Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is a sweepstakes casino?

A sweepstakes casino is an online gaming site which provides the same type of gaming experience (slots, table games, poker etc.) as a traditional online casino, however it uses a promotional sweepstakes model instead of allowing players to wager real money directly into their accounts. Sweepstakes casinos utilize two types of virtual currencies, Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

Gold Coins can only be used for entertainment purposes and therefore have no monetary value. You can obtain Gold Coins through purchasing Gold Coin packages or by receiving Gold Coins for free through many different methods. Sweeps Coins are the second type of virtual currency, and Sweeps Coins are utilized when playing games and can be exchanged for real cash prizes or gift cards. You cannot purchase Sweeps Coins directly, but they are typically provided as a bonus with Gold Coin package purchases, or by entering a promotion by mail. The dual currency model allows sweepstakes casinos to be permitted to operate legally in almost all 50 United States states under promotional contest law instead of being regulated by traditional gaming laws.

How does a sweepstakes casino compare to a traditional online casino?

The main difference is how you participate in games and can win. Online casinos traditionally require you to fund your account with real money and make direct wagers. Any winnings or losses are immediate and paid in cash.

In contrast, sweepstakes casinos use a two tiered system with respect to participation and winning. Gold Coins are used for entertainment purposes only and can be used to play games. While Gold Coins can be used to play games, the game play using Gold Coins has no redeemable value. In contrast, Sweeps Coins are used to play games and can be redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards. Therefore, only the game play utilizing Sweeps Coins can generate redeemable prizes. Furthermore, sweepstakes casinos are required to offer free methods of entry in order to satisfy U.S. sweepstakes laws, and therefore you can enter and potentially win without making a purchase.

Because of this structure, sweepstakes casinos are permissible in those jurisdictions where traditional online casino gaming is prohibited.

Are sweepstakes casinos legal?

Yes, sweepstakes casinos are generally permitted in most U.S. states. Sweepstakes casinos are permitted to operate under federal and/or state sweepstakes laws that regulate promotional contests rather than gaming statutes. The primary regulatory issues associated with sweepstakes casinos include:

• Offering free entry methods (no purchase necessary)
• Clearly identifying the distinction between entertainment play and prize play
  ensuring that chance determines the outcome of the games rather than skill

While sweepstakes casinos are permitted in most states, there are some states that have enacted prohibitions or limitations upon the operation of sweepstakes casinos. Those states include:

Washington
Idaho
Michigan
Montana
Connecticut
New Jersey
California (dates vary)

Some states have enforced prohibitions against sweepstakes casinos notwithstanding the absence of a statutory prohibition. We recommend checking your state’s current status on our sweepstakes casino availability page.

Can I win real money at sweepstakes casinos?

Yes, you can win real cash prizes at sweepstakes casinos. However, the manner in which you win real money is significantly different than traditional online casino gaming. As you play games with Sweeps Coins and win, your Sweeps Coins balance will increase. After your Sweeps Coins balance meets the applicable minimum redemption threshold (which varies depending on the sweepstakes casino typically 50-100 Sweeps Coins per platform), you can exchange your Sweeps Coins for real cash prizes via electronic transfer to your bank account, or via an electronic gift card.

Typically, each Sweeps Coin represents $1 in redemption value. However, the redemption timeframe will vary by platform, and additional documentation or verification may be required prior to your initial redemption.

Getting Started

How Do I Sign Up For A Sweepstakes Casino?

Signing up at Sweepstakes Casinos is generally easy. To get started with most sweepstakes casinos, all that you will be asked to do is enter your basic contact information: Name, Email Address, Date Of Birth, and Residential Address. Almost every platform will ask you to confirm your email after completing the registration process in order to activate your account so you can begin to play.

A few sweepstakes casinos may request phone verification or documentation before processing any prize redemptions and/or during registration. This is done to help keep minors from playing, prevent fraudulent activity and stop players from creating multiple accounts.

Once you have completed the registration process on the majority of Sweepstakes Casinos, you should receive an immediate welcome package containing Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins for you to begin using right away.

Do I Have To Purchase Something In Order To Play At Sweepstakes Casinos?

Absolutely Not! Legitimate sweepstakes casinos are not allowed by law to sell anything in exchange for the opportunity to win prizes. Therefore, there is no obligation to spend one single penny to play at Sweepstakes Casinos. You can earn Sweeps Coins by participating in their various free to enter options. The most common method of obtaining Sweeps Coins at Sweepstakes Casinos is by submitting a handwritten letter via U.S. Mail requesting Sweeps Coins. They are often provided as part of free promotional offers when you create an account at a Sweepstakes Casino. Daily free Sweeps Coin promotions, Social Media contests and many other free ways to earn Sweeps Coins are available to you at most Sweepstakes Casinos.

You are always able to purchase Gold Coins if you want to quickly acquire some Sweeps Coins, but it is never a requirement to buy Gold Coins.

What Information Do I Need To Provide In Order To Redeem My First Prize From A Sweepstakes Casino?

In general, the first time you go to redeem a prize from a Sweepstakes Casino, they will have to confirm your identity and ensure you meet their eligibility requirements. The most common documents requested include:

• Government Issued Photo Identification (Drivers License, Passport, State ID)
• Proof Of Residency (Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Official Correspondence etc.)
• Banking Information (Account Number & Routing Number) Required For All Cash Prizes
• Phone Number / Email Address Verification: Sometimes Requested As Additional Verification

The Know Your Customer (KYC) Process is similar to what banks and financial institutions use. It is designed to prevent scams and money laundering while ensuring that you are old enough to gamble, that you are gambling from a permitted location and in accordance with all applicable laws. After your initial verification is complete, your future prize redemptions should be processed much quicker.

Gameplay and Mechanics

What games can I play at Sweepstakes Casinos?
Sweepstakes Casinos have an almost identical variety of games to that of Online Casinos, with multiple hundreds of games available. Some common examples include:

• Slot Machines
• Table Games
• Live Dealer Games
• Specialty Games
• Fish Games

Are the games at Sweepstakes Casinos Fair?

The legitimate Sweepstakes Casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure that the outcome of games played are completely random and fair. Legitimate sites have their RNGs and the math behind their games reviewed and approved by third party testing labs, such as iTech Labs, Gaming Laboratories International, or other third party testing labs that are recognized and approved to conduct such tests.

These reviews and approvals ensure that the games on these sites will pay out based on their published Return to Player (RTP) percentage and that the outcome of the game was truly random and not manipulated in any way.

What is the Difference Between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins?

Gold coins are used to allow you to play games for FUN without risking your money.
You can purchase gold coins in bundles or get them for free via promotions and bonuses.
They cannot be traded for anything of value, and therefore are considered to be only for entertainment purposes.

Sweeps coins are redeemable for cash prizes or gift cards and can only be obtained for FREE. They cannot be bought directly with money. Sweeps coins are used for promotional sweepstakes gameplay.

Can I Switch Between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins While Playing A Game?

Yes, most Sweepstakes Casinos make it easy to switch between the two types of currency.
Most of the time, you can select the currency you want to use for the next spin or hand from within the individual game or from the account dashboard.

Some people enjoy using gold coins to test out new games or strategies in a risk free environment, and then switch to sweeps coins when they feel more comfortable.Others prefer to use gold coins for pure entertainment and save sweeps coins for those games that they feel they are most confident in.

Please be aware that there may be restrictions on which currency is allowed for specific promotional items, tournaments or games, so always read the rules for each item.

Financial Matters

When will I receive my prizes?
The time it takes to get your prizes is going to depend a lot on what type of redemption method you choose, and which platform you are using:

• Electronic Gift Cards: 24-48 hours once approved
• Bank Transfers (ACH): 3-7 Business Days after the bank processes the transfer
• Check by mail: Depending on how fast the post office delivers the check, anywhere from 7-14 business days to several weeks.

The first time you redeem your rewards usually takes a little longer because you have to verify your identity. The next time you redeem your rewards, it will probably go much faster since you’ve already completed the identity verification step. Some online sweepstakes casinos also offer “VIP” status or “faster than normal” redemption options for players who qualify or who want to redeem a smaller amount of coins.

Are there fees to buy Gold Coins or to redeem rewards?
Most of the time, when you buy Gold Coins at a legitimate online sweepstakes casino, you won’t pay any fees. There are however some possible fees you need to be aware of:

• Payment processor fees: When you make a purchase with an electronic wallet or cryptocurrency, there might be a small transaction fee charged by the payment processor (not the casino).
• Currency conversion: If you make a deposit internationally, there could be currency conversion fees based on the exchange rate of your country’s money and the money used by the casino.
• Fees for Expedited Processing: If you want to speed up the process of receiving your winnings, most of the time, there will be a fee associated with that option.
• Minimum Redemption Thresholds: Most of the time, if you don’t have enough Sweeps Coins, you’ll need to continue playing until you reach the minimum amount of Sweeps Coins needed to redeem them.

As a rule of thumb, you should check the Payment Options Section of your preferred online casino to see what types of fees they charge.

What kinds of payment options does Sweepstakes Casinos support?
There are many different ways to fund your account at a sweepstakes casino, but the available options are dependent upon the platform:

• Credit/Debit Card: Many platforms accept VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER etc.
• EWallets: PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and other similar services are offered at some platforms.
• Cryptocurrency: At some sweepstakes casinos, you can use popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin etc.
• Bank Transfer: Some of the bigger online casinos allow you to deposit large amounts of money via Bank Transfer (such as ACH).

Some online casinos have a suspicious payment policy. For example, Cash App Only Deposits or Peer to Peer Transfers; this kind of practice can be indicative of a bad operation. Good online casinos use well established and reputable payment processors.

Safety and Responsibility

How can I gamble responsibly at sweepstakes casinos?

The key to responsible gambling at sweepstakes casinos is ensuring that it is always used as a source of enjoyment and entertainment and never as an outlet for causing harm to yourself through excessive spending. In order to accomplish this, you need to develop some good habits and follow a few key guidelines:

• Always set a budget for how many gold coins you will buy per day and stick to your budget regardless of winning or losing money
• Always establish how long you will allow yourself to spend in a gaming session and use the gaming platforms’ tools to limit your gaming session time
• Always remember that gaming is a form of entertainment expense and should be treated as such and not as a means to earn income or solve financial problems
• Do not try to chase losses by buying more gold coins or allowing yourself to stay online longer in an attempt to recoup lost funds from previous gaming sessions
• Keep a healthy balance between gaming and all aspects of your life (work, family, social activities, etc.)
• Never participate in gaming when you are feeling stressed, depressed or while under the influence of substances
• Take advantage of the available responsible gaming tools including but limited to, purchase limits, session time limits, reality checks and self exclude tools

If you begin to believe that your gaming is becoming a problem, take immediate action and use the responsible gaming tools made available by your gaming platform or seek professional help right away.

What types of responsible gaming tools are available?
Reputable sweepstakes casinos provide numerous protective tools to assist their players with responsible gaming:Purchase limits, Session time limits, Reality checks, Time outs, Self exclusion, Account history.

Platforms that do not offer these tools should give you cause for concern. Only we recommend those platforms that clearly provide and effectively use responsible gaming tools.

What should I do if I think I have a gaming addiction?

If you suspect you have a problem related to your gaming, take immediate action:

1. Immediately use the self exclusion tools offered on your gaming platforms to block your access to gaming
2. Contact the national problem gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700 to obtain free and confidential 24 hour assistance
3. Research and reach out to any local state based resources available in your area
4. Share your concerns with a trusted friend, family member or coworker
5. Consider consulting a professional counselor who specializes in treating behavioral addictions

Identifying potential problems early and taking action towards getting help is indicative of having the courage and self awareness necessary to address the issue. Many individuals are able to successfully manage their gaming behaviors with the right support and tools.

Technical and Account Issues

Can I Play at Sweepstakes Casinos on My Mobile Phone?

Mobile gaming for Sweepstakes Casinos is very common. Almost every single one supports mobile. Many have apps (for iOS and Android) or mobile sites which can be accessed by visiting their site on your phone/tablet’s web browser. The mobile experience is generally identical to the desktop version: you’ll have access to all games, manage your account, redeem prizes, etc.

Why were my account activities suspended/closed?

Suspensions/Closings are based on specific violations of Terms of Service:

• Verification: Unable to prove who you are, how old you are, where you live.
• Multi Accounting: Having more than one account at a time to collect bonuses.
• Bonus Abuse: Breaking the rules of a bonus (e.g., depositing money and playing slots only).
• Geolocation Violations: Trying to access a casino from an area it does not allow (using a VPN, etc.).
• Payment Disputes: Claiming fraud on a chargeback or claiming the funds are being disputed.

Contact Customer Support right away if your account is being held and ask for specifics on why your account has been suspended. Legit casinos will give you the reason(s) and tell you what you need to do to resolve the issue. If you’re unhappy with the response, you should file a complaint with your local Regulatory Agency or Consumer Protection Bureau as there isn’t much recourse against Offshore Unregulated Casinos.

Why wasn’t my Prize Redeemed?

Here are some common reasons a Redemption is rejected:

• Verification: Lack of necessary documents, incomplete, etc.
• Play Requirements: Bonuses sometimes have a required amount of wagering before you can redeem the prize.
• Geographic Restrictions: Your confirmed location is in an area where the casino cannot operate.
• Account Issues: Suspected Terms of Service Violation(s), potential fraud.
• Technical Errors: Process issues where you would need to resubmit.

Legit casinos will always provide you with a clear explanation for why your redemption was rejected and provide you with options to resolve the issue. Unusual or unclear explanations (especially when they request a lot of documentation) could be signs of a questionable casino. Record ALL communication and think about filing a complaint with a Regulatory Agency if you feel you’ve been treated poorly.

Staying Informed

How often are sweepstakes casino laws changed?

The legal environment for sweepstakes casinos is continually evolving. During the last two years alone, numerous states have enacted or proposed legislation to limit/forbid the operation of sweepstakes casinos. In fact, many states are currently reviewing proposals that would limit/forbid the operation of sweepstakes casinos. Changes in enforcement actions, attorney general opinions, or regulatory guidance can render a sweepstakes casino unavailable at a moment’s notice even if no new laws have been passed.

SweepsPulse is constantly monitoring all such developments and will update its state availability page and individual casino review pages as necessary based on those developments. To stay up to date with the most recent developments, please sign up for our newsletter or check back with us frequently to be sure you are operating with the most recent information available.

Where can I get the most recent information regarding my state?

SweepsPulse provides the most recent information regarding which jurisdictions allow, ban or restrict sweepstakes casinos on its state by state availability page. As new legislation passes, enforcement actions take place or operators modify their policy, SweepsPulse will provide the most recent information.

If you wish to access the official legal standing regarding your state, please visit your state’s attorney general website, gaming commission or legislative database(s). Please note that operators may implement additional restrictions above and beyond the legally required minimums for participation; therefore, SweepsPulse recommends that you use SweepsPulse as a practical guide to supplement your research from official sources.

Do you have questions we have not addressed?

Contact our team via the contact form on our website and we will consider including your question in this FAQ to assist other players.

Last updated: April 2026