The US social casino market has witnessed steady growth. And this billion-dollar industry is expected to increase from $7.39 billion to $7.99 billion at an 8.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during 2024.
While there haven’t been multiple social casino mergers, the industry has expanded, with the US accounting for 70% of the global market. If you’ve been wondering what the latest trend is in the social gaming market, this article is for you!
Social casinos are online gaming sites offering various types of slots, and other casino-style games like blackjack, poker and roulette, which you can play for free using virtual currency. This Zula Casino beginner’s guide gives you a quick walkthrough guide of what it’s actually like to play at one of these sites.
You may receive Gold Coins to play games or enter tournaments and contests for entertainment only. There might also be Sweepstakes Coins for promotional play. Social casinos focus more on interaction, fun, and social engagement than real money gaming sites. With some US states still prohibiting real money online casinos, more social gaming sites will continue to spring up.
Experts forecast more growth due to the emergence of skill-based games, focus on providing personalized gaming experiences, mobile gaming dominance, and player retention measures. As such, expect more social casino mergers and acquisitions as many companies enter this fast-growing sector.
Playing at social casinos comes with a few pros and cons, as listed below:
North America was the biggest region in the social casino industry in 2023 due to the huge number of people who play casino-style games for relaxation and entertainment. This increase propels the market growth substantially and it is not just those Wow Vegas success stories that are illustrating how more and more people are playing casino games online.
The growth of the US social casino market is primarily driven by the fast-expanding gaming industry, growing digitalization, and easy internet access. Social casinos have evolved rapidly and this sector is projected to grow significantly over the next few years.
Social casinos are becoming more popular in the US for a number of reasons. The following are top social casino trends contributing to their growing popularity:
With increasing demand for digital gaming, social casinos with mobile accessibility have become more popular. These casinos offer players a flexible and convenient gameplay experience.
This leads to the social casino industry’s digital transformation, aligning with the growing preference for convenience and accessibility amongst US players.
Exciting features like the in-game resources enable players to improve their gameplay while completing various challenges and levels. In addition, social elements such as leaderboard contests and Spin the Wheel help players increase their social interaction and engagement with others.
Hence, many real money casino gaming companies are investing in social branding to increase player engagement.
Unlike online or traditional casinos, social gaming sites use virtual currencies rather than real money for gameplay. Hence, they’re legal in most US states.
Most social casinos use Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. While Gold Coins are for social entertainment only, Sweepstakes Coins won through gameplay can be redeemed for real prizes.
New social casinos feature in-built analytical and report tools, offering data-driven and personalized insights crucial for gameplay.
With these tools, social casinos track players’ behavior and preferences to enable them to offer customized gaming experiences that can lead to loyalty and customer retention. These tools also enable social casinos to personalize marketing strategies and promotions.
Social casinos have changed online gaming dynamics. Gaming has become a social entertainment, leading to community engagement.
At these social casino sites, people can play with their friends to make the gaming experience more interesting, fun, and interactive. Activities can be shared on social media, and some brands feature a chat room or community news feed where players can exchange strategies and gaming tips.
One trend you’ll find at social casinos is the wide range of gamification and social elements among players. This involves many features and non-gaming components to improve the overall experience.
Some examples include achievements, quests, challenges, rewards, leaderboards and contests like the Stake.us social casino tournaments. Live dealer games like poker, roulette, blackjack, have in-built social interactive elements, with players able to communicate freely during real time play.
Most sweepstakes casinos integrate social elements like leaderboards and live chats, allowing players to showcase their gameplay skills and engage with other players. This shows how far the social casino industry has come.
With the emergence of sweepstakes gaming sites as a legal alternative to online and traditional casinos, it has received a high level of acceptability in the US. Here’s some of the differences between online gaming sites and social casinos:
Online casino | Social casino |
---|---|
Real Money Gaming | Free To Play, No Purchase Necessary |
Use Cash and/or Cryptocurrencies | Use Virtual Currencies |
No Need For Redemption | Often Operate Using A Sweepstakes Model Which Allows SC Prize Redemption |
More Extensive Game Lobby | Small Game Lobby |
While you will only find social casino mergers reported occasionally, the market is thriving. With increased US social casino popularity, an expected $7.99 billion value and an 8.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) predicted, this gaming sector is still on an upward curve.
As more US players take to sweepstakes gaming sites, I’ll be watching out for more social casino mergers and acquisitions, plus the overall growth of social casinos in the US.