Best Sweepstakes Casino Sites In 2025
Sweepstakes casinos are popular in the US as they’re more widely available than real-money online casinos and offer free gameplay. Sweepstakes casinos operate using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Here, we explain how to sign up, how the coins work, and can lead to cash prizes and gift cards.
Our Top 5 Recommended Sweepstakes Casinos
What Are Sweepstakes Casinos?
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 currencies called Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). You can play for fun using GC or redeem for prizes using SC.
Sweeps casinos (sometimes called social casinos) are more widely available in the US than real-money gambling sites, which are 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.
How Do Sweepstakes Casinos Work?
Sweepstakes casinos operate with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. You can receive both types of currency for free via the sign-up bonus and numerous ongoing casino promotions and giveaways. Free spins are often included as part of sign-up or ongoing bonuses. Daily rewards and daily login bonuses are available, allowing you to earn additional coins each day just by logging in. Social media giveaways can also provide extra coins or prizes by participating in activities like liking or sharing posts.
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 sweepstakes 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. For example, Lonestar offers up to 500,000 GC and 105 free SC on the first purchase. Ensure you meet minimum redemption amounts when redeeming for cash or a gift card.
How to Win at Sweepstakes Casinos?
To win at a sweepstakes casino, you need luck on your side. You can check the return to player percentage (RTP) and play slots with an RTP of 96% or higher. This means that the game's house edge is relatively low, giving you more chance of winning.
We also advise you to play a game with gold coins for free before switching to sweeps coins. This gives you a better understanding of how the game works and enables you to experiment with different strategies and bets, mainly when playing table games.
Players can also participate in slot tournaments, jackpot games, and jackpot slots for bigger prizes. For greater variety and engagement, sweepstakes casinos offer instant-win games, arcade games, and casino-style games. Popular choices include slot games, games like blackjack or roulette, and fish games. Many sweepstakes casinos also feature exclusive games and a wide selection of table game options.
You should also budget responsibly and manage your bankroll. Many sweepstakes casinos offer free top-ups to your balance through promotions, such as login bonuses or giveaways, often shared on social media.
Are Sweeps Casinos Legal in the USA?
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in most US states. Washington, Michigan, and New Jersey have outlawed sweeps casinos, whereas you can only play with Gold Coins in Idaho. Connecticut and Montana have recently passed laws that will make sweeps casinos illegal from October 1st, 2025. Some sweepstakes operators refuse to operate in restrictive states, such as Alabama and Kentucky, but many still remain available.
Find Sweepstakes Casinos Near You
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.
How To Get Started With Sweepstakes Casinos
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:
1
Claim a Sweepstakes Bonus
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 casinos allow you to sign up via Facebook or Google, which is a quicker process. When you create and verify your account, the free coins will show in your balance.
2
Earn More Sweeps Coins
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. 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.
3
Redeem Sweeps Coins for Cash and Prizes
At most sweepstakes casinos, you must wager 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.
Check the site’s Terms and Conditions 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.
4
Gamble Responsibly
Though sweepstakes casinos are not real-money gambling sites, you still need to play responsibly, especially 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.
Many casinos have a responsible social gaming policy, which you can read to learn more about setting deposit and time limits, as well as to find details on where to go for further support with responsible social gameplay.
Test Out Multiple Casinos
We recommend starting with more than one sweepstakes casino and seeing which one you prefer. For example, you may prefer the no deposit bonus at RealPrize, but enjoy the table games at McLuck more. As long as they are active in your state, there’s no limit to how many sweepstakes casinos you can register for!
Top Games to Play at Sweeps Casinos
Responsible Gambling
Even though sweepstakes casino games differ from real-money gambling, you still need to play responsibly. You should manage your Gold and Sweeps Coins balances responsibly, and only purchase coin packages if you can stay within your bankroll. 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.
FAQs
How do sweepstakes casinos work?
Sweepstakes casinos are powered by two types of virtual currency: gold coins and sweeps coins. Gold coins can be used to play for free, 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.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal?
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in most US states. However, sweepstakes casinos in Washington and Idaho are illegal, and other states are working on outlawing them. Some sites are also prohibited in other states – always read the T&Cs before signing up.
Are sweepstakes casinos safe to play?
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.
Can you win real money at sweepstakes casinos?
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.
How do I claim prizes from sweepstakes casinos?
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.
Can I play sweepstakes casinos on mobile?
Yes, most sweepstakes casinos are available on mobile devices. We rate CrownCoins as the best mobile sweepstakes casino thanks to its outstanding app, which can be downloaded for free on iOS devices.
