The world of online gambling is extensive with several fun gaming options which online players might be unaware of, for instance, social casinos. Social casinos are an alternative to playing at online casinos, and they allow their fans to play a range of table games and social slots for free through mobile apps and social networks. While there is no money involved, there are several other reasons–such as improved social interaction, fun, stress relief, mental stimulation. and relaxation–why millions of online players opt for this particular form of online gaming.
In essence, social gambling refers to the type of gambling done via social networks. It is important to note that the most popular social media platform for online gambling is Facebook (with over 60% of social gamblers), Google+ (less than 20%). Social gambling, especially gambling through Facebook, allows players to invite their friends, play with them for a short while, and compare scores. In addition, players can choose to play by themselves, and brag about their wins on the social network. Due to the viral nature of social networks, players can choose to advertise games they enjoy playing, thereby saving developers the time and money they would have used in paid advertisement.
With the steady increase in the choice of social games, a large number of the games offered via Facebook are created by independent developers and are therefore unavailable in other places. When a game is played on Facebook, the player is often asked for the details he or she is willing to share, select the game he or she wants to play, and either accept or decline an offer to purchase extra benefits. Although most social gaming apps are free, the industry is able to generate up to $3 billion through the sale of upgrades, virtual goods and in-game benefits.
Unfortunately, the operators of social casinos have the freedom to do as they choose as a result of the absence of rules and regulations in social casino apps. For instance, these operators may decide may decide to make players believe they stand to win millions if they play using real money (by treating these players to an amazing winning streak without real money). This will cause the players to lose large amount of real money. In essence, the success of a player at the casino is not an indicator of the individual’s potential performance in a casino, whether physical or virtual, and should therefore not influence the decision of the individual to play or not.
Top Social Casino Apps
Slotomania
Slotomania is operated by Playtika, a company that was founded in 2010 and purchased by Caesar Interactive Entertainment in 2011. Playtika was one of the first social games providers on social networks, and mobile platforms. After the first few acquisitions of the company (House of Fun, WSOP and Bingo Blitz), it was bought by a private equity consortium which is led by Giant Interactive. Today, Slotomania has over five million users, with about 12 million followers on Facebook. It also has about 160 classic and social slots.
Facebook SuperGroup, which is independently operated by Slotomania players, provides them with a number of benefits:
- It provides technical support
- It allows players to share their wins and
- It allows Slotomania fans to ask questions amongst themselves.
- The mobile app of this social casino is available on several platforms, including Android, Amazon, iOS and Windows.
Zynga
Zynga is one of the leading developers of social games and it is played by millions every day. The company has an exceptionally diverse portfolio of games which include the popular FarmVille and other games such as crosswords, backgammon, racing, rummy, solitaire, chess and many more.
Texas Hold ‘Em Poker is a game that can be played on Facebook, as well as on Android and iOS devices. The Facebook page of this platform has more than 60 million followers; when a player joins, he or she receives 60,000 chips as the house, as well as a seat at a table with about four other players.
Social casinos allow players to tip the virtual dealer, and also select poker buddies among their Facebook friends, thereby inviting them to play along.
DoubleDown Social Casino
DoubleDown casino is perhaps the most important product of the DoubleDown Interactive, a company that was established in 2008 and acquired by IGT in 2012. In 2017, the company was sold to DoubleU Games Go, a global casino operator that has its headquarter in South Korea. DoubleDown social casino provides its players with a wide variety of casino games that can be accessed through Facebook, and downloadable apps for both Android and iOS devices.
The Facebook page of this social casino has over seven million followers. The casino provides its newly registered players with one million free casino chips to play with. It also has a wide of range of games–such as slots, poker, bingo, video poker or blackjack–to choose from. Some of the titles at this casino include: Fa Vinci Diamonds, Siberian Storm, Wheel of Fortune, Pixies of the Forest, etc.
Big Fish Casino
Big Fish Games is a developer of casual games, and it was founded in 2002. The company has its headquarters in Seattle, and it is a part of Aristocrat Leisure Limited. The company boasts of a wide range of casual franchises which include Cooking Craze, Big Fish Casino, Fairway Solitaire, Jackpot Magic Slots, and Gummy Drop!
Similar to other social casinos, Big Fish Casino can be accessed through Facebook (where it has over 800,000 followers) and apps that are downloadable through App Store, Amazon and Google Play Store. The portfolio of this gaming site consists of social slots, roulette, blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, and many more. The platform provides newly registered players with up to 100,000 free chips, and also allows their players to claim up to 16 billion chips given out in jackpots daily.
