Social Casino vs. Real Money Casino: Main Differences

Real money casinos and social casinos both provide a thrilling escape into the virtual gambling world. One is driven by the appeal of real cash rewards, allowing people to place wagers on luck and skill-based games for a chance to earn a monetary payout. The other offers a similar gaming experience but is focused on social interaction and entertainment with no promise of real-world winnings.

The implication of this is that while social casinos are similar to real money gambling sites in a lot of ways, these platforms differ considerably in terms of their legal status, accessibility, and even the kind of thrill they offer. In this post, we will analyze the differences between real money and social casinos, to understand how social casino development differs from real money gambling.  

• Social casino sites operate on a free-to-play model, focusing on entertainment and social interaction, but with no real money rewards like regular casinos. 
• Real-money casinos focus on individual gameplay with limited social engagement. On the other hand, social gambling sites have features like leaderboards, tournaments, and chat, that help to create a social gaming environment. 
• Social casino sites are more widely accessible due to fewer regulatory restrictions, making them available in regions where real money gambling is prohibited. 

Is a Social Casino the Same As a Real Casino?

No, a social casino is not the same as a real money casino. Social casinos are free-to-play gambling platforms that are all about entertainment. Unlike real money casinos where players wager with cash and earn rewards based on their wagers, social casino sites don’t take money wagers and offer no cash rewards. On these sites, players access games with virtual chips instead of real cash and only earn virtual rewards with no real-world value. 

Understanding Social and Real Money Casinos

Social Casinos Overview

Let’s begin with an important question. What is a social casino and what are the features that differentiate it from conventional gambling sites?

Social casinos are casino gaming sites that operate on a free-to-play model. They allow players to enjoy casino-style games without staking with real cash. This creates a risk-free gaming environment where players can focus solely on having fun and social interaction instead of money rewards. This makes them perfect for casual gamers who want to enjoy the thrill of casino gaming without the pressure of committing fully to real money play. 

Social gambling sites are similar to real money casinos in the sense that they offer similar types of games to players. But that is where their similarities end. As their name suggests, social gambling sites are focused on fostering a sense of community and social interaction. As a result, they come with features that allow players to interact with each other in one way or another such as chat rooms, tournaments, and leaderboards. 

Pros and Cons of Social Casinos

Pros of Social Casinos 

• Social casinos have a rich library of casino games. This allows you to enjoy casino games, table games, and other game options. 
• Social casinos operate on a free-to-play model. This means players get to enjoy their favorite games without making any real cash deposits or purchases. There’s zero risk of losing money on these sites.  
• With a strong emphasis on social interaction, social casinos focus on features that allow players to engage with others while having fun. 
• Since they do not cost any money to play, social casino sites allow you to practice casino-style games before you play them for real cash rewards on conventional gambling sites. 
• Social gambling platforms are widely available. They’re not subject to strict restrictions, allowing players to play casino-style entertainment, especially in regions where real money gambling is prohibited. 

Cons of Social Casinos 

• Social casino sites offer no real money rewards. This is the main difference between these gambling sites and traditional real-money casino sites. They tend to entertain players with free games but offer only virtual items as rewards.
• Since they do not require real money to wager, social casinos have a tendency to become addictive for players who may end up wasting too much time on them. 

Online Casinos Overview

Online casinos are traditional gambling sites that allow players to play skill and luck-based games for a chance to earn real monetary rewards. On these sites, players deposit cash, place bets, and win money based on their wager and the outcome of the games they play. 

They essentially function like traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, providing gambling entertainment for people looking to play games to win real money. Because they offer real money prizes, online casinos are expected to be fair and safe for players. 

As a result, these sites operate under stringent regulations and are age-restricted. They are also expected to comply with fairness regulations, anti-money laundry laws, and player protection standards. 

Online casinos remain the most popular source of online gambling entertainment. The fact that they operate in a regulated environment helps to ensure fairness and security, but this may also limit accessibility. In some regions, traditional online casinos are not allowed to operate.

Pros and Cons of Real Money Casinos

Pros of Real Money Casinos 

• Real-money casinos offer players a chance to win real rewards by playing real money games.
• Online casinos operate under stringent regulatory requirements ensuring that they cater to players’ security and safety.
• The risk associated with staking and losing money on real money casinos adds to the thrill of playing games on these sites. 
• Reputable or rising casinos offer a rich palette of casino games to keep players engaged. This includes slots, table games, live dealers, instant win games, and so on. Some casinos also have sports betting options, allowing players to bet on the outcome of matches across various competitions. 
• Online casinos incentivize players with bonuses in the form of free spins, cash rewards, regular prizes, and jackpots.

Cons of Real Money Casinos 

• Online casinos can be addictive, with the potential to cause significant money problems for players who get hooked on the promise of winning huge fortunes. 
• Unlike social casinos, real money casinos offer less space for social interactions. 

Comparison: Social Casinos vs. Real Money Casinos

The biggest difference between real money casinos and social gambling platforms is that social casinos operate on a free-to-play model with no real money rewards for players. So while conventional casinos give players the opportunity to stake with real money, win, and withdraw cash, social casino games offer no real rewards to players. 

The only kind of social casinos that offer players some type of reward are sweepstakes casinos. They do not offer direct real money prizes, but players can earn premium tokens that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. You can learn more about how social casinos compare to sweepstakes casinos in our “Sweepstakes Casinos vs Social Casinos” article. 

This core difference between social casino games and real money gambling sites also introduces other differences in terms of their thrill factor, accessibility, and monetization strategies. Below are some of the key differences between the two. 

Casino Games and Variety

Real-money casinos remain the most popular casino gaming platform. You can find quite a huge variety of traditional casino games there, such as poker, slots, blackjack, and other table games. These sites are designed to mirror the experience of brick-and-mortar casino establishments as closely as possible. As a result, you can expect to find games similar to the ones offered by these physical casinos. The selection of games also tends to focus on quality and authenticity, with in-game features that improve their profitability. 

Most social casinos offer games that are similar to what you get on traditional gambling sites. Their game section contains slots and table games, but some sites also offer scratchcards, bingo, and keno titles. As modern gambling platforms with a focus on social interactions, social casinos tend to feature games that incorporate social elements such as friend challenges, leaderboards, etc. The goal is to keep players entertained with these games even without the appeal or real money prizes.

Social Interaction and Community

In real-money casinos, players are often too focused on winning money to even bother about social interaction. As a result, online casinos only have features focused on individual players with limited social features. While some sites have live dealer games with some level of social interaction, the primary goal of these sites is still winning real money. 

Unlike the solitary experience of regular casinos, social casinos have a more communal feel. One of the main attributes of these sites is that they allow gamblers to play with friends and interact with other players. Social casino communities thrive on features that allow players to participate or create tournaments and leaderboards, send gifts, and share achievements.

Some social casinos focus on fostering a sense of community experience. They even have chat features that allow players to interact with each other while playing games. These casinos also organize frequent tournaments and have leaderboards with virtual prizes focused on encouraging communal participation. The social aspect of playing on these sites adds a layer of fun and excitement to the gaming experience. 

The Thrill Factor and Risk

Real money casinos cater to serious players seeking the thrill of real money wins. Staking money that you can either win or lose while playing adds a later intensity and excitement to the online casino gaming experience. For players who find high-stakes, high-reward gaming appealing, real-money casinos offer an unparalleled experience. 

On the other hand, social casinos only cater to casual players focused on having fun and interacting with other people. Not people who play casino games for the thrill of risking money. With no money at stake, there’s less pressure to get a good hand or form winning combinations. Players who prefer low-stakes, low-reward gaming will find social casino entertainment and engagement just sufficient for them.

Accessibility and Availability

In most jurisdictions, real money casinos operate under stringent regulations. While rules tend to vary from one location to the other, the law is generally tough on online casino operators. Even in places where casino gaming is legal, real-money casinos still need to apply for and get a license before they can operate. 

Additionally, they are expected to enforce geographic and gambling age requirements while prioritizing fairness and player protection. These restrictions and rules of fair play these sites have to comply with limited accessibility. In some regions, players cannot even play games in real money casinos without using VPNs. 

Social casinos are not subject to these strict regulations. Since they do not offer real money prizes, they are not subject to age verification and geographic restrictions like regular gambling platforms. This makes social casinos a convenient option, especially for casual gamers who cannot afford to go the extra mile for casino entertainment.

Monetization and Revenue Models

Real-money casinos have multiple options for generating revenue on their platform. Players deposit money to play games on these sites, and the net difference in player wins and losses goes to the casino. Online casinos can also make money through ads or by offering in-app purchases. Generally, real money casinos’ profit potential is higher compared to that of social gambling platforms. Real-money casinos offer loyalty programs and other incentives to encourage players to stay engaged on their platforms.

Social casinos mainly make money from in-app purchases. On these sites, players access games with virtual money or tokens instead of real money. Although they get a generous amount of these virtual tokens through bonuses and promotions, players have the option of purchasing more tokens from the casino. They may also offer other in-app items and features that players can buy to enjoy a more immersive gaming experience. 

Choosing the Right Casino Between Social and Real Money

So should you choose a social casino or a real money gambling site? The answer to that depends primarily on what’s available in your location as well as your goal for casino gaming. The first question to ask is “Are social casinos legal in my location?” Unlike real money casino sites, social casinos typically do not require licenses from gambling authorities, making them viable options where traditional gambling is restricted.

Your choice also hinges on the market you wish to cater to. If your target audience is looking for casual gaming without financial commitments, a social casino can be an attractive option. These platforms excel in fostering community and interaction among users, enhancing the entertainment value without monetary stakes.

On the other hand, if you aim to attract users interested in the thrill of real money gambling, consider establishing a real money casino. These sites appeal to players looking for a diverse range of games and the potential for monetary winnings, offering an engaging and potentially lucrative experience.

Ultimately, your decision should align with what you aim to provide your users in their casino gaming experience.

Conclusion

CrustLab is your software development partner for all kinds of iGaming projects. With years of experience and a solid passion for the industry, we are experts at delivering top-quality iGaming solutions for operators looking to build real-money casinos or social gambling sites. Our experts offer support for every development stage and can guide you through the process of picking the right platform based on your goals. Contact us now to get started on your project.