Winstar Social Casino Review

WinStar Social Casino Overview

While the WinStar World Casino and Resort claims to be the largest casino globally, covering over 500,000 square feet, this supposed grandeur doesn't quite translate to its WinStar Social Casino platform.

Launched in 2015, WinStar Social Casino initially served as little more than an advertising tool for the hotel's amenities. It wasn't until 2017 that it somewhat awkwardly transitioned into a "full-fledged" social casino. Despite the supposed benefit of social casinos allowing U.S. players to "enjoy their favorite games without worrying about risking their money," WinStar Social Casino merely offers a diluted version of this experience, featuring uninspired promotions, run-of-the-mill games, and forgettable leaderboards.

WinStar Bonus

WinStar Social Casino doles out various "sweepstakes bonuses" to its players. These include a welcome bonus, a "spin-the-wheel free chip bonus," and predictable holiday match promotions, along with referral and purchase incentives.

Upon signing up, new players are "granted" a paltry 5,000 chips, or "Virtual Credits," which are instantly credited. The casino also dangles a 400% bonus as a first purchase incentive, a transparent attempt to encourage spending on meaningless virtual currency.

Like many other social casinos, WinStar attempts to incentivize daily engagement by awarding players up to 2,800 chips simply for logging in. The more consecutive days a player logs in, the "higher" their bonus. This starts at a meager 500 chips on day one and maxes out at a still-unimpressive 2,800 chips after 24 consecutive days. Miss a day, and you're back to square one, a transparent tactic to maintain consistent, albeit unenthusiastic, user activity. All these "bonus chips" can be used on any of the platform's games.

WinStar Social Casino Bonus Code

Most of WinStar's bonuses are activated without the need for bonus codes, with only "seasonal" promotions occasionally requiring them. This lack of a structured system often leads to a confusing and inconsistent bonus experience.

Rather than a true VIP program, WinStar Social Casino opts for a level-based system. Players accumulate "XP points" (Experience Points) by engaging with the platform's eGames and claiming promotions. This means the more you play, the faster you supposedly "earn" XP points, potentially reaching a dubious Level 450. This system merely serves to inflate the "Bonus Fortune Wheel," adding a zero to your level for a negligible increase in points. Additionally, players are offered "Virtual Credits (Chips)" for each level climbed, with the value gradually increasing – a slow and unrewarding grind for virtual currency.VIP Program 

WinStar Social Casino does not have a VIP program. It instead works by featuring a level-based system. Playing on any of the offered eGames on the platform and claiming bonus promotions gives you a certain amount of XP points (Experience Points). Ultimately, the more you play, the faster you can earn XP points and eventually move up the XP Levels, the highest being 450. 

This system boosts the Bonus Fortune Wheel, adding a 0 to your level, which is the number of points you will gain, e.g., Level 4 = 40 points. Moreover, for going up each level, you will be offered Virtual Credits (Chips), with the value progressively increasing with each higher level reached. 

How to Register

Registering with WinStar is presented as a "straightforward process," though it's hardly groundbreaking. While you can sync your Facebook account, the alternative involves a standard, somewhat tedious, sign-up.

First, you navigate to the WinStar Social Casino site and locate the "Sign Up" button. A registration form then appears, requiring a unique username, email address, and password. To complete the process and gain access, you're forced to agree to their terms and conditions and confirm you don't reside in Washington state. Only then can you click "Get my Free Chips" to become a "member." Alternatively, the "Continue with Facebook" option offers a slightly quicker, if equally uninspired, path to playing. Regardless, all users must confirm they are over 18. 

How to Obtain Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

Unlike more established sweepstakes casino platforms that utilize a two-coin system, WinStar employs a singular "credits" or "chips" system, referring to them as "Virtual Credits (VC)" or "Chips," as they hold no real monetary value. Despite this, these "Virtual Credits" are misleadingly represented by "$" symbols, creating a false sense of realism.

Players can obtain these "Virtual Credits" by purchasing "Chip Packages" or claiming various bonuses. For instance, participating in the "Refer-a-Friend" bonus nets both parties a meager 10,000 chips. Players also accumulate XPs, which only serve to push them up the uninspiring XP Levels.

Games

WinStar's game categories are displayed prominently at the top of the page, including:

• eGames

• Video Poker

• eTables

• Keno

The slot titles within the eGames section are strangely categorized by continents (Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and All 360 Degrees). The games themselves are nothing to write home about:

• Slots: As expected, online slots dominate, with the only "great thing" being that these games are supposedly "developed in-house," thus "unique" and "different" from those on other platforms. Popular titles like African Diamond, 50 Dolphins, American Gold Rush, Atomic Meltdown, and Ancient Dragon offer little excitement. Even their "progressive jackpot slots," such as Crazy Money II, fail to impress.

• Video Poker: The casino's video poker section features over 25 titles, including generic options like Power Grid Poker, Deuces Wild Elite, Regal Poker, Jacks or Better, Buy the Hand Poker, and Jester Poker.

• Table Games: A scant ten online table games are on offer, including standard fare like Blackjack Atlantic City, European Roulette, and Baccarat Professional Series, highlighting a significant lack of variety.

• Keno: The platform's Keno section hosts eight games, such as Book of Ra Multi Card Bingo, Ancient Thunder, Fire Ball Action, and Mega Ball Action, none of which stand out.

Payment Methods

While WinStar purports to be a "free-to-play" platform that doesn't involve real money, it readily accepts payments for "Virtual Credits." For these in-casino purchases, users are limited to:

• PayPal

• Visa

• Mastercard

• Discover

• American Express

Should users encounter issues, WinStar offers email support at [email protected], claiming it's "available around the clock and responds promptly." They also boast a live chat, a feature supposedly "commendable as most social casinos do not bother with live chat support," though it's only accessible to existing members. The "Support" button, located at the bottom right corner of the screen, leads to this underwhelming assistance. The casino also provides a generic FAQ section with predictably common questions and answers.

What Can Be Improved at WinStar

The most glaring issue is the severe lack of variety in the table games section. Despite its supposed status, WinStar Social Casino ultimately feels like a diluted, uninspired platform that struggles to live up to the grand claims of its parent company. It offers a mediocre experience, marked by unoriginal games, a forgettable bonus structure, and a pervasive sense of missed opportunity.