A sweepstakes guide for beginners
At their core, sweepstakes casinos are online platforms where you can play casino-style games like slots, poker, and blackjack. However, instead of betting with real money, you use virtual currencies such as ‘Gold Coins’ and ‘Sweeps Coins’. While sweepstakes gold coins are reserved for entertainment purposes only, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for prizes like gift cards and merchandise, hence the sweepstakes aspect.
What sets sweepstakes casinos apart is their “no-purchase-necessary” model. This means you don’t need to deposit funds like you would in regular online casinos. Instead, you can play casino-style games for free. Because of this model, sweepstakes casinos aren’t categorized as real money casinos, making them legally accessible in every US state, with Washington being the only exception. For many US players, this positions sweepstakes casinos as the perfect alternative to real money casinos.
The best sweepstakes casinos to play at
Finding the best sweepstakes casinos can be a tough task, especially with the sheer number of options available. To simplify this for you, our team has tried and tested the leading sweepstakes casinos on the market.
Based on our findings, we’ve rated the following platforms as the best sweepstakes casinos: Stake.us, High5Casino, Wow Vegas, Fortune Coins, and Sweeptastic. Let’s take a closer look at what each one brings to the table.
Stake.us
Pros and cons
- Generous welcome bonus
- Exclusive Stake Originals
- Play live casino games
- High RTP percentages
- Not available in all states
If we could only recommend one platform in this sweepstakes guide, it would be Stake.us. Why? Because it ticks all the right boxes. The game library is second to none, offering everything from slots to table games. Remarkably, Stake.us even presents live casino games—a rare find at sweepstakes casinos.
However, something that truly makes Stake.us stand out is its unique collection of Stake originals. These exclusive games not only offer high RTPs of up to 99%—maximizing your potential returns—but they’re also provably fair. This means you can independently verify their fairness and see that they are not rigged.
Beyond its rich game library, Stake.us further impresses with its generous promotions and bonuses. When you sign-up, use the code GGCSOCIAL to receive a $25 no deposit bonus, an additional 250,000 Gold Coins, and 5% rakeback.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Stake.us Highlights
- Exclusive promo code: GGCSOCIAL
- Play Stake Originals games for free!
- Drake-approved sweepstakes casino site
High 5 Casino
Pros and cons
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- Play megaways slots for free
- Slots from top developers
- Award-winning casino
- Slow initial loading speed
- No live casino games
With a thriving community of over 30 million players, High 5 Casino stands out as an industry-leading sweepstakes casino. From the moment you register, you’re given over 1,000,000 free coins. Want more? Spin the bonus wheel for wins of up to 900,000 coins. You can use these coins to dive into a variety of casino-style games, with no purchase necessary.
Their vast game library isn’t just about quantity; it’s also about quality. You’ll find hundreds of slot games, many crafted by top-tier software giants like Pragmatic Play. We were impressed to see casino classics like Sweet Bonanza, but even more so to spot free megaways slots, such as sought-after titles like John Hunter and the Book of Tut Megaways. Such excellence doesn’t go unnoticed. High 5 Casino has won many awards over the years, including the prestigious ‘Social Gaming Operator of the Year’ at the EGR North America Awards 2023.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
High5Casino Highlights
- 800+ Slots + Live Blackjack!
- FREE Daily Rewards
- Authentic slots, made in the USA
- To Claim: Click Play Now
Wow Vegas
Pros and cons
- Claim coins for free
- No purchase required
- Slots from top developers
- User-friendly design
Wow Vegas is a prime example of what we like to see in an online sweepstakes casino. Sign up with just an email, and instantly get 5,000 coins for free with no purchase required. Complete your profile, and that’s another 5,000 coins to play with. These coins can be used on a wide range of free-to-play games.
Slot enthusiast? You’re in for a treat. Dive into classic slots like Buffalo King and Chilli Heat or explore Megaways slots such as Aztec Pyramid and Power of Merlin. With a selection of over 400 slots from industry titans like Betsoft and Pragmatic Play, Wow Vegas stands out as one of the best sweepstakes casinos for slot players. The only downside is that there aren’t any table games like blackjack or roulette.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Wow Vegas Highlights
- Free welcome coins when you register
- 200% welcome package bonus available
- Possibility to redeem cash prizes
Fortune Coins
Pros and cons
- Hundreds of games
- No downloads required
- Jackpots are available
- 24/7 customer service
- Play poker for free
- Not available in all states
Fortune Coins is one of the best sweepstakes casinos for many reasons. Designed with the user in mind, the platform ensures even beginners can get started without the need for additional sweepstakes guides or contacting customer support. However, 24/7 support is there if you need it. Getting started is simple: Simply register with your name and email, and you will immediately receive 100,000 Gold Coins (GC) and 200 Fortune Coins (FC). But the free coins don’t end there.
You can get more free coins via referrals and daily logins, letting you continue playing without ever needing to make a purchase. The game library at Fortune Coins is particularly impressive, catering to a diverse range of preferences. If you’re a slot enthusiast, you’ll find everything from classic slots to progressive jackpot slots. And if you’re more into your table games, Fortune Coins has got you covered. You will find Keno games, but also poker games like Joker Poker and Jacks or Better, which are hard to come by at sweepstakes casinos.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins + $8 FREE Coins
Fortune Coins Highlights
- Great collection of slots games
- Generous welcome package
- Play games using Fortune Coins
Sweeptastic
Pros and cons
- No purchase required
- Redeem cash prizes
- Over 400 games
- Megaways slots
- Slow initial loading speed
No sweepstakes guide is complete without mentioning Sweeptastic, an innovative and industry-leading social casino. If you’re looking for cash prize sweepstakes, Sweeptastic is well worth considering. Sign up, claim your coins, and start playing casino-style games—all without making a purchase. The best part? The opportunity to redeem real cash prizes. Here’s how it works: instead of playing with real money, you play with two virtual currencies—Lucky Coins and Sweeps Coins. Claiming them is a breeze, be it through promotions, daily login bonuses, gameplay, or exclusive competitions.
While Lucky Coins serve as an in-game currency for entertainment purposes only, it’s the Sweeps Coins that add an extra level of excitement to the gaming experience—they can be redeemed for cash prizes. Beyond the currency system, the game offerings at Sweeptastic are impressive. You can explore over 400 games, including slots like Wild Buffalo by Belatra, Money Farm Megaways by GameArt, and Aztec Magic Megaways by BGaming. And if you’re not looking for slots, no worries. A range of table games are available, such as roulette, blackjack, and poker. Because of this, Sweeptastic has something for everyone.
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
Sweeptastic Highlights
- Major crypto accepted
- Huge game selection
- Quality loyalty bonuses
Sweepstakes guide: Final conclusion
While many US states, including Alabama, California, Missouri, and South Carolina, still prohibit online casinos, sweepstakes casinos offer an innovative and legal alternative. Unlike real money gambling sites, sweepstakes platforms are legal in all states except Washington, thanks to their no-purchase-necessary model. Even though no purchase is required to play, there is still the opportunity to redeem prizes.
This aspect has skyrocketed their popularity among players. Through this sweepstakes guide, we’ve highlighted how selecting the right platform can enhance your gaming experience. While it can be difficult to separate the best from the rest, every site recommended in this sweepstakes guide has undergone rigorous testing and has been approved by our experts. With our curated list and insights, you’re now well-equipped to explore the world of sweepstakes casinos.
Our favorite social casino bonuses
1.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 3x Deposit
2.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: 9.99
3.
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins + $8 FREE Coins
Players from Virginia accepted
Sweepstakes guide FAQ
❓ What is a sweepstakes casino?
A sweepstakes casino is an online platform where you can play casino-style games using virtual coins instead of real money. While you can’t wager or win money directly, you can potentially redeem these coins for real prizes.
🤷♂️ Are the games on sweepstakes casinos fair?
The sweepstakes casinos recommended in our guide have been reviewed by our experts for fairness and reliability. Many of these platforms use Random Number Generators (RNGs) and provably fair algorithms to ensure game outcomes are random and fair.
✅ How can I win real prizes on sweepstakes casinos?
You can play and win with virtual coins, which, in some instances, can be redeemed for real-world prizes or cash.
✍️ Are sweepstakes casinos legal?
Yes, in most US states. Since they don’t classify as gambling sites, sweepstakes casinos bypass many gambling restrictions. However, Washington state is an exception where they are not allowed.
👍 How are sweepstakes casinos different from traditional online casinos?
Traditional online casinos involve real money wagering and payouts. In contrast, sweepstakes casinos use virtual coins and offer the chance to redeem coins for prizes, making them a legal alternative in many US states where traditional online gambling is restricted.
