Sweepstakes casinos are popular in the US as they’re more widely available than real-money gambling sites and offer free & promotional gameplay. Here, we explain how to sign up, how gold coins work, and how promotional sweeps coins can lead you to cash prizes and gift cards.
Sweepstakes casinos are an exciting alternative to real-money gambling sites in the US. You can play the same games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
However, these games are free to play with virtual currency. You may also play them in promotional mode, allowing you to redeem special coins for cash prizes or gift cards.
That’s why sweeps casinos (sometimes called social casinos) are more widely available in the US than real-money gambling sites, which subject to state licensing and regulation. Sweeps casinos don’t require a state license and can operate in any state other than those that have outlawed them directly (Idaho and Washington as of 2025).
Sweepstakes casinos operate with two types of virtual currency – gold coins and sweeps coins. Gold coins are available for free play, while sweeps coins are used for promotional play. You can receive both types of currency for free via the sign-up bonus and numerous ongoing casino promotions and giveaways.
Gold Coins: These are virtual coins used to play just for fun. They cannot be exchanged for cash prizes or gift cards.
Sweeps Coins: These coins let you play games where you can win real prizes. You can’t buy them, but you can get them for free through bonuses and promotions.
You may also purchase gold coins to top up your balance. With most gold coin purchases, you are given sweeps coins for free. If you play and win with sweeps coins, you may redeem the coins for a cash prize or gift card, provided you meet the minimum redemption amount.
Though the sign-up process differs slightly from site to site, below are the steps you must follow to get started at one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the US in 2025:
Most US sweepstakes casinos offer a no-deposit bonus to all new customers. You’ll need to sign up by creating an account with your email address and phone number. You may have to verify your contact details by entering a confirmation code.
Alternatively, some social casinos let you sign up via Facebook or Google, which is quicker. When you create and verify your account, the free coins will show in your balance.
After using your initial bonus, you can access more sweeps coins by logging into your account daily. You should also follow the sweepstakes casino on social media and participate in the giveaways and tournaments to win more coins.
You may also purchase a gold coin package at the sweepstakes casino. For every gold coin purchase, you are given sweeps coins for free. Check if your chosen casino offers a first-purchase bundle, which may give you a specific number of coins for free when you complete your first transaction.
At most sweepstakes casinos, you must play through the sweeps coins once before redeeming a cash prize or gift card. Moreover, you must have at least the minimum balance in your account to request a redemption.
At most sites, this ranges from $10 for gift cards to $100 for cash. You should check the site’s T&Cs for clear details about the redemption limits. Cash redemptions are usually processed via bank transfer and can take up to five days to reach your account.
Though sweeps casinos are not real-money gambling sites, you still need to play responsibly, mainly if you buy coin bundles. You should set your limits and decide how much to spend and how long to play for before signing up.
Sweepstakes casinos like Wow Vegas have a responsible social gaming policy, which you can read to learn more about setting deposit and time limits and to find details on where to go for more support with responsible social gameplay.
To make your life easier when deciding which of the top sweepstakes casinos to play at, use our map below. It shows which sweeps casinos are legally available in which state, helping you to select a legitimate sweepstakes casino, no matter where you live in the US.
Though gameplay at sweepstakes casinos differs from real-money gambling, you still need to play responsibly. You should manage your gold and sweeps coins balances responsibly and if you buy coin packages, don’t use your balance all at once. For support and further guidance, visit the following resources:
The National Council on Problem Gambling is one of the leading resources for gambling addiction and awareness. They provide education, prevention strategies, and helpline services.
Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for individuals struggling with compulsive gambling. It fosters long-term healing with a 12-step recovery program supported by peer-led meetings.
GamAnon is a support network of friends and family for problem gamblers. It offers a community to help loved ones navigate the challenges of addiction.
Gamtalk is an online forum where people can share experiences and seek support for gambling-related issues. It's particularly strong in fostering judgment-free discussions and group support.
The ICRG is dedicated to advancing research on gambling-related issues. They support scientific research to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
Sweepstakes casinos are powered by two types of virtual currency: gold coins and sweeps coins. Gold coins can be used for free play, and sweeps coins are used for promotional play. If you win while playing with sweeps coins, you can redeem the coins for cash prizes or gift cards.
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in most US states. However, sweepstakes casinos in Washington and Idaho are illegal, and Michigan is enacting laws to make them illegal. Some sites are also prohibited in other states – always read the T&Cs before signing up.
Provided the site is operated by a reputable company and legal in your state, it should be safe to play. We also recommend checking for SSL encryption and ensuring the site uses recognizable payment processors to facilitate payments.
You can’t win real money as you can at standard casinos. However, if you win while playing with sweeps coins, you can redeem your coins for a cash prize or gift card. You cannot win a prize while playing with gold coins.
You can claim a prize if you have the minimum redemption balance of sweeps coins in your account (usually equal to $50 or $100, though some sites offer redemptions from $10). You may also have to verify your identity and provide your bank details to claim your prize.
Yes, most sweepstakes casinos are available on mobile devices. We rate High 5 Casino as the best mobile sweepstakes casino thanks to its outstanding app, which can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android devices.