How sweepstakes casinos work

Two kinds of coins

Most sweepstakes casinos run on two virtual currencies. The names vary by operator, but the split is the same. Gold Coins are for play only: they cannot be redeemed and have no cash value. Sweeps Coins, often shown as SC, are sweepstakes entries, and under each operator’s official rules Sweeps Coins won in play may be redeemed for prizes once the operator’s conditions are met.

Coin packages are sold as Gold Coins. Many operators add Sweeps Coins to a Gold Coin purchase as a free bonus rather than selling them directly.

Free ways to get Sweeps Coins

Because they run as sweepstakes, these sites offer ways to take part without buying anything. Common ones are daily login bonuses, social media giveaways and an alternative method of entry (AMOE): a free request, by mail or online, described in the operator’s official rules. The free entry guide explains how the two methods differ.

Of the 52 casinos in our directory, 30 have a mail-in free entry recorded and 3 an online free-entry request.

Redeeming Sweeps Coins

Before Sweeps Coins can be redeemed, operators typically require that they have been played through at least once, that your identity has been verified, and that your balance meets a minimum. Each operator sets its own conditions and prize methods. Redeeming Sweeps Coins covers the usual steps and lists the minimums our directory records.

Where they are available

Sweepstakes casinos are not available everywhere, and each operator publishes the states it excludes. Age requirements are also set by each operator, commonly 18 or 21 and over.

Of the 13 casinos in our directory with excluded states recorded, the states excluded most often, with the number of casinos excluding each, are CT (12), LA (12), MI (12), MT (12), NJ (12). Availability changes, so check the operator’s terms for your state before signing up.

What SweepCoins Network does

SweepCoins Network is a reference directory and record-keeping tool. It is not a casino operator: it does not host games, sell coins or process redemptions. Browse the casino directory to see what each operator publishes, or use the free tracker to keep your own record of the daily bonuses you claim.

Play for entertainment, set yourself limits, and stop if it stops being fun.