It seems like social casinos are everywhere these days. The numbers support this claim because the global market was estimated to be worth around $6.2 billion in 2020, with a projected growth to $8.3 billion by 2026.
According to research, the industry boasts around 85 million players daily, a clear indicator of the immense popularity social casinos enjoy.
But where does this acclaim come from? What makes social casinos so enticing to players? In this piece, we wanted to delve deeper into the phenomenon and understand the psychology of player motivations. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of what makes social casinos so appealing to the broader masses.
How Did Social Casinos Become So Popular?
The social casino market has been steadily rising over the years, with a massive surge in popularity during the pandemic. This steady growth can be attributed to the benefits that social casinos offer.
Namely, these sites possess the best aspects of online casinos but don’t require players to make purchases to use their games. Everything can be enjoyed for free, which has made them more widely available throughout the US. Specifically, you can access social casinos in all states except for Washington. More than that, everyone aged 18 or higher can use them.
Social casinos are constantly improving their site design and quality. Additionally, they boast large libraries with dozens or hundreds of slots, table games, video poker releases, bingo or lottery-style titles, fish games, and many other casino-style games from various world-class providers.
Furthermore, there’s also a constant influx of promotions. Almost every social casino has a hefty welcome bonus, allowing players to begin their journey with many gold and sweeps coins. Moreover, you’ll often find daily bonuses, referral programs, and social media contests and giveaways.
If that weren’t enough, new social casinos continually enter the market, providing a wider selection of incentives and better bonuses. Take the example of Zula, a social casino offering a generous welcome bonus, which increases if you complete tasks.
Explaining Player Motivation
It’s clear that social casinos have many features that make them appealing to the broader masses. However, that’s not all there is to this phenomenon. Studies were performed to explain it, with enhancement being the most significant motive. Namely, players appreciate the excitement and fun element these sites provide, along with the challenging aspect of casino-style games.
More than that, players enjoy that challenge leads to rewards and, in some cases, even real prizes. Social casinos with sweepstake elements allow them to exchange sweeps coins for real prizes, which is certainly a big motivator.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that many players cite community-related reasons, too. Social casinos are not called that way without a reason. You can play games like fish titles with other players and take part in contests on social media.
It seems that the appeal of social gaming will only continue to rise. With a constant stream of new offers and entire platforms, players will keep getting their favorite content and return for more.