Social gambling 101 – how social betting sites work
Social gaming platforms are essentially free versions of regular online casinos and sportsbooks. As such, bettors don’t have to use real cash to access sports and different gaming options. Instead, you bet using tokens, chips, or virtual currencies like Gold Coins/Sweeps Coins. Social gaming platforms, therefore, offer a fun, lower-risk gaming and betting alternative.
Bettors get Gold Coins as freebies via promotions and sweepstakes betting site no deposit offers but can also purchase additional Gold Coin packs if you like. Gold Coins are only available to use for fun betting and are non-redeemable. Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, are rather special as possible winnings derived from using them can be redeemed for real-world prizes. However, you can’t purchase Sweeps Coins and instead only get them from various promos.
In terms of the services offered, social gaming sites are just like regular
sportsbooks. You get betting markets on a wide range of sports. Many social gambling sites also have free-to-play slots, table games, scratch cards, bingo, and other casino games.
Is Social Gambling Legal in the US?
Up until recently, the U.S. has strictly regulated the gaming industry, largely based on the PASPA Act of 1992. After this law was struck down in 2018, some states started to legalize various forms of online gambling. But even then, you still can’t legally place real money bets in many US states. Social gambling comes in to save the day most of the time.
In my research, I found that social gambling is legal in 48 US states. In these states, regulations allow free-to-play betting with optional Gold Coin pack purchases. This has made social games, charitable raffles, and social lotteries the go-to gaming sites. You can bet on your favorite NFL, MLB, NBA, and other quintessential US leagues, while International sports are also available.
Where are social sportsbooks legal?
The legality of social gambling varies across states. Some states permit a full gaming experience, while others allow free betting without prize redemptions. States that allow social gambling with prize redemption include Florida, Michigan, and Texas. Some of the states that only allow free betting with no prize redemption are California, New Jersey, and Maine.
In states where social sportsbooks are legal, bettors can predict match outcomes for most, if not all, professional sports. Many new sweepstakes betting sites even cover niche sports, like badminton and eSports like CS: GO and LoL.
Where is social gambling illegal?
Some states still have strict gaming policies that outright prohibit social betting. These states include;
State-by-state social gambling laws
The table below summarizes the social gambling laws in all 50 states.
| State |
Social Gambling Legal |
Prize Redemptions |
| Alabama |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Alaska |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Arizona |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Arkansas |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| California |
✔️ |
❌ |
| Colorado |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Connecticut |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Delaware |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Florida |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Georgia |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Hawaii |
✔️ |
❌ |
| Idaho |
❌ |
❌ |
| Illinois |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Indiana |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Iowa |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Kansas |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Kentucky |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Louisiana |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Maine |
✔️ |
❌ |
| Massachusetts |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Michigan |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Minnesota |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Mississippi |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Missouri |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Montana |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Nebraska |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Nevada |
✔️ |
❌ |
| New Hampshire |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| New Jersey |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| New Mexico |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| New York |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| North Carolina |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| North Dakota |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Ohio |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Oklahoma |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Oregon |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Pennsylvania |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Rhode Island |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| South Carolina |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| South Dakota |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Tennessee |
✔️ |
❌ |
| Texas |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Utah |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Vermont |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Virginia |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Washington |
❌ |
❌ |
| West Virginia |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Wisconsin |
✔️ |
✔️ |
| Wyoming |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Social Gambling Regulations
I’ve asked and answered the question— are sweepstakes betting sites legal? Now, exploring the regulatory framework governing social gaming sites in the US will help us understand the subtle differences in state laws.
Age limits apply to social
betting apps
just as they do to real money gambling sites, typically requiring users to be at least 18 years of age. Some bettors often wonder why do
sports betting apps
need social security. This requirement ensures security, identity verification, and fraud prevention. Mandatory age verification processes also ensure compliance with regulations and protect minors from accessing these sites.
Social gaming platforms offer a free-to-bet option, enabling bettors to access the available sports and betting options without having to spend any money. This removes what’s known as consideration, essentially ensuring that every bettor has an equal shot at redeeming their Sweeps Coins for the same real-life prizes. Free betting also means you can responsibly enjoy social gaming while ensuring every session remains fun and safe. In our free betting site reviews, we listed all the
free betting sites
you need to know.
✅ Clear Eligibility Requirements
Clear eligibility requirements, like age, identity, and residency verification are at the core of social gaming sites. These measures prevent fraud and ensure that only qualified bettors participate, maintaining the integrity of each gaming session.
Social gambling sites use actual sports matches and oddsmakers to ensure you get the exact same betting options available at real-money sportsbooks. They also feature games from top software providers to guarantee fairness in every round.
📜 Clear Prize Redemption Rules
Social gaming sites establish clear prize redemption rules to specify how you can claim rewards. Such transparency allows regulators to ensure each site’s social betting is legal and doesn’t stray into real money gambling territory.
Legal social gambling pros and cons
From what I’ve seen, legal social gaming offers notable advantages and a few drawbacks. I appreciate the balanced approach that makes these platforms accessible and enjoyable.
- Free betting without using real money
- Clear rules
- Transparent prize redemptions
- Fun and secure betting environment
- Limited prize options
- Restrictions on advanced features
Responsible social gambling
Even though social gaming does not involve as much use of real money, I recognize that excessive betting can still lead to adverse outcomes. As such, social gambling sites take responsible gaming seriously and offer tools like time limits to help bettors monitor their usage. Other tools like spending limits and self-exclusion also help maintain a fun, controlled, and healthy social gambling environment that prioritizes well-being.
Social gambling is legal
While real money gambling is still illegal in many US states, social gambling is legal in all but two. If you’re not in Idaho or Washington, you can enjoy a form of free gambling or another. True, some states have a few restrictions. For example, social cash betting sites that allow bettors to redeem prizes aren’t available in states like Tennessee and Nevada.
It’s good to know that the social gambling market is very far from being the Wild West. Regulations like mandatory age verification, game fairness, and optional purchases maintain a solid separation from real money gambling sites.
The best social betting bonuses in 2025
1.
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United States of America Players Welcome
2.
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3.
Spend $10 get 25 Onyx Cash
United States of America Players Welcome
4.
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
+ Get up to $5 Per Day
United States of America Players Welcome
5.
Spend $10 Get $50 in Coins
United States of America Players Welcome
Is Social Gambling Legal FAQ
⚖️ How do I know if social gaming is legal in a state?
You can check state laws, consult official government websites, and review regulatory guidelines to confirm that social gambling is legal in your region.
🎁 Are there restrictions on prize redemptions?
Yes, some states allow place bets without permitting prize redemptions. In these states, you can only use Gold Coins.
💻 Can I safely enjoy free social betting?
Absolutely, provided the social gaming site you are using to make your sports picks at follows clear eligibility and fairness standards. You can’t go wrong with any site from my list of social sportsbooks.
🏆 Do legal social sportsbooks cover all sports?
Just as real money gambling sites don’t all have the same sports, social betting sites cover curated selections of sports and markets. So, depending on the sportsbook’s focus, you’ll find varying betting options.
