Social sportsbooks explained
Social sportsbooks share many similarities with
sweepstakes casinos, notably in giving you the opportunity to play for free while standing a chance to redeem real cash prizes. But unlike sweepstakes casinos, which only provide casino-style gaming experiences, social betting apps cater to sports betting enthusiasts.
Just like regular sportsbooks, you can make predictions on a wide range of sports and leagues, including prominent ones like the NBA, NFL, UFC, and MLB. Additionally, they offer a variety of betting markets such as moneylines, point spreads, game totals, player props, parlays, round robins, and more.
The distinguishing feature of these sportsbooks, compared to traditional sportsbooks, lies in the ability to make picks without any purchase being necessary. The only way to do this at regular sportsbooks is to utilize no deposit bonuses, which are not only rare, but often come with high wagering requirements.
The social aspects of social sportsbooks
True to their name, social betting websites are platforms that ingeniously combine online betting with the elements of social networking, resulting in an interactive and engaging user experience. These platforms come equipped with a variety of social features, including chat rooms, challenges, and tournaments, enabling you to connect, compete, and share bets with friends.
Additionally, many of these sites offer the convenience of linking your sportsbook account to your social media profiles, like Facebook. This integration simplifies the process of following friends and sharing your achievements with them.
The virtual currencies used at social sportsbooks
You do not wager or win real money directly at social betting websites. Instead, everything is done with virtual currencies. These virtual currencies, commonly known as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, serve similar purposes across different sites.
| Coin type | Use | Redeemable? |
| Gold Coins | Making picks in a standard mode for entertainment purposes only | No |
| Sweepstakes Coins | Used in sweepstakes mode where you can redeem winnings for prizes | Yes (e.g., cash and gift cards) |
Another difference between these two virtual currencies is how you obtain them. Gold Coins can be freely obtained through various means like welcome bonuses, daily logins, social media contests, and loyalty programs. You also have the choice to purchase Gold Coins packages to replenish your balance.
Sweepstakes Coins are also available for free via the same channels as Gold Coins. However, direct purchase of SC is not possible, but an interesting aspect is that buying specific Gold Coin packages often results in bonus Sweepstakes Coins being awarded, which makes purchases worth considering.
The legality of social betting sites
Since no real money can be wagered or won directly on social sportsbooks, they are not classed as gambling websites. Therefore, they don’t need state licenses like traditional sportsbooks do. Instead, they operate under US sweepstakes laws, which makes them legally accessible in almost every state, with Washington being the sole exception.
So if you live in a state where real money sportsbooks are prohibited, like Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah, then social betting platforms serve as a legal alternative. At these sites, you can legally make sports predictions without any cost, and even have the opportunity to redeem cash prizes through the sweepstakes model.
The popularity of social betting sites is on the rise, leading to a surge in new platforms launching to meet the burgeoning demand. With a vast range of options now at your fingertips, finding the best ones to sign up for can seem daunting. That’s where I can guide you. Here are some of the key factors to consider when searching for the best platforms.
Free coins might sound like a basic feature for any social sportsbook, given that these platforms are required to offer them to adhere to the “no purchase necessary” model and comply with US sweepstakes laws. However, the reality is that numerous sites provide only a minimal amount of free coins. This can significantly limit the amount of picks you can make and will ultimately pressure you into making purchases to continue participating.
This is why it’s crucial to choose platforms that offer a consistent supply of free coins. BetRivers.net serves as an excellent example in this regard. On this site, you can collect up to 1,000 VC (Virtual Currency) every 24 hours through the Daily Wheel, plus free reloads every four hours. This ensures that you have the freedom to make predictions for free, keeping purchases entirely optional.
Contrary to popular belief, live betting isn’t exclusive to traditional sportsbooks. While it’s true that many social sportsbooks lack in-play betting capabilities, top-tier
sites like Fliff, BetRivers.net, and Sportzino all offer a broad selection of live betting markets. It’s worth exploring these sites because it opens up a whole world of additional betting opportunities, letting you get in on the action as it unfolds.
Diverse sports and markets
There’s a common misconception that social betting apps offer fewer sports and betting markets compared to traditional sportsbooks. However, this isn’t the case with the leading social betting apps. Take Sportzino as an example.
Offering more than 40 sports and over 100 betting markets, including moneylines, props, parlays, and round robins, Sportzino provides a more diverse range of betting options than many regular sportsbooks. This is great because it gives you the freedom to bet on your favorite sports in a way that best suits your betting style.
One of the highlights of social sportsbooks is the ability to make sports predictions without any cost. Yet, what truly sets apart the best sportsbooks is their integration of a sweepstakes model, offering the opportunity to redeem winnings for tangible prizes.
Fliff serves as a prime example of this feature. As you accumulate Fliff Coins through your successful sports predictions, you reach a point where you can redeem these coins for cash prizes, which are directly transferred to your bank account.
The leading social sportsbooks ensure their platforms are fully compatible with mobile devices. For instance, several of my recommended platforms, like Fliff, offer dedicated social betting apps available for download from the App Store and Google Play Store.
However, the absence of a sports or
sweepstakes casino app
does not necessarily detract from the user experience. Many sites opt for a download-free approach instead. BetRivers.net is a prime example of this, allowing you to make sports predictions directly through your mobile browser.
The best social betting sites: My top picks
I appreciate that looking through all the different social betting sites and comparing them to find the best one can be a tedious and time consuming process. To save you time and hassle, I’ve done the hard work for you.
Based on all the criteria outlined above, I’ve rated Fliff, Sportzino, and BetRivers.net as the best social betting platforms. Let’s take a closer look at what each one brings to the table, so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision on which one is the best for your needs.
Fliff
Pros & Cons
- Diverse range of sports
- Rewarding loyalty program
- Redeem real cash prizes
Fliff stands out as one of the best social betting apps, offering an extensive range of sports and leagues to cater to all interests. You can make picks on all the major leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and UFC, and there is a diverse selection of betting markets that include traditional moneylines, point spreads, game totals, player props, parlays, and more. What truly sets Fliff apart, however, is the exceptional quality of its odds. They are not only highly competitive but also feature regular boosts for major events, ensuring some of the best returns on successful picks.
Furthermore, Fliff boasts an exclusive loyalty program that rewards you for your engagement. By making sports predictions and completing mission-style objectives, you get XP, which can be exchanged for coins. The platform offers two types of coins: regular coins, meant solely for entertainment, and Fliff Cash, used in sweepstakes mode for the chance to redeem prizes. Once you accumulate 50 or more Fliff Coins, you can redeem them for cash at a one-to-one rate (e.g., 50 Fliff Coins for $50). So if you’re looking to experience the thrill of making free sports predictions with the opportunity to redeem cash prizes, Fliff is well worth a try. You will even get some coins for signing up, with no
Fliff promo code
or purchase required.
Sportzino
Pros & Cons
- Choose from over 40 sports
- Huge range of betting markets
- Highly competitive odds
- Only available via the app
Sportzino is an up-and-coming social sportsbook that’s available in 36 states throughout the US. It stands out by offering an impressive selection of over 40 sports, surpassing the variety found at many other platforms. Also, the depth of its betting markets is unmatched, featuring over 100 options that range from moneylines and spreads to props, parlays, and round robins, ensuring there’s something for every type of bettor.
What really impressed me about Sportzino is its commitment to offering 0% margins on most major sports. This means the platform does not take any commission, resulting in some of the best odds that I’ve seen in the social sportsbook space. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can register and get off to a flying start with up to 150,000 Gold Coins (GC) and 6 Sweeps Coins (SC) for free.
BetRivers.net
Pros & Cons
- Spin the Daily Wheel every 24 hours
- Get free coins every 4 hours
- Over 30 sports to choose from
- Pre-game and in-play markets
BetRivers.net has established itself as a popular and trusted name within the social sports betting scene, and it’s easy to see why. Step into the “Sports Zone,” and you are greeted with an extensive selection of over 30 sports, ranging from popular choices like basketball, soccer, and tennis, to more niche options such as surfing, handball, chess, and snooker. The variety doesn’t end there; the betting markets are just as comprehensive, covering moneylines, point spreads, props, parlays, and more.
However, what truly sets BetRivers.net apart, is its vast range of in-play markets. This ensures that even if you miss the start of the game, you can get in on the action as it happens in real-time. Interested in experiencing it for yourself? Signing up is easy, and you can kick-start your betting experience with up to 1,000 free Virtual Credits (VC). And if your credits run low, it’s not a problem. BetRivers.net provides a free reload of credits every four hours and a chance to spin the Daily Wheel every 24 hours for even more free credits. This ensures you have a steady stream of virtual currency to use on your favorite sports.
Final thoughts on social betting sites
So there you have it – everything you need to know about social betting sites. As we’ve explored in this guide, these platforms offer many benefits, including the opportunity to place bets on a diverse range of sports and the potential to redeem real cash prizes.
Given this innovative approach to sports betting, it’s no surprise that these sites are becoming increasingly popular. If you have yet to try social sports betting, I highly recommend giving it a try. Just remember to stick with the most trusted platforms, such as Fliff, BetRivers.net, and Sportzino, for the best experience.
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Social betting apps FAQ
You cannot directly wager or win money on a social betting platform, but you can redeem virtual currency for sweepstakes prizes like cash and gift cards.
?? Do I need to download a social sports betting app?
Downloading a social sports betting app is not always necessary, as many platforms offer their services directly through web browsers. However, some top platforms like Fliff provide dedicated mobile apps for a more convenient betting experience.
?? How does social sports betting work?
Social sports betting works by allowing you to make sports predictions using virtual currencies, with the opportunity to redeem real cash prizes through a sweepstakes model. Since no real money can be directly wagered, these sites are legal under US sweepstakes laws and accessible in most states.
