What are social casinos?

How is a social casino different from a sweepstakes casino?

Redemption is what separates them.

Names and terms vary by site, and some sites run both models.

Can you win real money at a social casino?

No, not under the usual terms, because the coins have no cash value and cannot be exchanged. That does not make them free. You can spend real money on coins and never get any of it back, so set a limit as you would with any gambling. See responsible gambling if spending has become a problem.

Are social casinos legal?

Social casinos' legal status depends on the state, and Washington is the clearest warning. On March 28, 2018, the Ninth Circuit ruled in Kater v. Churchill Downs that the virtual chips in Big Fish Casino were a 'thing of value' under Washington law. In 2020, Churchill Downs and Aristocrat agreed to pay $155 million to settle two lawsuits, subject to court approval. Sheppard Mullin says these claims have succeeded mainly in Washington.

Do sweepstakes bans also cover social casinos?

Usually they aim at the dual-coin model, though the wording matters. Maine's law targets dual-currency games, and California's targets a purchased coin paired with a redeemable one. Reports differ on how far Montana's reaches for coins with no cash value. Trade site Sweepsy reported that one operator ended only sweeps play in Indiana and Maine in 2026 and kept its gold coin games running.

How can you tell which kind of site you are on?

Read the terms, and look for these signs of a sweepstakes model:

• A second currency, often called sweeps coins.
• A prize redemption page, or an identity check before redemption.
• A set of sweepstakes rules or a mail-in entry address.
• A list of excluded states.