The popularity of social casino-style games has skyrocketed in recent years. These free-to-play gambling-style games, available as smartphone apps or through social networks, have attracted millions of Wunderino DE players and generated impressive revenue. This article explores the growth of the social casino sector and what is driving its expansion.
A Social Twist on Casino Gaming
Social casino games take the basic concepts of gambling – games like slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette – and adapt them to a social, multiplayer context. Players receive free virtual chips or coins to play with, allowing them to spin slots or place bets without spending real money. Additional coins and power ups can be purchased with real money if desired.
The social element comes from playing alongside friends, chatting, and sharing achievements, creating a more interactive experience than traditional solitary online gambling. Major platforms like Facebook offer social casino games alongside apps for iOS and Android devices.
Top 5 Social Casino Games
Social casino gaming encompasses a variety of specific game titles across major platforms like Zynga, Playtika, Scientific Games, and Caesars Casino. Here are 5 of the most popular social casino games as of 2022 based on revenue and best online casino reviews:
1. Slotomania
Created by Playtika, Slotomania closely mimics real-world slot machines with themed games, progressive jackpots, and daily bonuses to keep players engaged without betting actual cash.
2. Zynga Poker
The world’s largest poker game allows players to compete against friends or random opponents. Players can customize avatars, unlock poker leagues, and organize tournaments with 9 million users worldwide.
3. Jackpot Party Casino
Based on real Scientific Games slots, Jackpot Party features tournament leaderboards alongside a variety of classic slot titles ported to mobile in conjunction with Facebook gameplay.
4. Caesars Casino
This app offers the Las Vegas casino experience with slots, roulette, blackjack, and video poker designed after Caesars’ brick-and-mortar properties. Daily reward spins and card deck collections appeal to return players.
5. Gold Fish Casino Slots
In this Playtika mobile game, coins earned during slots gameplay allow players to expand and decorate virtual aquariums with different fish and anemones, adding light simulation elements on top of gambling-style wins.
The enduring success of these and many other titles cement social casinos as an outlet blending entertainment gaming with gambling aesthetics minus financial risk, appealing to casual and hardcore gamers alike. The segment sits poised for continued readership and revenue growth into the late 2020s decade.
Accelerating Market Growth
The social casino market has seen hockey-stick growth in recent years. In 2016, the global market was valued at $3.4 billion, doubling since 2013. North America accounts for the dominant share of revenue.
Table 1 shows forecast social casino revenue growth from 2016 to 2020.
Table 1: Global Social Casino Revenue 2016-2020
| Year | Revenue | Annual Growth |
| 2016 | $3.4 billion | – |
| 2017 | $4.7 billion | 38% |
| 2018 | $5.9 billion | 26% |
| 2019 | $7.0 billion | 19% |
| 2020 | $8.3 billion | 18% |
Drivers of Upward Trajectory
There are several key factors fueling the rapid ascent of the social casino market:
1. Increasing Mobile Usage
As smartphone ownership proliferates globally, more people are accessing games through mobile apps rather than social networks alone. An estimated 80% of social casino players in 2018 used only mobile devices. Apps allow instant, convenient access whether waiting in line, commuting, or during downtime.
2. Social Sharing
Sharing game achievements, leaderboard standings, gift requests, and other socially-interactive features helps pull players into social casino titles. These games emulate person-to-person social aspects akin to playing games in a real-world casino, driving stronger user engagement through community.
3. Familiarity
Consumers are already familiar with classics like blackjack, roulette, and slot machines from real-world gambling contexts. Social casino games leverage this existing knowledge while removing the financial risks, making adoption easy. The simplified, casual nature draws in players not interested in high-stakes gambling.
4. Non-Monetary Incentives
While not gambling for money, players still expend effort towards earning more virtual credits, leveling up, unlocking content, and competing on leaderboards against friends. Strong metagame loops satisfy innate human motivations like achievement, status, and social comparison without real financial loss at stake.
Ongoing Opportunities Amid Concerns
While the tremendous growth also harbors concerns around potential gambling addiction, the future looks bright for responsible social casino game developers. This interactive entertainment niche is expected to perpetuate its steep growth trajectory in both players and revenue as mobile adoption continues expanding globally. Tightening regulation may also lend legitimacy to social casinos as a less risky alternative for casual entertainment. Leveraging celebrity endorsements and IP from established entertainment brands can further boost appeal among increasingly receptive modern audiences.
