Online casinos are massively popular among consumers who crave the convenience of being able to use mobile devices to place bets, and improving technology is helping to create immersive gaming experiences for players.
However, US regulations currently prohibit online casinos in most states, with only seven states currently offering licensed operations. Because of this, US bettors are increasingly being driven to other sources, including offshore casino sites and free alternatives.
Free casino sites can operate in the US because consumers aren’t betting money, but this has led to the question of how these sites make money. Traditional casinos earn money through having a house edge, which is a percentage that favours the house and ensures a profit over prolonged gaming, but free casinos don’t have this.
In-App Purchases
Many free casinos offer in-app purchases where players can buy credits, site currencies, or tokens that let them play games. Virtual game currencies can offer advantages to players, including faster play, extra spins, and other special features being unlocked. Sweepstakes casinos are a good example of how free betting sites can offer similar experiences to casinos, without breaking gambling regulations.
Players can enjoy sweepstakes with credits that give them access to the games without the opportunity to win, while gold coins that are played and won can be traded for prizes. Players can earn gold coins by carrying out different actions, like signing up for emails, following social channels, and sharing social media content. Players can also purchase gold coins to enjoy more exciting gameplay.
While it is illegal for operators to offer gambling services for money without being licensed, operators can allow players to play for in-game currencies and offer a variety of prizes that these can then be traded for.
Online casino specialist Mike Epifani provides a selection of sweepstakes casino reviews at Yay Sweepstakes, with many offering bonuses for new customers who sign up and make a purchase. He also covers the regulations that relate to sweepstakes casinos, with most operators requiring players to be 21 or over and to complete KYC procedures.
Advertising
Advertising is one of the most popular ways for online operators across all industries to earn income from their sites. The most popular free casinos will welcome thousands of daily players, and advertising space can command good amounts for the best sites.
Many free apps will include advertising between games, with videos and interactive campaigns designed to capture the attention of consumers.
Affiliate Marketing
One of the most successful forms of online advertising is through affiliate marketing. This is where a site provides a unique link to another site, which tracks users who visit and make purchases.
Affiliate marketing can work based on the traffic it drives to a site, as well as those who make purchases. Affiliate marketing makes use of technologies that track user activities to provide tailored ads to suit their preferences. This can be significantly more successful than passive advertising campaigns that rely on the right people seeing them at the right time.
Some affiliate marketing will include sites providing recommendations and information to visitors, while others can be more subtle and appear in banner ads at the sides or bottom of pages.
Memberships and Subscriptions
Free casinos will typically offer free access via apps, with ads and in-app purchases helping operators earn money. However, premium subscriptions and memberships can offer a way for players to access exclusive content, avoid ads, and enjoy deals and offers.
Many gaming apps use a similar model where players can download and use the app for free. This allows players to test the game and make sure they like it. They can then upgrade to a premium account, which enhances their experience. Removing ads between games and offering better value and incentives can often convert free players to paying ones.
Data Harvesting and Marketing Partnerships
Anyone who has ever signed up for an account online will know that they have to provide specific information and choose settings that determine what information can be shared with site partners. Online casinos and free casinos typically require more information to comply with regulations.
This gives free casinos an excellent opportunity to profit from selling data to marketing sites. Customers have a right to privacy, and they will be able to determine exactly what information is made available and what will remain private.
Conclusion
Free casinos are a popular option among US consumers, with many choosing to enjoy the free-to-play games purely for fun. More competitive players can invest in in-game currencies on sweepstakes sites where winnings can be traded for prizes. This is a great option for players in states where traditional gambling is prohibited, and creates a way for operators to monetize their product.
Advertising, affiliate marketing, and using data for marketing purposes can also drive revenue for free casinos, helping them maintain their standards and offer customers the best gaming experience possible.
