Best Sweepstakes Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos are a popular social casino type that allows you to win real cash prizes. They have become massive – Play Today reports that around 55 million Americans participate in sweepstakes casino contests annually.

Among hundreds of sweepstakes casinos, how do you choose the right one for you? In our best sweepstakes casino guide we will suggest top sweepstakes casinos, analyze how they work, and where to find the best bonuses.

Top Sweepstakes Casino Sites

High 5 Casino

9.8

250 GC, 5 SC and 600 Diamonds

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Payment Providers

Languages

Features

• Over 1000 Slot Games!
• Live Dealer Table Games.
• Leaderboards, Rapid Rewards, Jackpots and Boost on Demand.

Stake.us

9.7

260,000 Gold Coins, $55 Sweeps Coins and 5% Rakeback

Play Now

Payment Providers

Languages

Features

• 5% Rakeback Bonus.
• Slots, Live Dealer, Table Games, Scratch Cards.
• Over 900 Games.

Sweepstakes casinos provide a safe and legal alternative for online gaming enthusiasts in the United States. A sweepstakes casino, also known as a sweeps casino or Sweeps Coins casino provides players, particularly those residing in the US where online gambling is prohibited, the chance to partake in casino-style games for free, while still having the chance to win cash and other prizes. 

You might be thinking, how is this legal in the US? Well, sweepstakes casinos cleverly use sweepstakes laws to allow users to redeem coins for prizes. In this way, players aren’t using real money, but are allowed to redeem playable currency for prizes. These playable currencies are the main difference between sweepstakes casinos and standard online casinos.

Sweepstakes operate on a model featuring two distinct currencies:

• Gold Coins (GC)
• Sweeps Coins (SC)

How Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins Work

Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins are the two virtual currencies used in sweepstakes casinos. They work in the following way:

Gold Coins (GC)

Gold Coins are virtual credits used at sweepstakes casinos used to play all of their games. They have no monetary value and cannot be redeemed for any cash prizes but can be used to play slots, table games, live casino and more without any financial risk. They are given to players upon registration as part of the sign-up bonus and can also be accumulated in the following ways:

How to Earn Gold Coins?

• Registration Bonus
• Daily login rewards
• Direct purchase
• Promotions
• Social media contests

Sweeps Coins (SC)

Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real rewards such as gift cards, cash prizes, and merchandise, with a minimum redemption requirement for each sweepstakes casino. They are often gifted to players as part of the welcome bonus, daily promotions and added on when purchasing Gold Coin packages. 

How to Earn Sweeps Coins?

• Received as a bonus with Gold Coin purchases
• Game tournaments
• Special events
• Mail-in offers
• Social media promotions

Gold Coins VS Sweeps Coins: Social Casino Currencies Compared 

How to Purchase Coins at Sweepstakes Casinos?

Only Gold Coins can be purchased at sweepstakes casinos, players can choose to buy extra coins to extend their gameplay, and as an added bonus they often get extra sweepstake coins with their purchase. Coins can be purchased by following these simple steps:

Key Features and Benefits of Sweepstake Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos are a super fun alternative to traditional online casinos,  people in the US have a risk-free way to enjoy casino-style games for free while still getting the chance to win real prizes. Unlike traditional online casinos, playing with virtual coins allows you to experience all the excitement of online gaming without needing to spend a dime. Here are some other key benefits:

Legal Accessibility

Sweepstakes casinos are able to operate legally in over 45 states in the US through the following ways:

• The Sweepstakes Model: The sweepstakes model operates under sweepstakes laws and states that no purchase is needed to play casino games and win cash prizes. By following this sweepstake sites remain compliant with the legal restrictions on gambling on the US.
• Virtual Currency: Players use virtual currency coins to play their favorite games and potentially win cash prizes. The coins are obtained for free with an option to purchase more if players wish to do so.

Game Variety 

Sweepstakes casinos offer a wide variety of casino-style games that provide a similar experience to real-money casinos. The games are often updated regularly with new titles popping up to keep things fresh and exciting. You can enjoy slots, video poker, live casino, blackjack, and roulette, all designed to be played with virtual currency. 

• Slot Games: This is by far the most popular game category at sweepstakes casinos, slot games offer many different themes and variations from classic three-reel slots to video slots, multi-payline, progressive jackpots, and Megaways. Some of the biggest sweepstakes slot games include, Wishing Wheel, Stampede Fury, Reelin n’ Rockin, and Aztec Quest. 

• Table Games: Players also have the opportunity to dive into a wide selection of  table games, from Live Dealer to Classic Random Number Generator (RNG) table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold’em Poker, and baccarat. Some of the biggest sweepstakes table games include Classic Blackjack, American and European Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Jacks or Better, and Baccarat VIP.

• Hold and Spin/Win: Hold and Spin/Win games are popular in sweepstakes casinos due to their potential for big wins. In these games, players can win additional prizes or bonuses by holding or spinning specific symbols in the game which can lead to mega bonuses being won. Some of the most popular Spin/Win games at sweepstakes casinos include 777 Ultra Hold and Spin, Fireball Inferno, Energy Joker, and Thunder Coins.

• MEGAWAYS: These slots level up classic video slot games by containing up to 117,649 ways to win. Each MEGAWAYS slot has its own set of unique rules, themes, and bonus features. The most common include wild symbols, scatters, and free spins. The most popular MEGAWAYS games available at Sweepstakes casinos include Bonanza MEGAWAYS, Chilli heat MEGAWAYS, and Wolf Power MEGAWAYS.  Some of these games are responsible for the biggest wins of all time.

Most sweepstakes casino sites feature a variety of different game studios that often create games for traditional casinos as well. Some of the popular game studios that produce sweepstakes games include:

• Pragmatic Play
• NetEnt 
• BGaming 
• VGW Holdings (Virtual Gaming Worlds) 
• Evo Play 
• Rival Gaming 
• Betsoft Gaming 
• Reel Time Gaming 

Social Engagement

Unlike traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casinos offer a social and interactive aspect to gaming that include:

• Tournaments: Sweepstakes casinos often host regular game tournaments where players can compete against each other to win additional coins, jackpot prizes and even cash prizes. You will need to regularly check the tournament section on the site to see which games offer this feature. Players usually have free entry with Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins. Some sweepstake casino sites require a certain amount of Sweeps Coins to enter, adding an extra layer of competition.
• Leaderboard Challenges: Playing and winning on specific slot games often allows you to rank on the sweepstakes leaderboards, with top players being rewarded with extra sweepstakes entries or cash prizes.
• Live Chat Rooms: Most sweepstake casino sites have  live chat rooms for players to engage with each other, share their wins, and engage in some banter. 
• Social Media Contests: Most sweepstakes sites have social media pages on Facebook, X, and even TikTok. Players often get awarded with free coins when joining and engaging on the social media pages. Some sites such as Hello Millions have ongoing contests on their social media pages, where players have to solve puzzles and riddles to win sweeps coins.
• Friend Referrals: Most sweepstakes sites offer a referral bonus.  WOW Vegas has quite an enticing referral system where players can earn up to 5000 WOW coins and 20 SC by inviting friends to join. When you sign up you will be given a referral link to share with friends.

Real Prizes to be Won

• Cash Prizes: Once you’ve accumulated the minimum amount of SC you can redeem them for actual cash. At WOW Vegas the minimum amount of Sweeps Coins required to redeem a prize is 100 SC.
• Gift Cards: Exchange your SC for gift cards to popular stores such as Amazon, Walmart, and even Target.
• Event Tickets: Some sweepstakes sites award tickets to upcoming music concerts and sports events, if you stack up enough SC or win a competition of theirs.
• Merchandise: You can also often be awarded with branded clothing and merchandise as prizes. 

How to Win Real Prizes at Sweepstakes Casinos

1. Collect Sweeps Coins: Most sweepstakes casino sites offer free SC through daily login rewards, promotions, and giveaways on social media. You can also receive SC as a bonus when you purchase Gold Coins.
2. Play The Games: Navigate to your game of choice and ensure that you’re using SC instead of Gold Coins if you want a shot at winning real prizes. You can do this by selecting SC Mode when entering any game.
3. Win Coins: Win coins on your favorite game of choice to increase your SC balance.
4. Redeem SC Coins: Each platform has a minimum amount of SC you will need to acquire before you can redeem them for real prizes, this is quite often equivalent to a certain amount of cash (e.g. 50 Sweeps Coins can most of the time be redeemed for a $50 cash prize or gift card). It is also important to remember that you’ll need to complete a playthrough requirement before claiming your prize. 

Keep in mind that different sweepstakes sites have different rules, so it’s always recommended to read their terms and conditions and visit their FAQ page.

How to Redeem Sweeps Coins for Cash Prizes

Redeeming cash prizes at sweepstakes casinos works a bit differently from traditional withdrawals at online casinos. Instead of simply withdrawing your winnings, you’ll redeem your Sweeps Coins for a cash prize. All Sweeps Coins are treated as bonus funds, so they’re subject to the bonus rules. One important rule is the wagering requirement, which dictates how many times you need to play through your Sweeps Coins before they become redeemable. Most sweepstakes casinos require a 1x rollover playthrough, whilst some sites may go up to 3x.

Once your Sweeps Coins are redeemable and you have enough in your balance, you can convert them into cash in a few simple steps by using one of the available redemption methods. 

Bonuses at Sweeps Coin Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos generally offer a big variety of bonuses to attract new players in the US and keep existing players entertained. We looked into the most popular bonus we came across and some tips on how to maximize it for extra gameplay:

No Deposit Welcome Bonus

Luckily, all sweepstakes casinos have no deposit bonuses!  You will be gifted with free GC and if you are lucky some additional SC upon sign up, without requiring you to deposit any money. Once you register successfully (this may also require account verification) the bonus coins are automatically credited to your balance for you to start playing. You can then use the welcome bonus to play games and potentially win SC, which can later be redeemed for cash. At High 5 Casino, players can collect 250 GC, 5 SC, and 600 Diamonds upon sign up!

Daily Login Bonus

Most sweepstakes sites award players with free coins simply for logging in daily! No purchase is required, players will just need to log in to their account once a day to claim their coins. At McLuck Casino the more frequently you log into your account the more free Sweepstakes Coins you can claim – up to a maximum of 2.50 free Sweepstakes Coins a day!

Referral Bonus

One of the biggest sweepstakes no deposit bonuses is the referral bonus. This bonus awards players with free GC and SC simply by sharing a referral link with friends and getting them to sign up at the casino. How does it work?

1. Register at the casino, your referral link will be waiting for you in the lobby as soon as registration has been successful. 
2. Copy the referral link given to you by the casino.
3. Send this link to as many friends as you like, they will need to use your link to sign up at the casino.
4.  Once a friend has successfully signed up with your link, you will be awarded with free coins! McLuck offers up to 200,000 GC and 100 SC as a referral bonus.

Social Media Bonuses

Most Sweepstakes casinos have a huge social media presence, and run daily competitions on their social media pages where players are able to win free no deposit GC and SC.  

1. Make sure you are following their social media pages. Sweepstakes Casinos such as High 5 Casino have an Instagram, X, and Facebook page with daily no deposit bonuses.
2. Participate in the competitions posted on their social media pages, some may consist of fun riddles and puzzles you will need to solve in order to collect a bonus.

Mail-In Bonus

Many casinos are happy to give out free SC if you request it via snail mail. No purchase required, just send them a mail via the post to request free coins. The rules on this differ between casinos, and can usually be found in the “Sweeps Rules” section of the casino. High 5 Casino allows Mail-In requests and the steps are quite easy to follow:

Players must legibly handwrite the following on their request: 

• Their full name as shown on their player account.
• The email address registered to their player account.
• Their unique Mail-In Request Code generated to their account  
• The return/residential address on their Government ID associated with their player account.
  

On the top right hand side of the card:

• The date on which the letter was prepared by the player.
• Additionally on the front side of the request card, the player must  write the following statement below the above information:
  

“I wish to receive Sweeps Coins to participate in Sweeps Play on High 5 Casino.” 

Tips for Maximizing your Bonuses

Consider these expert tips to get the most out of your sweepstakes bonuses:

• Play Strategically: If your bonus has a wagering requirement, you may want to focus on games with lower variance or games that contribute fully towards wagering requirements to meet that playthrough quicker.
• Opt-In to Promotions: It’s good to take part  in ongoing promotions that guarantee free coins such as daily login bonuses, prize drops, and social media competitions.
• Read the T’s & C’s: Always check the wagering requirements, expiry dates and game restrictions attached to your bonus.
• Stay Updated: Sweepstakes casinos often post regular updates on social media, follow their pages and subscribe to their newsletters so that you aren’t left in the dark on new promotions and bonuses.

How to Register at a Sweepstakes Casino

Registration at sweepstake casino sites is fairly simple and generally a two-step process that only requires your name, surname and email address to get you started. You will also have the option on most sites to register via Facebook, Google Account, or Email.

1. Navigate the site and click on “Sign Up“
2. Enter your username, email address, and password. You can also sign up with Facebook or with your Google account.
3. You will then gain access to the casino lobby where you will be awarded with free Gold Coins upon registration to kickstart your gameplay.

Our Top 3 Best Sweepstakes Casinos

1. High 5 Casino: 600 Diamond Coins to Boost your Gameplay

High 5 Casino offers players over 1000 casino-style games to explore, and a generous welcome bonus which includes their exclusive Diamond Coins! You will receive 600 diamond coins upon sign up, in addition to your 250 GC and 5 SC. Diamond Coins can be used to purchase Boosts on games to supercharge your gameplay and ultimately win more SC, definitely making this casino a top pick for players in the US! Earn free Diamond Coins by:

• Claiming them in the lobby every 4 hours.
• Moving up the ranks on leaderboards.
• You will be awarded with them after every 300 SC spins you make.

High 5 Casino also offers a ton of other no deposit bonuses to boost your coin balance, here are some of the most popular bonuses to claim without needing to make a purchase:

• Daily Harvest Bonus: Login to your account daily for free SC!
• 4-Hour Bonus: Collect GC and Diamonds every 4 hours in the lobby.
• Referral Bonus: Earn 200 GC, 5 SC, and 200 Diamonds for every successful referral.

9.8

No Deposit Bonus

• 250 GC, 5 SC and 600 Diamonds.
• Enjoy over 1000 casino-style games.
• Stand a chance to win one of 3 jackpot prizes when playing jackpot games!

2. Stake.us: Large Welcome Offer & 5% Rakeback

Stake.us has one of the biggest welcome bonuses in the USA. Players can claim  260,000 Gold Coins, $55 Sweeps Coins and an additional 5% Rakeback reward! The Rakeback is a way of earning more coins as you play meaning you will get a certain amount of coins back from every bet you make on casino games. This feature is the main reason why many players choose to play at Stake.us. In addition to their huge welcome bonus, they also offer tons of free coins via ongoing promotions:

• Daily Login Bonus: Sign in to your Stake.us account everyday and enjoy 10,000 GC and 1 SC. This bonus is valid for the lifetime of your account and doesn’t require any promo code.
• Referral Bonus:  Invite your friends to join Stake.us and get free GC and SC. The amount of free coins will vary based on the number of players you bring to the casino and their activity levels.
• Bonus Drops: Head over to the Stake.us Instagram and X pages to find special bonus codes, these codes can be entered into your special redeem bonus drop box in the lobby. Bonus drops usually range between 10 SC and 20 SC.
• VIP Bonus Rakeback: VIP members get a percentage of their bets back on casino games based on the house edge. For example, if you get 10% rakeback and play 10 SC on a 1% house edge game, you will receive 0.01 SC back. You start off at 5% rakeback, but the top VIP players get 30% +.
• Mail-In AMOE Bonus: Send a handwritten postcard to Stake.us with all of your player details, and they will credit your account with 5 SC.
• Birthday Bonus: If you have a verified email and are subscribed to Stake’s newsletter, you will receive free GC and Stake Cash on your birthday! The offer will be sent to your email, and the link is valid for 7 days.

9.7

Welcome Bonus

• 260,000 Gold Coins, $55 Sweeps Coins & additional 5% Rakeback!
• Get coins back as a bonus every time you bet.
• Once you reach the Bronze VIP level, your account will be eligible for the rakeback as well as some other benefits.

3. WOW Vegas Casino: 250,000 WOW Coins & 5 SC Upon Sign Up

WOW Vegas is a very popular choice amongst players, not only do they offer over 900 slot games but players can collect a massive 150,000 WOW Coins, and 2 SC, just for signing up! That’s not all,  players will receive another 50,000 WOW coins + 1.5 SC for the first two days via email. That’s a total of 250,000 WOW coins and 5 SC for new players. In addition to this they offer up to 25 ongoing promotions where you can claim free coins for endless gameplay:

• WOW Vegas Refer a Friend Bonus: Get 20 SC and 5,000 WOW Coins!
  You’ll receive your free coins within 48 hours after your friend signs up using your referral link and spends $15 or more on WOW coins packages. You can invite up to 30 friends.
• Daily Email Competition:  Make sure to “Opt In“ to the daily email competition which can be found in the promotions section of the lobby. 100 players will then be picked at random to win 3 SC each everyday.
• Thriller Thursdays: Every Thursday, WOW Vegas gives away a share of SC 1,500 to the 30 players who get the highest multipliers on selected games. Just one SC spin could land you a share of that prize money!

9.5

Sign Up Bonus

• 2 SC + 150,000 WOW Coins.
• Fun random game feature.
• 20 free SC for each referral.

States That Have Banned Sweepstakes Casinos 

• Washington: Sweepstakes casinos are currently illegal in Washington. The Washington Gambling Commission only allows sites to operate if the operator awards the prize based on skill and not chance. 
• Michigan: Michigan is the latest state to ban most sweepstakes casinos. In 2023, they implemented a ban which affected popular operators such as Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots, due to concerns over legal requirements. The ban came from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) who also issued notices to several operators in early 2024. A very clear message was sent from MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams that the state will not tolerate illegal gambling operations.
• Idaho: While sweepstakes casinos are not illegal in Idaho, players however are prohibited from receiving cash prizes. This basically means that players can only play using Gold Coins which hold no monetary value and can’t be redeemed for actual real-world gifts.

Responsible Gaming at Sweepstakes Casinos

Being able to enjoy sweepstake games responsibly is necessary when you start playing. When registering at a sweepstakes casino it is important for players in the US to take note of the tools and resources the site provides to help you manage your gaming activity. This is generally found in their Responsible Gaming section.  You will often find options for self-exclusion, deposit limits, and general access to support organizations for those who may struggle with gambling-related issues. It is always encouraged to engage in these platforms as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money.

Conclusion

Sweepstakes in the US are becoming increasingly more popular by the day. For those living in states where traditional online casinos are banned, or for anyone just wanting to try a more social gaming experience, sweepstakes casinos are highly recommended by us. Playing at sites such as Stake.us and High 5 Casino offer players the unique opportunity to enjoy the most popular casino-style games from gaming providers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evoplay and more, with the additional excitement of social competitions and the chance to win real prizes. Overall, sweepstakes casinos provide you with tons of free gameplay in a regulated environment for those seeking casino entertainment in the US.