Sweepstakes casinos are “sweeping” the nation, provitding players with a viable alternative to online casino gambling with the added benefit of being free to play.
Although legal in most U.S. states, sweepstakes sites are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as legal online casinos. As a result, the quality of individual apps varies widely.
And with so many new sites popping up, differentiating the good from the not-so-good can be daunting. Luckily, we’ve done the legwork, testing more than 30 sites, and are ready to reveal our picks for the best U.S. sweepstakes casinos.
Contents
At a glance: The best sweepstakes casinos in All States
Top 10 sweepstakes casinos: An expert’s perspective
The best U.S. sweepstakes casinos include WOW Vegas, McLuck, Crown Coins Casino, Stake.US, and High 5 Casino. Each offers a variety of games, speedy payouts, transparent VIP programs, and multiple ways to collect free coins.
Other standout platforms, such as Chumba Casino, Pulsz, Hello Millions, LuckyLand Slots, and Sportzino, also offer unique experiences and real cash prize opportunities through redeemable rewards.
1. WOW Vegas
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 1.75m WC + 35 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | 1,500 WC + 0.30 SC (more at higher VIP) |
Number of Slots | 1074 |
Live Casino | No |
VIP Program | Yes, monthly |
Payment Methods | Trustly (ACH), Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, Apple Pay, Skrill |
Excluded States | ID, NV, WA, MI, MT |
Egregious overuse of its Paris Hilton partnership aside, WOW Vegas is a nearly perfect sweepstakes casino.
WOW is one of only a few sweeps sites to offer over 1,000 slots, spread across top providers, including Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, BGaming, Evoplay, and eleven others. The interface features a chic yet practical design with useful categories and filters.
Value finds are plentiful. WOW may not offer extra value on its base packs, but it runs a daily Happy Hour where players can score bundles with 25 – 100% more coins.
Promotions abound, highlighted by prize drops, leaderboard races, and daily recurrent promos. The first few VIP ranks are easy to climb and offer tangible rewards, like augmented daily bonuses.
WOW supports a variety of payment methods, and turnaround times on redemptions are honored within 3 business days. The only major knock against the site is the lack of table games and a Live Casino.
Pros
- Daily Happy Hours with massive added value
- Consistent redemption times
- Transparent and accessible VIP program
- Android + iOS mobile apps
- Massive game selection
Cons
- No Live Casino
- The daily login bonus is lackluster at lower VIP levels
2. McLuck
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 7.5k GC + 2.5 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | Variable (Average 750 GC + 0.3 SC) |
Number of Slots | 600 |
Live Casino | Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat |
VIP Program | Yes, monthly & annual |
Payment Methods | Trustly (ACH), Visa, MasterCard, Discover |
Excluded States | AL, GA, ID, KY, MT, MI, NV, WA |
McLuck may be a relative newcomer, but it’s quickly become one of the most popular sweepstakes casinos.
The game lobby is packed with over 600 games, including popular titles like Sweet Bonanza, Sizzling Hot Deluxe, and Cowabunga. McLuck also dips its toe in the Live Casino waters, offering roulette and blackjack by Beter Live.
Weekly tournaments, prize drops, and leaderboards comprise the bulk of McLuck’s promotions schedule, but the real value is found in the Coin Store. Beyond the generous first purchase bonus, new players receive two follow-up offers.
Stay active, and you’ll receive recurrent daily and weekly package boosts. Players who climb McLuck’s elaborate VIP program can amplify their rewards even further with level-up bonuses of up to $2,500.
McLuck could improve its redemption turnaround times, which average 3-5 business days. Also, the required progressive jackpot opt-in (Gold Coins only) is annoying. Yet, these small drawbacks are more than offset by the site’s strengths.
Pros
- One of the strongest new player offers
- Solid game selection, with Live Casino games
- Regular package boosts
- Lucrative VIP program
- Android + iOS mobile apps
Cons
- Somewhat slow redemptions
- Forced McJackpot contribution (0.5% of your Gold Coin balance per wager)
3. Crown Coins Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 100k CC + 2 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | 124k CC + 2.8 SC weekly; more at higher VIP |
Number of Slots | 131 |
Live Casino | No |
VIP Program | Yes, lifetime |
Payment Methods | Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Skrill |
Excluded States | ID, MI, NV, WA |
Crown Coins Casino is an understated gem that deserves more attention. The site’s graphics and user interface scream modernity, and game performance is top-notch.
Players are treated to a feast of promos, including a stellar first purchase bonus that awards 800k GC and 40 SC for $14.99. The freebies don’t stop there, as Crown Coins consistently rolls out new and engaging promos, including Daily Missions tailored around a player’s prior play.
The VIP program offers escalating rewards, such as a modest level-up reward, upgraded daily bonuses, birthday gifts, a monthly drop, and Coinback. Higher-up members will also access an improved Coin Store with better deals on base packages.
Unfortunately, payment options are limited, but Crown makes up for that with swift redemption times. The other drawback is the small game library, which only consists of about 130 slots with lower returns (RTP) than some competing sites.
Pros
- Strong UI and exceptional graphics
- Regular promotions and purchase offers
- VIP program with generous rewards
- Games from Pragmatic Play
- iOS app
Cons
- Small game selection
- Lower RTP than most other apps
- Limited redemption options
4. Stake.US
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 550k GC + 5% Rakeback |
Daily Login Bonus | 10k GC + 1 SC |
Number of Slots | 830 |
Live Casino | Yes, 15 games |
VIP Program | Yes, lifetime |
Payment Methods | Crypto (BTC, ETH, LTC + 17 more) |
Excluded States | ID, KY, MI, NV, NY, VT, WA |
Stake.US is the U.S.-facing branch of online gambling behemoth Stake.com. Like its big sister, Stake.US only deals in cryptocurrencies, meaning virtual tokens must be purchased and redeemed for BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, and other cryptos.
Stake.US is renowned for its original arcade-style games, which offer RTPs of up to 99%. Examples include Plinko, Mines, Dice, Crash, and Wheel. Due to copycatting, Stake Originals are not quite as unique as in 2022 but still offer superior odds.
Rounding out Stake’s exceptional game lobby are 800+ slots, table games, poker, video poker, and 15 Live Casino games. Some of its slots are “Enhanced RTP,” with returns up to 98%. Yes, this is about as good as good gets.
Other highlights include a reliable 1 SC daily bonus, a lifetime VIP program where players can accrue points via SC and GC play, chat features, and regular bonus drops.
However, the 3x playthrough requirement on Gold Coin purchases and the crypto-only wallet may ostracize some demographics.
Pros
- Diverse and expansive sweepstakes gaming lobby
- Good odds
- Crypto purchases and payouts
- Strong daily bonus
- Modern user interface with emphasis on social features
Cons
- Cannot make purchases by traditional means
- 3x wagering requirement on purchased bundles
- No mobile app
5. High 5 Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 250 GC + 5 SC + 600 Diamonds |
Daily Login Bonus | 0.5 SC + up to 60 Diamonds |
Number of Slots | 1226 |
Live Casino | Yes, Blackjack & Roulette |
VIP Program | No |
Payment Methods | Trustly (ACH), Credit/Debit, PayPal, Skrill, |
Excluded States | ID, KY, MI, NV, WA |
High 5 Casino is an award-winning sweepstakes casino that’s been around since the industry’s early days. Yet, the operator isn’t content to rest on its laurels, evidenced by frequent site updates and the addition of Android- and iOS-powered apps.
The casino’s slot library is staggering, clocking in at over 1,200 games and showcasing tons of exclusive titles developed in-house. Bonus features like Power Bet, Power Play, and Loot & Link are staples of High 5, and games with these nuances cannot be found elsewhere.
High 5 is also renowned for introducing a third currency (Diamonds) that allows players to purchase free & boosted spins. They’re a riskier buy than standard packs but have a considerably higher upside.
The operator offers occasional 10% or 20% discounts on packs, usually targeted toward regular players. Otherwise, the promotional schedule is thin. The 0.50 SC daily bonus is nothing to get excited about either.
However, redemptions are extremely swift, rarely taking more than 2 business days.
Pros
- Enormous game library, stacked with nearly 300 exclusive games
- Speedy redemptions
- Multiple payment options
- Limited Live Casino games
- Android + iOS mobile apps
Cons
- No VIP program
- Base store packages add minimal value
6. Chumba Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 2.m GC + 2 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | 200k GC + 1 SC |
Number of Slots | 217 |
Live Casino | No |
VIP Program | No |
Payment Methods | Trustly (ACH), Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover |
Excluded States | MI, MT, WA |
Chumba Casino is perhaps the most brand-recognizable sweepstakes casino. The site is operated by VGW, which also supports LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker, and has a gleaming reputation dating back to 2012.
For the most part, Chumba lives up to its rep by providing players with a solid gaming experience that’s beginner-friendly but light on frills.
Chumba only has about 220 slots and a smattering of digital table games. However, many of its games are exclusives provided by VGW’s in-house development studio. Also, it’s one of the only sweeps casinos partnered with lauded slot manufacturer NetEnt.
The daily bonus and first purchase offer are exceptional, and Chumba’s base packs offer up to 5% extra coins. Yet store sales are exceedingly rare, and Chumba rarely hosts promos outside of social media giveaways.
Redemptions are reliably quick, but the 100 SC minimum on cash redemptions trends higher than average. Alternatively, discounted gift cards can be purchased for just 10 SC.
Pros
- High daily login bonus (1 SC)
- Base packs offer solid value
- Exclusive games from Golden Feather Studios
- NetEnt slots
- Free GC + SC scratchers
Cons
- High minimum redemption threshold
- Not many promotions and no VIP program
- No mobile app
7. Pulsz
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 367k GC + 32.3 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | Variable (Average 0.7 SC) |
Number of Slots | 402 |
Live Casino | No |
VIP Program | Yes, lifetime |
Payment Methods | Trustly (ACH), Credit/debit, Skrill, Google Pay, Apple Pay |
Excluded States | ID, MI, MT, NV, WA |
Pulsz is a solid all-around sweepstakes casino that doesn’t excel in one particular area.
With over 400 slots and a few table games, the game library is solid but nothing earth-shattering. Give Pulsz credit for offering arcade-style games like Classic Dice and Mines, but players can find the same games on Stake.US with significantly better odds.
It’s the same story for Pulsz’s promotional schedule, which boasts sporadic drops, leaderboards, and social media giveaways with modest prize pools.
The registration and first several purchase bonuses are decent, adding over 32 SC in collective value, and Pulsz will sometimes award premium purchase bundles to loyal players. Yet, it hardly ever offers coin boosts to the public. There’s a VIP program in place, but it offers no apparent benefit to SC players.
If there’s one area where Pulsz is closing in on greatness, it’s software. The overall design is simple and intuitive with splashes of vibrancy and particularly resonates in dark mode. Categorizations are abundant, almost to the point of redundancy, and there are just enough filters to empower players.
Pros
- Fast redemptions
- Great game UI that displays top prizes, min/max wagers, and volatility score
- Frequent new game releases
- One of the only sweepstakes casinos with Texas Hold’em Bonus
- Dark theme available
Cons
- Limited purchasing/redemption methods
- Arcade games have poor RTP
- Public promotions are lackluster
8. Hello Millions
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 65k GC + 27.5 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | Variable (Average 750 GC + 0.3 SC) |
Number of Slots | 300 |
Live Casino | Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat |
VIP Program | Yes, monthly & annual (hidden) |
Payment Methods | Visa, MasterCard, Discover |
Excluded States | AL, GA, ID, KY, MT, MI, NV, WA |
Hello Millions is owned and operated by rising star B-Two Operations and is one of several companion sites to McLuck.
To say the two sites are closely related would be putting it mildly. They share the same layout, most of the same slot manufacturers, offer identical welcome packages, and use the same cashier. They even appear to pull from one customer service pool.
More of the same isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when it allows players to double-dip bonuses, but Hello Millions can’t help but feel generic. It tries to distinguish itself via a superhero theme, but that’s largely a superficial difference.
In short, Hello Millions is a slightly lesser site than McLuck which doesn’t have a VIP program and only supports about half the games (300).
Pros
- Exceptional new player offers
- Live Casino games
- Regular package boosts
- Android + iOS mobile apps
Cons
- Too similar to McLuck
- Smallish daily login bonuses
- No VIP program, yet
9. LuckyLand Slots
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 57,777 GC + 20 GC |
Daily Login Bonus | 400 GC + scaling bonus up to 3 SC (Average 1 SC) |
Number of Slots | 126 |
Live Casino | No |
VIP Program | Yes, lifetime |
Payment Methods | Trustly (ACH), Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover |
Excluded States | ID, MI, MT, WA |
LuckyLand Slots is an above-average sweepstakes casino marred by a couple of glaring flaws.
Players will immediately notice Luckyland’s awesome no-purchase bonus, which sits at 7,777 GC and 10 SC. Its daily bonuses are top-notch, averaging 1 SC and capping at 3 SC.
The base coin packs aren’t anything special (the best is 21 SC for $19.99), but Luckyland runs a few weekly Quacky Hours that offer up to 100% bonus coins. Don’t miss those.
LuckyLand supports several payment options and offers relatively swift redemptions, averaging about 2-3 business days.
Now, the downsides. The software runs at a snail’s pace and may cause your entire computer to lag. We found that you can partially counteract this by enabling hardware acceleration on Chrome.
The Android app is more stable but still dreadfully slow. These issues would be more acceptable if LuckyLand supported a large game library, but there are only about 130 slots and table games, with no Live Casino.
Pros
- Generous amount of free SC
- Semi-frequent sales
- Reputable brand
- Smooth, hassle-free redemptions
Cons
- Dated software
- The VIP program only gives Gold Coin bonuses
- Small game library
10. Sportzino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Welcome Bonus | Up to 170,000 GC + 7 SC |
Daily Login Bonus | 127.5 GC + 6 SC weekly |
Number of Slots | 496 |
Live Casino | No |
VIP Program | Yes |
Payment Methods | Visa, MasterCard, Discover |
Excluded States | GA, ID, MI, WA |
If nothing else, Sportzino is a trendsetter, offering casino-style gaming and sports betting under one roof. The sportsbook isn’t just a tack-on; it spans all major markets and has extensive coverage of live events.
On the casino side, Sportzino supports an impressive array of 500 slots provided by Evoplay, Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming, Ruby Play, and more. It’s nothing too crazy but admirable for a sports-first sweepstakes app.
Most of Sportzino’s promos consist of small (but frequent) discounts on store packs. However, players looking for more value can mosey to the sportsbook and check out the boosted odds.
There’s also the occasional Mystery Coupon, which offers discounts on select coin packages and often coincides with NFL game days.
Until recently, Sportszino looked dated. That’s no longer the case, thanks to a sprawling revamp that modernized nearly every aspect of the site. In particular, the new color palette pops, although the UI may be too busy for some folks.
It’s too bad Sportszino doesn’t offer better odds, non-slot games, or a mobile app. Otherwise, it would fly up our rankings.
Pros
- Integrated sportsbook
- Lively, spirited design
- 500+ slots
- Decent daily bonus and regular store discounts
Cons
- No Live Casino, arcade games, or table games
- VIP program lacks clarity
- No mobile app
Other top sweepstakes casinos
Several other top sweepstakes casinos stand out for their unique offerings and engaging games. These include Rolling Riches, Global Poker Scratchful, Fortune Coins, and Zula Casino.
Rolling Riches
- Free-to-play with real cash prizes
- Mobile-friendly and user-friendly design
- Diverse payment options and responsive support
Rolling Riches has a diverse collection of nearly 400 games spanning slots, video poker, table games, and Live Casino. Top providers include Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming, Booming, and Beter Live.
Coin store discounts are frequent, but they are usually modest, rarely exceeding 20%. However, Rolling Riches is one of the only sweepstakes casinos that slashes prices on its larger packages. For instance, players can often purchase 25m GC and 225 free SC for $199.97.
The UI is fairly stock but runs smoothly and has enough categories and filters to keep players satiated.
Unfortunately, payments are limited to credit/debit cards and Skrill, but on the plus side, redemption turnaround times are usually 1-2 days.
Global Poker
- Vast selection of poker types
- Frequent player promotions
- Accessible, free gaming options
Global Poker is another site under the VGW umbrella that has been in business since 2016. It’s more known for its poker games but offers a deceptively deep casino lobby with 66 slots and five table games.
Like sister site Chumba Casino, Global Poker has attracted impressive slot partners, including NetEnt, ReelPlay, Relax Gaming, and Playtech.
It also supports one of the industry’s best blackjack games. Blackjack Premium is a six-deck game with 3:2 payouts, doubles on any two, doubles after splits, and the dealer stands on soft 17. Most importantly, only originally played chips are lost to dealer blackjack – a rarity among sweepstakes casinos.
The store packs and daily bonuses are nothing special, especially if you’re not a poker player, but the occasional special offers make Global Poker worth keeping on your radar.
Especially lucrative is an infrequent login boost that ups the amount of free SC you can claim from 4 to 17 for the week.
Scratchful
- Fun free play with daily awards
- Multiple ongoing promos for free GC and SC
- Scratch-offs, slots, slingo, and more.
Scratchful is yet another B-Two site. This time, the theme is lottery-style scratch-offs, and a dedicated section of 23 scratchers occupies the game lobby.
Surprisingly, Scratchful has more games than most other B2 sites. Yet, it doesn’t have the range of other B-Two operators, as nearly all 900 titles are slots. There isn’t a live dealer lobby and just one table game, Texas Holdem Poker.
Otherwise, Scratchful supports the usual features we expect from B-Two, including a strong new player package, an exceptional catalog of game providers, and reasonably fast redemptions.
The problem is that scratchers are notorious for their poor returns. Sure, there are a few 96% RTP games in the mix, but most returns are in the 80-90% range, which is poor for a land-based casino, let alone an online sweepstakes site.
Fortune Coins
- Tons of top promotions
- Exclusive social media events
- 30+ world-class game providers
Fortune Coins is a modest Asian-themed sweepstakes casino that has recently taken steps to improve its product. Most notably, it’s reintroduced its daily login bonus, which awards players 220 FC ($2.20 equivalent) on a 3-day cycle. Not bad, but certainly not great.
The UI is bordering on exceptional, particularly the info-packed slot icons that display who developed the game, its volatility, features, and min/max wager sizes. This snapshot view sets Fortune Coins apart.
The site’s base purchase bundles offer some added value, ranging from 3 – 7%, but some discount offers are otherworldly. For instance, we received an offer for 888,888 GC and 7,777 FC free for just $29.99, a 61% discount. It’s too bad these are so rare.
Permissible payments include Trustly (ACH), credit/debit cards, Skrill, and the rarely-seen PaySafeCard. Redemption times are about three business days, which is standard for the industry.
The main knocks against Fortune Coins are its limited game library and vague VIP program.
Zula Casino
- Generous welcome bonus
- Over 1,000 slot titles
- Daily rewards for active players
Zula Casino is a Fortune Coins skin with significantly more slots (700+) and worse offers.
Admittedly, it supports one of the industry’s best collections of slot developers, including Pragmatic Play, Slotmill, Booming Games, Evoplay, Relax Gaming, and over a dozen more.
Yet, it’s difficult to overlook how little value the coin store and VIP programs offer. There are also numerous reports of players being swiftly promo-banned after claiming just a few discounts.
Still, Zula is undoubtedly a slot player’s dream, and the 1 SC daily login bonus and regular 50 SC social media giveaways are top-tier.
Sweepstakes casinos with potential
Several further sweepstakes casinos stand out for their unique offerings and growing popularity. These include Ruby Sweeps, Sweepslots, Luckybird.io, Vegas Gems, and DingDingDing. Each provides exciting opportunities for players to engage in sweepstakes gaming, offering diverse features that make them worth exploring.
Ruby Sweeps
- Daily Bonus Wheel for More Free Coins
- Excellent Game Variety
- Class Leading Graphics
Ruby Sweeps is a severely limited sweepstakes casino with 22 heavily dated slots, one payment method (credit/debit cards), and few promos.
Not to mention the redemption turnaround times are roughly 5-7 business days, which borders on unacceptable. Lately, the site has experienced even heavier redemption delays.
So why is it even worth mentioning? One word: value. The app has a gamified daily login bonus, where players can win up to 15 Emeralds (the site’s equivalent of Sweep Coins) with an average of nearly 2 Emeralds per day.
Additionally, regular players can claim a twice-weekly bonus code that awards a 20% – 100% boost on the $9.99 and $19.99 store packages.
Should Ruby Sweeps put some real effort into its product and cashier while retaining its commitment to value, it’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
Sweepslots
- Daily bonuses and social gaming rewards
- Exclusive games and tournaments
- Redeemable Sweeps Coins for cash prizes
Sweepslots is a magnificently designed casino reminiscent of Crown Coins that supports multiple payment options, including crypto. It also offers weekly discounts, regardless of whether you played the previous cycle, and is working on a multi-tier VIP program that awards special discounts, big bonuses, point multipliers, and exclusive gifts.
The site’s game lobby is modest yet diverse, supporting a niche collection of 150 popular slots and table games.
Yet, Sweepstakes some of its credibility due to its tedious redemption times. Initially, turnaround times were two weeks minimum on even the smallest 100 SC redemptions. That’s game-breaking for most sweepstakes casino players.
However, they’ve recently dropped to about 5-7 business days, which is unacceptable but a step in the right direction.
Luckybird.io
- Exclusive, feature-packed games
- Generous no deposit welcome bonus
- Friendly, moderated chat rooms
Luckybird.io is a Stake.US clone with fewer games and a less generous daily bonus. However, it does offer a fair share of high-RTP arcade games and an extremely expansive VIP kickback program.
The one unique feature is the “The Faucet,” which grows (leaks?) as players make purchases, chat, and share.
Like Stake.US, Luckybird.io offers regular coin drops. These are dropped in chat, so players are encouraged to stay actively engaged. Like its idol, the app supports crypto transactions only.
If Stake didn’t already offer an overall stronger product, Luckybird.io might make our shortlist. Yet, it’s simply too similar and mostly inferior.
Vegas Gems
- Play for fun or sweepstakes contests
- Games from top providers like Pragmatic and Betsoft
- Daily prizes with large reward pools
Vegas Gems flirts with some solid ideas, but the execution feels off.
The site gets points for its cool, spacey interface, which is easy on the eyes and loaded with useful filters. For instance, players can search by provider, game volatility, and popularity. This deep categorization is necessary, as Vegas Gems is brimming with games—710+ at the last count.
The promotional schedule is thin, but Vegas Gems has a unique boosting feature where players can apply discounts to any package, capped at a set amount.
Instead of static daily rewards, the site awards chests with a random prize. The only problem is that once you collect a few, Vegas Gems will cut you off from using the site “as an investment.”
Furthermore, players who place low-risk bets will have an awful time trying to redeem. Safeguarding against advantage gamblers is understandable, but banning and denying redemptions is predatory.
Ding Ding Ding
- Innovative social gaming and challenges
- Free play options with sweepstakes prizes
- Excellent variety of exclusive slots
DingDingDing is an absurdly named, ostentatious, and often buggy sweepstakes casino. It also offers multiple pathways to collect free coins and has an excellent and diverse game selection, including a whopping 370 Pragmatic Play titles.
It may seem hard to believe, but DDD used to offer even more rewards. During the site’s early days, Bingo games paid out 11 SC, and base packs were discounted by 20%. Those days are long gone, but it still offers solid everyday value.
DDD has two major problems that prevent it from reaching the podium. The first is the redemption times, which are nothing less than atrocious. Expect to wait 2-3 weeks for your first redemption, pending that you answer DDD’s required phone verification call. After that, redemptions usually take 1-2 weeks, which is still unforgivable.
A more glaring issue is that DDD doesn’t count certain high RTP games toward its 1x playthrough requirement. In fact, if you play games like Blackjack, losing wagers will be subtracted from your redeemable balance, making it nearly impossible to redeem unless you switch games.
What are the newest sweepstakes casinos?
The sweepstakes casino industry is booming, and new sites are popping up like wildfire. There’s hardly a better time for new players to collect ample registration and first-purchase bonuses.
Here’s a look at the latest sites that have caught our attention:
Real Prize (December 2023)
Real Prize comes at you with roughly 250 slots, a few table games, and a decent (although rather vague) VIP program. If anything, players should register for its 100k GC + 2 SC registration bonus and its stellar welcome packages. The best of the lot offers 350k GC and 70 free SC for just $35.
Jackpota (January 2024)
Yet another B-Two site, this one emphasizing jackpot and progressive slots. Jackpota doesn’t offer a registration bonus, but new players can claim 50,000 GC and 25 SC free for $9.99.
Spree (March 2024)
Spree is a promising new sweeps app with 700 games, a modest live dealer casino, and low minimum redemptions. The 0.4 SC daily bonus is tepid, but the 30,000 GC + 30 free SC ($9.99) first purchase offer is red hot.
The Money Factory (May 2024)
The Money Factory is a compelling upstart with the rare trifecta of over 700 slots, a Live Casino, and digital table games. It also supports one of the largest registration and new player bonuses, offering nearly 80 SC in added value. Now, if only it added more payment options.
Mega Bonanza (July 2024)
You’d be wrong if you thought B-Two was done rolling out new sweepstakes casinos. This time, the theme is the Wild Wild West. With 300 games available at launch and a 7,500 GC + 2.5 SC registration bonus up for grabs, who are we to complain about cheesy old West graphics?
Play Fame (July 2024)
If you guessed that Play Fame was yet another B-Two site, congratulations. However, this one distinguishes itself with over 900 slots, daily free spins, and a boosted registration offer of 10,000 GC and 3 SC. It’s also thematically more interesting than its predecessors.
Zoot (July 2024)
Zoot is the darling of former LuckyLand developers and goes against the grain by focusing exclusively on arcade-style games, at least for now. New players can claim 2 SC and 20,000 GC upon registration. Just be wary of the 5x playthrough requirement. Read our full Zoot review.
Which US states have legal sweepstakes casinos?
The U.S. states where sweepstakes casinos are legal include all states except Washington, Michigan, and Nevada, which have imposed bans on these platforms.
Sweepstakes casinos must provide players with an alternative method of entry (AMOE), allowing them to win prizes without spending money. By removing monetary considerations, sweeps apps avoid fitting the criteria for illegal lotteries and gambling sites. Most operators also stay out of Idaho due to laws prohibiting cash prize redemptions.
Other states, such as New York, Florida, Montana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, provide less-than-hospitable environments for sweepstakes casinos, and operators may or may not choose to conduct business there. Yet nearly every sweepstakes casino operates in at least 40 states.
How do we rank sweepstakes casinos?
There is a great chasm between the top sweep sites and those not worthy of consideration.
The reason? Unlike legal online casinos and sportsbooks under the watchful eye of gaming and lottery commissions, sweepstakes sites are only subject to loosely interpreted federal and local laws.
While some sweepstakes apps are committed to upholding high standards, others use the relaxed regulatory framework to push out inferior products.
To ensure that we’re only directing players to the best U.S. sweepstakes casinos, we have developed a thorough vetting process that deconstructs sweeps apps across various criteria.
We’re players, too, and have spent weeks examining sweepstakes casinos from that perspective. Here are the main metrics we evaluate.
Sweepstakes casino game selection
Quantity is important, but the best sweepstakes casinos have diverse game libraries dominated by top developers like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Relax Gaming.
Slots will undoubtedly encompass most of the lobby, but sweepstakes sites that introduce solid digital table games, arcade-style games, Slingo, and Live Casinos get special consideration. Exclusives are a plus, especially if they’re manufactured with care by an in-house crew.
We prefer sites that don’t cut popular games because they aren’t profitable enough for the casino. We’ve seen this with low volatility, high-RTP Plinko games, and outstanding slots like Book of 99.
Be wary that some sites offer inferior versions of popular slots. One site might offer Pragmatic Play games at 96-97% RTP, while another has the same games at 94-95%.
User interface and software
The quality of a sweepstakes casino’s software and user interface can tell a lot about the casino. It shows its commitment to excellence across the board. The best sweepstakes casinos invest numerous resources into crafting software that looks modern and runs smoothly. Lag and freezes are minimal or non-issues.
Furthermore, the user interface should provide adequate filters and categories so players can quickly find their favorite games. The UI should also increase transparency by displaying vital information like RTP, volatility, and minimum/maximum wager amounts.
In addition, we expect sweepstakes casinos to provide various account management settings that enable players to track their transactions and gaming history.
If a casino has a dedicated Android and iOS app, that’s a plus, but as long as the platform is optimized for mobile platforms and has nearly the same game catalog as desktop, we’re satisfied.
New player bonuses
It’s usually a bad sign when sweepstakes casinos skimp on new player bonuses, as operators are typically at their most generous when players first walk in the door.
Most sites impose 50 – 100 SC redemption thresholds, so giving new players a small registration bonus and a first purchase bonus worth 15 – 20 SC in added value will not harm them. If anything, it will encourage them to actively engage with the site.
Sites that double down on their welcome bonuses with follow-up offers rank particularly high in this category.
One caveat here. If free Sweeps Coins are subject to more than a 1x playthrough requirement before becoming redeemable, that’s typically a sign of a greedy or illiquid sweepstakes casino.
Recurrent promotions and VIP programs
Just because you’ve claimed welcome bonuses doesn’t mean the well should dry up. While we don’t expect sweepstakes casinos to keep offering 100 – 200% coin package boosts, regular rewards are crucial. After all, the whole basis of sweepstakes sites is their guaranteed free entry pathway.
At a minimum, sites must offer decent daily login bonuses, social media giveaways, and a revolving door of recurrent promotions. The best go above and beyond with drops, happy hours, birthday gifts, store discounts, and strong referral bonuses.
Finally, VIP programs should be the standard, and members deserve transparency regarding tier requirements and rewards, not vague allusions to fantastical prizes.
Purchases and redemptions
There is a huge gulf between how the best and worst sweepstakes casinos handle purchases and redemptions. For this reason, cashiering is one of our strongest ranking factors.
The best sites offer a variety of payment methods, including credit/debit cards and ACH through secure login portals, crypto, Skrill, and PayPal. They also have low minimum redemption requirements and allow players to redeem prizes for cash or discounted gift cards.
Players should be required to verify their account before redeeming, as that’s a sign the casino adheres to basic KYC checks, but the process shouldn’t be exhaustive.
Once verified, redemptions must hit your account within 2-3 business days. In full transparency, only about half of sweepstakes casinos meet this benchmark, and a few take one week or more.
Security and safety
Sweepstakes sites must abide by U.S. and local sweepstake laws and are generally safe and secure. Yet, some go above and beyond.
Firstly, we look to see if sites are licensed and have strong and longstanding reputations. The next step is ensuring the software is secure, games are provably fair, and player banking information is hidden from view. Extra security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) are a plus.
The biggest red flag is when you must run through hoops to request redemptions. Casinos that encourage players to cancel their redemption, outright ignore their request, or make them verify the information they’ve already provided are not recommended.
Responsible gaming tools
Most sweepstakes casinos promote responsible gaming practices, but some do not provide adequate tools to help players control their play.
Casinos should provide easily accessible tools for players to set depositing, wagering, and time limits. They should also empower players looking to take a break or completely exempt themselves.
Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins: What’s the difference?
Making sense of virtual currencies is one of the biggest pain points for new sweepstakes players.
The short version is that every sweepstakes casino supports two currencies, Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Both currencies can be used to participate in casino-style gaming, but only Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash and gift cards.
Gold Coins
Gold Coins (GC) can be purchased from coin stores or acquired for free through various means, such as registration and daily login bonuses, but cannot be exchanged for prizes.
This leads many to believe they’re only for entertainment purposes, but that’s not entirely the case. For example, sites like McLuck calculate VIP levels based on how many GCs a player wagers, and players who hit higher ranks receive kickbacks with real-world value.
Also, some Gold Coin leaderboard promos award cash equivalent prizes. Crown Coins Casino does this with its daily GC races.
The best sweepstakes sites empower players to win real prizes with their so-called “for fun” currency. That being said, the value of Gold Coins pales compared to Sweeps Coins.
Sweeps Coins
Similar to Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins (SC) can be acquired and wagered freely. However, they cannot be purchased, or at least not directly.
This point warrants further clarification.
When players buy a bundle from the Coin Store, they’re technically only purchasing Gold Coins. Yet nearly all of these packages include free Sweeps Coins, courtesy of the app.
For instance, a player that buys 1 million Gold Coins for $20 will usually net about 20 Sweeps Coins as a free add-on. The best sweepstakes casinos will give players a little extra juice for their squeeze, maybe 21 SCs per 20 spent or 105 SC per $100, and will also offer regular promotional discounts.
The true value of Sweeps Coins is that they can be redeemed for cash and gift cards at a 1 SC to $1 ratio. This perfect and purposely chosen ratio should encourage players to treat SCs like real money because they’re practically synonymous.
Remember that you’re never required to purchase store bundles, but it is the best way to accrue GCs and SCs quickly.
What’s the difference between sweepstakes sites and social casinos?
All too often, terms like “sweepstakes casinos” and “social casinos” are used interchangeably, but there’s a key distinction. Social casinos only deal in virtual currencies that cannot be redeemed for cash or other prizes. In other words, they’re strictly for fun.
Well, mostly.
Some major brands like Hard Rock and Wind Creek entice social casino players with loyalty points, free play, or food comps that can only be redeemed at land-based properties. These technically have some value.
Social casinos are a great gateway for players interested in online gambling but not ready to take the plunge. For-fun casinos like BetRivers.net offer a nearly identical playing experience to the real-money online casino BetRivers Casino.
How are sweepstakes casinos different from legal real-money online casinos?
The best sweepstakes casinos bear a striking resemblance to high-profile online casinos like DraftKings Casino, BetMGM, and FanDuel Casino.
Yet, the similarities are surface-level, mostly related to design and gameplay. Under the hood are several notable differences:
Sweepstakes Casinos | Online Casinos |
---|---|
Operational in most U.S. states | Operational in only a handful of states |
No licensing required | Licensed and regulated at the state level |
Wagers are made with virtual currencies | Wagers are made with real money |
Multiple ways to accumulate currency for free | Limited free play opportunities |
Can redeem Sweeps Coins for prizes | Can withdraw funds for cash |
Game lobbies average 400 - 500 slots | Game lobbies average 700+ slots |
Live Dealer and digital table games are rare | Live Dealer and digital table games are plentiful |
Minimum redemption is 50 - 100 SC | Minimum withdrawal is usually $10 |
Few redemption options | Many withdrawal options |
Getting started with sweepstakes casinos
The sign-up process for sweepstakes casinos is less intrusive than for real-money online casinos, rarely requiring sensitive data like your SSN.
To get started:
- Select a sweepstakes casino: The recommended sites on this page are a good starting point. Click one of the links on this page to get directed to a casino of your liking.
- Initiate the sign-up process: This may entail entering a username/password combo, although some sites allow you to sign up with your Google, Apple, or Facebook accounts.
- Collect registration bonuses: The best sweepstakes casinos automatically award new customers a pouch of Gold Coins and a few Sweeps Coins, with no promo code necessary.
- Verify your identity: You must usually complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) check before making purchases and redemptions. This typically entails uploading your ID and taking a selfie using a service like Veriff or Plaid. Some sites also require you to verify your address and payment method.
Most sites accept players 18+, but there’s a growing movement to push the age requirement to 21. This change makes sense, given that the casino gambling age is 21 in most of the country.
Purchasing coin store bundles at sweepstakes casinos
Although there are numerous ways to collect coins for free, coin store purchases are the fastest way to boost your reserves.
Unlike online casinos, where players deposit cash, sweepstakes casinos only offer fixed-price bundles. These packages are located in the Coin Store and are usually accessible from the website’s top bar or side menu.
The best sweepstakes casinos will regularly roll out promos, where customers will get discounts on select bundles. Check for these first. If not, check to see if any base packages award extra coins. Ideally, you’ll always purchase packages awarding the most bang for the buck.
For instance, let’s say a Coin Store offers the following:
- 10,000 GC and 10 SC for $9.99
- 21,000 GC and 21 SC for $19.99
- 110,000 GC and 110 SC for $99.99
The third package gives you about 10% extra coins and is the best bargain.
Once you select a package, you’ll be prompted to choose a payment method. After you use a payment once, it’s generally saved to the system for quick future purchases.
Purchasing coin store bundles at sweepstakes casinos
Redeeming sweepstakes coin prizes is a straightforward process with a few noteworthy caveats.
- Log in and find the “Redeem” icon. Some casinos place it on their home page, while others bury it behind the main menu.
- To withdraw funds, you must first meet the playthrough requirement (usually 1x on any game), and reach the minimum redemption threshold, roughly 10 SC for gift cards and 50 – 100 SC for cash.
- Input the redemption amount and select a redemption method. Sweepstakes casinos have limited payment options, so you’ll probably be forced into using a debit/credit card, Trustly, Skrill, or occasionally crypto.
- Be patient. Redemptions tend to take 2-3 business days on the higher end, but some sites make you wait a week or two.
Purchasing coin store bundles at sweepstakes casinos
A sweepstakes casino could have all the glitz, glamour, and games in the world, and your time will still be best spent elsewhere if the bonuses are poor.
The top-tier sites offer considerable value, often enough to obliterate the house edge if you play wisely. Here’s a glance at some of the offers you should expect:
- Registration (No-purchase) bonuses: These are awarded as soon as you complete the sign-up process. These are usually small, but some sites award up to 10 SC.
- First-purchase bonuses: Casinos are often at their most generous early in a player’s lifecycle. Take advantage of this by collecting as many new player discounts as possible. A good site will offer a 25% discount on a medium-sized package. A great one will slash their packages by 50%+ and award follow-up bonuses.
- Recurrent purchase bonuses: Don’t expect these to be as big as first-purchase bonuses, but the better casinos regularly award 10-20% discounts to loyal customers. Happy Hour promos can be especially generous.
- Daily login bonuses: Log in and collect, it’s as simple as that. The best sweepstakes casinos award 1 SC or more each day.
- Leaderboard promos: These are usually not worth aspiring for because nabbing a top spot will require tons of play, but if you’re going to play anyway, you might as well do it when a leaderboard is running.
Notice that we measure a bonus’s worth in Sweeps Coins, not Gold Coins. This is because SCs are by far the most valuable currency and the only one redeemable for cash.
FAQ
What is the best sweepstakes casino in the U.S.?
The best sweepstakes casino for you might not be the best for someone else. It all depends on what you value most. Some prefer sweepstakes sites with massive gaming libraries, while others might value a more balanced user experience.
That said, you can’t go wrong with sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas, McLuck, and Crown Coins Casino, and beginners will likely enjoy their stay at Chumba Casino.
What sweepstakes casinos are available to U.S. players?
More than 30 sweepstakes casinos are available to U.S. players, provided they reside in a state that hasn’t outlawed them.
Only four states have outright prohibited Sweeps Coin wagering: Nevada, Idaho, Washington, and Michigan.
Can you play sweepstakes casino with real money?
No, you cannot play sweepstakes casinos with real money. However, you can purchase Gold Coin packs with real money, and these packs often come with free Sweep Coins. Prizes won wagering SCs can be redeemed for cash, usually at a ratio of 1 SC = $1.