Social gaming businesses — casual game studios, social casino apps, and games selling virtual currency — process real money for virtual entertainment, and underwriters' first question is always the same: is this gaming or gambling? The defining line: in social gaming, purchased currency and winnings have no real-world cash value and cannot be cashed out. Games on the right side of that line are bankable; regulated gambling requires licensing and specialized acquiring that is a different category entirely. Centurion works with social gaming businesses on the gaming side of the line — we do not place unlicensed gambling operations, and we're upfront about where the line sits.
For qualifying games, the payments work is classic digital-goods commerce: coin packs, battle passes, cosmetics, and web stores that let studios sell outside app-store commissions.
Three elements together constitute gambling: consideration (paying to play), chance, and a prize of real-world value. Social casino games survive on the missing third element — chips can be bought but never cashed out. Underwriters verify this directly: no redemption mechanics, no secondary-market cash-out paths the platform enables, and terms of service that prohibit real-money trading. Sweepstakes-model gaming adds legal complexity that requires case-by-case review with proper legal grounding. If a business model does involve regulated gambling, it needs licensing and gambling-specialized acquiring — not a social gaming account.
Unauthorized purchases by minors on a parent's card are the category's most common dispute. Purchase confirmations, spending limits, and parental controls reduce them — and demonstrate good faith to acquirers.
Currency spent in-game then disputed. Clear no-refund-after-use terms at purchase, plus spend logs, are the defense.
Games are a favorite venue for monetizing stolen cards. Fraud screening at purchase — not after — protects both loss rates and your dispute ratio.
A small share of players drives most revenue; a single high-spender dispute episode can dent a month. Optional spend confirmations at high thresholds help.
We verify your model sits cleanly on the gaming side of the line, document the no-cash-out mechanics underwriters check, and place the file with acquirers that board social gaming. Web-store setups that reduce app-store commission dependence are a specialty. Options are subject to underwriting and vary by business model, location, and processing history.
Social gaming files center on the gaming/gambling distinction and digital-goods hygiene:
Documentation requirements vary by processing partner and business model. This list is a general guide, not a universal checklist.
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Speak with Centurion Payment Services about your business model and available processing options. Processing options are subject to underwriting and vary by business model, location, and processing history.