Sweepstakes poker: What’s it all about?
Whether you’re a big fish at the poker table or are just starting out on your journey into the world of Texas Hold ’em – it may never have occurred to you that you can play poker at
sweepstakes casinos online, particularly if you live in a region with tough laws blocking real-money gambling sites.
But I’m here to tell you that sweepstakes poker sites are very much the real deal, allowing you to play your favorite card game without fear of breaking local anti-gambling laws.
What is sweepstakes poker?
Online poker sweepstakes are exactly what they sound like: games of poker played on sweepstakes casino websites. Depending on the type of poker you’re playing, the same familiar rules apply, with the only real difference being that you won’t play with real money.
What’s the difference between real poker and poker sweepstakes?
As I said, the only difference here is the fact that you’re not playing with real cash. Instead, you’ll be using virtual coins to facilitate authentic poker play, with each chip you place worth an allocated sum of “Gold Coins” or “Sweeps Coins”.
Let’s take a closer look at these virtual tokens and how they work in relation to online poker sweepstakes.
| Tokens | Characteristics |
| Gold Coins (GC) | Gold Coins are just-for-fun tokens used on sweepstakes casinos. You can use these non-transferable tokens to play poker on a fun-only basis – perfect if you’re still learning the ropes.
Gold Coins have no monetary value and can’t be redeemed for prizes. You can, however, purchase more if you run out. |
| Sweeps Coins (SC) | Sweeps Coins are what you’ll need to enter sweepstakes poker games online. These free-to-collect tokens have no monetary value beyond the sweepstakes casino you’re playing at, but they can be redeemed for prizes like cash, vouchers, and gift cards.
You can’t purchase SC but you can collect more by redeeming bonuses, accessing
VIP sweepstakes
games, and purchasing GC packs containing a random allocation of SC. |
What are the advantages of sweepstakes online poker?
Not convinced by the idea of sweeps poker games online? Let me sell it to you by taking a look at their key advantages, some of which you may not have considered…
That’s right – sweepstakes casinos are free to access with no deposit or purchases necessary. So, even if you’re not completely sold on the idea of sweepstakes poker, you’ve nothing to lose by giving it a shot.
While you can’t win cash directly at the poker table,
sweepstakes with real money prizes
do at least let you work towards claiming rewards. Remember: collect enough SC through poker victories, and you can redeem these tokens for genuine prizes.
Even if you do have access to real-money poker games, I would argue that sweepstakes online poker is worth it. The fact that you can play for free means you have the perfect training ground, a place where you can refine your skills and grow in confidence before playing for real.
Where should you play poker sweepstakes online?
So, you’re fully up to speed on the what and the why of online poker sweepstakes, but what about the where?
Well, as it happens, I’ve got five sweepstakes poker sites to recommend, each offering at least one type of free virtual poker for you to play online to your heart’s content.
Stake.us – Play two types of video poker 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
- Unique bonus drop codes
- Not available in all states
- Only crypto deposits available
- No social betting
Stake.us Pros & Cons
- Video poker games available, including live games rooms
- Play for Stake Cash and redeem real prizes including crypto
- Excellent reputation and thousands of happy customers
- 3x playthrough requirement applies before Stake Cash can be redeemed
Stake.us has bolstered its games library with a growing number of premium-quality table games in recent years, with video poker now very much a part of the brand’s wheelhouse. You can play two different types of online poker at Stake.us, including sweepstakes poker machines against an AI-augmented computer, and an immersive live version with a real dealer and real competitors.
I like the fact that it’s so easy to switch between free and sweepstakes gameplay when playing poker at Stake.us, so you can toggle between different modes when you feel like upping the ante. It’s also worth noting that new players signing up for a Stake.us account, using the promo code GAMECHAMPIONS, can enjoy an exclusive welcome bonus of 560,000 Gold Coins, 56 Stake Cash, and a 5% Rakeback
on losses.
Unlock 250K Gold Coins +
25 SC
1 SC daily for life
Fortune Coins – Easy-peasy poker games at Fortune Coins
Pros & Cons
- Welcome package
- Famous slots
- Fish games
- Seasonal game recommendations
- Limited site availability
Fortune Coins Pros & Cons
- Simple poker games that are ideal for beginners
- Tons of free coins on offer at Fortune Coins
- New games added every week
- Not the largest selection of sweepstakes poker games
I’ll be frank: Fortune Coins doesn’t have the largest library of games but it does, at least, offer a couple of variations of video poker. You’ll find two poker-based titles in the Fortune Coins’ collection, including Joker Poker and Jacks or Better, both of which are an absolute breeze to pick up and play. So, if you’re a beginner looking for an easy entry point into the world of online sweepstakes poker, you should find these titles entertaining.
3M Gold Coins +
3K F
20 Free Spins
LoneStar – Best new sweepstakes casino for poker games
LoneStar Casino: Pros and Cons
- Small but quality game collection
- Reliable payment options
- Requires zero purchases
- Excellent RTP
For a
new sweepstakes
gaming platform, the selection of games at LoneStar is impressive. It boasts over 500 casino-style games in its portfolio, comprising slots, tables, and fish games.
You’ll also find a handful of poker games, including Oasis Poker, Video Poker, and Texas Hold’em. Most of these are easy to play. So, if you’re a beginner looking for an easy entry point into the world of online sweepstakes poker, you should find these titles entertaining.
To get started, register for an account, and LoneStar will reward you with
100,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins
to play poker. You can also tap into daily logins, referral bonuses, and purchase boosts.
105 SC
+ 500K Gold Coins +
1000 VIP points
LoneStar Casino Highlights
- Over 500 Vegas-style casino games
- Free-to-play games
- Generous referral program
My final say on sweepstakes online poker
While I’m sure some high-stakes players will shun the idea of sweepstakes poker, I happen to think it’s a fun way for beginners to learn the ropes and hone their skills. Plus, for those who live in areas with strict anti-gambling rules, online sweepstakes casinos might be the only place to play this classic table game in a safe and legal way.
Before you head on over to Stake.us, Fortune Coins, or LoneStar, don’t forget to check out the banners on this page for the latest new sweepstakes bonuses and special offers.
Our top bonuses in October
1.
Get
75 SC
+ 1.5M Crown Coins
Exclusive 200% More
Playthrough: 1x Bonus
2.
Unlock 65 SC + 750K GC
Free 5 SC + 10 Spins
3.
105 SC
+ 500K Gold Coins +
1000 VIP points
4.
Unlock 250K Gold Coins +
25 SC
1 SC daily for life
Playthrough: 3x
5.
125 SC
+ 625K Gold Coins +
1250 VIP Points
Sweepstakes poker FAQs
🤔 Can I play poker on sweepstakes casinos online?
Yes! Some of the best sweepstakes casinos offer video poker games.
♠️ Is live sweepstakes poker a thing?
Yes! Some sweepstakes casinos, namely Stake.us, offer live video poker games where you can go up against real players.
🏆 Can I win real prizes playing online poker sweepstakes?
While you can’t win prizes directly at the poker table, you can collect sweeps coins and exchange these for prizes like cash, vouchers, and gift cards. You will have to satisfy a few rules first, including a minimum redemption and playthrough requirement.
