Social casinos have become popular alternatives to real money online casinos in recent years. They provide an outlet for casual players to enjoy slots and table games, but inevitably, even the most casual players have one question: can I win real money at a social casino?
We’ll cut to the chase—no, social casinos don’t pay real money. You can learn why in this post, which covers how these casinos work and their gold coin systems. If you’d like to play for real money immediately, you can visit our recommended real money casinos.
What is a Social Casino?
A social casino operates by sweepstakes laws, whereby its casino games equate to “contests.” Like traditional sweepstakes sites, social casinos can award cash prizes through various means.
However, you can’t directly win real money through social casino games. This model differs from real money casinos, where you can risk and win money.
Do Social Casinos Pay Real Money?
Social casinos with real money payouts don’t exist in the US or elsewhere. Therefore, you won’t be able to have a social casino real money experience.
That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy entertaining games at social gaming sites and even compete for cash prizes.
How Social Casinos Work
When you sign up at a social casino, you receive a no-deposit bonus consisting of Gold Coins and Sweeps Cash (or Sweeps Coins). For example: 10,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweeps Cash.
You can use either Gold Coins or Sweeps Cash when playing social casino games.
Gold Coins
Gold coin packages are for sale, and they include coins and sweeps. For example, you pay $30 and receive 30,000,000 Gold Coins and 10 Sweeps Cash.
Gold Coins are purely for entertainment and have no monetary value. That means that coin packages aren’t worth the same dollar amount you’re depositing.
Sweeps Cash
Sweeps Cash is redeemable for cash prizes once you clear terms and conditions. The common rate is one sweeps per $1 in prizes.
So you can earn cash prizes through sweeps, but only in an indirect manner. It’s worth noting that when you buy a package, you don’t get much Sweeps Cash.
By contrast, real money online casinos always pay out with money—not just prizes—when you win. You can withdraw winnings as long as your cashout meets the casino’s minimum withdrawal (usually $10–$20).
Win Real Money Playing at These Online Casinos
Even the best social casino doesn’t pay real money. Luckily, you can still enjoy many quality real money online casinos and start earning even with a small deposit. We recommend the following casinos thanks to their game selection, welcome bonuses, promotions, and banking options.
| RANK | ONLINE CASINO | BONUS | # OF GAMES | MIN DEPOSIT | START |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Red Dog Casino | BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus | # OF GAMES 192 | MIN DEPOSIT $10 | Play Now |
| 2 |  DuckyLuck Casino | BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | # OF GAMES 567 | MIN DEPOSIT $25 | Play Now |
| 3 |  SlotsandCasino | BONUS 300% up to $4,500 | # OF GAMES 618 | MIN DEPOSIT $25 | Play Now |
| 4 |  Bovada Casino | BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | # OF GAMES 268 | MIN DEPOSIT $10 | Play Now |
| 5 |  Wild Casino | BONUS 100% up to $5,000 | # OF GAMES 536 | MIN DEPOSIT $20 | Play Now |
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Social Casinos vs. Real Money Sites
Social casinos and real money casinos each have distinct advantages and drawbacks. You can compare the two types of gaming sites by looking at their pros and cons below.
Real Money Casinos
- You can win real money.
- Welcome bonuses are worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Other promotions and VIP rewards are available.
- Jackpots can be worth five, six, or seven figures.
- More deposit and withdrawal methods are available vs. social casinos.
- Only open to players aged 21 and older in the US.
- Real money casinos require more discipline with bankroll management.
Social Casinos
- Open to players aged 18 and up.
- No deposit bonuses are often available.
- Great for casual players who are intimidated by real money play.
- Gold coins can provide hours of playing time.
- You can’t win real money.
- Cash prizes are only available through a convoluted system.
- The prizes don’t typically amount to much.
- Few banking options are available.
Are Social Casinos Worth It?
Social casinos can be worthwhile if you’re a casual player wanting to have fun. However, social casinos for real money play don’t exist because you can’t win money directly through the games.
The only way to win money is to play at real money casinos. A traditional online casino sees you deposit funds, place real bets, and potentially win real money. It also offers large bonuses that can boost your bankroll.
In summary, we don’t have anything personal against social gaming sites, but you can’t enjoy social casino games for real money.
