual financial loss.
• Experience: Most social casinos are focused on building community teams through features like chats, leaderboards, friend lists, etc. Conversely, real-money casinos online are often more solitary, although the physical casinos offer an opportunity to nurture social relationships. 

Which Type of Casino is Suitable for You?

Now that you understand the Differences in Social Casinos vs Real-Money Casinos, you might be wondering which option is best for you. The choice ultimately depends on your goal, whether you want pure entertainment or the thrill of playing for real rewards.

Why the Social Casino Might be the Right Choice

In the case of a social casino, you might wonder why anyone would want to play casino games if you can’t win real money. Turns out a lot of players love the idea of a social casino, and for all the good reasons. 

If you are someone who loves the thrill of a casino, minus the risks attached, then my friend, a social casino is the one for you. In a social casino, the player can get the excitement of spinning the slot machine without worrying about losing their hard-earned money. 

People find the social casinos to be more relaxing, and play them the same way they play other mobile games. They offer free entertainment, as you can enjoy the casino without spending a dime. Also, you can join clubs and challenges for that community vibe. Elements like multiplayer options make the game more of a social experience, and less of a gambling. 

As there are no legal complications, you don’t have to worry about getting caught for being involved in gambling. For the people who choose social casinos, it is the perfect balance between fun and low-pressure gameplay.

Why Do People Choose Real-Money Casinos?

Real-money gambling attracts players who want an actual gambling experience, with the thrill of risking, along with the possibility of winning big. 

In real-money casinos, the chance to win real money is always there, and that’s, being honest, its biggest appeal. Moreover, some players are all in for the authentic experience of a physical casino, and these casinos, with their sophisticated platforms, live dealers, and licensed games, replicate the experience of an actual casino. 

For many, it’s about the excitement that comes with higher stakes. The emotional rush of winning or losing real money is valued by many of the players, and they find it completely different from losing virtual coins with no actual value. 

The bonuses and promotions are another attraction of the real-money casinos. Compared to the physical casinos, the online casinos offer bonuses in abundance, including deposit bonuses, free spins, cashbacks, rakebacks, and loyalty rewards.

Is the Experience Offered By a Social Casino Similar to a Real-Money Casino?

A common query among most players is whether a social casino will prepare them for real gambling with money. Fascinatingly, the answer is both yes and no. 

Yes, because the game mechanics of a social casino are similar to those of a real-money online casino. So, the players can get familiar with the gameplay styles, more like a practice session. 

No, because the social casinos are often more generous with the payouts (virtual) to keep the players engaged. The player won’t feel the pressure of losing real money, and may develop an unrealistic expectation about easily winning the games. 

So, while the social casinos may seem quite similar to the real-money casino, the psychological stakes and the overall experience are very different.

Risks of Social and Real-Money Casinos

While casino games are loved for their dopamine rewards, both social and real-money casinos come with their own sets of risks that the players should be aware of before getting started. 

Risks of Social Casino

Even though there’s no real gambling, risks are still present in a social casino game, such as:

• Overspending on virtual coins
• Getting lost in long gaming sessions
• Frustrated feeling when out of coins
• Mistaking that real-money gambling will be as easy as winning in a social casino

That said, the financial risks are minimal until the player decides to spend more money on in-app purchases. 

Risks of a Real-Money Casino

The risks and challenges of a real-money casino are more serious, and the player has to be really careful.

• Potential financial loss
• High chances of getting addicted to the game
• Finding it difficult to stop playing after a streak of wins or losses
• Emotional stress
• Possibilities of landing in unlicensed casinos if not cautious

While responsible gaming tools and limits exist, the players are supposed to use them wisely, eliminating the chances of potential risks as much as possible.

Final Thoughts

Though both casinos may look similar at first glance, the Differences in Social Casinos vs Real-Money Casinos become clear when you look at their purpose and outcomes. While a social casino’s objective is purely fun and socializing, a real-money casino comes with real financial risks and stakes.

Understanding the primary goals of these two can help you make an informed decision about the right choice for you. Whatever your game style is, make sure you play responsibly, and keep in mind that only gamble what you can afford to lose.