What is Social Casino Games?
Mostly free-to-play games that imitate the gambling experience without offering real cash payouts, using virtual currency.
Social casino games are mostly free-to-play games that imitate the gambling experience without offering a real cash payout. These gamers play exclusively with virtual in-app currency. Social casino game apps either imitate physical casino games, such as blackjack or slot machines, or they introduce a new twist into gameplay. Subverticals include poker, slot machines, casino table games, scratch-and-win lottery tickets, blackjack, bingo, roulette, and multiplayer card games.
Why It Matters
Over 50s typically spend the longest time playing casino games (at least 17 minutes per day). These games are expected to generate at least USD 14 billion worldwide by 2027. Social casino gamers are more willing to spend money on in-app purchases than other gamers, with typical games monetizing 70% from IAPs and 30% from in-app advertising.
How to Calculate
Daily engagement metrics: Women spend roughly 17.8 minutes in social casino gameplay daily vs men around 17.2 minutes. Global market value: Currently around 7.1 billion US dollars, estimated to reach 8.3 billion by 2026.
Industry Benchmarks
| Category | Average | Good Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Playing Time (Over 40s) | 17+ minutes | 18+ minutes |
| Daily Playing Time (Women) | 17.8 minutes | 18+ minutes |
| Monetization Split (IAP/Ads) | 70% IAP / 30% Ads | 75% IAP / 25% Ads |
Best Practices
Target demographics over 40 for highest engagement. Incorporate social and competitive elements like leaderboards, leagues, and tournaments. Focus on realistic casino aesthetics and excitement. Drive users to purchase additional credits once initial credit runs out. Consider incorporating casual game elements to appeal to wider user base.
Examples
Popular social casino games are developed by top companies like Playtika, Moon Active, Huuuge Games, and Zynga. Games include poker, slot machines, blackjack, bingo, roulette, and multiplayer card games with social features and tournaments.
Notes
Social casino gamers in the Americas typically spend the least time in gameplay compared to other regions. The genre is diversifying by incorporating gameplay elements from casual games to maximize user acquisition and appeal to wider audiences. In-app advertising will gain more traction as game hybridization impacts app economy.