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What are Sweepstakes casinos, and why are they so popular?

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A detailed guide to sweepstakes casinos, covering everything from what they are to what makes them special.


Sweepstakes casinos have grown quite popular over the last couple of years. These are fun social casinos where you can enjoy casino-style games and stand a chance to win real prizes.

One of the highlights of these platforms is that while real prizes are up for grabs, you can win them without placing real money bets!

How do Sweepstakes casinos work?

These platforms make use of virtual currency instead of real money. You will find that these sites use things like gold coins and Sweepstakes coins as currency. You can use the Gold Coins for fun play and the Sweepstakes Coins to redeem real prizes.

Sweepstakes casinos are quite similar to traditional Sweepstakes and allow you to play for free using credits. You can earn credits or purchase them.

  • Gold Coins – These are virtual coins that have no value. You can play social casino games in an environment that provides online entertainment. You can get these coins by playing games or purchasing them. There are also gold coins bonuses and packages you can claim and purchase.
  • Sweepstakes Coins – Virtual coins have no cash value, but they do have a prize redeemable value, which you can use in the Sweepstakes casino's online store. You can use the coins to play any of the casino games and tournaments. In these, you can collect more Sweepstakes coins. These coins can only be used on Sweepstakes casino games or by claiming Sweepstakes bonuses.

It's important to note that the coins you have in your account will more than likely not expire as long as you continue to visit the site on a regular basis.

However, if you choose to stop logging into your account, there may be a clause that will lock down or shut down your account. This time period will differ depending on the casino you're visiting, but it's usually around 60 days.

Sweepstakes casino coin payment methods

Purchasing coins at a Sweepstakes casino is 100% optional, but if you choose to do so, you should find a casino that offers secure banking methods. This is an important part of the playing experience, and if you can only make purchases using methods you're not comfortable with, your ability to play will be tainted.

Many Sweepstakes casinos provide basic deposit options such as:

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Bank transfer
  • eWallets
  • Cryptocurrency

Always make sure that the site you're purchasing from uses SSL technology and that your logins and transactions are as protected as possible. If it's a viable option, consider using two-factor authentication for an added line of defence.

Are Sweepstakes casinos legal?

Sweepstakes casinos are legal in over 49 US states, but not all sites operate in all regions. These sites operate under Sweepstakes laws, which makes it legal to play them in different regions where you may find that other traditional casino gambling options are restricted.

As they are under Sweepstakes laws, they have a wider legality range. In contrast, traditional online casinos operate under gambling laws and require licenses from trusted regulatory bodies in their specific region.

What types of games can I play at Sweepstakes casinos?

Funplay casinos like these offer you the same type of gaming entertainment traditional online casinos offer. Which only adds to the popularity of these sites.

You can explore a range of classic, video, and progressive slots. There are table games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as Poker, Live Dealer Games, and instant win titles like Scratch Cards, Keno and Bingo.

Do Sweepstakes games use RTP?

Like all games of chance, online casino games at Sweepstakes sites use RTP to help determine the outcome of every individual bet. It's not a perfect science, but the RTP (or return to player rate) gives you a better idea of the payout potential of a particular game.

For instance, if you play at a Sweepstakes casino that offers high RTP rates, the house edge will automatically be lower. A low house edge puts the odds of winning in your favour. While you may find many of the same games at a Sweepstakes casino as what you'll find at a general online casino, the RTPs may vary to suit the playing style of the site.

What makes them popular?

Sweepstakes casinos are popular because they offer entertainment that can be enjoyed without making real money deposits.

You get to play free as you claim the virtual currencies through bonuses and promotions. Another great aspect of these platforms is that they are accessible and legal in various states apart from Idaho, Michigan, and Washington.

Platforms like these have a very strong social media presence and run many promotions and contests, which creates friendly competition while bringing together a community of game enthusiasts.

Sweepstakes casinos are safe and legal. It offers a wide range of games in a casual gaming environment. It brings you all the thrills and excitement of real-money gambling while removing the element of the real-money transaction.

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Published: September 4, 2024

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Deni avatar image

Article by Deni

CasinoWow Contributor

Hi, I’m Deni and I am here to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about online casinos and games and, of course, have fun while doing it. I do so through in-depth research and a keen eye for detail resulting in comprehensive reviews and engaging articles. Let’s explore the iGaming world together!

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