Social betting apps are changing the game by letting you bet on sports using virtual currencies - and they’re available in almost every state across the US. The best part? You can redeem your SC winnings for real cash and gift card prizes.
These apps also offer several benefits, like social features, no purchase requirements, and better odds compared to traditional sportsbooks. It’s no wonder they’re quickly becoming a top choice for sports enthusiasts in the US. In this guide, I'll dive into the details of how these apps work and offer some tips to help you enhance your experience.
Social betting apps are similar to social casino apps in that both operate on a "no purchase necessary" model. But while social casino sites like Golden Heart Games focus solely on free casino-style games, social sportsbook apps cater specifically to sports enthusiasts instead.
These apps work much like regular sports betting sites, allowing you to make predictions on popular sports and leagues such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and UFC. They also offer a wide range of markets, including moneylines, player props, round robins, and parlays.
The key difference? Social betting apps don’t involve real money betting. Instead, you make predictions using virtual currencies:
Virtual currency | Purpose | Redeemability |
---|---|---|
Gold Coins | Purely for fun and entertainment. | Cannot be redeemed for prizes. |
Sweeps Coins | Used as sweepstakes entries. | Can be redeemed for prizes like cash or gift cards. |
The social betting scene is thriving, especially in the US, which accounts for over 70% of the global market. It’s no surprise, though - these innovative apps offer several benefits, making them a go-to for sports enthusiasts.
Unlike regular sports betting apps that require real money deposits, social betting apps let you place sports picks without making a purchase. Most of these apps offer free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins just for signing up, plus daily login bonuses, social media giveaways, and other promotions to keep the free coins coming. This opportunity to bet for free is, without a doubt, one of the main benefits of social sports betting apps.
A common misconception about social sportsbook apps and high volatility sweeps slots is that, since you can't wager real money, you can't win real money. But that’s not entirely true. Sure, you can't win real money directly from making successful picks (since winnings are awarded in virtual currencies), but you can redeem your SC winnings for real cash prizes or gift cards once you meet the playthrough requirements. Pretty cool, right?
Social betting apps and casinos like Sweepslots live up to their name by offering plenty of features that make the user experience more social and interactive. You’ll find chat rooms, leaderboards, tournaments, and options to link your social media account to share bets and achievements. These features create a lively atmosphere where you can connect with the community, compete against other users, celebrate wins, and swap tips and strategies. It’s a social vibe that you won’t usually find at traditional sportsbooks.
One of the main disadvantages of regular sports betting apps is that they're banned in several US states. Social sports betting apps and sites like Skillz, on the other hand, use virtual currencies instead of real money, allowing you to make predictions for free without any purchases required. This means they aren’t classified as gambling websites and are legal in nearly every state. So, if you’re in a state where real money sportsbooks are banned, like Alabama, California, or Texas, social betting apps offer a legal alternative.
You might notice that many of the top social sportsbooks I’ve recommended don’t offer mobile apps on the Google Play Store or App Store. But no worries - you can still enjoy all the action on your mobile device. Just open the sportsbook in your mobile browser, and you’re good to go without downloading anything.
These mobile versions have been thoroughly tested and deliver the same seamless experience you’d expect from an app. They adapt perfectly to any screen size, feature a wide range of sports and markets, and update odds automatically without needing a refresh. The only thing you’ll miss out on is push notifications, which are exclusive to downloadable apps. Other than that, there’s no real difference.
Ready to get in on the action at social sportsbook apps? Just follow these simple steps, and you'll go from signing up to making picks within a few minutes:
Start by selecting a trusted social sportsbook. To make this easy for you, I’ve compiled a list of the most trusted and highly recommended options right here on this page.
After choosing a social betting site, download the app or access the site through your browser, and follow the prompts to sign up for an account.
The social sports betting apps featured in the banners on this page will give you GC and SC as a welcome bonus. You'll either get them instantly after signing up or by entering a promo code.
Now it’s time to explore the sports and markets available and make picks using your virtual currencies. Remember: if you win with Sweeps Coins and meet the playthrough requirements, you can redeem your winnings for real prizes.
Now that you understand how social betting apps work and how to sign up, here are some tips to help you make the most of your social betting experience.
You don’t have to buy Gold Coin bundles to enjoy social betting apps. Signing up alone gets you Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, and most apps give you more through daily login bonuses, social media giveaways, exclusive email offers, and other promotions. Make the most of these opportunities, and you'll never have to spend any money unless you really want to.
Most bettors don't bother using Gold Coins since they can’t be redeemed. But since bonuses and GC purchases give you plenty of them, why not put them to good use? Gold Coins are perfect for practicing different betting types and strategies without any risk. Once you’ve honed your skills, you can switch to Sweeps Coins for the chance to redeem your winnings for prizes.
Even though social betting apps don’t involve real money wagers, it’s still important to bet responsibly. Use the built-in tools to stay in control, like setting limits on purchases or the time you spend on the app. If needed, you can also choose to self-exclude.
Regular sportsbooks aren’t going anywhere, but social betting apps are definitely gaining serious traction. These innovative apps combine the excitement of sports betting with social features, virtual currency for free bets, and the opportunity to redeem winnings for real cash prizes.
It’s no wonder they’re becoming a top choice for many sports enthusiasts. Ready to try it out? Just sign up with one of the trusted social sportsbooks featured in the banners on this page, grab your welcome bonus, and start making picks.
You can’t win real money directly, but you can redeem virtual currencies like Sweeps Coins for cash or gift cards once you meet specific playthrough requirements.
Yes, social betting websites and apps are legal in nearly every US state because they don’t involve real money wagering. They operate on a "no purchase necessary" model and use virtual currencies instead of real money.
Yes, if a social sportsbook doesn’t offer an app, you can still place bets on mobile. Just visit the website through your browser instead - no downloads needed.
Instead of wagering with real money as you would on regular sportsbooks, social sportsbook apps use virtual currencies, so no actual wagering is involved. Also, no purchase is necessary to claim these virtual currencies.
Yes, placing bets at social sportsbooks is completely free. They use virtual currencies, like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, which you can get for free through signups, daily logins, and other ongoing promotions - no real money is required to participate.