18 September 2026
In 2014, behavioral economist and co-author of *Freakonomics* Steven Levitt launched an online gambling site with a twist: the winnings went to charity. Called Spin for Good, the platform let players pay small entry fees, like $1 or $5, to enter slots or blackjack tournaments. The winner's prize was donated to a charity of their choosing from a lineup of more than two dozen partner organizations. Early partners included the Against Malaria Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project and Barks of Love Animal Rescue.
The concept was a novel attempt to meld interactive, casual gambling with charitable giving. Turning money spent on virtual gambling into a force for good, in Levitt's words, could make online casinos "more meaningful" while providing charities with a new fundraising avenue. The site developer pitched it as a potential way to reduce charities' fundraising costs and connect with a new donor demographic.
But did it work? At the time, Spin for Good raised around $3,000 from about 1,000 players, modest numbers for a social gambling platform. The funds were distributed to the winners' chosen charities, with 80% of entry fees ultimately donated, according to figures from the Freakonomics site.
The model was an early example of what charities have since explored: using the mechanics of online gaming and the appeal of gambling to raise funds and awareness. Later entrants in this space include platforms like Bingo Giving, which donates a portion of game jackpots to charities, and Great.com, a profitable charity-driven casino with an ambitious goal: to donate 100% of profits to nonprofit organizations.
More on this is available via casinopunkte.com.
Spin for Good was also much more than the sum of its parts in planning stages. The plan was to plan for expansion to mobile devices and availability through social networks like Facebook. The Freakonomics site even reported plans for more specialized tournaments.
The broader question remains: do game-based fundraising models like Spin for Good work better than traditional methods? That's one of the key open questions six years after the site's launch. Can the it really shift funds from virtual games to charity? Can online games engage new funders and develop new donors, who make a long-term commitment to giving?
The jury is still out, but the trend toward integrating charity with social gaming and virtual gambling is clearly ongoing.
