When you play at a sweepstakes casino, you’ll encounter a standard currency, usually called Gold Coins, and a premium currency, typically called Sweeps Coins. This page will cover all the key details you need to know about Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, including what they can be used for and the major differences between them.
What Are Sweeps Coins? Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins Explained
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Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins: Key Differences
Sweepstakes casinos use a dual-currency system. Though it can be confusing to new players, it’s quite simple once you understand the function of each virtual currency.
- Gold Coins (GC) are used to play for fun. They are of no value and can’t be redeemed, but you can purchase more if you wish.
- Sweeps Coins (SC) are premium currency that can’t be purchased. They are awarded for free as bonuses and special freebies when you buy Gold Coins. After playing with Sweeps Coins, you can redeem them for prizes.
TrustPilot user Phillip explains the difference well and says, “Gold Coins are for fun and practice, while Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real cash prizes. This dual-currency system is innovative, allowing players to enjoy games without financial risk while still having the opportunity to win real money.”
How Do Sweeps Coins Work?
Sweeps Coins are a virtual currency offered by sweepstakes casinos (they may use slightly different terminology, such as sweepstakes coins or sweeps cash). Playing with Sweeps Coins gives players the opportunity to redeem real cash prizes and/or gift cards.
In our experience, Sweeps Coins are best used after spending some time in Gold Coin mode for fun. Once we know which game or game we like best, we switch to Sweeps Coin mode for a chance at real prizes.
How Should I Use My Sweeps Coins?
The best strategy for using Sweeps Coins is to maximize your fun. Playing games you enjoy will enhance your experience, considering sweepstakes casinos offer games of chance, and wins are not guaranteed.
Pros
- Players can redeem real prizes (cash, gift cards, and sometimes cryptocurrency) with SC
- Free Sweeps Coins are frequently part of promotions, tournaments, and giveaways
- Many games have special Sweeps Coins features or bonuses
Cons
- Some sweepstakes casinos have playthrough requirements on Sweeps Coins
- Sweeps Coins can’t be purchased
- Mail-in requests for SC are often hard to claim and grant relatively few SC
How to Earn Sweeps Coins
Sweepstakes casinos offer many opportunities to earn free Sweeps Coins. Sign-up bonuses, daily login perks, and VIP programs are just a few of the many perks available. Here’s a quick look at the main methods sweepstakes casinos use to give players extra Sweeps Coins.
Sign-Up Bonuses
New players are often treated to a few Sweeps Coins just for signing up; it’s sometimes called a sweepstakes no-deposit bonus. For example, players might get 2 free Sweeps Coins when you create an account at a new casino in addition to a hefty Gold Coin prize. Many sign-up bonuses include an optional second part: a first purchase offer granting GC and some extra free SC.
Referral Programs
Sweepstakes casinos like to reward players for bringing new players to the platform. In a refer-a-friend bonus, you’ll get free Sweeps Coins if your referred friends sign up and meet certain requirements, such as making qualifying purchases.
Loyalty Programs (VIP)
When players sign up for a sweepstake casino, players are automatically enrolled in the loyalty or VIP program if the site offers one. By playing and making purchases, you’ll climb the ranks and achieve new levels, which in turn can earn you Sweeps Coins as a reward.
Tournaments & Leaderboards
Sweepstakes casinos run frequent tournaments in which players can enjoy eligible games and climb leaderboards for a chance at prizes. Those prizes are doled out after the tournament ends, with the top-placing players earning the biggest share of the Sweeps Coin prize pool.
Social Media
Following a sweepstakes casino on social media platforms can yield rewards. For example, we’ve followed RealPrize on Instagram to participate in social media-exclusive giveaways for SC and GC. Every sweepstakes casino is different, but you can follow your preferred site’s page on any social platform for more chances at Sweeps Coins.
Mail-in Requests
Sweepstakes casinos accept mail-in requests for free SC. These requests tend to be old-fashioned and tedious with tons of arbitrary requirements, but, when done right, they can give you some free SC to play with. WOW Vegas’ mail-in offer grants 5 SC per request, for example.
Purchase Gold Coin Packages
While you can’t purchase Sweeps Coins, you can purchase Gold Coins. When you do so, sweepstakes casinos will often grant some free Sweeps Coins to go along with your purchase. These are free, and you can never buy Sweeps Coins directly; they’re simply an added perk. It’s one of the most common ways to acquire new SC.
How to Redeem Sweeps Coins
Sweeps Coins are the only currency you can redeem for cash prizes at sweepstakes casinos. You usually have to do two things to make your Sweeps Coins redeemable: 1) play with them at least once, and 2) have enough to meet the minimum redemption requirement. These stipulations vary by sweepstakes casinos, so always read the fine print.
1
Play with your SC to accumulate enough to meet the redemption minimum.
2
Make sure you have verified your identity with the sweepstakes casino (you only need to do this once, then you can redeem without this step going forward).
3
Head to the redemption section of the sweepstakes casino (usually just a button labeled “Redeem”).
4
Type in the amount of SC you wish to redeem and make it at least the minimum threshold.
5
Choose the method by which you’d like to receive your redemption.
6
Wait for a notification that your redemption is processed; this can take up to a week, depending on the casino and method you choose.
If you have questions or encounter issues during this process, get in touch with customer support.
Take a look at the minimum redemption threshold and wagering requirements for some of the most popular sweepstakes casinos.
How Do Gold Coins Work?
Gold Coins are the standard currency at sweepstakes casinos, and they’re used to play the games for fun. You cannot redeem Gold Coins for prizes; instead, you can play games with them and possibly win more.
What’s the Point of Gold Coins?
While some players may not see the value there, we think there’s a lot of mileage to get out of Gold Coins. For example, you can use Gold Coins to try games and find new favorites without spending your Sweeps Coins right off the bat. This can also give you a good read on a particular game’s mechanics, volatility, and bonuses. The vast majority of sweepstakes casinos allow Gold Coin play on every game in their library.
Pros
- Playing for fun is a great way to test out many different games
- Gold Coins have no cash value, so there isn’t any financial risk beyond when you first purchase them
- Gold Coins are easier to come by than SC, especially via promotions and bonuses
Cons
- No chance to redeem real cash prizes with GC
- Wagering restrictions may apply
- In some rare cases, games may not accept Gold Coins
How Do You Get Gold Coins?
The main way to get Gold Coins is to purchase them, but that’s just one of many methods. To buy Gold Coins, you can click a sweepstakes casino’s “Shop” or “Get Coins” page, then select your package and pay with an accepted card, e-wallet, or cryptocurrency.
Sign-up Bonus
When you sign up for an account, you’ll usually get a hefty chunk of Gold Coins for free to get started.
Daily Login Bonus
You’ll get a small amount of Gold Coins just for logging in each day. Some sites increase the amount with each consecutive day, while others give you a wheel spin with a random prize.
Leaderboards
Top placers in leaderboard competitions will often get a sizable Gold Coin reward.
Daily & Weekly Promotions
Check a sweepstakes casino's “promotions” page to see the latest perks and promos for existing players. They often have great ways to earn Gold Coins.
Social Media
Follow your preferred sweepstakes casino on social media sites for special offers and competitions that can award Gold Coins.
Gold Coin Packages
Buying Gold Coin packages is the fastest and simplest way to get Gold Coins. Sweepstakes casinos don’t require this; it’s optional.
How to Purchase Gold Coins
Purchasing Gold Coins is a simple and optional process to help players boost their GC total.
1Create an Account
1
Visit a sweepstakes casino of your choice. Sign up, enter your details and verify your account.
2Navigate to Purchase Section
2
Look for buttons like ‘Buy’, ‘Purchase’, or ‘Get Coins’. This is usually on the homepage or in your profile.
3Choose a Gold Coin Package
3
Review the available GC packages. Some packages also include free Sweeps Coins as a bonus so keep an eye out for those!
4Start Playing!
4
Use your newly purchased Gold Coins for non-redeemable play and if you received Sweeps Coins, play with those for a chance at redeemable prizes.
Can I Redeem Gold Coins?
Gold Coins are strictly used to play for fun and cannot be redeemed. While you can buy more, Gold Coins do not have cash value or redemption opportunities.
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Meet The Experts Behind This Guide
The Casino.us team has decades of experience working with and writing about online casinos and sweepstakes sites. We know precisely what to look for in a sweepstakes casino and always provide objective, fair, and transparent reviews.
Max Brimmer
Sweepstakes Expert
Santa Venera, Malta
Max has had a long history of writing in professional contexts, including journalism, cultural commentary, marketing and brand content, and more. Her career has led her through interesting industries such as technology, film, and television before finally landing in the iGaming industry in 2014.
View Max's reviewsMax's top picks:
Crown Coins
4.9/5
"I loved the daily bonuses and fast redemption options!"
RealPrize
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"Generous promotions and a stellar loyalty program!"
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Cole Rush
Sweepstakes Casino Expert
Chicago, Illinois
Cole Rush is a freelance writer with a player’s perspective. After spending six years at a slot machine and lottery provider, Cole went freelance to cover all the nooks and crannies of the gambling world, with a particular proclivity for covering the weird and wacky whenever he can. Cole specializes in player-focused reviews that provide an honest perspective on what it’s actually like to play at any given gambling or gambling-adjacent site.
View Cole's reviewsCole's top picks:
Crown Coins
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"I’m always amazed at the promos offered at CrownCoins."
Stake
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"Massive game catalog and they accept Bitcoin!"
McLuck
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"As one of the earlier sweeps sites, McLuck set the standard that many of the newer sites are still trying to emulate."
