Sweepstakes Casinos Are Offering Players a More Social Way to Play

Online gaming is more popular now than it has ever been, with some reports estimating that around 236 million people play online games regularly in the US. There is a wide range of different types of games, but the one in particular that we will focus on is sweepstakes casino games. Sweepstakes casino platforms provide players with the same sorts of games that regular online casinos do, but with a few twists to both the way that the platforms are set up and to how the games function.

While the games on sweeps casino platforms might look and feel very similar to those on more traditional online casino platforms, they have a much greater emphasis on social interaction, accessibility and entertainment. These sweepstakes casino platforms are bowing to the changing preferences of consumers and providing experiences that are more driven by community and social interaction than traditional casino platforms.

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly sweepstakes casinos are, how social gaming is becoming a more dominant force online and how sweepstakes casinos are incorporating social elements into their platforms.

What Are Sweepstakes Casinos Exactly?

It isn’t particularly complicated. Sweepstakes casinos offer players similar sorts of gameplay as traditional online casino platforms, but without the direct wagering on the result of those games. This means that players can play things like slots, table games and live dealer games, but without so much emphasis on the monetary value of the wagers they are placing. They do this by providing two different kinds of virtual currency to players:

• Gameplay coins, which are used to play the games, can be purchased or acquired promotionally.
• Sweepstakes coins, which are won as a reward for gameplay and can be redeemed, much like tickets in an arcade, for prizes.

Because of this structure, sweepstakes casinos are able to operate under the laws relating to promotional sweepstakes, instead of those for gambling.

This means that they have a much wider array of regions that they are accessible in, as they can be played in regions where traditional online casinos are not allowed. But their success isn’t just due to being able to be played as a replacement for other sorts of casino games; they are also providing modern players with features that they crave.

Social Gaming Exerts Its Influence

A big part of the success of sweepstakes casinos is thanks to their ability to incorporate a trend that has grown across the broader gaming landscape, which is social gaming. Many gamers are increasingly engaging more with platforms and games that provide them with social features such as collaborative challenges, in-game chat and leaderboards.

Many modern games and gaming platforms are increasingly incorporating more social gaming elements, and sweepstakes casinos have not been slow on the uptake. While the experience of playing casino games at a physical venue is often a social one, the experience that more traditional online casinos provide is often an isolated and insular one. Sweepstakes casinos are different, and are providing players with more opportunities to compete, collaborate and connect with each other.

Social Gaming Features Sweepstakes Casinos Use

There is a wide variety of features that can be considered to fall under the umbrella of social gaming, and not all of them are things that sweepstakes casinos can use. But there are enough social gaming features that can easily be incorporated by sweepstakes casino platforms.

Leaderboards Heat Up the Competition

Leaderboards are a classic staple of social gaming. They allow players to vie for spots at the top in specific games, overall playtime and a whole host of other trackable metrics. When players can see themselves climbing a leaderboard and competing against others, it can drive them to get more competitive and motivate them to try to outdo the competition.

Chat and Other Interaction Features

Players love to be able to interact with other players as they play, and sweepstakes casinos often include chat and other features that allow for these interactions. Sometimes these communications will simply take the form of commiserations and celebrations and losses and wins, while at other times they might go as far as sharing strategies, or even just chatting for fun.

Events and Tournaments

While leaderboards might encourage players to compete with each other, tournaments can really spark players to get competitive. Coupled with community events, they can be the perfect way for sweepstakes platforms to offer small prizes for collaborative or competitive engagement between players.

Nothing Says Community Like Gifting

Many sweepstakes casino platforms have features that allow players to send virtual gifts to each other. This can make the collaborative experience of gaming feel much more social and community-minded than any of the other features, as people express generosity and compassion for each other.

Final Thoughts

Whether by design or happy accident, sweepstakes casinos are cashing in perfectly on the broader trend of social gaming that is currently permeating the online gaming landscape. By providing a range of different features that enable players to engage with each other socially, sweepstakes casinos are providing players with more than just entertainment; they are allowing them to connect.