How Do Social Casinos Complement the iGaming Sector?

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iGaming has grown as an industry, encompassing genres like online casinos, sports betting, online lotteries, and even online bingo. Nowadays, iGaming isn’t just about gambling online; it’s become a new-age genre of entertainment altogether. Now, in the 21st century, social casinos have also joined that offering. 

Social casinos are online platforms that offer free-to-play casino games. On offer are games like slots, poker, and blackjack. In contrast to iGaming, social casinos differ because they don’t offer the chance to bet or win real money directly.

On the other hand, at pure iGaming casinos, classic games like baccarat and roulette have grown enormously in popularity as they can be played for real money. 

Despite these differences, let’s take a closer look at how social casinos both complement and differ from iGaming options. 

The Main Distinction Between iGaming Platforms and Social Casinos  

Social casinos are online platforms that offer free-to-play casino games. On offer are games like slots, poker, and blackjack. In contrast to iGaming, social casinos differ because they don’t offer the chance to bet or win real money directly. 

However, the appeal of classic table games like poker, blackjack, and real money roulette is still very pronounced at online casinos. As one of the trailblazers for the success of iGaming platforms, roulette is one game that has never waned in popularity. 

Available to play seamlessly online, it can be played on online casinos in a variety of ways that include classic American and European roulette, as well as a host of variants specific to online casinos, such as multi-ball or multi-wheel roulette.

Modern iterations, such as lightning roulette and mega roulette, are also available on cutting-edge roulette platforms. Players who enjoy real-world casino roulette and want to experience it online have been flocking to iGaming websites in droves. 

With platforms like offshore instant casinos offering a variety of classic games, players can enjoy their charms amid other perks like fewer restrictions, the ability to play with cryptocurrency, and same-day payouts.

It’s the thrill of this real-money aspect that truly distinguishes iGaming platforms from social casinos, as the latter uses virtual currency or points to play games instead. 

The differences aside, social casinos have become increasingly popular because they offer casino lovers a fun and engaging way to experience casino games without the risk.

In that way, social casinos actually complement the broader iGaming industry as they cement the popularity of classic games without the need to use real money. 

Expanded Player Base

Another way that social casinos complement iGaming is that they indirectly cross-market the iGaming industry and promote real-money gambling products and services.

However, this has to be handled carefully as gambling advertising is strictly regulated, and providers are regularly criticized for advertising too much. The best iGaming software providers and developers usually use the surge in numbers in the social casino sector to their advantage. 

By offering a free-to-play experience for a certain time or as a free trial of the casino game, operators can ensure that their target audience gets a chance to sample what they have to offer.

After these free periods, a player can freely choose if they want to try something else. 

Innovation Testing

Innovation is crucial for large industries to stay ahead as markets evolve. As another complementary perk, since many major iGaming operators run social casinos too, these platforms can be used as a testing ground for future innovations.

Since they work in a risk-free environment, operators can use them to roll out new technologies or features and see how players respond. 

For those that are popular, this helps operators decide where to divert investment for future upgrades to the real money games.

At the same time, players face no adversity from this process as they don’t have to lose any real money while playing. Social casinos can also test out new offerings for bonuses, promos, and rewards.  

Generating Revenue

Although social casino games are typically free to play, they can also generate revenue and profit for game developers. Tech can be one of the most ruthless industries as it constantly changes, making it crucial for services that rely on the industry to keep generating enough revenue to keep up with it. 

Most of these free-to-play apps will allow players to log in and participate freely. Still, the crucial thing that they need to win is typically sold as an in-app purchase along with other perks like power-ups, bonuses, promos, and other incentives.

This is done via paid ad campaigns in a lot of the free games to generate added income streams. Those ads can also be carefully curated to see if players want to try the real thing in an obligation-free manner.