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. It should be noted though, that the availability of sweepstakes casinos will vary depending on the state, and some states have specific regulations that may restrict or limit the operation of certain sweepstakes casinos.
With that being said, this does still mean 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, ‘What is a sweepstakes casino?’ So, to give you a clearer understanding, here are the main things you need to know:
- You play with virtual currencies, not real money.
- The two virtual currencies are Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC), although they may be called something different depending on the site. Each virtual currency serves its own purpose, with Gold Coins designed for fun and entertainment play and Sweepstakes Coins designed for promotional play.
- 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. Gold Coin purchases are optional, and not mandatory in order to enjoy the games on the site.
- You’ll regularly receive both Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins as bonuses.
Check out these top sweepstakes bonuses
1.
Our Exclusive Deal:
125 SC
+ 625K GC
2.
Unlock 560K Gold Coins
+
56 SC
Wagering (WR): 3x
3.
150% First Purchase Offer: Up to 200K Gold Coins +
101 SC
FREE
4.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase – 1.5M CC +
75 SC
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
5.
Exclusive 100K Gold Coins +
30 SC
How we rate sweepstakes casinos
Before signing up to a sweepstakes casino, it’s key to be aware of what separates a great site from an average one. Here, we take a look at what features we think are essential in order for players to get the best experience.
Let’s take a look at what you should keep in mind:
- Game Selection:
A strong library of games that include a variety of slots, table games, and others from top developers like Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, or Playtech, for example, is a great starting point. When you come across a sweepstakes casino that partners with reputable developers, you can expect fair and reliable gameplay. You also want a site that will keep you entertained in the long run, and having access to quality games will help with this.
- Site usability and mobile experience:
In our view, a site should be clean, responsive, and easy to use. This is regardless of whether you’re browsing the game lobby, hunting out promotions, or accessing your account info. And with gaming on the go becoming more and more popular, a site that either has a dedicated app or optimized mobile browser is a must.
- Bonuses and promos:
We know this one comes up pretty high on our list when checking out a social casino, and the welcome bonus is usually the hook that gets you to sign-up initially. But what about rewards for existing players? We always want to see opportunities for players to gain more Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins for free, so finding a site that offers daily login rewards and contests is a big plus. We also look for sweepstakes casinos that provide bonuses with fair terms and easy-to-understand rules. A VIP program and loyalty scheme is also sought after.
- Customer Support:
Quality support is another area that we focus on in our reviews, as we know how important it is to get any issues or concerns resolved quickly and efficiently. Sweepstakes casinos that offer live chat, email, and a clear and comprehensive help center get full marks. Ideally, we want to see a response time under 24 hours too.
- Site Security:
With so much personal data stored online, a site that has strong encryption protocols (like SSL) and account protection features get a thumbs up from us. Appropriate licensing (if required), clear and easily accessible privacy policies, and terms of use are also a must.
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. It may seem similar to how real money online casinos work, however there are some key differences during the registration process:
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. A good example is the Stake.us sign up offer, which includes 56 Stake Cash + 560,000 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 only 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 prizes. 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.
Top rated sweepstakes site we recommend
Now that you can see exactly what goes into finding the best sweepstakes casinos, it’s time to share our top picks. These sites have been proven to offer a great user experience and variety of top quality games. Let’s see what gets them into the top spots:
RealPrize – Generous welcome and great games selection
RealPrize: Pros & Cons
- 625,000 GC + 125 SC + 1250 VIP Points
- 350+ slots
- Big wins & jackpots
- Free play & SC prizes
RealPrize comes out top in our picks right now, and it’s no wonder. With a games library packed with over 350 slot and casino-style games, a generous welcome bonus of 625,000 Gold Coins, 125 Sweeps Coins, and 1,250 VIP Points, and a user-friendly site, it ticks many boxes.
Although there’s no dedicated app at the moment, the mobile browser works well, and no lag or glitches were detected when we tested it. We found customer support very responsive on their live chat. There’s also a helpful FAQ section and dedicated email too.
Existing players can get involved in the seven-tier Loyalty Program, which includes benefits such as birthday gifts, multipliers, and exclusive games. There’s also a daily login bonus and social media contests available too.
All in all, RealPrize is a treat to play at, and one of the top-performing sweepstakes casinos operating today.
McLuck – Multiple bonuses and extensive support
McLuck: Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome bonus
- Daily promotions
- 24/7 live chat customer support
- Slots from top developers
- Mobile app still under development
When you first load up the McLuck site, you’ll be struck by how easy it is to navigate and access everything, from games, promotions, and account settings. The site holds well over 700 games, with a big focus on slots. Well-known game providers like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Relax Gaming are featured heavily, and this gives the site a feel of quality and confidence.
We can’t forget about the impressive welcome bonus too, where new players can grab 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins with no purchase required. You can even get a 150% boost on your first Gold Coin purchase. The McLuck rewards system also makes sure your virtual balance is topped up daily.
A helpful customer service team is available 24/7 via live chat, email, and social media, and there’s even some phone support for payment questions.
What’s even better is the fact that McLuck is widely available across a number of US states. In short, McLuck is a fun sweepstakes casino catering to many different types of player.
Stake.us – Established site with unique Stake Original games
Pros & Cons
- Amazingly varied game selection with slots, live dealer, and table games
- Unique and in-house developed games
- Redeem your SC for real world prizes
- Huge welcome bonus
- Not available to all US players
Stake.us is arguably the most well-known social casino in the US, and for good reason. It stands out for its exclusive welcome bonus of 560,000 Gold Coins, 56 Stake Cash, and 5% rakeback, as well as its unique games collection.
Starting with the website, it’s pretty easy to locate key areas, including ongoing promos, contests, and games. The site is optimized for mobile, and there’s also the addition of an app (iOS only right now). Security is top-notch too, with Stake.us adopting SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to keep players safe.
When you enter the games lobby you’re met with over 500 slots, and some pretty neat Stake Originals that you won’t find anywhere else. There’s also a number of live dealer games and classic table versions too.
The Stake.us customer support team is accessible 24/7, and with a solid VIP rewards system in full swing, you can expect rakeback, bonuses, and even personal VIP managers at the highest tiers.
Whether you’re a casual player or seasoned social-gamer, we think Stake.us delivers a grand social casino experience.
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. As I’ve covered already, sweepstakes casinos are a great way to enjoy casino-style games for free, and give you the chance to redeem winning Sweepstakes Coins for real-world prizes.
The brands that made it to the top of my list: RealPrize, McLuck, and Stake.us, are great options to consider, where each of them has been thoroughly tested and all come with my personal seal of approval.
Our favorite sweepstakes gaming destinations
1.
Our Exclusive Deal:
125 SC
+ 625K GC
2.
Unlock 560K Gold Coins
+
56 SC
3.
150% First Purchase Offer: Up to 200K Gold Coins +
101 SC
FREE
4.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase – 1.5M CC +
75 SC
5.
Exclusive 100K Gold Coins +
30 SC
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 ways. Sweepstakes Coins winnings can also be redeemed for real cash prizes, subject to certain conditions.
🎯 How can I win in sweepstakes casinos?
Many players wonder
how to win in sweepstakes casinos. However, as sweepstakes are chance-based there’s no foolproof way to guarantee winnings, but you can maximize 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.
