Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how sweepstakes work. Whether you are a new or seasoned gamer, it’s always important to make sure that you are up to date with everything you need to know.
Coming up in this guide, we will take a look at sweepstakes casinos and how the virtual currency system operates. Furthermore, there will also be an explanation of what to look out for when finding new casino sites to join.
How do sweepstakes work?
First of all, if you are new to sweepstakes gaming, then this is the perfect place to start. If you are wondering how it all works, then we have you covered.
Sweepstakes casinos are a brilliant alternative to traditional online casinos because they are so similar. Although they do have one core difference –
sweepstakes rules
allow you to play all games for free.
Overall, sweepstakes casinos replicate the experience of gambling on traditional casino sites. You will find all the same types of casino games such as slots, progressive jackpots, table games, and live dealers, as well as plenty more.
What are virtual coins?
Rather than wager using real money, you will be using virtual coins. Most sweepstakes casinos have two virtual coins – Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. They both have very different purposes and can be obtained in varying ways, so let’s explore more:
- Gold Coins (GC):
can only be used to play games for fun and entertainment purposes. While you can purchase extra Gold Coins, this is optional, as you can wait for free refills via various bonuses.
- Sweepstakes Coins (SC):
cannot be purchased and can only be unlocked via promotions and competitions. Once collected, you can exchange them for prizes such as gift cards, merchandise, and cash.
Can you play using real money bets?
If you’re a beginner and wondering how do sweepstakes work, then you may not realize the limited role that real money has on sweepstakes casino sites. Essentially, there is no real money wagering allowed on sweepstakes sites.
The only place that real money has on sweepstakes casino sites is when you choose to purchase additional Gold Coin bundles. Of course, this is completely optional and you can decide to wait for free refills in the form of welcome bonuses, daily login bonuses, free spins, and more.
How do sweepstakes make money?
Wait, so if all the games are free to play, how are sweepstakes casinos making any money? That’s quite simple really. Every time you make a purchase of Gold Coins, the sweepstakes casino site is making a profit. That’s not to say that is the only way sweepstakes casinos make money, but it makes up for a large amount of it.
It’s important to keep in mind that you don’t have to purchase any Gold Coins if you don’t want to. This is completely optional and you can wait for free Gold Coins if you prefer.
Top sweepstakes casinos for April 2025
1.
625K Golden Coins + Up to 125 SC FREE + 1250 VIP Points
2.
56 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
3.
27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
4.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase – 1.5M CC + 75 SC
5.
27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
Where are sweepstakes legal in the US?
As we have mentioned above, sweepstakes casinos don’t allow you to stake real money. With that in mind, it’s not the same as gambling, which makes these types of casinos legal in most US states – 49 to be precise. Even in regions where gambling isn’t permitted, you will often find that sweepstakes casinos are allowed because there is no wagering of anything of value.
Having said that, while sweepstakes casinos are legal in most states, some operators don’t accept players from certain areas. We advise you to always check with your chosen operator if you’re not sure if your area is covered when figuring out how sweepstakes work.
How do sweepstakes pick winners for the games?
When it comes to winning a sweepstakes game online, it’s very simple to explain. All winners are random and it’s down to chance. The most trusted and reliable sweepstakes casino sites utilize RNG (Random Number Generator) software that ensures fair games. When you join a sweepstakes casino that uses RNG software, you can rest assured that all the winners are completely randomized and down to the luck of the draw.
Things to look out for when comparing sweepstakes casinos
In our
social casino guides, we like to highlight what you should be looking for when shopping around for new sweepstakes casino sites. Here are some of the important features that all the best sweepstakes casinos have:
- Impressive casino game portfolio
- Lucrative bonuses
- Plenty of competitions
- VIP club
- Top software developers
- Positive customer reviews
Conclusion – Not sure how sweepstakes work?
As we come to the end of this guide, you will have learned all you need to get started playing sweepstakes games. We have uncovered how the virtual currency system works, whether or not you can use real money, and even outlined how winners are selected.
Our favorite sweepstakes casino bonuses
1.
625K Golden Coins + Up to 125 SC FREE + 1250 VIP Points
2.
56 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Wagering (WR): 3x
3.
27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
4.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase – 1.5M CC + 75 SC
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
5.
27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
How do sweepstakes work FAQ
