Are you wondering what are social casino games?
Keep on reading to learn all about these fun games.
Social casino games cater to a wide range of gamblers and gamers, with numerous subverticals within the genre.
Many top gaming companies in this genre are expanding their title portfolio by integrating gameplay elements from other gaming genres, such as casual games, in order to increase user acquisition and monetization efforts and attract a broader user base.
According to data from the Mobile Games Index 2023, older demographics, those over 40 years old, are the most dedicated mobile gamers in this vertical. On average, they play for at least 17 minutes per day. The user base is equally divided between male and female users, with women typically spending around 17.8 minutes in social casino gameplay per day and men approximately 17.2 minutes.
Social casino gamers in the Americas have been observed to spend less time in gameplay compared to gamers in regions like Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
The social and competitive elements in social casino games, such as connecting with other players and competing in tournaments and leaderboards, drive users to spend more time playing and improving their skills.
Some social casino gamers have noted the similarities between a social casino game and a real gambling experience, including the aesthetics and excitement of playing.
The global value of mobile social casino games is currently estimated at approximately 7.1 billion US dollars, with a projected increase to 8.3 billion US dollars by 2026. This genre has seen significant success in recent years and is considered one of the top-grossing mobile gaming genres globally, following role-playing, strategy, and match games.
In the social casino gaming market, social casino gamers have consistently shown a higher willingness to spend money on in-app purchases compared to other gamers. On average, a social casino game generates almost 70 percent of its revenue from in-app purchases and 30 percent from in-app advertising.
Free-to-play social casino games often monetize by encouraging users to purchase additional credits once they have exhausted their initial credits. This transition typically occurs after users have become engaged and regular players. Through upselling credits to these high-retention gamers, the games can shift from free-to-play to pay-to-play.
Although the current mobile gaming vertical may not be the top-grossing, there are opportunities for growth. Developers are exploring new avenues, like incorporating casual games, to attract a broader audience. Additionally, they are taking advantage of trends such as social apps and 5g technology for enhanced multiplayer gameplay.
In-app purchases will remain a significant source of revenue for this genre globally, but in-app advertising is expected to increase in popularity as game hybridization affects the app economy of social casino games.
Game apps either replicate traditional casino games like blackjack and slot machines, or they add a unique element to gameplay. Some apps are free to play, allowing users to gamble without any real payout, using only virtual currency.
Gamers are attracted to this gaming genre for its social gameplay and entertainment value. They can chat and compete with gamers worldwide in these games. Additionally, these gamers appreciate the realistic in-game features that simulate a real casino.
Major gaming companies in this genre that have released popular games are Playtika, Moon Active, Huuuge Games, and Zynga.
Mobile gaming app publishers often monetize their apps through in-app purchases and advertising. To stay competitive, some publishers are exploring diversifying their monetization strategies by incorporating various types of advertising, such as rewarded advertising.
Social casinos have gained popularity as an alternative to online casino sites. This article explores the differences between the two and provides an overview of how a social casino operates.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of social casino play in the US, including its definition, distinctions from traditional casinos, and information on how and where to participate.
Social casino games are legally accessible in all states, while real money online casino games are only available in select states.
Social Casino games are casino-themed games that can be played online or through apps on social networks like Facebook. Players can access games like slots, roulette, or blackjack for no cost, with options to make purchases to enhance gameplay and progress in the games.
Social casinos have been a part of the gaming app market for a significant amount of time, offering free games with optional in-game purchases for players to enhance their experience.
Although free to play, game credits can deplete quickly, requiring regular top-ups to continue playing. If the urge to play surpasses the patience to wait for free credits, players may be prompted to make purchases to continue playing sooner.
Social casino is experiencing significant growth in popularity and has become a lucrative industry, as evidenced by the worldwide revenue figures and projections from 2016/2017.
Global revenue from social casinos is forecasted to surpass $7.2 billion by 2022.
In Million US Dollars
The market consists mainly of males in the 36-50 age range, with women comprising a larger share of the market in the over 51 age group.
The popularity of social casino games is increasing, and there has been a recent relaxation of online gambling restrictions in many states in the USA. While most of the restrictions lifted so far are for online sports betting sites, it is likely that online casino sites will also emerge in the future.
Advancements in technology and internet accessibility are driving the growth of real and social casino gaming, with increasing popularity seen not only in the US but globally as well.
There are distinctions between online, land-based, and social casino play. When it comes to social casino play, one can start playing without needing any prior knowledge. It is important to understand the main differences between traditional and social casino play apart from the gameplay itself.
The main distinction between online or land-based casinos and social casinos is that social casinos are not considered gambling and are accessible to anyone with internet access, regardless of their location within the United States.
Despite not being classified as gambling, there are few distinctions between social casinos and traditional casinos. As we have seen, social casinos still generate significant revenue through player purchase options.
The social element of a casino game allows players to experience some social characteristics that may be missing in online gaming, particularly in the absence of live dealer tables. Players can engage with others through challenges, tournaments, and interactions in social casinos.
Advantages and disadvantages of social casino games.
One potential risk of social casino play is the possibility of developing a misconception that playing for high stakes in social games is acceptable in real-money gambling. Additionally, social casino games can also have addictive qualities.
Social casino slot games offer rewards for high bets and large wins, which should not be expected in real money casinos.
Social casinos typically offer free slot play initially, but users quickly realize that the casino’s goal is for them to exhaust their initial coin balance and then wait for complementary top-ups, which can be offered hourly or daily.
After closing the app, you can wait for the top-up to continue playing.
Social casino games, such as slots, can be addictive due to their faux gambling elements. Resisting the urge to purchase credits to continue playing becomes a factor in this situation.
Pushing coins into a table to play pool or into a pinball machine for entertainment is a common practice without much distinction between the two.
The decision of how much to spend on social casino slot games is ultimately up to the individual to control.
Strategies or goal-setting plays are not typically used in social casino games, but there are some tips that can help players make their balance last longer and enjoy playing these low-risk online casino games.
To start playing games or slots on a social casino app, registration and account creation are required. This process is simple and free, with several popular options to choose from.
For creating a new account, email registration is recommended since there are no pre-saved payment methods available.
Creating an account with your email address is the suggested method. Please enter your email address and a unique password, and expect to receive a confirmation email shortly after completing the registration process.
By verifying this, you will be logged in and prepared. Registering with an email has the bonus of not having pre-saved payment methods, preventing accidental purchases unlike other methods.
Registering your account with your Apple ID may be necessary if you have downloaded the app on your iPhone or iPad.
Using your Apple account to register for a social casino site facilitates spending money. It is recommended to consider the potential risks before doing so.
Connecting your Apple account to the social casino allows for easier purchase management. Avoiding this method may result in potential savings over time.
Using a Facebook login is a common and convenient option for accessing various online platforms in today’s digital age.
Users should be aware that their activity and information may be monitored, collected, and used, potentially leading to increased advertisements on their social media platforms after registering for a social casino account with Facebook.
Users who choose to register on Facebook using their account may notice an increase in casino and gambling advertisements on their news feeds.
Many people believe that social casino games are completely free to play, but in reality, there is the option to pay for additional features. I examined the costs associated with playing these games.
Social casino offers the option to purchase coins and credits starting at $1, with higher priced options available for reward packs including Coins, VIP points, and Lobby Free Spins costing up to $2,000 for a single purchase.
Online games can be a form of entertainment, with the possibility of spending money without the opportunity to win it back and make a profit. However, when played responsibly, they can cost less in the long run compared to real money slots.
When playing real slots at a casino, the odds are typically in favor of the house, making it more likely for players to incur losses compared to social casino games.
It is important to note that social casino games are purely for entertainment and do not offer the opportunity to win real money.
Playing social casino games can be free if you choose not to make in-app purchases. However, even if you do buy in, you cannot win real money or profit from playing.
