Ditch the VPN and play at these three social sportsbooks this winter

Sports fans always look for a fun way to enjoy the sporting action and even get rewarded if their team wins. The problem is that traditional sportsbooks are restricted or regulated in most US states.

This has seen many sports fans embrace VPN services to access offshore platforms. While this strategy works, it comes with risks. For this reason, many sports fans are turning to social sportsbooks instead. I will be taking a look at how these sites work with some recommendations for your convenience.

Why do sports fans use VPN services?

VPN services help bettors access sportsbooks in regions where traditional sportsbooks are prohibited by law. The goal of VPN services is to mask IP addresses and help provide privacy. If you access your offshore account with VPNs for a particular territory, you may also unlock boosted bonuses and other perks.

The only problem is that you'll face some risks, such as account bans, loss of winnings, or even legal consequences if the sportsbook identifies VPN usage. Most bettors try to minimize these risks by following the best practices, like using trusted VPN providers, avoiding suspicious activities, and adhering to the sites's terms and conditions.

How to bet legally without using VPN services

In order for sports fans to bet legally without a VPN, they should use sites available and licensed in their region. Such sites comply with the local rules and will help provide secure services.

In areas with restrictions, social sportsbooks are the best solution. These platforms operate on a sweepstakes model and are legal in most areas, meaning you won't require a VPN to create an account and participate in the sporting action.

A quick overview of social sportsbooks

Social sportsbooks are sites that operate more like sweepstakes casinos. They allow bettors to explore and participate in their favorite sporting events using virtual currencies.

One key difference between traditional and social sportsbooks is that the latter does not require real money. Social sportsbooks focus on creating a casual and low-pressure environment for users to enjoy sports without financial risks.

Similar to traditional sportsbooks, social sportsbooks allow bettors to interact with a wide range of sports and markets, including football, basketball, and soccer. Many social sportsbooks also emphasize community engagement, thanks to creative offerings like daily challenges and referral bonuses.

Pros and cons of social sportsbooks

Before jumping into a social sportsbook platform, here are some pros and cons you should consider:

Pros and Cons of Online Sports Betting Platform

• Access without VPN in most US states
• Virtual currency purchases are optional
• Plenty of bonuses and community features

• Limited sports options

Top social sportsbooks to sign up with this winter

Now that you know how social sportsbooks work and why they are becoming increasingly popular among players in the US, here is a curated list of the top operators that have won the hearts of many social sportsbook fans.

Fliff: Competitive bonuses and promotions

Fliff: Pros & Cons

• Huge new customer offer
• Responsive support team
• Impressive mobile accessibility
• Range of ongoing perks

• Limited payment methods

Visit Fliff

Fliff is one of the most popular sweepstakes sportsbooks. It gives bettors a chance to join in the fun of social sports without using real money. The site launched in 2019 and is currently available in 45 US states. It features nine sports, with football, hockey, and basketball being the highlights.

Social sportsbook enthusiasts can explore money lines, team props, totals, point spreads, and player props, and they can enjoy unique social features such as leaderboards, inviting friends, and pick-sharing. More information on this is rady available in our full Fliff reviews covering the casino and its promos.

New users signing up with the platform can enjoy 1,000 free Fliff Coins plus 1 Fliff Cash as well as a first Fliff Coin purchase offer of 400% up to 1.25 million Fliff Coins + 500 Fliff Cash. There's also a daily free credits bonus of 5k Fliff Coins plus 1k Fliff Coins and 0.1 Fliff Cash every 2 hours.

Rebet: User-friendly Android & iOS apps

Rebet: Pros & Cons

• User-friendly app
• Peer-to-peer gaming
• Daily login bonus
• 60+ major leagues covered

Launched in 2024, Rebet is one of the new additions to the social sportsbook world. The site uses two virtual currencies, Rebet Coins and Rebet Cash, which have no direct monetary value.

Rebet is available in 45+ US states and features over 60 markets and popular sports like basketball, American football, soccer, golf, and tennis. Something unique about this platform is that you can re-bet your friends' picks and even challenge them in P2P contests. Simply clicking the banner above this Rebet review will get you started.

If you are new to Rebet, you will enjoy a no-purchase promotion comprising 100 Rebet Coins + 1 Rebet Cash and a personalized first-purchase offer that will be sent to you via email. You will also claim a daily login bonus of 100 Rebet Coins + 1 Rebet Cash and an optional mail-in bonus of 3 Rebet Cash, available only 10 times.

Sportzino: It's both, a social sportsbook and a casino

Sportzino: Pros & Cons

• 40+ sports categories available
• Sweeps Coin redemption
• In-play option
• Multiple markets on offer

• Limited to specific states

Visit Sportzino

Unlike the two social sportsbooks above, Sportzino adopts a virtual currency system similar to that of sweepstakes casinos. Bettors use Gold Coins for fun and Sweep Coins to place bets in promotional mode. Sportzino is legit, despite the fact that you can be rewarded through sweepstakes redemptions.

New users who register an account at Sportzino receive a welcome bonus comprising 220k GC + 10 free SC. You can also claim a first GC purchase bonus of 1.35 million GCs + 35 SC for $19.99 and a daily free credits bonus of 20k GCs + 1 free SC.

Sports available on the site include American favorites like football and basketball and niche sports like Gaelic football and Padel. You can redeem your SC winnings for prizes once you hit the minimum threshold of 50 SC. Supported payment methods include card payments, bank transfers, Skrill, and Trustly.

Choose your best social sportsbook today

As noted throughout this guide, social sportsbooks provide a free and fun way to enjoy sports action with the added benefit of community features like chat rooms, leaderboards, and rewards. Before signing up with a social sportsbook, however, ensure you understand the site's rules and how its virtual currency system works. Pick any of the social sportsbooks I have highlighted above to get started.