An overview of sweepstakes
The idea of sweepstakes is a simple contest where participants can win prizes based on luck or random selection. The beauty of these contests is that they are incredibly straightforward – enter for a chance to win, with no purchase necessary.
From this simple concept, sweepstakes casinos were born and over the last few years have developed into platforms that rival the very best real money casino brands. Sweepstakes casinos are legal in 49 US states, the exception being Washington.
That means you have an incredibly good chance of finding a top sweepstakes brand that’s available in your location.
Basics of sweepstakes casinos
I’m often asked the question, “What is a sweepstakes casino?” so to give you a clearer understanding of sweepstakes casinos, here’s the main things you need to know:
- You play with virtual currencies, not real money.
- The two virtual currencies are Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, each has its own purpose.
- Some sweepstakes casinos let you redeem Sweepstakes Coins winnings for alternative prizes
- You can purchase Gold Coins in packages, but you can’t purchase Sweepstakes Coins
- You’ll regularly receive both Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins as bonuses
Try these top sweepstakes bonuses
1.
200 Free Spins + 500,000 Free G-Coins
Starting your journey with a sweepstakes casino
In this part of our guide to online sweepstakes, we’ll look at the steps for playing at sweepstakes casinos. You’ll find it very similar to how real money online casinos work:
Choose the right sweepstakes casino
A great place to start is by taking a look at the top sweepstakes casinos you’ll find in my recommendations list below. I have vetted all of these brands personally and I have no hesitation in recommending any of them to you.
Register a new player account
First you’ll need to check if your preferred brand is available in your state of residence. Then it’s time to hit the ‘Sign Up’ button and register an account. This process will require you to provide some basic personal information and to verify your ID and permanent address with some suitable documents.
Claim your welcome bonuses
After registering, you’ll usually receive some free virtual currencies as a welcome bonus. You may recall the Stake.us sign up offer I mentioned earlier, which includes a $25 no deposit (SC) bonus + 250,000 Gold Coins + a 5% rakeback on losses. Some brands may offer you first purchase deals that you can benefit from as well.
Familiarize yourself with the range of games offered. These can include slot machines, table games, bingo, live dealer games, and more. Several sweepstakes casinos feature in-house developed titles that you won’t find elsewhere, like the Stake Originals games for example.
The good news is that sweepstakes laws make it obligatory for all terms and conditions to be transparent and clearly stated. But you still need to read through the relevant documents, especially the Sweepstakes Rules and T&Cs relating to any bonuses that you might consider claiming.
Always remember to play responsibly. Sweepstakes casinos are about fun and entertainment, so keep it enjoyable and purchase Gold Coins within your means.
Stay updated on the latest
Keep an eye out for ongoing promotions and special events that sweepstakes casinos often host. It’s always worth signing up for newsletters and following your sweepstakes brand on its social media channels too. All of these options can provide you with opportunities to collect extra virtual currencies.
Can you win real money at sweepstakes casinos?
One thing that I do need to make clear at this point, and it’s one that you won’t find mentioned in many online sweepstakes guides, is that sweepstakes casinos are not
free online casinos with cash prizes. When you play casino-style games at a sweepstakes casino and use Sweepstakes Coins, if you are lucky enough to win, your winnings will come in the form of more Sweepstakes Coins.
Most sweepstakes brands offer you the chance to redeem your SC for alternative prizes, which may, or may not include cash. Every brand has its own T&Cs for the redemption process, so if this aspect is a deal breaker for you, then be sure to check out the facts before you sign up.
Some top sweepstakes sites I recommend
CasinoBonus OfferStake.us$25 no deposit SC bonus + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% rakebackSweeptastic25 SCs extra free on first purchase + 2 SCs FREE to claimGolden Hearts GamesDonate $10, get $10 FREE
Stake.us – My top-rated sweepstakes casino
Pros & Cons
- Plenty of engaging bonuses
- Variety of gaming options
- Provably fair gaming
This fantastic casino features more than 800 games in a rapidly growing portfolio that includes slots, table games, live dealers, scratchcards, and more. There are plenty of bonuses and a VIP program, too. Its range of crypto-powered, provably fair Stake Originals games are my favorite part of the casino. It looks really modern and sophisticated too.
Sweeptastic – Hybrid casino with an excellent VIP program
Pros & Cons
- Accepts both crypto and fiat payments
- Generous SC bonuses
- 1000+ games
Sweeptastic is one of the newer
online sweepstakes casinos, but it already has over 1000 games available to play and they all come from top providers like Pragmatic Play and NetEnt. What makes Sweeptastic unique is that it’s a hybrid casino, allowing both crypto and fiat payment methods. There are special crypto deals, too, notably the Weekly Crypto Monday, where you can get up to 40 SC extra if you deposit using cryptocurrency.
Golden Hearts Games – Best sweepstakes for bingo
Pros & Cons
- Bingo rounds every 10 minutes
- Charitable gaming
- Allows prize redemption
- Limited casino-style games
Everyone who’s tried Golden Hearts Games has something good to say about it. Their focus is bingo, with games happening every 10 minutes around the clock, including some live studio options. There is also a small selection of Vegas-style slots that you can take for a spin between bingo rounds. The main draw is the charitable aspect of the GHG casino. Purchases made on Golden Hearts Games support over 100 IRS-approved charities, so you can have fun while doing a good deed.
Rounding off our guide to online sweepstakes
There you have it! You should now feel confident enough to start playing at your first sweepstakes casino. Although, as I’ve mentioned earlier, these casinos are straightforward, I recommend that you first consider the brands that made it to the top of my list: Stake.us, Sweetastic and Golden Hearts Games. Each of them has been thoroughly tested and all come with my personal seal of approval.
Our favorite sweepstakes gaming destinations
1.
200 Free Spins + 500,000 Free G-Coins
Guide to online sweepstakes FAQ
?What is a sweepstakes casino?
A sweepstakes casino is an online gaming site where players can enjoy casino-style games without wagering real money. Instead, they use virtual currency that can be won, or obtained for free in various wayss. Winnings can often be redeemed for real cash or prizes.
??How can I win in sweepstakes casinos?
Many players wonder
how to win in sweepstakes casinos. However, sweepstakes are chance-based, so there’s no foolproof way, but you can increase your chances. My guide to online sweepstakes casinos offers some handy tips in this regard.
??What should I look for in a sweepstakes social casino?
Any social casino guide worth its salt will tell you the same thing. Look for a reputable site with good game variety, a user-friendly interface, generous bonuses, security measures, and customer support.
