The surprisingly positive impact of playing social casino games

We hear a lot about responsible gambling and potential harms, but research suggests that social gaming can be surprisingly beneficial for mental health. And that’s in no small part due to the lack of any real-money gameplay.

Social casinos can help to foster positive mental health

It may seem counter-intuitive to think of casinos as being good for mental health, but until recently the emphasis has been exclusively on real-money gambling. It’s long been known that a few players experience an unhealthy interest in chasing wins or losses, but that’s never going to an issue at social casinos, where gameplay is always free.

Mental health professionals are starting to recognize that there are some highly positive benefits from playing social casino games including:

• Having a fun and enjoyable experience.
• Meeting and engaging with other people in a safe online setting.
• Challenging the brain - especially when playing traditional casino table games.
• Reducing stress.

No use for your bankroll at a social casino

When you think of an online casino there’s a good chance you’ll be visualizing real-money operators, where you need to deposit at least part of your bankroll before playing any of the games on offer. And not surprisingly the industry is highly regulated, with strict laws governing what operators can and can’t do. That’s to be applauded, but it also means that gaming fans in the majority of states simply can’t access online casino games - or at least, not real money ones.

Remove the ability to play games using real money and the activity is no longer classed as gambling in the eyes of the law. Gameplay at a social casino is always free, using virtual game tokens known as Coins for convenience, although they don’t have any monetary value. Operators even give them away so you can start exploring their games immediately, with winnings paid in the form of more virtual Coins.

Social interactions on your own terms

Poor mental health invariably leads to a degree of social isolation, which creates a downward spiral. Playing casino games without any financial involvement puts the player firmly in control - unlike at a bricks-and-mortar establishment there’s absolutely no need to interact with anyone. Players can choose how and when they make contact with others.

But it’s not just the ability to communicate with other people that can prove so helpful to positive mental health. Some traditional casino favorites, such as Blackjack and Baccarat involve a degree of skill, requiring mental activity that can push other problems out of the way, even if only temporarily.

Social casino gameplay can be particularly useful for younger players

Perhaps surprisingly, a large number of social casino players these days have come from the world of console gaming. Free-to-play social games might not seem the obvious choice, but these are gamers used to communicating with other players, who enjoy the recreational aspect of online gaming in all its forms.

With no real money deposits to bother with, registration at a social casino only takes a few seconds, unlocking a world of free and entertaining gameplay - and one that could even lead to real prizes if you pick an operator such as Stake.us or WOW Vegas, for example.

Nobody is suggesting that gambling with real money is the way forward when it comes to a stress-free lifestyle. But once you remove the element of financial risk by using virtual game tokens instead, gameplay is purely for fun, aiding with rest and relaxation - and that’s important in these hectic times.

Social casinos can help with reducing stress

Choose a safe and reputable social casino, and you can look forward to meeting new people and exploring gameplay that challenges your brain, helping to reduce stress and foster a sense of wellbeing. Pick the right operator and there could even be the potential to claim some real life rewards along the way, adding an extra element of fun.

Be sure to check our reviews to find the operator offering the online gaming experience you’re searching for. We’ve got some exclusive deals too, such as our Stake.us promo code, which is designed to get you off to a flying start, opening the doors to a world of interesting games that will challenge and entertain you, whatever your mood.