For many years, casinos were establishments reserved for the aristocracy and the wealthy; after all, to enjoy the games, one had to wear a smart tuxedo and book tickets to Goa or Sikkim just to gain entry to the gaming floor. Furthermore, the minimum stakes at casinos were always considered prohibitively high for the majority of India’s population.
Later, online casinos took over, offering the chance to play easily, simply and without queuing; over time, there came to be far more varieties of online casinos than land-based ones, and they attracted more and more players
Social casinos, on the other hand, have emerged quite recently and are essentially the same familiar online casinos with the same games of chance, but now featuring social elements, and using virtual currency or points instead of real money.
Often, these types of online casinos can be integrated into various social networks, allowing players to communicate with one another, share experiences and exchange virtual currency. Within such online casinos, communities often form among players who share similar mindsets.
Key differences between social casinos
The main difference between these types of casinos is that the focus is more on enjoyment and the chance to socialise and chat with other players, rather than just on winning.
Upon registration, players receive virtual currency as a bonus at no cost, and a host of daily promotional offers allow them to play without spending any money. Players can sign up and, for example, receive 500 coins; by accessing the King Thimbles game, they can use these coins to play. Casinos often offer free spins as well—this is a great opportunity to start playing without spending any of your own money.
Should a player lose all their in-game currency, they can easily top up their balance with real money, which the game itself converts into virtual money or coins.
Just like in traditional casinos, online slots are varied, featuring different numbers of reels and symbols, ranging from the gods of Olympus to Indian epics, deities and festivals.
The foundation is also a random number generator, which ensures the fairness and transparency of the game, as each previous move by the player will not influence the next.
Online social casino platforms are constantly evolving and frequently update their range of games, improving graphics, design and interface, ensuring the game never gets boring.
How to start playing at a social casino
Given the gambling bans in many Indian states, it is important for Indian players to find a reliable and reputable online platform. You should look for online casinos that are licensed, support the local currency and language, and offer a variety of local payment methods such as UPI, Paytm and various e-wallets.
Once you’ve registered on the online platform, the casino will award you with virtual coins and free spins; this is often around 500 coins and up to 150 free spins.
Newcomers should start with the Book of Gold demo versions to familiarise themselves with the interface and mechanics of the slots without losing any coins.
Once they have mastered the rules and mechanics in demo mode, players can start playing for virtual currency. You can play not only online slots but also a variety of crash games, roulette, blackjack and even Teen Patti (the Indian version of poker), and some platforms also offer the chance to bet on virtual football or cricket.
The casino has a wide range of chat rooms and communities that players can join, where they analyse various online slots and share their experiences of playing them.
What is the advantage of a social casino over a traditional one?
Social casinos offer several advantages over the standard casino format we are all familiar with:
- No financial outlay. Players do not need to gamble with real money; the casino provides virtual currency, which protects players’ wallets.
- Support for rupees and a variety of payment systems commonly used in India.
- Social interaction. Players can easily find others to chat with, discuss various topics and take part in tournaments, which this format offers very frequently.
- Simplicity and accessibility. Players can log in and play their favourite online slots or poker without leaving home, simply by picking up their smartphone.
Is there a future for social casinos?
With the advent of high technology, the market is increasingly being filled with such types of games; versions are already being developed in which players will be able to use virtual reality headsets and fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a real casino.
More and more players are opting for social casinos, and by 2027, it is predicted that there will be over a billion players on such online platforms; therefore, the future belongs to social casinos thanks to their convenience, accessibility and the safety of the gaming experience.
