Virtual coins and in-game currency
Introduction
In social casinos, the main asset is in-game currency: virtual coins or "chips" that cannot be withdrawn into real money. Understanding its types and the mechanics of issuing allows you to understand how the gameplay and monetization of free-to-play platforms are built. Below is a clear description of all key types of currency and their functions.
1. Free Coins
Issuance mechanism: at registration - starting pool (5,000-20,000 chips), repeated bonus every 24 hours, "wheel of fortune" or viewing ads.
Goal in gameplay: makes it possible to try out games without investment, keeps new players.
Restrictions: daily limit of free receipt, "cap on chips" in the account, sometimes artificial deficit to stimulate purchases.
2. Premium Coins (Premium Chips)
Buy for real money: packages of different sizes - from 100,000 chips for $0.99 to several million for $49.99- $99.99.
Bonuses when buying: "+ 20% chips" with a large package, free backs or passes to tournaments.
Role: the main model of monetization is microtransactions; according to statistics, it is the sale of chips that brings up to 85% of social casino income.
3. Bonus credits and promotions
Prize "credits" are issued for completing missions (10 spins in slots, playing live roulette) or participating in promotions (tournaments, challenges).
Temporary "check-ins": special codes in social networks and mailings that activate a package of free chips.
Limitations: Bonus credits often have a validity period (24-72 hours) and a maximum rate limit (e.g., no more than 1,000 chips per spin).
4. Special currency and passes
NFT passes or access tokens: give the right to participate in VIP tournaments or open exclusive slots.
Loyalty Points: Awarded for bets and converted to chips or discount coupons in the app store.
Unique skins and avatars: purchased for special tokens, increase the player's status in the social tab.
5. In-game exchanges and rates
Exchange between currencies: some platforms allow you to change free → premium chips at the rate (for example, 1,000,000 free = 50,000 premium), encouraging free players to spend more time.
"Market" rate: the price of premium coins is fixed by the developer, but a secondary market arises in large communities (bartering chips, code exchange).
Conversion inside the game: chips can be spent not only on bets, but also on in-game goods - "accelerators," lures for bonuses, design.
6. Psychology and retention
Illusion of progress: the chip counter grows quickly at first, but over time the "crunch" of expenses accelerates, creating motivation to buy new packages.
The effect is "not wasted": after a long series of free games, the user does not want to "merge" the accumulated chips, which means he is ready to buy premium coins.
Social triggers: leaderboards and gifts from friends add value even to virtual currency.
7. Economic sustainability model
1. Balance of issue and demand: free chips should be enough for basic gameplay, but exhausted before serious involvement.
2. Segmentation of players: "casuals" are limited to free → bonus loans, "high rollers" buy packages of premium coins.
3. Stock rotation: Regular "discounted packages," temporary sets boost revenue and attract new players.
Conclusion
In social casinos, in-game currency is built on a combination of free chips, premium coins, bonus credits, and special tokens. This allows you to create a deeply gamified free-to-play model, where the user is involved without financial risk, but at the same time stimulated to microtransactions and active participation in social functions. Understanding these mechanics helps players control costs and enjoy gameplay as much as possible.
In social casinos, the main asset is in-game currency: virtual coins or "chips" that cannot be withdrawn into real money. Understanding its types and the mechanics of issuing allows you to understand how the gameplay and monetization of free-to-play platforms are built. Below is a clear description of all key types of currency and their functions.
1. Free Coins
Issuance mechanism: at registration - starting pool (5,000-20,000 chips), repeated bonus every 24 hours, "wheel of fortune" or viewing ads.
Goal in gameplay: makes it possible to try out games without investment, keeps new players.
Restrictions: daily limit of free receipt, "cap on chips" in the account, sometimes artificial deficit to stimulate purchases.
2. Premium Coins (Premium Chips)
Buy for real money: packages of different sizes - from 100,000 chips for $0.99 to several million for $49.99- $99.99.
Bonuses when buying: "+ 20% chips" with a large package, free backs or passes to tournaments.
Role: the main model of monetization is microtransactions; according to statistics, it is the sale of chips that brings up to 85% of social casino income.
3. Bonus credits and promotions
Prize "credits" are issued for completing missions (10 spins in slots, playing live roulette) or participating in promotions (tournaments, challenges).
Temporary "check-ins": special codes in social networks and mailings that activate a package of free chips.
Limitations: Bonus credits often have a validity period (24-72 hours) and a maximum rate limit (e.g., no more than 1,000 chips per spin).
4. Special currency and passes
NFT passes or access tokens: give the right to participate in VIP tournaments or open exclusive slots.
Loyalty Points: Awarded for bets and converted to chips or discount coupons in the app store.
Unique skins and avatars: purchased for special tokens, increase the player's status in the social tab.
5. In-game exchanges and rates
Exchange between currencies: some platforms allow you to change free → premium chips at the rate (for example, 1,000,000 free = 50,000 premium), encouraging free players to spend more time.
"Market" rate: the price of premium coins is fixed by the developer, but a secondary market arises in large communities (bartering chips, code exchange).
Conversion inside the game: chips can be spent not only on bets, but also on in-game goods - "accelerators," lures for bonuses, design.
6. Psychology and retention
Illusion of progress: the chip counter grows quickly at first, but over time the "crunch" of expenses accelerates, creating motivation to buy new packages.
The effect is "not wasted": after a long series of free games, the user does not want to "merge" the accumulated chips, which means he is ready to buy premium coins.
Social triggers: leaderboards and gifts from friends add value even to virtual currency.
7. Economic sustainability model
1. Balance of issue and demand: free chips should be enough for basic gameplay, but exhausted before serious involvement.
2. Segmentation of players: "casuals" are limited to free → bonus loans, "high rollers" buy packages of premium coins.
3. Stock rotation: Regular "discounted packages," temporary sets boost revenue and attract new players.
Conclusion
In social casinos, in-game currency is built on a combination of free chips, premium coins, bonus credits, and special tokens. This allows you to create a deeply gamified free-to-play model, where the user is involved without financial risk, but at the same time stimulated to microtransactions and active participation in social functions. Understanding these mechanics helps players control costs and enjoy gameplay as much as possible.
