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Sweepstakes casinos are widely available throughout the US, attracting the attention of hundreds of thousands of gaming fans, but as this Game Play Network review highlights, there’s always scope to do things a little differently.
Rather than going for a straightforward sweepstakes mechanic, Game Play Network offers casino-style gameplay based on the results of pari-mutuel horse racing betting. That certainly adds a new spin to the fruit machines, but there’s a lot more to consider when deciding on a new iGaming provider, as you’re about to discover.
Although it’s not currently recognized as being a leading player in the online gaming industry in the US, Game Play Network has been operating out of its headquarters in Los Angeles since 2012. Soon afterwards, the organization went live with B Spot, which has now rebranded as Horseplay.
Sign up to an online sweepstakes casino and you’ll be awarded free-to-play virtual Coins, which come in two types – Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). Either type can be used for playing the casino-style games, with winnings resulting in more of those same Coins being added to your gaming balance. In the case of Gold Coins, that’s as far as it goes, but Sweeps Coin winnings unlock as you play them through, becoming redeemable for real prizes such as gift cards and even cash paid directly into your bank account.
Game Play Network bucks the sweepstakes trend by offering a different type of casino-style experience that’s powered by pari-mutuel horse-racing bets. You still have the option of playing completely for free, but you can also play through your own money via the horse-racing element of the platform, with the opportunity to claim real prizes through your subsequent gameplay.
According to GPN, whilst slot machine results are awarded via Random Number Generators (RNGs), and bingo game outcomes are determined by the numbers on the balls, its own casino-syle games are powered by the horse racing results. If you decide to play in this mode, you’ll receive any winnings from the racing results via the games themselves, adding another level to your overall experience.
Game Play Network has certainly been around for quite a few years, and has managed to raise significant amounts of capital in that time, ploughing its resources back into developing and refining its unique gaming sites. But this is a brand that doesn’t quite fit into any specific category, since it doesn’t fulfill the requirements of a sweepstakes casino, but it’s not a sportsbook either. So if you’re giving some consideration to registering for a gaming account at a GPN site, you need to be aware of the following facts.
Sign up to a reputable sweepstakes casino and there’s no requirement for a gambling license, since no real-money wagering ever takes place. But although it’s possible to play completely for free at Horseplay, there’s an option to take part in the pari-mutuel horse-racing element too, which means that stricter rules are in force. States are constantly reviewing which gaming sites are permitted to operate within their boundaries, and the situation is particularly volatile for Game Play Network, so be sure to check the legal situation in your region before investigating further.
Sweepstakes casinos are all about the bonuses, with plenty of free-to-play Gold Coins and bonus Sweeps Coins available through promotions, prize draws and giveaways. But the racebook element of Horseplay means you shouldn’t expect the same sorts of deals, and a purchase is required to trigger the introductory award, which is something that’s not necessary at genuinely free-to-play sites.
Every new social gaming site usually takes some time to find its way, but Game Play Network has had several years in which to hone and refine its offering. So it’s a little surprising to find that there’s not the biggest collection of slots and casino-style games at Horseplay, although new titles are constantly being added. A recent partnerships with High 5 Games should help to generate some extra excitement for gaming fans, but Horseplay still has some way to go before it can comfortably compete with any of the top sweepstakes casinos highlighted on these pages.
It’s an accepted fact that all slots and casino-style games have some sort of house edge, but players expect to have a fair and reasonable chance of successful outcomes, reflected in the various RTP rates. Sweepstakes casinos don’t always publish their figures, but the possible returns are tied into horse racing results at Horseplay, making them impossible to identify with any clarity.
There are conflicting reports when it comes to the level of support you can expect at a Game Play Network site. Every site, no matter how impressive, will always have its detractors, but there are more than a few online compalints about the lack of response from the support team, including delays when it comes to paying out winnings – although some customers report a much more favorable experience. Many issues seem to stem from the fact that Horseplay doesn’t operate like other sweepstakes casinos, which makes it confusing for players who’ve become familiar with the free-to-play gaming mechanic.
You’ll either love the Game Play Network concept or you won’t – there’s not much room here to adopt the middle ground. A big drawback is the lack of clarity over how it all works, since the sweepstakes casino mechanic has had plenty of time to gain traction throughout the US. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t give Horseplay a try, but the site certainly hasn’t made it into the list of top recommendations here at Jaxon.gg yet, which tells its own story.
If you’re searching for a new free-to-play site to try, there are a few brands that have built up great industry reputations, offering a collection of sweepstakes sites that cover all gaming possibilities – there’s something to suit absolutely everyone, and available throughout most of the US too.
🔥 Playtika
One of the big names in the free-to-play gaming world is Playtika, which is responsible for several well-known brands, including:
There’s an emphasis on having fun at each of these sites, which something to suit all types of gaming fans, particulary casual bingo and slots players. Expect plenty of ongoing promotions, along with opportunities to kick back and relax with like-mined players in a social setting.
🔥 YSI
Yellow Social Interactive might not be a familiar name, but you’re sure to have come across the two flagship sweepstakes gaming sites:
Pulsz offers the full social casino experience, although the primary focus is on slot machines. Meanwhile, as the name suggests, Pulsz Bingo plays host to multiplayer bingo games around the clock, with a collection of slots and instant-win games to keep you occumpied while waiting for the next bingo room to open its doors.
🔥 VGW
Virtual Gaming Worlds is another company that’s responsible for some of the best-known sweepstakes casinos currently available in the US, including:
In addition to stocking titles from some of the best-known game developers currently working in the industry, VGW also produces a collection of in-house titles, and there’s always something new to discover thanks to regular new additions to the gaming catalog.
As we’ve seen, player reviews of Game Play Network range from great to disappointing, which is partly down to expectations, although the overall concept isn’t the easiest to understand. Game outcomes have already been decided through the results of pari-mutuel horse racing, which turns the usual swqeepstakes mechanic on its head and raises as many questions as it answers. But there’s room for just about everyone in the social gaming world, although it’s always advisable to adopt a cautious approach, particularly when trying out something new.
The Game Play Network brand may be a little hit and miss right now, but there’s something suitable in terms of free-to-play casino games to suit everyone looking for some entertainment. Take a look at the top sweepstakes sites listed on these pages, checking out the comprehensive reviews and guides to identify the ones that are most appropriate for your requirements. And be sure to take a look at the banners as you head off to try out a new gaming site, so you’ll be confident of always having the full details of the latest promotional offers, including a few special promo codes to add extra value to your gameplay.
Game Play Network is a home-grown organization, with main offices in Los Angeles, California, while another part of the company is located in Beaverton, Oregon.
Not exactly, as the organization operates an iGaming site powered by pari-mutuel horse racing results. And as this guide explains, that involves a different type of gaming experience to the more usual sweepstakes casinos that are growing in popularity throughout the US.
Game Play Network started out by creating B Spot, but the brand has now been relaunched as Horseplay, using a system of pari-mutuel wagering to enable casino-style gameplay on smarphones and PCs.
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