Best Sweepstakes Casinos for 2024
AmericanCasinos.com is your #1 guide for legal US sweepstakes casinos.
Our team has reviewed all sweeps cash casino sites that pay real money so that you can compare brands and find the one that is right for you.
- Are US Sweepstakes Casinos Legal?
- Real Money Casinos, Sweepstakes Casinos, and Social Casinos - What’s the Difference?
- Sweepstakes Casinos - Pros & Cons
- Popular Online Sweepstakes Casino Games
- New Sweepstakes Casinos
- No Deposit Bonuses
- Sweepstakes Casinos USA - FAQs
Are US Sweepstakes Casinos Legal?
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in the USA. Of course, each state has its own laws and regulations, but the vast majority of players in this great country can access and play at sweeps cash websites and potentially win real money prizes.
Get a $25 no deposit bonus when you register an account with the Stake.us promo code BETUSA
You may wonder how this is possible. It’s because sweepstakes casinos are free. No purchase is necessary to play at these sites. Instead, they use virtual (on-platform) currencies like gold coins and sweeps coins, which are acquired through daily bonuses, social media promotions, and postcard requests.
One of these currencies, typically gold coins, can only be used to play for fun. However, sweeps coins are used to play in promotional game mode, with your winnings being redeemable for real cash prizes.
Another important aspect when determining the legality of sweepstakes and social casinos in America is that you cannot directly purchase sweeps coins, as this would constitute real money gambling.
The ‘workaround’ to this is that players have the option to purchase gold coins, which have zero real-world value, with sweepstake coins being given as a gift as part of the purchase package.
Real Money Casinos, Sweepstakes Casinos, and Social Casinos - What’s the Difference?
With all three types of casinos providing a similar gaming experience and some also sharing the same software providers, new players may wonder what the difference is between real money, sweepstakes, and social casinos.
Real Money Casinos
Let’s address real money casinos first. As the name suggests, players have to deposit their own hard-earned cash to play at these sites.
Several real money casinos offer small no-deposit bonuses, but these are one-time-only bonuses, so once it’s gone, you need to make a deposit to continue playing. When you land a nice win on the slot machines or have a good night at the blackjack tables, you can withdraw your USD back to your personal bank account.
Only six US states - NJ, PA, WV, CT, MI, and DE - have legalized, real money online casinos. Some of the major names in this industry are DraftKings Casino, BetMGM Casino, and FanDuel Casino.
Social Casinos
At the other end of the spectrum are social casinos like BetRivers.net and High5. These sites provide free games that you simply play for fun. Players receive virtual credits from the operator that are used on the site.
Other than just playing for fun, social casinos offer the perfect platform for players to learn about different types of games and test their strategies.
Most social casinos allow players to purchase virtual coins (commonly called gold coins) if they run out but want to continue playing. However, the coins have no monetary value, and they can’t be withdrawn.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos can be viewed as a medium between real money and social casinos, as they offer two modes of play.
- Free, fun gaming using gold coins like social casinos
- Promotional games that are played with sweeps coins, from which players can win real cash prizes
The key difference between a cash prize sweeps casino and its real-money counterpart is that no deposit is necessary to play at the sweepstakes site. Generally, players receive login bonuses, ensuring they have a little of both currencies to play with each day.
By following US sweepstakes laws, these casinos are not classified as real money gambling sites. This is why they are legal in nearly every state.
With sweeps casinos also providing a social gaming experience, some sites, like Stake.US, brand themselves as social casinos. This can confuse new players, which is why AmericanCasinos.com is here to help you find the perfect site that matches your desire.
Sweepstakes Casinos - Pros & Cons
There are several advantages that sweepstakes casinos bring to the table. However, there are some drawbacks too.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Available in nearly all US states | Live dealer games are only available at a few sites |
| Can play for free - no requirement to make a purchase | Not all sites have dedicated mobile apps |
| Winnings from sweepstakes games can be redeemed for cash prizes | Not as many table games as real money casinos |
| Wide range of bonuses and VIP clubs |
Sweepstakes Gambling Explained
We have dedicated a whole section of this website to sweepstakes gambling explained. Our aim is to share our experience to guide you through the ins and outs of this niche.
The terms ‘casino’ and ‘gambling’ inherently give the impression of risking one’s money to hopefully win [more money]. However, this isn’t necessarily true for social sweepstakes casinos. We can summarize legit sweeps sites by the following:
- They are free to play. Players get coins (gold and sweeps) through daily promotions. You only ever play using these currencies - not USD.
- Legal sweepstakes casinos have two modes of play - fun and promotional. The games are the same, however.
- The promotional games are sweepstakes. Winnings from playing sweepstakes can be redeemed for cash.
As online sweepstakes casinos offer free gaming and they pay out cash prizes, how do they make a profit? Quite simply by allowing players to purchase coins.
However, to remain legally compliant, the operator can only sell gold coins. Added to the purchase of gold coins in the form of a gift are the sweepstakes coins.
Here’s an example, taken from Pulsz.com, of the purchase bundles you can get. Note that Pulsz has a 200% purchase bonus on its Gold Coins, so you get two times more coins than what we’ve published.
| Price ($) | Number of Gold Coins | Free Sweeps Coins |
|---|---|---|
| $1.99 | 10,000 | 0 |
| $4.99 | 26,500 | 5 |
| $9.99 | 55,000 | 10 |
| $19.99 | 115,000 | 20 |
| $49.99 | 301,500 | 50 |
| $99.99 | 628,000 | 100 |
Best US Online Sweepstakes Casinos
All sweeps sites are unique in their own way, so we recommend reading our up-to-date sweepstakes casino reviews. However, if you’re pushed for time, or you want a quick introduction, here’s an overview of the top sites.
1
Stake.US Social Sweepstakes Casino
With the massively popular crypto casino Stake.com unavailable to players in the US, Stake decided to launch a sweepstakes casino in 2022. Offering 400+ games, including top slots from Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming, blackjack, roulette, and live dealers, Stake.US has risen up the ranks to become one of the top names in the game.
In addition to its strong catalog of games, Stake.US has some stellar promotions. The daily login bonus is worth 10,000 gold coins and 1 Stake Cash, with the latter used to play promotional sweeps. Once wagered 3x, Stake Cash can be redeemed as crypto, and payouts only take a few minutes.
Find out more about this top-rated cash prize sweepstakes casino by reading our Stake.US review.
Find out more about this top-rated cash prize sweepstakes casino by reading our Stake.US review.
Pros
- Stake original games including Plinko, HiLo, Crash and Dice
- One of the few sweepstakes casinos to offer live dealer games
- Players can enjoy daily free coins and a generous range of promotions
Cons
- No progressive jackpot slots
- No dedicated mobile app
Popular Online Sweepstakes Casino Games
As most US states have not legalized real-money online casinos, sweepstakes sites have stepped in to fill the void for the rest of the country.
Originally, most sweeps casinos developed their own games in-house. However, more sites nowadays work with third-party software providers, such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Hacksaw Gaming, that also supply titles to real-money casinos.
This has elevated sweepstakes casinos to the next level because the gaming experience is now on par with the world’s best real-money brands.
Additionally, the games can be played for fun with GC or as sweepstakes offering redeemable cash prizes. Here’s a taster of what the best sweepstakes casinos have to offer.
Free Slots Online
Modern gaming sites have a top-quality collection of sweepstakes slot machines. As pointed out, some brands mainly develop their own titles, while other sites have partnerships with award-winning software studios.
The assortment of themes means that all players will find some they fancy. Moreover, there are slots with different in-game features, jackpot payouts, and RTPs. Take advantage of your gold coins to try a variety of slots for fun. This way, you’ll know what to play when you use your sweeps coins.
Progressive Jackpots
An option at some US sweepstakes casinos is progressive jackpot slots. Essentially, these are identical to a regular video slot, but a small percentage of each bet is added to a progressive jackpot pool, which will drop randomly on any spin.
Chumba Casino is one of the leading sites for progressives, and it’s produced multiple payouts of more than $1 million to lucky players who’ve landed the jackpot.
Free Sweepstakes Blackjack
Although the majority of sites offer free sweepstakes blackjack, the number of variations is shallow compared with real money sites. Nevertheless, players can still enjoy this game with both sweeps and gold coins.
Something that makes sweepstakes blackjack so popular is the dual-play mode. Many players utilize their gold coins to refine their strategies, while the low house edge makes blackjack the go-to game for clearing wagering requirements on sweeps coins.
Free Online Roulette
No casino is complete without roulette. This classic game is available at most sweeps cash casinos, with some sites like Stake.US and Pulsz having multiple variants.
For players wanting a break from playing slots, roulette is the perfect game. Firstly, it is easy to play, so newcomers can hit the tables hitting without needing to learn any strategies. Furthermore, the rich array of betting options makes roulette more exciting than other games of chance like baccarat.
Sweepstakes Keno & Bingo
If you have a penchant for keno and bingo games, there are several sweepstakes sites worthy of your attention. To highlight the popularity of number games like these, Pulsz has now rolled out a bingo-focused sweeps brand.
Keno is a more high-risk, high-reward game. Its overall RTP tends to be lower than slots, but the jackpot payouts are often much more.
Live Dealers
Live dealer games are not common at social casinos, but Stake.US and BetRivers.net are set on changing that. Both of these sites now offer live dealer games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and triple card poker.
These games were a missing component that separated social and real money casinos; however, that gap is now closing. This is excellent news for avid players who want to experience the authenticity of casino gambling from the comfort of their own homes.
New Sweepstakes Casinos
The boom in sweepstakes is bringing new operators into this space all of the time. Understandably so, as there are numerous benefits in the nascent market. Being able to serve nearly the whole of America is arguably the most alluring aspect from a brand owner's perspective.
Yet, it’s not just the sweepstake casino sites; multiple software providers are also eager to showcase their games. Several years ago, the bulk of social casinos developed all of their own titles. Now, players can enjoy the portfolios of Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Konami, Red Tiger, and Hacksaw Gaming.
Our team at American Casinos is always on the lookout for new sweepstakes casinos. However, before listing them for you to explore, we thoroughly review them.
One of the downsides of sweepstakes not being as heavily regulated as regular casinos is that some rogue operators can appear. That’s why we test them first to ensure everything is legit.
Sweepstakes Casino Promo Codes
Players familiar with traditional online casinos will need no introduction to promo codes. These are widely used at licensed US gambling sites, and several sweepstakes casino promo codes are also available.
Most often, promo codes are applied during the registration process; however, this can vary depending on the type of promotion. The advantage of a promo code is they can unlock exclusive offers that are not available to players who don’t use them.
For all the latest bonus and promo codes, browse through our dedicated page. We update it weekly, so you can be sure never to miss an offer.
Want to get started right away? Use the Stake.us promo code BETUSA and get $25 with no deposit required.
US Sweepstakes Bonuses and Promotions
As you would imagine, sweeps casinos are awash with bonuses and promotions because they need to keep supplying players with free coins. Although each operator has its own unique offers, we can provide a general guide to the best sweepstakes casino bonuses you should look out for.
No Deposit Bonuses
All legit sweepstakes websites offer no deposit bonuses, so players can get free gold coins and sweeps coins. The first sweepstakes casino no deposit bonus you’ll find is the welcome offer, which can also be termed as a sign-up bonus or registration bonus.
This is the bonus, which is typically a combination of GC and SC, that you get as soon as you’ve created and verified your account.
Daily Login Bonus
The daily login bonus is essential for the sweepstakes model. It serves to top-up a player’s coin balance once a day, which also keeps you active on the website. Like the welcome offers, the best daily login bonuses give players both free sweeps coins and gold coins.
Social Media Promotions
Another method for getting free sweepstakes coins is through social media promotions. The types of promos vary between casinos. Some sites dish out coins to players for liking and sharing certain posts, while others, like Stake.US, have daily social media bonus drops with exclusive codes.
Free Sweeps Coins by Post
That’s right; you can also claim free sweeps coins by postal request. This is one of the regulations that USA sweepstakes casinos must comply with. The process for getting the coins involves sending a postcard to the operator with a written request. In most cases, players receive $5 worth of coins for each request.
First Purchase Bonus
There is no requirement to make a purchase, but if you do, you can expect a first purchase bonus of some description. This may be a discount on selected bundles or extra coins. We have lists of all the first purchase bonuses, making it easy for you to compare them and pick the deals that have the best value.
Mobile Sweeps Casino Apps
Smartphones, iPads, and tablets are the preferred devices for online sweepstakes players. To service this demand, there is a growing number of downloadable sweepstakes casino apps to choose from.
Even operators that have elected not to develop customized apps provide mobile-optimized websites that serve the same purpose. Getting started with a mobile social casino app has never been easier. Simply follow these steps:
- Click on the link in the table for the website that you want to join.
- Scroll down the homepage to find the app icons. Select iOS or Android, depending on your device.
- You’ll be redirected to the respective app store.
- Complete the download and installation.
- Register an account or log in if you already have one.
- Enjoy your favorite games.
How We Rate & Review US Sweepstakes Casinos
Understanding how we rate and review the best US sweepstakes casinos will help in your search for finding the right site for you. Our mission is to deliver in-depth, accurate information so that you can make a well-informed decision on where to play. These are the key criteria our experienced team analyzes.
Licenses & Reputation
Licensing is somewhat of an issue with sweepstakes sites because they are not subject to the same regulations as regular online casinos, such as Caesars Casino and DraftKings Casino. That said, some operators do hold operator licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority, which is a respected governing body within the industry.
Even without specific licenses, a measure of an operator’s standing can be gathered from its reputation. Our team diligently checks social media and forums, like Reddit, to find out about other players’ experiences.
Bonuses & Promotions
Each sweeps cash website offers different bonuses and promotions. However, rather than simply providing an overview of the offers, we like to dig deeper. We compare the amount of coins with how much it costs to play. From this, players can calculate which bonuses provide more game time, which may lead to a more rewarding experience.
Another crucial component we review is the wagering requirements for sweeps coins. Some operators have this as low as 1x, while others are 3x or higher. This is a major factor in determining the likelihood of being able to redeem coins for cash prizes.
Games
With a greater emphasis on fun and free gaming, players want to enjoy the best and most entertaining casino-style games on the market. There is quite a bit of variation in this sphere, with multiple operators providing in-house games, others using award-winning third-party developers, and also sites with a mixture of both.
Our reviewers are enthusiastic players, so they know what games deliver the perfect experience. Whether your passion is slots, progressives, keno, blackjack, scratch cards, or live dealers, there are online sweepstakes casinos that cater to your taste.
Purchases & Redemptions
We look into the payment methods for players who want to make a purchase. Most operators accept ACH transfers and card payments, but there are sites like Stake.US that only uses cryptocurrencies. Our site reviews tell you about the banking options and also explain how to use them.
Digging into the redemptions is paramount. We assess the redemption methods, which can be cash prizes, gift cards, vouchers, or even merchandise, as well as the minimum amount of sweeps coins required to make a redemption. On top of that, payout times are important. No one likes waiting too long for their winnings, so this is a ranking factor for all US sweepstakes sites.
Customer Service
Many players need the assistance of customer support at some point. It could be to ask about specific promotions, redemption methods, or something else related to their accounts.
We like to start with the FAQ section and analyze how extensive it is. Added to that, it’s vital to have live support. Some sites only provide an email option, while others go the extra mile and have a live chat feature for players to use.
Sweepstakes Casinos USA - FAQs
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in the USA?
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in the USA. Players are still required to check individual state laws, as there are a few exceptions and special stipulations in certain areas.
Can I play sweepstakes games in California?
Yes, residents of California can enjoy online sweepstakes. It is possible to play at both social and sweeps casinos from the Sunshine State, and players can redeem cash prizes too.
What is the best US sweepstakes casino?
It’s a matter of preference as to which is the best sweepstakes casino in the US. Our site provides accurate and honest reviews, allowing you to make an informed choice from what we rate as the top operators.
Can I win real money from a sweeps casino?
Yes, you can redeem winnings from sweepstakes games into real money. This doesn’t apply to social casinos, however. They only provide games for fun.
