Highlights
Most social sportsbooks use Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins or a branded equivalent
Bettors can make sports selections on social sportsbooks for free
Social sportsbooks often come with generous no-deposit and first-purchase bonuses
Social sportsbooks aren’t the same as conventional sportsbooks, but the differences may not be apparent straight away. So, what is a social sportsbook, and how does it differ from a traditional sports betting site?
In this concise guide, I’ll answer this question in detail. Not only will I dive deep into what social sportsbooks are and how they work, but you’ll also learn why they exist in the first place and how to choose the best social betting site, even as a complete beginner.
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What are social sportsbooks?
For bettors familiar with social casinos, social sportsbooks work similarly, except that you make sports picks, rather than playing casino games. Real money online sportsbooks are not legal in many US states. Still, US sweepstakes laws permit social sports betting, allowing users to make sports selections without running afoul of the law in most US states
If you're unfamiliar with social casinos, they work by allowing you to play casino-style games for free using virtual coins like Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Similarly, social sportsbooks work by allowing you to bet on different sports using free virtual currencies you get from claiming bonuses on the site.
Although you don't need to fund your account to bet on social betting sites, you can often purchase ‘Gold Coin’ (or equivalent virtual currency) bundles to replenish your account should you run out.
Social sportsbooks sometimes feature promotional options that social bettors can access using Sweepstakes Coins (or equivalent). Unlike Gold Coins, Sweepstakes Coins can't be purchased, but on some social sportsbook sites you can redeem your SC winnings for real life prizes.
Pros and cons of social sportsbooks
Social sportsbooks are a recent phenomenon, so it's no surprise that they have benefits and drawbacks. Here are some pros and cons to look out for when looking at a social sportsbook:
Social sportsbooks: Pros & Cons
- Often feature generous bonuses
- Facilitate free social sports betting
- Feature a wide variety of sports
- Not available in all US states
How does a social sportsbook work?
Social sportsbooks often look and work very similarly to conventional sportsbooks with one crucial difference: currency. Regular sports betting sites use traditional currencies like the $ USD while social betting sites must stick to Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Other minor differences exist, like how bonuses work on social sportsbooks.
Here’s a breakdown of different aspects of the average social sportsbook, how they work, and how they differ from traditional sports betting sites:
Currency: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins
The most telling difference between conventional sportsbooks and social sports betting sites is the currency you use. While the former typically use fiat currencies, the latter always incorporates virtual currencies like Gold Coins or Sweepstakes Coins.
Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins are both free and obtainable through various bonuses, and they offer you unrestricted access to all the sports available at that particular social sportsbook.
Unlike regular sports betting sites, social sportsbooks always offer a no-deposit welcome bonus to ensure users can instantly start placing bets for free without an initial purchase. In many cases, I also found daily reload bonuses to ensure you can continue making selections for free.
Social sports betting sites also generally feature excellent purchase bonuses. For example, all social sportsbooks I’ve tried offer free SC bonuses with GC bundle purchases, and first purchases typically come with decent bonuses. While you can find similar bonuses on conventional online sportsbooks, social sportsbooks are more generous with promotions.
Prizes and prize redemption
Sportsbooks generally have a simple approach to prizes. Before placing a bet on a sports betting site, your bet slip would ideally show your potential winnings. So, when the bet is resolved in your favor, you get a reward equal to the amount shown in your bet slip. It works the same way on social sportsbooks, except you use virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, not traditional money.
On redeeming prizes, you generally can’t get anything for your Gold Coins; they’re free and cannot be exchanged for real prizes. However, Sweepstakes Coin winnings are usually redeemable for prizes, depending on the terms of the social sportsbook.
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Why do social sportsbooks exist?
Betting with real money has always been controversial in the United States. Most states ban the practice outright, while others prescribe strict restrictions, making it hard for online sports betting to thrive.
However, social sportsbooks bring the sports betting experience to bettors, even in states where traditional sports betting wouldn't be allowed. Instead of requiring users to fund their accounts, users get free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins through numerous bonuses, allowing them to make sports picks for free.
While a handful of states now allow traditional sports betting in the United States, social sportsbooks remain popular among the betting public due to bettors’ familiarity with the sites and the social sportsbook model's ability to offer free sports selections.
How to choose the best social sportsbook for you
Social sports betting sites come in all forms, shapes, and sizes, so determining the ideal one for you can be tedious. If you’re at a crossroads, here’s a foolproof guide to help you choose the ideal social sportsbook as a beginner:
⚽ Consider the Sports Available
Social sportsbooks in the US feature diverse sports, depending on the site. Most at least offer the big four: NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB, but beyond that, you have to check to be sure. As a soccer fan, I appreciate social sportsbooks offering the English Premier League and Major League Soccer as well. I’m also a big fan of esports betting, so I generally try to stick to sites that offer betting on CS2 and Dota 2 competitions. You don’t have to go with my picks; just ensure your chosen social sportsbook has all the sports you want available.
🎁 Check the Bonuses and Promotions
Most social sportsbooks offer generous bonuses, so I’d recommend comparing among a few sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal. While I recommend choosing a decent welcome bonus, you also want to check if the site has secondary promotions like purchase bonuses or daily reloads before making a choice.
🗺️ Confirm You’re in a Supported State
While social betting sites are generally allowed in the United States, specific sites may not operate in certain states, so you want to ensure the site you’re choosing is authorized to operate in your state of residence. If not, there are several other options; just keep looking.
🖱️ Check the User Interface
You’re much more likely to encounter a well-designed social sportsbook than a terrible-looking one. Looks aren’t all that matter; it’s also essential to factor in the overall user experience when making a choice. Consider navigating around the user interface for a while, and if possible, place a bet with the coins from your welcome bonus to see how the site looks and feels before making a decision.
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Conclusion – Access legitimate sports betting in the US with top social sportsbooks
Social sportsbooks are a viable alternative to conventional sports betting sites for bettors in the United States, as they allow for free, legal sports betting in most US states. If you’re considering trying out one as a beginner, this guide has all you need to get started on social betting sites.
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