The rise of social gambling in CA
Social casinos originally started out as Facebook-integrated games which enabled social media users to play at Vegas-style slots and tables with their buddies – but these sites have evolved an awful lot since then.
Today, these social casinos still offer leaderboard-based competitiveness, but also act as full-service, independent online gaming websites where players can enjoy all the same kinds of games you’d find at an ordinary, cash-based online casino, but with virtual coin-powered gameplay and a few other important differences.
The key thing to note about these sites before using them is that you’ll be placing bets using either GCs or “Gold Coins”, which are played for fun only, or Sweepstakes Coins, which can be entered into sweepstakes tournaments and games and exchanged for real-world prizes at your social casino’s online store. USD gameplay is never permitted.
Is social gambling legal in California?
In a word, yes – and this is the reason these unique online gaming operators have grown so popular of late. Social casinos don’t offer direct USD gambling services, and they also don’t require their customers to make cash deposits or purchases to play at their games either, as GC games can be enjoyed purely for fun, and for free.
These important distinctions from regular online casinos mean that social gambling sites or
top sweepstakes casinos
aren’t classed as “gambling” under US law and therefore, in California, don’t necessarily require a CA gaming license. Under most circumstances, the vast majority of social casinos are fully accessible in all US states bar Washington, though you will need to double-check with any site you’re thinking of registering with that it’s definitely CA-friendly before you get playing.
What should I look for in
California social gambling
sites?
Social casinos are immensely popular right now, which means competition is fierce and would-be gamers have tons of options to choose from. Even though you’ll be playing using virtual coins rather than cash, it’s vital to ensure any site you use can be properly trusted and will offer you a fair and secure gaming experience.
TheGameHaus can connect you with reliable operators that offer huge prize potential. Here’s what you ought to look out for when comparing the market:
1. A solid license and reputation
While
California sweepstakes
and social casinos don’t strictly require a California gambling license, it’s sensible to look out for operators that do hold some kind of license elsewhere. Most social casinos offering their services to Californians are based in other countries, and the best ones will be regulated by reputable offshore bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission, for example.
2. Compliance with
social gambling laws in California
Keep in mind that while virtual coin-based social casinos are permitted in CA, real money online betting of any kind remains strictly prohibited. This means that you should avoid signing up with any sites that offer USD-powered casino games.
The
best social casinosgaming companies
should offer a good variety of games, such as blackjack and poker, but also slots and jackpots, too. These should ideally be powered by software companies you’ve heard of and have Random Number Generators (RNGs) working behind the scenes to ensure randomized game outcomes. Any promotions should be transparent and fair, too.
25 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 3.5% Rakeback
Which
California social gambling
websites do TheGameHaus recommend?
All the operators you’ll see mentioned across our comparisons and the banners on our site have been fully checked out reputation-wise, but there’s no denying that some sites stand out much more than others when it comes to game selection and prize potential. The social casinos we’d most highly recommend are:
Stake.us – the best game selection
With more than 2,000 games available in total, the selection of slots, tables, and niche Hi-Lo and Plinko games on offer with Stake.us is hard to match anywhere else. What’s more, all our readers here at TheGameHaus can claim a 5% rakeback promotion by entering the one-time code “TGHSOCIAL” at the point of account creation.
25 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 3.5% Rakeback
WOW Vegas – the best GC coin package discounts
WOW Vegas might be themed on the glitzy city of Las Vegas, but it’s fully compliant with social gambling laws in California and available to all CA residents. It offers slots, tables, jackpots, and a whole lot more, with over 300 games available in total and some superb GC coin package discounts on offer to all new customers.
200% Extra: 30 SC FREE and 1.75M WOW Coins
Golden Hearts Games – the most unique social casino
This operator offers kind-hearted Californians the chance to support local or international charities while simultaneously enjoying Vegas-style casino games powered by GCs and Sweepstakes Coins. You can make donations to whichever charitable organizations you please whenever you purchase coin packages online.
Get up to 500K Gold Coins + 105 FREE SC + 1000 VIP points
Fortune Coins – the biggest sign-up bonus
140,000 GCs and 500 Sweepstakes Coins are available to all new customers who head over to Fortune Coins and create an account from within CA. This operator also offers 24/7 support, tons of payment options and some of the best slots and progressive jackpot games we’ve seen anywhere across the social gaming market.
Claim Your Free 650,000 Gold Coins & 1,000 Fortune Coins
Chumba Casino – great for classic slots
Chumba Casino operates a slots-heavy game portfolio that you can access using any device. Its game selection also spans video poker and jackpot titles powered by high-end software, and this operator is well known for frequently advertising tantalizing bonuses via its social media accounts – so be sure to follow Chumba on Twitter and Instagram.
Conclusion – stay safe when enjoying
social gambling in California
Social gambling is legal and accessible in The Golden State, so long as you stick to sites that definitely accept CA gamers and only offer access to social casino games that are playable using virtual coins.
Any social casinos you’ll see recommended by TheGameHaus are 100% safe and trusted, but you should think carefully about what you ideally want to get out of a social gaming provider prior to choosing which site is best to register with. Whichever operator you choose, make sure they have a solid license and rep, and a diverse and fair selection of games.
Our top sweepstakes bonus picks for December
1.
Get up to 500K Gold Coins + 105 FREE SC + 1000 VIP points
2.
200% Extra: 300,000 Gold Coins + 30 SC
3.
25 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 3.5% Rakeback
Wagering (WR): 3x
4.
Get 84K GC + 42 SC FREE + 77 FREE SC SPINS
5.
Get 227,5K GC + 107.5 SC FREE
Social gambling California
FAQ
⚖️ Can Californians enjoy social gambling legally?
The laws that apply to social gambling and real money online casinos are a little different from each other, and it’s important to understand what is and isn’t legal in your region before registering with any betting sites that promise big bonuses and great gameplay. TheGameHaus can help you get to grips with the latest gaming laws for CA.
🤑 Which social gambling sites in CA have the best games?
Californians have a whole lot of social gaming sites to choose from, but while some sites are best known for video poker and live dealer tables, others almost exclusively offer slots and jackpots. Visit TheGameHaus today to compare all the different social casino gaming options currently available in your region.
🃏 What do California laws say about gambling?
Before betting on sports or enjoying casino gaming activities in any US state, it’s important to read-up a little on local laws. Find out all you need to know about California gambling laws today with our latest betting guides.
