These types of online sweeps offerings have boomed in popularity in the USA & worldwide. In particular, there’s been an increase in popularity in countries where gambling is largely prohibited. This is where sweepstakes casinos come in as an attractive alternative to traditional online casinos, as they offer players the same product without the need to deposit real money.
What Are Sweepstakes Casinos?
Sweepstakes casino sites implement a prize-based system that allows for legal operation within the United States. The legal framework that regulates such gambling activity is commonly referred to as “U.S. Sweepstakes Laws.”
Under this legal structure, no sweepstakes casino is allowed to offer real money wagering, but players are still allowed to win prizes. This allows these casinos to function in most U.S. states, with a few exceptions like Idaho and Washington.
Definition and Core Features
The core features of sweepstakes casinos relate to the legal model under which they operate. This legal structure allows for players to win cash prizes while playing for a fictional currency which has a conversion rate that typically is 1:1. Under this prize-based model, players are allowed to win money and gamble in much the same way they would at a traditional casino.
Sweepstakes casinos are accessible in states where traditional online gambling sites are prohibited. This has led to their increased popularity in the U.S.
How They Differ from Real Money Casinos
The core difference between a sweepstakes casino and a traditional casino lies in their dual-currency system. With such mechanics, the sweepstakes casino is able to offer real money gambling without any wager of real currency actually occurring. There are two types of dual-currency coins, Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
Gold Coins: These are used for free-to-play games with no monetary value.
Sweeps Coins: These coins can be gifted to players for free or as bonuses and are what is used to enter sweepstakes games that offer real prizes. These real prizes can later be exchanged for cash or other rewards.
Furthermore, there is an element of free participation that can attract players through dailybonuses or main-in offers. These ensure compliance with “no-purchase” requirements set by Sweepstakes laws.
Sweepstakes casinos offer a very extensive library of games. Exactly what games are on offer will differ depending on what sweeps casino you choose to play at. They are most similar to online casinos, but they still lack the atmosphere and real life value that you would experience at a real casino.
Popularity in the US Market
Online Sweepstakes casinos are a relatively new phenomena in the US which has recently increased in popularity, especially for players who are living in states where online gambling is prohibited. Having only really gained traction over the last decade, sweepstakes casinos offer free-to-play casino style games which allow for the opportunity to win real cash prizes.
The potential in the US market is huge, which has attracted some key players in the iGaming industry by allowing them to cater to players who might not otherwise engage with traditional online casinos. This, in turn, has contributed to the industry’s growth.
In addition to allowing players who otherwise would be prohibited, the appeal of sweepstakes casinos can be largely attributed to the no-risk, free-to-play model that attracts a larger audience who might not find the concept of online casinos at all attractive.
The Legality of Sweepstakes Casinos
The legal aspects of Sweepstakes casinos might seem complicated to the layman, but once you get the core concept, they are relatively simple to understand. It only really gets complicated once you begin to focus on the legal aspects at the state level.
US Regulations Overview
Sweepstakes casinos operate under federal laws, specifically the Contest and Sweepstakes laws. What ensures compliance with these laws is the “No purchase necessary” rule. How this rule applies to online sweeps is through the dual-currency system, which allows for online sweepstakes casinos to stay legal while still allowing players to win real prizes, which can be exchanged for cash.
Despite offering a real casino-style experience, sweepstakes casinos are in fact not regulated by the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act). Unlike traditional online gambling, sweepstakes casinos are not classified as gambling, as no real money is being wagered.
The key legal principle behind sweepstakes casinos is that the games are categorized as skill or chance-based games, while the prizes are distributed via sweepstakes mechanics rather than direct gambling.
State-by-State Breakdown
Depending on which state you are located in, there might be limited accessibility when trying to play sweepstakes casinos. So, the question is are sweepstakes casinos legal? There are several states where sweepstakes casinos are completely legal, such as Texas, Florida, and California. States like New York and Ohio have a significantly large user base due to their clarity of their favorable sweepstakes regulations. in these states, players are well-informed about the legality of sweepstakes casinos.
Other states will strictly prohibit the use of online sweeps. Washington, Idaho, and Nevada all impose very strict rules and outright bans on sweepstakes casinos, largely due to the states’ stringent definitions of state gambling laws.
Other states not mentioned above typically have an unclear/evolving legal framework regarding sweepstakes casinos.
How Players Can Ensure Compliance
Above all else, players want to make sure they have a safe gaming experience at a reputable sweepstakes casino. With the rise in popularity, players must be cautious in confirming the legitimacy of the sweepstakes site they’d like to sign up for. Fortunately, there are a few things to look out for to ensure safety and fair play.
Verify the Platform’s Terms & Conditions
Nobody likes to do it, but checking out a sweepstakes casino’s terms and conditions is one of the best ways to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate site. Read up on the sweepstakes rules, look for mentions of legality, and find an explicit statement that no purchase is necessary to participate.
Any sweepstakes casino that requires a purchase to begin playing games should be avoided.
Check for Transparency and Licensing
A sweepstakes casino should make it explicitly clear what its policies are regarding prize redemptions and user eligibility. By reading a site’s posted sweepstakes rules, players should be able to locate information about minimum requirements for winning prizes, a conversion rate, and any other rules surrounding the way its Sweepstakes Coins work.
Moreover, it’s important to verify that the sweepstakes casino has a legitimate license and operates under a recognizable gaming authority or other local sweepstakes body. These regulations are important, and the legal disclaimer regarding who the casino is owned and operated by can typically be found at the bottom of the lobby or within the sweepstakes rules or terms and conditions.
Avoid Restricted States
Sweepstakes casino sites legally operate in many more states than traditional, real money casinos, but there are still certain locations that are prohibited. If you’re located in one of these states where sweepstakes casinos can’t legally operate, you shouldn’t create an account. If you do so and try to begin playing for prizes, the site could punish you by removing your account or forcing you to forfeit your winnings.
Generally speaking, all sweepstakes casinos will be unable to operate in Idaho and Washington. Additional states that may or may not prohibit a specific sweepstakes casino include Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, and Nevada.
To confirm whether you can play at a sweepstakes casino, search the terms and conditions for a list of accepted locations. As long as you aren’t located in a prohibited state, you’ll be able to play casino games either for fun or for actual prizes.
Report Deceptive Behavior
At one point or another, you may run into a sweepstakes casino with some deceptive practices. Perhaps it wasn’t made entirely clear how to receive a certain bonus, or a game’s odds weren’t posted and available for you to read before you began playing.
When this happens, players can report sweepstakes casinos to consumer protection agencies or state gambling commissions, which help to regulate and prohibit this sort of behavior. However, this is one more reason why it’s important to do your research before you sign up at any sweepstakes casino.
How Do Sweepstakes Casinos Work?
Sweepstakes casinos work in notably different ways than their traditional casino counterparts. For players, there are certain aspects you need to learn before you consider playing at sweeps casinos.
The Dual-Currency System
Dual-currency systems at online sweepstakes casinos are the primary reason these online casinos can operate legally within states that do not strictly prohibit sweeps gambling.
Gold Coins
Players receive Gold Coins as bonuses or rewards for engagement. Gold Coins are solely intended for entertainment purposes and are non-redeemable for real prizes.
As a player, you can make use of these coins for free testing of certain games, like slot games. This will allow you the opportunity to test the games for free and learn their mechanics.
Sweeps Coins
Sweeps Coins exist as a separate promotional currency used to enter the sweepstakes games. This currency is handed out for free by the sweepstakes casinos through a variety of player engagements, such as:
- Complimentary bonuses when purchasing Gold Coins
- Daily login rewards
- Social media giveaways
- Mail-in requests (no purchase necessary)
Sweeps coins hold a certain monetary value and can be redeemed directly for cash or other prizes in the casino.
The key distinction between the two is that Gold Coins are solely for fun, while sweeps coins are valuable and have an actual monetary value. This value is usually 1:1, so one Sweeps Coin is worth $1 USD.
Converting Coins into Real Money
Step-by-Step Process for Cashing Out
Sweepstakes casinos will differ slightly on how players can go about converting their coins into real money, but for the most part, the process is the same. The most important thing is ensuring you have enough coins available to convert. A site’s terms and conditions will indicate how many coins are required to redeem for real prizes.
Sweepstakes Casino – Main Page – How to Cash out
Accumulate Sweeps Coins
Verify Your Account
Initiate the Redemption Process
Choose a Payout Method
Receive Your Winnings
Important Considerations
Sweepstakes casinos will usually set a minimum amount of coins that can be redeemed for prizes. This will vary depending on the site and the prize you’d like to claim. For example, cash prizes generally have a higher minimum than gift cards.
There may also be maximum redemption thresholds, so ensure you aren’t trying to redeem more coins than the sweepstakes casino can award. This can change depending on the state you’re located in, and any maximum redemption limits can be found within a site’s terms and conditions or sweepstakes rules.
Finally, make sure you’re complying with tax reporting. Winnings may be subject to IRS regulations, so you might be required to report your prizes as income.
Sweepstakes Mechanics
Promotional Drawings
Much like traditional sweepstakes contests, sweepstakes casinos also run drawings that determine whether players win cash or prizes. However, rather than simply putting your name into a contest, you’ll use your Sweeps Coins to play casino games, which will randomly award big wins. This is similar to how traditional casino games work.
The more entries you have, the better your chances are of winning a big prize. In this case, entries are Sweeps Coins, which you wager when you play casino games.
Chance-Based Gameplay
Most sweepstakes casinos offer more than just slot games. While some sites exclusively have slots for enthusiasts, many others will also include blackjack, poker, and live dealer games that follow the same principles as their traditional casino counterparts. However, these games are legally structured as sweepstakes promotions instead.
Essentially, players are engaging in chance-based gameplay. There’s an interactive aspect at play here that’s missing from traditional sweepstakes drawings, though, making the entire process more fun and entertaining — even if you aren’t lucky enough to win a big prize.
Key Features of Sweepstakes
Sweepstakes casino games are completely transparent about your odds of winnings. These sites will disclose the probability of winning specific prizes, which helps players set expectations before they begin playing.
Moreover, outcomes are entirely randomized. Sweepstakes casino games use random number generators (RNG) to determine winners. This helps to ensure fairness to all players, as well as compliance with sweepstakes laws. There’s no bias or predetermined outcomes at play.
Additional Promotions
Playing sweepstakes casino games isn’t the only way to win. These sites also offer several other promotions, including leaderboard competitions, social media contests, and bonus Sweeps Coins giveaways during certain events or holidays. As a general rule, it’s always good to check back around holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas.
Benefits of Playing at Sweepstakes Casinos
There are many benefits of playing games at Sweepstakes Casinos. A player may simply want to have fun and kill some time by playing slots. Alternatively, the option to play for real cash prizes could be very appealing to those who aren’t partial to traditional online casinos or are unable to access them due to gambling laws in their state.
Accessibility and Free Play
No Purchase Necessary
One of the most appealing aspects of playing games at sweepstakes casinos is that no purchase is necessary to win actual money. Whereas traditional online casinos require you to deposit your own money to wager on slots and poker, sweeps casinos allow you to play entirely for free.
Additionally, sweepstakes casino will often distribute free Sweeps Coins through various promotions, including daily login bonuses, social media promotions, and mail-in requests. If you’re patient, you may never have to spend any of your own money to build up enough Sweeps Coins to trade in for a real prize.
Broad Accessibility
Many people interested in playing at traditional online casinos are unable to participate due to local gambling laws. The vast majority of real money online casinos are only available in a handful of states, with many outright outlawing the practice.
Those same rules don’t apply to sweepstakes casinos, which is why they’re much more accessible and widespread. Players in as many as 48 states can sign up and play games at these sites, and all you need is an active internet connection to join one.
Inclusive Gaming
It would be irresponsible to overlook some of the other barriers that prevent players from participating in traditional online gambling. There’s a pretty significant financial commitment that must be made to give yourself a fighting chance of hitting a big payout at a real money online casino, and not everybody can afford that kind of flexibility.
This makes sweepstakes casinos ideal for more casual players. No purchase is necessary to begin playing, which completely eliminates the financial barrier.
Real Money Opportunities
Legally Win Cash Prizes
Although players don’t have to spend any of their own money to participate at sweepstakes casinos, they can still legally win actual cash prizes by redeeming Sweeps Coins. This pathway to winning without having to gamble with real money is a huge advantage that sweepstakes casinos have over traditional online gambling websites.
Fair and Transparent
It can sometimes feel like traditional real money casinos are out to get you, but the same can’t be said about the best sweepstakes casinos. Outcomes are entirely random, and developers typically share the odds for each game, allowing players to see ahead of time what they’re dealing with. This keeps things fair and transparent for all parties involved.
Sweepstakes casinos also process their payments through secure methods, so winners don’t need to worry about any sketchy procedures. Bank transfers are quick and encrypted, ensuring safety.
Tax Reporting
Just like traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casino winnings are subject to taxes. Generally speaking, your prizes will need to be reported as income. Fortunately, these platforms often assist players in reporting their earnings to maintain legal compliance.
Variety of Games
Extensive Game Library
When they first became available, sweepstakes casino sites offered a more barebones selection of casino style games. These days, their game libraries can rival or even surpass the best traditional real money casinos on the market.
Most of the newest and best sweepstakes casinos feature a wide range of slots, table games, poker, and live dealer games. You’ll also find more creative offerings from certain sites, including completely original games, Slingo, scratch cards, and more.
Slot games have come a long way, too. You’ll find all kinds of varieties at sweepstakes casinos, ranging from classic 3-reel slots to modern video options with engaging themes, countless ways to win, and huge jackpots.
Engaging Mechanics
You might be playing on your own, but sweepstakes casinos are rarely individual experiences. Many of the newest sites feature leaderboards, tournaments, community chats, and other special events to enhance gameplay and keep players interested in coming back for more.
For example, you might find a rolling list of recent wins that other players have earned from playing casino games. This can be a great way to get a feel for how other players are using their coins, as well as the types of prizes you can expect to win if you choose to participate.
Appealing to Diverse Tastes
The games you’ll find at real money casinos aren’t necessarily there for the purpose of having fun. It might be enjoyable, but the reason you play these types of games is because you’re trying to win real money.
Alternatively, games at sweepstakes casinos can be played either entirely for fun or for cash prizes. This means that many of the games are engaging and enjoyable enough that players may be satisfied simply by spending some time spinning the reels, listening to music, and triggering some special features.
Constant Updates
Players are always encouraged to return to their favorite sweepstakes casino each day to collect their daily login bonus, but there are other benefits, too. Sweepstakes casinos are constantly adding new games — sometimes on a daily or weekly basis — so there’s almost always a new game to check out whenever you check back in.
With many sweepstakes casinos offering libraries of well over 1,000 games, your experience will always be fresh and entertaining.
Getting Started: How to Play Sweepstakes Casinos Online
Signing up to play at a sweepstakes casino has become a relatively painless process. Once you’ve found a site you’d like to try out, just look for a “sign up" or “start playing" button and click it. From there, you’ll follow a simple registration procedure, requiring you to enter some personal information and create an account using either your email address or social account.
Registration Process
When you first start playing at a sweepstakes casino, you’ll need to create an account so that you can receive your welcome bonus and keep track of your coins. The registration process is often quick and easy, requiring you to complete only a handful of steps before you’re up and running.
You will also need to verify your identity, either when you sign up or before you can make a request for a prize redemption. Sweepstakes casinos will generally follow the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, which typically requires you to upload a selfie and an image of your photo ID. This way, the casino can confirm that you are who you claim to be and verify the personal details you submitted when you signed up, including your date of birth, home address, and more.
Some sweepstakes casinos may not require it, but you are usually expected to provide either your phone number or email address for further verification purposes and so the site can contact you for any necessary matters.
Acquiring Coins
There are many free methods that allow you to acquire both Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. The main one you’ll want to keep in mind is the no deposit bonus, which is a specified amount of both currencies that you’ll receive as soon as you complete the sign-up process. At some sweepstakes casinos, you could get as many as 1,000,000 free Gold Coins and 5 free Sweeps Coins without ever having to deposit any of your own money.
You’ll also find that many sweepstakes casinos offer daily login bonuses, which encourage players to check back in each day for more reasons than one. On top of offering a reward for signing in each day — typically a small sampling of free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins — this is also a great opportunity for players to check out the latest games that have been added since their last visit to the casino.
There are also other promotions, like contests and social media giveaways, as well as the mail-in request, which usually grants players a handful of free Sweeps Coins. Additionally, you can purchase Gold Coin bundles, which include complimentary Sweeps Coins as an added bonus.
Understanding Game Interfaces
The sweepstakes casino’s lobby will often highlight a selection of its most popular games, but there’s usually more than meets the eye. Some sweepstakes casinos offer well over 1,000 different types of games to play, including slots, live dealer games, and table games, as well as more unique varieties like Slingo, Keno, and originals.
When clicking on a game, players will almost always be shown a brief instructional image or two describing how the game works. Game developers like Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming take these pretty seriously, which is especially helpful for newcomers.
Many sweepstakes casino also offer comprehensive mobile versions of their websites, and occasionally, you’ll find entire apps that are completely optimized for mobile devices. As such, the game interfaces will be adapted to better suit a smaller screen, allowing players to use their fingers to navigate and play casino games rather than relying on a mouse and keyboard.
Understanding Coin Systems
In a break from traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casinos use two different kinds of virtual currencies in place of actual cash. No real money is wagered in sweepstakes casinos — instead, you’ll either use Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, which each have different uses (and occasionally different names).
Gold Coins are used to play games for fun and have no monetary value. These free-to-play coins can’t be put toward a potential prize redemption, but players can use them to learns the ins and outs of a certain game and decide whether it’s worth wagering the more premium currency on it instead. No purchase is necessary to obtain more Gold Coins once you run out.
Sweeps Coins allow you to play the exact same casino games that are offered for Gold Coins, but instead, you’ll be playing the sweepstakes, which gives you the chance to earn actual cash prizes. The conversion rate for Sweeps Coins is often 1:1, meaning one Sweeps Coin is equivalent to $1 USD.
Both Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins can be obtained for free, but players will generally receive more Gold Coins. Sign-up bonuses, daily login offers, and other promotions can help players fill their virtual wallets with more free coins of all varieties.
How to Get Free Sweeps Coins
Sweepstakes casinos will often advertise the option to purchase Gold Coin bundles, which come with free Sweeps Coins tacked on as an additional bonus. This is a perfectly fine way to get Sweeps Coins — and it’s generally the best way to get huge stacks of them — but fortunately, there are also free methods that players can use to add to their balance.
Often, daily login bonuses will award a small amount of free Sweeps Coins. However, if you continue building your streak of consecutive sign-ins, some sweepstakes casinos will scale their daily bonuses. Certain milestones may also award a larger sum of free Sweeps Coins. In short, the more consistent you are about signing into your account each day, the better your chances are of getting more Sweeps Coins.
Players can also enter tournaments and other contests that divvy up a prize pool of free Sweeps Coins to top finishers. Sweepstakes casinos will usually advertise when certain tournaments are running within the lobby, so keep an eye out.
Finally, in correspondence with U.S. Sweepstakes Laws, sweepstakes casinos must offer an option to submit a mail-in entry for free Sweeps Coins. The instructions on how to complete this form and where to send it are usually listed within the site’s terms and conditions. This promotion will often award 4 or 5 free Sweeps Coins.
Best Sweepstakes Casinos for Real Money
With so many sweepstakes casinos on offer, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best use of your time. However, there are a few tips we can share that will help you make an informed decision before you sign up.
How to Evaluate the Best Sweepstakes Casinos
The best sweepstakes casinos can be judged on four key factors: security, game variety, payouts, and user experience.
Security is essential whether you’re playing for fun or real money. At the very least, you’ll be trusting these online sweepstakes casinos with your personal information, and potentially your banking and payment information as well. It’s important to ensure that you’re dealing with a legitimate sweepstakes casino that you can trust will protect your privacy.
Players will also want to look out for a large variety of games. Perhaps slot games are what draws you in, but it’s nice to have additional options as well. The best sweepstakes casinos will offer poker, live dealer games, and other varieties alongside a wide range of slots.
Consider how quickly you’d like to receive your payouts, because the time it takes to get yours will likely vary depending on which sweepstakes casino you’re playing at. Think about the payment method that makes the most sense for you, too — not all sweepstakes casinos offer the same options. For example, crypto is only available at a select handful of operators.
Finally, user experience is another aspect to keep in mind. Do you prefer to play on a desktop or a mobile device? Some sweepstakes casinos offer both options, while others are better optimized for one or the other. It’s rare, but there are several sweepstakes sites with dedicated mobile apps that rival the desktop experience.
WOW Vegas Casino Review
WOW Vegas Casino is an excellent choice for fans of the traditional online casino experience. This sweepstakes site offers over 1,000 slot games and one of the best VIP rewards programs in the industry, and it’s always adding to its extensive library.
- Name: WOW Vegas Casino
- Founded: 2022
- Top Feature: Over 1,000 Slots
- Best for: Traditional Casino Enthusiasts
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Generous VIP Program
- Over 1,000 Slot Games
- Multiple Payment Options
Cons
- No Live Dealer Games
- No Table Games
- Limited Chat Support
Our Score
- Overall Rating: 9
- Game Variety: 8
- Ease of Use: 9
- Bonuses: 9
- Payout Speed: 9
WOW Vegas gets a 9/10 in our book. This is one of the premier options for those seeking an entertaining, slots-oriented experience, and a wide range of excellent promotions ensures there’s always something to come back for.
Stake.us Review
Stake.us stands out thanks in part to its focus on cryptocurrency, but it also offers an excellent assortment of games, including slots, live dealer games, table games, and Stake Originals, which includes varieties like video poker, Keno, and Plinko.
- Name: Stake.us Casino
- Founded: 2022
- Top Feature: Variety of Games
- Best for: Cryptocurrency Payouts
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Massive Game Library
- Great Rewards Program
- Fast Redemptions
Cons
- Limited Payment Options
- No First Purchase Bonus
- No Mobile App
Our Score
- Overall Rating: 8
- Game Variety: 10
- Ease of Use: 8
- Bonuses: 8
- Payout Speed: 9
If you’re looking for a sweepstakes casino that pays out in cryptocurrency, Stake.us is far and away your best option. Otherwise, it may leave something to be desired. With that in mind, Stake gets an 8/10 overall.
McLuck Casino Review
McLuck Casino is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable on-the-go experience. This sweepstakes casino offers a dedicated mobile app that rivals the desktop site and has jackpots available on each game in its substantial library.
- Name: McLuck Casino
- Founded: 2023
- Top Feature: Jackpots on Every Game
- Best for: Mobile Gamers
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Top-tier Mobile App
- Sizeable Game Library
- Jackpots on Every Game
Cons
- Limited Live Dealer Games
- Slow Loading Times
- Live Chat Requires Purchase
Our Score
- Overall Rating: 8
- Game Variety: 10
- Ease of Use: 10
- Bonuses: 8
- Payout Speed: 8
You won’t find a better sweepstakes casino app than McLuck’s, and having the chance to win a jackpot on every game is a great feature. Still, there are some things McLuck could improve on, so we’re landing at an 8/10 overall.
Spree Casino Review
Spree Casino is a great choice for sweepstakes casino players of all backgrounds thanks to its top-tier no-deposit bonus and wide variety of slot games. Spree also boasts an appealing user interface and a nice selection of live casino games.
- Name: Spree Casino
- Founded: 2023
- Top Feature: Excellent Welcome Bonus
- Best for: New Sweepstakes Casino Players
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best No-Deposit Bonus
- Live Dealer Games
- Wide Variety of Slots
Cons
- Limited Availability
- Fewer Payment Options
- No VIP Program
Our Score
- Overall Rating: 9
- Game Variety: 9
- Ease of Use: 9
- Bonuses: 9
- Payout Speed: 9
If you’re just starting out and are looking to join your first sweepstakes casino, Spree Casino is your best bet. With an excellent welcome bonus that awards 1,000,000 Gold Coins, this site gets a strong 9/10 overall.
The Money Factory Review
The Money Factory is one of the newest sweepstakes casinos to launch, but the player experience resembles that of a long-standing site. There are still some small glitches, but The Money Factory has already established itself as one of the top options for casino enthusiasts.
- Name: The Money Factory Casino
- Founded: 2024
- Top Feature: Over 1,000 Casino Games
- Best for: Varied Casino Experience
Pros and Cons
Pros
- User-Friendly Design
- Generous Bonuses
- Excellent Game Library
Cons
- No In-House Games
- No Mobile App
- Small Glitches
Our Score
- Overall Rating: 8
- Game Variety: 10
- Ease of Use: 9
- Bonuses: 9
- Payout Speed: 8
Thanks to a strong lineup of casino games and some appealing bonuses, The Money Factory scores an 8/10 on our scale. The mobile experience could be improved, but there’s a lot to like about what this sweepstakes casino has accomplished in its first year of operation.
Free Play and Bonuses at Sweepstakes Casinos
No purchase is ever necessary to play games and win prizes at sweepstakes casinos, and that’s made possible through a variety of free play bonuses. The main ones you’ll find are no-deposit bonuses, daily bonuses, and other promotions like tournaments and social media giveaways.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no-deposit bonus is a sum of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins that’s awarded to players once they complete the registration process at a new sweepstakes casino. As the name suggests, no deposit is necessary to receive this bonus. More often than not, the funds will simply be added to your wallet as soon as you finish creating your account, although you may also need to complete some verification steps.
Sweepstakes casinos will often advertise their no-deposit bonus in a prominent place on their website. At The Game Day, a site’s no-deposit bonus will be shown in the top-right corner of our review page. From there, you can click “Get Bonus" to head directly to the sweepstakes casino and claim it.
The registration process typically only takes a few minutes. You’ll be required to create an account and enter some basic personal information, like your first and last name, date of birth, and phone number and/or email address.
Once you finish setting everything up, the bonus funds will be available in your account. Depending on the sweepstakes casino, you may need to complete a few additional steps to claim the welcome bonus in full. Pop-ups with instructions will usually guide you through this process.
Daily Rewards and Promotions
Daily rewards are given out to incentivize players to return to a sweepstakes casino each day. By making a good habit of claiming your daily bonuses and promotions, you can significantly boost your coin balance.
Some sweepstakes casinos, like Crown Coins, have scaling daily login bonuses that get more valuable with each successive day. You may also get bonus rewards by hitting certain milestones, like logging in for 30 consecutive days. These can be a great way to keep your wallet topped up.
Daily bonuses tend to be smaller in scale, but they add up over time. Some sweepstakes casinos will only award Gold Coins via daily bonuses, while others will include Sweeps Coins, too. It’s best to find a sweepstakes site that gives out both currencies for free.
In addition to daily login bonuses, you’ll also find game leaderboards and challenges at sweepstakes casinos. By participating in these featured games and landing on a leaderboard, you can earn even more Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins for free.
Even if you don’t have time to play casino games each day, it’s always in your best interest to log into your account and collect your daily bonuses. Breaking your streak could mean earning significantly lower rewards, so set a reminder if you need to.
Comparing Welcome Bonuses
Not all welcome bonuses are created equal, so it’s important to do your research before signing up at a sweepstakes casino. Some of these sites will award up to 1,000,000 Gold Coins as soon as you sign up, while others will cap your bonus at a much smaller number. However, it’s also worth noting that different sweepstakes casinos have different stakes, so one coin may not go as far at one site compared to another.
Let’s take a look at the welcome bonuses offered by the five sweepstakes casinos highlighted above and break down what you’ll receive when you sign up.
- WOW Vegas Casino: 150,000 WOW Coins & 3 Sweepstakes Coins
- Stake.us Casino: 250,000 Gold Coins & 25 Stake Cash
- McLuck Casino: 7,500 Gold Coins & 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins
- Spree Casino: 1,000,000 Gold Coins & 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins
- The Money Factory Casino: 15,000 Gold Coins & 3 Sweepstakes Coins
You’ll notice that while the amount of Gold Coins awarded varies greatly, the free Sweepstakes Coins stay within a similar range. Players who are new to sweepstakes casinos should gravitate toward sites that offer more Gold Coins — the free-to-play currency — as those will help you get familiar with the structure and process.
In any case, all of these welcome bonuses are worthwhile. You should never say no to free coins, and there’s no limit to how many online sweepstakes casinos you can sign up for at the same time. It’s also worth noting that no-deposit bonuses are subject to change, so check the site’s terms and conditions to confirm the amount in bonus funds you’ll receive for creating an account.
Social Media Giveaways
In addition to the above methods, many sweepstakes casinos will often give Sweepstakes Coins away on social media. By following the platform on its official social media outlets (which are usually posted somewhere within the casino lobby), you can get a decent sum of Sweepstakes Coins completely for free.
The social media outlets these giveaways are shared on will vary depending on the platform, but X/Twitter is an especially common option. Other outlets include Facebook, Telegram, Instagram, and Kick.
Instructions on how to enter these giveaways will usually be shared within the post. You may be required to click a button to opt into the drawing. Other times, you may only need to leave a comment or repost the announcement to be entered. Rewards will also vary depending on the sweepstakes casino.
Top Sweepstakes Casino Games
With several sweepstakes casinos offering well over 1,000 different games, it can be difficult to know which ones are most worth your time. There are very few games that we wouldn’t recommend, but there are also some that stand out from the crowd. Generally, you can find some of the best sweepstakes casino games by checking out the most popular offerings at each platform.
Slots
Sweepstakes slots work in largely the same way as the slot games you’ll find at traditional online casinos. In many cases, you’ll find the exact same games offered at each type of gaming platform, albeit with a few small tweaks.
Sweepstakes casinos use two different kinds of currencies, and because the games themselves don’t pay out actual money, there’s a difference in the way winnings are awarded. Whether you’re playing for fun at a sweepstakes casino or gambling with real money at a traditional casino, though, the games will play the same.
Sweepstakes slots come packed with plenty of features, like tumbling reels, megaways, free spins, and more. You’ll also find a broad spectrum of slots available at different sweepstakes platforms — there are the more barebones classic options, as well as feature-rich video and jackpot slots that offer the chance to score massive wins.
Some of the most popular sweepstakes slots titles include:
- Fire Stampede
- Big Bass Bonanza
- The Great Pigsby
- Buffalo King Megaways
- Gates of Olympus
- Sweet Bonanza
- Sugar Rush
Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming are two of the most well-known developers of slot games, so it’s not uncommon to see their games featured among a sweepstakes casino’s most popular options.
Blackjack and Poker
Not all sweepstakes casinos will offer blackjack, Texas Hold’em, or other poker games. When they do, they tend to come in two varieties: virtual and live dealer.
Virtual poker games are played against a computer. While that may sound unfair, keep in mind that sweepstakes casinos often share their odds, so you can make an informed decision before deciding to play.
Live dealer games are played with real cards against other players, essentially creating a real casino experience either from your desktop or mobile device. Not all sweepstakes casinos offer these games, but when they do, they tend to be some of the most popular options available.
For example, all of McLuck Casino’s live casino games can be found by clicking the menu item on the left-hand side of the lobby. Featured live games include Gravity Blackjack, 7 Seats Blackjack Gold, and Grand Bonus Baccarat.
Specialty Games
Sweepstakes casino games go beyond just slots and table games. There are also more unique offerings available at select sites, including bingo, keno, plinko, video poker, minesweeper, and more.
Take Stake.us, for example, which has its own line of specialty games called Stake Originals. Plinko is the most popular option of the bunch, but the sweepstakes casino also offers titles like Dice, Crash, Limbo, HiLo, Dragon Tower, Tome of Life, Diamonds, Scarab Spin, and Blue Samurai.
You can also find scratch cards and other instant win games, which are quick ways to get your funds back in order. These can be played in a matter of seconds and award a wide range of prizes.
Winning at Sweepstakes Casinos: Tips and Strategies
Sweepstakes casinos are still casinos, and thus, there’s no surefire way to guarantee wins. However, there are still some tips that can help you make the most of your Sweepstakes Coins and put you on a path to success.
Understanding Game Mechanics
Before you begin playing a new game at a sweepstakes casino, it’s important to understand how that individual game functions. Fortunately, many sweepstakes sites will present an infographic, video, or both that you must click through before playing the game for the first time.
Understanding game mechanics is essential to your success. If you aren’t informed about how a game works — especially one with more complex functions like tumbling reels — it can be difficult to know how to set your wagers or if the game is worth your time.
By reading up on a game’s functions and understanding the ins and outs of how it works, you can maximize your chances of hitting a big win. Don’t neglect these early steps and you’ll be in a much better spot in the long run.
Managing Your Sweeps Coins
One must be strategic when spending Sweepstakes Coins. This currency can disappear quickly if you aren’t careful about how you use them. It’s essential to set a budget and take caution in exceeding your limits.
For example, if you only rely on the Sweepstakes Coins you get from a no-deposit bonus, you may only get a maximum of 10-15 spins before you run out completely. However, by combining these funds with the Sweepstakes Coins you receive from the daily login bonus and other promotions, you can put yourself in a much better position to trigger a game’s feature or hit a larger payout.
Moreover, it’s recommended that you use your Gold Coins to get familiar with how a game works before you jump into spending your Sweepstakes Coins. Enforce your own trial period and play with Gold Coins until you feel like you’ve established a good rhythm and understand the mechanics.
If you need to set a tight budget and stick to it, sweepstakes casinos have responsible gaming policies that can put these restrictions in place.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Additionally, it’s important to play responsibly and be wary of scams. Make sure you’re playing at a licensed, reputable sweepstakes casino before you sign up and make any purchases. Look for a game’s odds or return to player percentage before you begin playing.
If you’re unsure if your preferred sweepstakes casino is legit, you can usually find out by scrolling to the bottom of the lobby and looking for information on the site’s operator. It’s also worth browsing the terms and conditions to make sure the site follows sweepstakes laws and regulations.
As long as you prioritize the right things and stick to well-reviewed sweepstakes casinos, you’ll be in good shape. Most importantly, just try to have fun. Playing casino games is supposed to be a source of entertainment, after all.
Sweepstakes Casinos vs. Traditional Online Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos and traditional real money casinos have a lot of similarities, but they have their fair share of distinctions, too. You very well may find the exact same game offered at both a sweeps casino and a traditional one, but the way that you go about playing it, as well as the potential rewards, are unique to each platform.
Key Differences in Gameplay
The main difference between sweepstakes casinos and traditional online casinos is the cost. Sweepstakes platforms offer free play mechanics, meaning you’ll never have to spend a dime to play their casino games. On the other hand, real money casinos operate on a pay-to-play system.
When you create an account at a sweepstakes casino, you’ll be awarded with a no-deposit bonus, providing you with both Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Gold Coins are used to play games for free, while Sweepstakes Coins give you a chance to win real money. By using Gold Coins, you’ll never have to spend any real money to play casino games.
You might get a bonus when you sign up for a traditional online casino, but in any case, playing these games requires you to spend real money as opposed to virtual currency. Each spin costs more money, and there’s no way to play slots or any other games for free.
You can win more money by playing at real money casinos, but it also comes at a much higher cost to the player. There is no way to win money without depositing any of your own on these platforms.
Comparing Rewards and Payouts
Your potential rewards are always higher at a traditional online casino than at a sweepstakes casino, but then again, so is the risk. Sweepstakes casinos also put limits on how much you can redeem each day, with further restrictions if you live in one of a select few states. Read the terms and conditions before you request a prize redemption to ensure you don’t go over the threshold.
While traditional online casinos pay out directly in cash, sweepstakes casinos reward you with additional Sweepstakes Coins, which can be converted to prizes. Most sweepstakes casinos will offer a variety of different prize redemptions, including cash, cryptocurrency, and gift cards. The minimum amount of Sweepstakes Coins required for a gift card redemption is much lower than the limit set for cash prizes.
Still, requesting a prize redemption is simple. All you need to do is look for the “Redeem" button at your preferred sweepstakes casino — this is usually found near your balance — and from there, you can follow the on-screen instructions to process your request.
Payment and Redemption Options
There are a wide range of payment options accepted by sweepstakes casinos, but not all platforms offer the same choices. Redemption options will also vary depending on the operator, but players can rest assured that prizes are delivered quickly and securely.
How to Purchase Coins
Purchasing coins at sweepstakes casinos is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s not always immediately clear if you’re getting the best deal. Fortunately, there are some tips we can offer to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.
Let’s use Spree Casino as an example. To purchase coins, all I need to do is click “Shop" on the left-hand menu. The two most popular offers are shown first, but I also have the option to see all available offers if neither of those interest me.
Sweepstakes casinos will typically offer a first purchase bonus that comes with more Gold Coins and/or Sweepstakes Coins than you can typically get for the price. Spree Casino is no exception, offering a new player starter pack of 30,000 Gold Coins and 30 Sweepstakes Coins for $9.99. Considering that 1 Sweeps Coin is equivalent to $1 USD, that’s a pretty fair deal.
Spree Casino gives me the option to pay with a credit card — Visa and Mastercard are accepted — or I can pay instantly via Apple Pay. Credit cards are subject to longer processing times, so it’s advised to use Apple Pay, PayPal, or something similar when the option is available.
Once the payment has gone through, you’ll receive your Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. These Sweepstakes Coins are still subject to the casino’s wagering requirements, so you won’t be able to redeem them for a prize until you’ve played through them at least one time.
Redeeming Cash Prizes
Sticking with Spree Casino, we can walk through a simple redemption process. To get started, click “Redeem" on the left-hand menu. From here, there’s even a button you can click that says “How to Redeem Spree Coins" which provides some basic information on making your request.
Within this menu, you’ll find your redeemable balance. This is the amount in Sweepstakes Coins that can be put toward a prize redemption. Most likely, you will have some Sweepstakes Coins in your balance that cannot be redeemed yet. This means these coins haven’t been wagered and therefore haven’t met the wagering requirement.
If you have enough redeemable Sweepstakes Coins, you can select a prize. Spree Casino requires that you have at least 10 redeemable Sweepstakes Coins to receive a gift card and 100 redeemable Sweepstakes Coins to receive a cash prize. Click “Redeem" next to your preferred option, where you’ll enter the amount of Sweepstakes Coins you wish to redeem.
If these options can’t be selected, it could be because you haven’t verified your account yet. Sweepstakes casinos follow the Know Your Customer procedure, which requires that all players upload an image of a valid photo ID, as well as a selfie and potentially additional documentation, to confirm that you are who you say you are and are eligible to receive prizes.
If you’re still having issues with your prize redemption, you can get in touch with your preferred sweepstakes casino’s support staff, who can help put you on the right track. Many of the best sweepstakes casinos offer live chat, even if you haven’t purchased any Gold Coins.
Transaction Security
Depending on the sweepstakes casino, deposits and withdrawals are made possible by connecting directly to your bank via bank transfer. Other platforms offer Apple Pay support, which is another secure payment method that is trusted by countless merchants.
After you’ve made your purchase, keep an eye out for confirmations that your payment went through. There will usually be an on-screen confirmation and another sent to your email address and/or phone number. You can also find the purchase on your bank statement.
Responsible Gaming at Sweepstakes Casinos
Even though sweepstakes casinos don’t allow you to gamble with actual money, it’s still important to make sure you’re gaming responsibly. You can still get addicted to sweepstakes casino games. Fortunately, reputable and legitimate sweepstakes casinos offer responsible gaming features that can be activated to protect you.
Tools for Responsible Play
Sweepstakes casinos have a wide range of responsible gaming features that can be enabled to help you curb any potential gambling problems. These are often displayed in a prominent location. Otherwise, responsible gaming options can be located within the casino’s help center.
The most common responsible gaming options are time limits, coin limits, and self-exclusion. These vary in intensity, with self-exclusion standing out as the most severe self-imposed restriction.
Time limits are often set on a daily basis. By enabling these limits, you can restrict yourself to spending a specified amount of time playing casino games each day. You’ll typically be given reminders informing you how much time you have remaining, and once you’ve reached your limit, you won’t be able to access the site again until the period has concluded.
Coin limits can determine one of two things: how many coins you can wager per day, or how many coins you can purchase per day. If you feel you’re blowing through coins too quickly, consider placing a limit on your maximum wager. Otherwise, you can restrict how much money you can spend on coins over a given period.
Self-exclusion prohibits you from accessing the sweepstakes casino for a predetermined amount of time. If you only want to step away for a brief period, you can choose to take a break, typically for up to 30 days. However, if you’re trying to curb an addiction, you can prevent yourself from accessing the site for upwards of a year.
Signs of Gambling Problems
If you feel you might be developing a gambling problem, consider asking yourself some of the following questions:
- Have you ever had to borrow money for casino games?
- Does playing casino games interfere with your day-to-day responsibilities?
- Do you lie to others about how often you play casino games?
- Do you gamble for longer than you intend?
- Are you unable to cover your bills or pay for other necessary expenses because of gambling?
If you’re developing any of these issues, it may be in your best interest to take a break from gambling and using one or more of the responsible gaming features listed above.
Resources for Help
If you feel you’ve developed a gambling problem, there are plenty of resources that you can access to help with your addiction.
- Contact 1-800-GAMBLER to get support and information.
- Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help by state.
- Consider checking into therapy.
- Find a self-help group or online community.
- Contact SAMHSA’s national helpline.
FAQs About Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos are still a fairly new concept, so it’s perfectly reasonable to still have questions about how they work, what the benefits are, or how to begin playing. Here are some answers to a few of the more frequently asked questions.