Social Casinos and Sweepstakes Sites
The term “social casino” might appear as a random combination of words to residents of Illinois. However, in Illinois, social casinos are venues where you can partake in casino-style games of chance.
There are 11 casinos spread throughout Illinois, including in the Chicago region. Any gaming enthusiast in the Prairie State can likely guide you to the nearest local casino. However, there may be times when you need a gaming alternative that doesn’t involve leaving your home.
At a minimum, social casinos serve as a viable solution until online casinos are legalized in Illinois. They offer the opportunity to play casino-style games like slot games, table games, and even poker against other players.
Continue reading if you’re curious about the top social casinos. We’ll guide you through the workings of social casinos, how to play, and what bonus offers you can utilize to deposit money into your account.
Best social casinos and sweepstakes sites for 2023
Are sweepstakes sites legal?
Indeed. The idea of participating in casino-style games for cash rewards may seem too appealing to be real. It’s understandable if you question the legality of such sites in Illinois.
However, as social casinos fall under the category of sweepstakes sites, they still comply with the law. The majority of states permit their residents to participate in sweepstakes games. Sometimes, these games are even allowed when direct gambling continues to be illegal.
FunzPoints Casino is a social gaming site that offers you the opportunity to play games and potentially win cash prizes.
Are social casinos legal in Illinois?
Indeed, social casinos are legal and offer you a chance to play casino-like games, with the potential to redeem your “winnings” for cash prizes. Chumba and Luckyland Slots are two excellent examples of social casinos. Both websites offer slots and blackjack games that you can play at no cost and earn FREE Sweeps Coins to participate in sweepstakes games.
What is a sweepstakes game?
In order to qualify as sweepstakes, a certain set of rules must be followed by an operator. Not adhering to these rules may lead to the site or giveaway being categorized as gambling, potentially inviting legal issues. Therefore, every legitimate sweepstakes operation, whether a social casino or otherwise, is expected to meet the same fundamental criteria.
The initial rule for a sweepstakes game is that playing it should not incur any cost.
Sweepstakes contests, such as McDonald’s Monopoly or the PCH Prize Patrol, always include a fine print stating that no purchase is necessary for participation. The inclusion of this term isn’t out of generosity from the organizers, but a requirement to ensure anyone can participate without making a purchase, thus ensuring compliance.
An inferred rule from this is that one’s odds should not be enhanced through a purchase. Thus, sweepstakes should not implement a favored entry system that gives advantage to customers who make payments.
The second guideline for such a giveaway stipulates that the individual conducting the sweepstakes must distribute the prize as promised. The organizer cannot carry out a contest and then announce that the prize will not be given due to inadequate participation or simply because they decide not to award it.
The third regulation stipulates a defined timeframe for the giveaway. This means that a vague intention to distribute prizes at some point in the future is inadequate. The site has to clearly indicate when participants can expect to receive their prizes.
Thus, arguably the most incredible fact about sweepstakes is that the envelopes you get from Publishers Clearing House or American Family Publishers (including Ed McMahon) are authentic. They indeed award money to individuals, and winning is cost-free. However, the odds of winning are quite low.
Hopefully, you’ve gotten a glimpse of how you can enjoy various versions of your preferred casino-style games online, even if your state doesn’t offer online casinos for real money. If luck is on our side, the upcoming years will witness further growth in gambling within the state, and proactive legislators will strongly advocate for online casinos in Illinois.
Meanwhile, social casino sites are not a poor choice.