Three buckets people mix up
Social casino
Casino-style play with virtual chips that generally have no real-world cash-out value.
Licensed gambling
Real-money wagering under a gambling license in permitted markets.
Sweepstakes-style
Promotional dual-currency models that may allow prize redemption under sweepstakes rules.
Why ad platforms care
Meta, Google, and others treat products differently depending on whether users can win something of monetary value. Pure social casino creatives may face lighter rules than sweepstakes or real-money gambling — but landing pages and claims are reviewed too.
Practical takeaway
If a product markets cash-equivalent prizes, crypto payouts, or redeemable balances, assume it will be reviewed like a restricted gambling/games category — even if the brand calls itself “social” or “sweepstakes.”
For players: read eligibility, age gates, and redemption rules. For builders: match Terms, geos, and ad claims carefully.
Keep learning
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