Before real money casinos became common, people would play in public places for fun. Thanks to technological innovations, players can now gather on social networks to play gambling games. These new gaming platforms are called social casinos.

Social casinos may look like any other casino at first glance, but there is a huge difference between them. Unlike real money casinos, social casinos do not have a cash payment option. This means that you have to bet using virtual currencies and you cannot earn real money as a reward. The network algorithm also programs the results of social casino games.

This article discusses the trends in social casinos, presenting a case study of social casinos in New York and Melbourne. Take a look.

Historical Background of Social Casinos in New York and Melbourne

In the 19th century, Saratoga Springs became the main gambling headquarters in New York. From simple betting on horse races, the city became synonymous with all forms of gambling. Saratoga Springs is a tourist destination for its mineral springs, but more people visit to place bets on the racetrack.

As gambling in Saratoga began to spread to neighboring cities, the state made legislative changes. Given the tribal, economic, and social impacts of gambling, the state banned gambling in 1821. The first American state to ban gambling, New York maintained the ban until the 1930s. Despite amendments to the gambling law in 2013, online casinos are still officially banned. The only exceptions to this ban are state lotteries, horse racing, and non-profit gaming. Social casinos are protected under this exclusion list.

As the only legal casino option outside of offshore sites, social casinos have become a haven for New Yorkers. These social casinos allow players to access their favorite games and other interactive features. Here, you can register an account via social media and play for sweeps or gold coins.

Melbourne Social Casinos Historical Background

The history of social casinos in Melbourne dates back to the legislation regulating gambling activities. The first gambling license in the city was issued in 1993 to Crown Melbourne. This became the prototype for offline and online casino licensing in Australia. In Australia, casinos are regulated by both state and federal agencies. Some law enforcement agencies are also responsible for taking legal action against rogue gambling establishments.

Australia is committed to protecting the interests of players across gaming platforms, which is why there are commissions like the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR).

As with other cities in Australia, gambling in Melbourne is legal but heavily regulated. For example, online casinos are illegal, but it is free to operate social casinos in the city. While these casinos do not offer cash prizes, they are free to download and play. Players can also spend real money on in-game purchases.

Social Casino Trends Comparison in New York and Melbourne

Social casinos operate on the same principles in different jurisdictions. However, different legislative, regulatory, and social factors influence their growth in different states. Here is a comparison of social casino trends in New York and Melbourne:

Legislation

In America, states are allowed to create and enforce their own laws. As such, social casinos are at the mercy of state laws. These social casinos are expected to adhere to the legal and licensing restrictions of their respective states. As one of the few states that does not support for-profit gaming, New York has custom-made laws that will help social casinos thrive.

On the other hand, Melbourne social casinos are governed by Victorian state laws and national gambling regulations. Therefore, social casinos do not receive customized laws like their New York counterparts. They are expected to fully comply with all regulatory standards, just like other casinos.

Popularity

Checking the popularity of social casinos using a search engine is one way to assess their popularity in any given state. Search results from several search engines show the widespread acceptance of social casinos in New York. These results include mentions of popular social casino platforms and legal restrictions in the state.

In the case of Melbourne, search results for existing social casinos were rather weak. As with other cities in Australia, gambling in Melbourne is legal but heavily regulated. One might expect that restrictions on real money online casinos would allow social casinos to thrive. Contrary to these expectations, social casinos seem to attract less attention.

Future perspectives

Judging by past precedents with online casinos, the future prospects of social casinos will largely depend on legislative changes. In New York, government legislators have met several times to discuss potential expansions of the industry. The state is expected to continue legalizing social casinos, increasing their availability and creating new opportunities for players.

Melbourne social casinos are also undergoing several changes. The Australian casino industry is in a state of constant change, with several related and unrelated changes.

Final thoughts

This comparison of social casinos in New York and Melbourne provides valuable insights into their historical, legislative and future aspects. It points to the long-term impact of regulations on the development of the industry.

New York is a good example of how tailored laws can encourage the development of social casinos. This will create a domino effect of proper bankroll management and responsible gambling. Since players only need virtual currencies to play games, there will be fewer cases of problem gambling.