Are Social Casino Games Worth Playing or Should You Stick to Casino Websites?

Kay TurnerNov 1, 2020

The latest statistics published in an article by Ontario’s Gambling Research Exchange show more than 170 million people around the world played social casino games in 2014. Perhaps surprisingly, that figure surpassed the number of people playing games at online casinos by four times. So, there is no doubt about it. Social casino games are undoubtedly popular. But are they really worth playing, or should you stick to casino websites? Let’s take a closer look at social casino games to find out.

What exactly are social casino games?

Social casino games can be played on apps or websites. They include popular casino games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette. The main difference between social casino games and the games you play at online casinos is the former does not involve gambling any money. Social casino games are simply for having fun with your friends online, so they have been embraced by casual gamers who enjoy playing games like slots and baccarat but who do not want to wager money. Social casino games are often based on or interact with social networking platforms.

Why are online casino websites better than social casinos?

Fans of online casinos have largely ignored mainly social casino games for the simple reason that they do not involve playing with money. Therefore, online casino websites like Kazoom provide much more excitement and a genuine playing experience than social casino sites. Furthermore, social casino games are not always based on random odds like online casino platforms. Many use algorithms that do not generate unique results like regulated online casinos. And because online casinos are heavily regulated, you can ensure your personal details and financial details are always secure, as well as being sure every game you play is random.

What are the good things about social casinos?

As the name implies, social casinos are great for being social with your friends online, so they certainly have some advantages. You can chat with friends while playing virtual poker or slot games, and because no money is at stake, there is no underlying pressure. Some social casino platforms even hold special events where you can compete against your friends to try to get the top spot on a leaderboard. Even if you do not have real-life friends who enjoy playing social casino games, it is easy to meet virtual friends by engaging with social casino platforms or apps.

Problems of Social Casinos

Although social games are always free, do not make the mistake of thinking you will not spend any money. Social casino apps and websites have to make money somehow, so most provide additional features where you can pay for things like fun extras and gifts to friends. Voluntary payments like those can add up quickly.

Another factor that could be an issue is the idea that social casino gaming can lead to addictive online gambling. Some experts claim playing social casino games is a gateway to playing games at reputable online casinos and spending more than you can afford. However, the opposite is also true. All reputable online casinos actively discourage people with gambling addictions and seek to help them, so social casinos can be a good way for those with gambling addictions to still play their favorite games without having to part with any money.

At the end of the day, if you just want to play the odd hand of poker with friends online for fun, social casino apps and platforms can be great. But for an authentic and exciting experience where you are playing games with real money, you cannot beat an online casino.