A sweepstakes casino is a social casino that runs a promotional sweepstakes on top of its games. You play with one currency, and a second currency, which you can get free, is the sweepstakes entry that can be redeemed for prizes. That structure is why these sites operate in most US states without a gambling licence, and it is also why the details matter.
The two coins
- Gold Coins (GC). The play currency. You get a pile free at signup and more each day. You can buy more. Gold Coins have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for anything. Some operators call them Coins, Crown Coins or WOW Coins.
- Sweeps Coins (SC). The sweepstakes entries. Each is worth one dollar in prizes when redeemed. You cannot buy them. You receive them free with a Gold Coin purchase, as a signup bonus, as a daily login bonus, from social promotions, and by mail-in request. Winnings in Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards once you reach the operator's minimum.
No purchase necessary
Every legitimate operator publishes an alternative method of entry, usually a hand-written postcard sent to a US address, that gives you Sweeps Coins without buying anything. The daily login bonus is another route. This is the legal core of the model: the prize entries must be available for free, so buying coins is a purchase of play time, not a wager.
What a welcome offer really says
"150% more coins plus 25 free SC" means two separate things. The free Sweeps Coins with no purchase are what you get for creating an account, often 2 to 5 SC, sometimes more with a code. The welcome pack is the first purchase: a price, a number of Gold Coins, and a number of Sweeps Coins "included" as a bonus. On every review we show both lines, because the first one is the real free offer.
Redeeming
- Win in Sweeps Coins mode. Only SC winnings can be redeemed.
- Some operators require Sweeps Coins to be played through once before they are eligible.
- Reach the minimum, typically 50 to 100 SC.
- Verify your identity: a government ID, sometimes a proof of address. This happens once.
- Choose bank transfer, gift card or, at a few operators, crypto. Our reviews report how long our own payout took.
Who can play
You must be 21 or older at most operators, located in the United States, and in a state where the operator is open. Several states have banned sweepstakes casinos and operators exclude others. Our state page keeps the list current, and every list on this site lets you pick your state.
What to check before you sign up
- The free Sweeps Coins at signup, and whether a code is needed.
- The redemption minimum and the methods offered.
- The operator's own excluded-state list in its official rules.
- That the official sweepstakes rules and a free entry method are published. If they are not, do not play there.
See our scoring method and the current rankings.