The team at PlayNY has tested all of the social casinos available in New York and across the US. With so many options, it’s difficult to determine what the best social casino is, especially if you don’t have previous experience with them. We’ve made this task easier by narrowing down the options based on trustworthiness, game availability, bonuses, redemption options, and more. Let’s dive right in and get you started with social casinos.
Our top picks of social casinos
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Who can play at social casinos?
Those in New York, and in the US in general, who wish to play the games at social casinos must be at least 18 years old to do so, although in some cases the minimum age is 21. The sites also typically require you to be a resident of the United States.
Are there social casino apps?
Some social and sweepstakes sites offer apps that allow you to play the games using a mobile device. Like many other mobile games, these apps feature in-app purchases. These are entirely optional, as you can always play these games for free.
Be cautious when searching for social casino apps, as the results may sometimes yield false versions of the apps.
How social casinos differ from other social games
On the surface, many sites that feature social slots, table games, and sometimes live-dealer games resemble other kinds of social games people play on their phones via Facebook and/or through apps or other means. For example, in both cases:
- You can play the games for free
- You have an option to purchase items to use within the game (e.g., coins, spins, chips)
As noted, many social casino games can be played for free, but most also have options to make “in-app purchases” of various kinds. Players of these games are accustomed to encountering frequent pop-up ads, which advertise various items that can be purchased. In most cases, these items are meant to enhance their game experience.
For example, Monopoly GO! players are invited to purchase dice rolls or other in-game items. The same is true for Coin Master, the popular social game that involves spinning a slot machine, developing villages and attacking others’ villages, and collecting cards. You can play for free, but you can also make purchases of spins, coins, chests, pet food, and XP points.
Other popular games at social casinos, such as Candy Crush, Farmville, and Solitaire Social, operate according to a similar principle regarding optional in-app purchases. Poker games like Zynga Poker and the WSOP Poker Texas Hold’em Game also invite players to purchase play chips.
There is another category of online games called sweepstakes casinos, where players can also play for free and have opportunities to redeem winnings for cash or gift cards. Social casinos, however, are generally only “for fun” sites that do not include such offers. Sweepstakes casinos used to operate in New York, but legislation was passed in 2025 prohibiting them in the state.
Types of social casinos
Social casinos can vary in terms of the types of games offered, but many operate similarly and share similar features. New social casinos are also launching frequently. Some of these are associated with retail casinos, including:
- Hard Rock Jackpot Planet — receive and win “hearts” that can be redeemed for perks at Hard Rock locations.
- Caesars Slots, Slotomania, WSOP Poker: Texas Hold ’em Game (and others) — Caesars sites where you can earn Rewards Credits.
- MyVegas, POP! Slots — powered by MGM Resorts.
There are also social casinos that are entirely for entertainment and do not offer any way to win cash prizes. The games found on these sites and apps are also free to play in their basic versions, although in many cases players can make in-app purchases designed to improve gameplay. Some examples include:
- BetRivers.net — offers many of the same games found on the real money BetRivers Casino site, only for play money only
- Big Fish — originated in the early 2000s and offers a variety of games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, and Texas hold ’em poker
- House of Fun — features over 300 slots plus extra missions and side games
Social casinos we don’t recommend
In addition to this growing list of legitimate social casinos and sweepstakes sites, there is also an ever-evolving list of names that we just can’t recommend to our readers. These brands all present some serious red flags within the sign-up process and cannot be confirmed as safe, secure options. Moreover, some of these sites do not even operate under a legitimate sweepstakes casino framework and instead are more akin to unlicensed online casinos. Read our reviews to see what we have to say about these questionable casinos:
Types of promos at social casinos
There are several social casino sign-up bonuses and promotions that players should always be on the lookout for. These can include the following:
Most social casinos offer free coins when you first sign up. These can be both the regular coins used strictly for entertainment purposes, or the “sweepstakes” coins used in games where you can later redeem winnings for prizes. These welcome offers or sign-up bonuses might be thought of as similar to no-deposit bonuses at regular online casinos. Of course, you never actually “deposit” funds at these sites, although you can make purchases of coins if you wish.
Many social casinos encourage players to sign in and play games by offering daily rewards as an incentive to do so. Some sites even have hourly rewards. Be sure to check out each site’s informational pages to take advantage of these rewards.
Social casinos like to emphasize the “social” aspect of their sites and build communities over social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. Following the official accounts can be beneficial, as you’ll find the sites frequently feature drawings and giveaways that award free coins.
Bonus drops are another way sites give players free coins, either within the site while they play or via social media. You’ll see sites give out bonus drop codes over social media that players can then use to pick up the rewards.
Just like at real money casinos, social casinos will sometimes run so-called “bet and get” promos that invite you to play either one particular game or one of a group of games and receive coins in return. These promos sometimes arise when a site adds a new title and is eager to introduce it to players, encouraging them to try it out.
Free spins are also a feature of traditional online casinos, and you’re sure to encounter them at most social casinos as well. Free spins are awarded in a variety of ways and typically can be used either on a single slot or a group of slots.
Some sites give players the chance to win ongoing jackpots every time they play. Several sites offer jackpots that run continuously, allowing players to opt in if they wish.
Factors to consider when reviewing social casinos
As you make your decisions about which site to play at, consider the following factors:
Quantity and quality of games
Most social casinos feature hundreds of slots and other games to play. Some even have more than 1,000 games in their libraries, which rivals what some of the largest real money sites offer.
Top online game studios are also represented at these sites, and in many cases, social casino games feature the same top-notch graphics, animation, and sound effects as those found at real-money sites. The good news is that since the games are free, you can always try them out without any expense, so choosing the best social casino should be easy and free.
Ways to get coins
We give you a lot of information above about how you can get coins from social casinos with which to play the games. Some of the best social casinos stand out above others when it comes to providing ways to obtain coins, both in the frequency of their promotions and bonuses and the different methods you can use to get them.
Sometimes it is tricky to figure out all the options for getting coins without actually signing up and trying out the sites. You can check out our site reviews to learn more about what each one provides. Also keep your eyes open when playing on the sites and pay attention to the various offers as they come along.
Mobile play
Many social casinos have apps available for either iOS (Apple) or Android devices, though some still are only accessible via a browser on your laptop or desktop computer. The apps are obviously convenient as they allow you to play games on the go, making their availability a plus for many.
Games are optimized for mobile play which means you generally are able to enjoy all the different features of the slots and table games when using your mobile device. Of course, the smaller screen size sometimes affects gameplay, and in some cases the sites don’t include their entire game libraries on the app.
Bonuses and promotions
Speaking of social casino promos and bonuses, that’s another factor worth keeping in mind considering your options. Especially for those sites that provide ways to redeem winnings for cash prizes, the best social casinos usually have frequent promos offering the premium coins you can use for such redemptions.
Think as well about the different types of promos. You might only be interested in free offers like giveaways, bonus drops, free spins and the like. Or if you are willing to purchase coins, you’ll want to examine closely what sort of bonuses come with your purchases.
Loyalty programs
Not every social casino has a loyalty program or “VIP” program that gives rewards to players. But some do, and these programs can be another great way to accumulate coins in addition to the other promotions the site runs.
Many sites also have programs in place that enable you to “level up” the more you play, improving your status and thus giving you extra perks such as unlocking more games you can play or giving you better deals on coin purchases.
Community building
Some social casinos put more emphasis on the “social” aspect of gameplay than others. For some players, this isn’t an issue that matters very much, but many players very much enjoy the communities the sites are able to build via social media.
Joining a site and then also following it on Facebook, Instagram, X, or in other ways can provide a lot of additional fun and entertainment to game players. Not only can you earn free coins via contests, drawings, and giveaways, but you can also interact with others to discuss, evaluate, and recommend different games.
How do social casinos make money?
Social casinos allow players to play free slots, various table games, and, in some cases, live-dealer games, as well as bingo, keno, and other popular favorites. There are no real money games at these sites, which means they have no way to win money directly from players. So how do they make money?
Many social casinos invite players to make purchases of coins, chips, or other items or features that can increase the entertainment value of the games. These “upgrades” (as they might be called) are entirely optional, and you never have to purchase them to play the games. That said, in some cases, the sites might limit the number of games you can play for free and only “unlock” other games for those who make such purchases.
The sites and apps enable purchases through a cashier section, much like regular online casinos have. When you download an app, you’ll see a note about “in-app purchases,” and as you play games, you might encounter pop-ups and other encouragements to make purchases as you play. Again, you don’t have to buy anything, but many players do, and that is the primary way the game designers and operators make money with their games.
Final thoughts on the best social casinos
As one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the country, the sheer length of the social casinos list is daunting. Add to that the complex relationship between social and sweepstakes casinos, and it’s easy to see why it takes a little reading to figure out how these games work. In reality, though, they are incredibly simple to play once you’ve made the decision to register an account.
Our list of social casinos is designed to help you decide which site suits your style of play and how to maximize your playing experience. Plus, you can test all of the casinos in the list without spending any money before settling on the best social casino for your needs.