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If you lament the lack of legal sports betting sites in your state, let me fill you in on the next generation of social sportsbooks. After all, they could be exactly what passionate sports fans have been waiting for.
Offering the chance to place picks on your favorite teams, sites like Fliff look set to change the game for millions of sports fans across the US. Here, I’ll quarterback exactly how these social sports betting sites work, what they offer, and how to find the best platform for you.
Although the number of legal sports betting sites in the US is steadily increasing, the reality is that many states maintain a blanket ban on real money sports betting – bad news if you’re looking to back your favorite teams and sports stars.
Happily, though, there are now several social sports betting options that are helping to fill the void. These innovative new social casino sites mimic the excitement of real sportsbook play within the remit of current anti-gambling regulations, so players can place picks on their beloved teams without fear of overstepping the mark.
You might be sitting there thinking, what exactly is the point in social sportsbooks? After all, with real-money betting off the table, surely that means there’s no real impetus to sign up and place virtual currency bets on these unique sites, right?
In much the same ways as some of the social casinos, things aren’t quite as black and white as “no money = no fun”. I think there are actually plenty of benefits to joining a social sportsbook, which I’ve detailed for you here.
If sport is your passion, discussing it is probably second nature. So, why would you turn down the chance to chat with like-minded sports fans about all things football, basketball, baseball, and similar?
The top social sportsbooks give you the platform to wax lyrical about your favorite teams to people who are actually interested. Most sportsbooks of this ilk feature in-built forums and chat rooms where sports fans can thrash out strategies, pick tips, and more.
OK, so while it isn’t possible to place bets with real money on social sportsbooks, there is the possibility of winning real prizes. That’s all thanks to sweepstakes integrations, which allow players to collect special free sweepstakes coins that can be redeemed for prizes like cash, gift cards, and merchandise.
If you’re familiar with sweepstakes casinos, social sportsbook sweeps work in much the same way. Social bettors are required to collect enough sweeps coins to meet the minimum redemption requirement, at which time they can make a request to exchange the tokens for a prize. Note, too, that a playthrough requirement may also apply, stipulating how many times a sweeps coin must be used before it’s eligible for redemption.
Much like with the social media casinos, not all social sports betting sites feature a sweepstakes element. So if this is a feature you’re specifically interested in, check that a brand offers it before you sign up.
When signing up at a social sportsbook for the first time, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the sheer volume of sports markets on offer. It would be easy to assume that with no real-money wagering on the table, social-only sportsbooks would scrimp on the number of sports they cover, but no: the choice is often extremely comprehensive.
From homegrown favorites like the NBA and NFL to international fixtures in soccer, tennis, rugby, and similar, the sky’s the limit on the social sports picks available – great news if you follow a vast array of different sports and teams.
The US social sports betting market is growing exponentially, as more passionate sports fans realize the benefit of these unique platforms. Indeed, there is now a small handful of trusted social-only sportsbooks to choose from, with more guaranteed to be launching in the months and years ahead.
So, with that in mind, what features and functions should you look for from a social sports betting platform? To give you an idea, here are a few things I would personally add to my wishlist….
| Features 🌟 | Worth noting 👇 |
|---|---|
| Sports variety | Sportsbooks are not all made equal, so be sure the app you choose features all your favorite sports, fixtures, and then some. One of the most enjoyable aspects of joining a social sports betting site is having the freedom to place picks on unfamiliar fixtures and events, so I’d look for sites with the biggest range of markets possible. |
| Sweepstakes mode | I’ve already mentioned the concept of sweepstakes being an element of social sportsbooks, so if you like the sound of being able to claim real prizes, this is definitely something to look for. Be sure to check out a brand’s sweepstakes rules before you sign up, as they’ll contain important T&Cs you need to know about. |
| Leaderboards and gamification | To amp up the fun factor and bring out your competitive side, the top social sportsbooks typically feature additional gamification features, including interactive leaderboards and similar. Seeking out bonus features like these is super important, particularly if you’re only joining in for fun. |
| Bonuses and deals | Bonuses on social sports betting sites take the form of sign-up promotions, daily access bonuses, and regular free picks on your favorite sports teams. Such deals can prove particularly valuable if you’re trying for sweepstakes prizes. |
| Challenges and chat features | Community is a big part of the popularity of social sportsbooks, with some apps featuring forums, live chat, and “challenge a friend” functionality. |
When I was researching the latest social sports betting platforms, one site jumped out as a clear-cut favorite: Fliff. This gaming app ticks all the right boxes, with a huge choice of sports pick markets, social and sweepstakes gaming modes, daily bonuses and free picks, and tons of exciting loyalty rewards.
Getting started with Fliff couldn’t be simpler, either. The brand has gone to great pains to make its iOS and Android apps as intuitive and user-friendly as possible, so I had no difficulty signing up and getting started placing my first sports wagers. Toggling between just-for-fun and sweepstakes mode is also a doddle, while the in-built ‘Challenge a Friend’ feature should definitely appeal to the most competitive sports fans out there.
If you live in a US state with no legal sports betting options, the likes of Fliff should prove an exciting proposition. These legal, socially-minded platforms allow for an authentic sports betting experience that feels close to the real thing, so you can finally back your favorite teams or players without fear of breaking the law and enjoying free-to-play casino slots as well.
Of course, there are a few caveats to cover here, not least the fact that real-money gambling is still off the table. I would also encourage you to check out a brand’s T&Cs before you commit, particularly any wording that relates to sweepstakes redemptions, play limits, and prohibited jurisdictions.
Absolutely! In fact, apps like Fliff were developed specifically with the US sports market in mind, so you can enjoy peace of mind that things are legit and above board.
You’ll find similar sports markets on sites like Fliff than on regular sports betting sites. That includes American football, basketball, baseball, and soccer, among many others.
Sort of. Although real-money betting is off the cards, some social platforms do give players the chance to redeem sweepstakes tokens for real prizes like merchandise, cash and gift cards.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
