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The world of online casinos has taken the world by storm in recent years – and rightly so. With most of us carrying around high-tech smartphones in our pockets, it has never been easier to get involved with exciting casino games, whenever and wherever we feel like it. Of course, technology seems to develop at a staggering rate these days and, with so much going on, you’d be forgiven for not keeping up to date with new additions to the online casino landscape.
Forgetting the games themselves, for now, one of the most exciting developments for online casino fans is sweepstakes casino platforms. These are loved by many people around the world, but especially by those in the United States because they circumvent restrictions in many states where traditional online casinos are prohibited – and we’ll get back to that later.
For now, all you need to know is that this post is going to give you the rundown on sweepstakes casinos, including the following details:
- What sweepstakes casinos are.
- How they work.
- Why they’re legal in many states where traditional online casinos aren’t.
- Why they’ve become so popular.
- What bonuses you can expect from them.
An Overview of Sweepstakes Casinos
One of the best things about sweepstakes casinos is that they haven’t tried to reinvent the wheel – at least when it comes to casino games.
Let’s face it, most people join online casinos because they are interested in casino games, and that’s why both online and land-based establishments continue to flourish. Thankfully, sweepstakes casinos understand this, so they host all the games you’d expect to find at other online casinos and land-based establishments, including jackpot games, immersive slot machines, table games, and even live dealer experiences, which have become commonplace now technology can handle the live video feed.
However, sweepstakes casinos certainly have reinvented the wheel when it comes to the model they use. Unlike traditional casinos, which use a real money wagering model, sweepstakes casinos don’t.
Indeed, sweepstakes casinos don’t allow users to play games with real money at all and, instead, use two alternative forms of currency – Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins
Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little lost because sweepstakes casinos are easy to understand once you learn about Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
Gold Coins are used to play casino games. You obtain them by buying them with real money. However, once you’ve done that, they don’t hold any monetary value and can’t be exchanged back or withdrawn. Their only purpose is to play games – think of them as tokens in an arcade.
Sweeps Coins are different. They are also used to play casino games, but they can’t be bought. Instead, users are given them for free when they buy Gold Coins, log in regularly, enter giveaways and competitions, take part in social media activities, and so on. The important thing to note is that Sweeps Coins can be exchanged for prizes at sweepstakes casinos. These prizes often include real money, which players can then withdraw to their bank accounts.
The Legal Status of Sweepstakes Casinos in the US
What we have described in the previous section is the sweepstakes casino model. It is this model that makes these platforms legal in many states where other online casinos are banned.
In simple terms:
- Gold Coins – Bought to play games with and can’t be withdrawn. That means they are just used for fun and not real money wagering.
- Sweeps Coins – Given out for free and exchanged for sweepstakes prizes. Again, there is no real money wagering involved.
Therefore, no gambling is taking place at sweepstakes casinos, even though players can still withdraw cash prizes.
However, it is important to note that sweepstakes casinos are not legal in Washington. To be safe, you should always check the legality of any sweepstakes casino where you live before you register because these things can change over time.
Understanding Their Popularity
Let’s start this section by mentioning that sweepstakes casinos are popular for several reasons that might surprise you. However, they are still popular for the same reason that any other online casino is – they provide access to lots of amazing casino games.
Nevertheless, you should also consider the following reasons to understand the true extent of their appeal.
Free Coins
Sweepstakes casinos provide users with free coins, which means there is no financial risk when playing. For those who simply enjoy the games themselves, or for beginners learning the rules, this is an ideal scenario.
Regular Bonuses
Adding to the above point, sweepstakes casinos try to appeal to users over the longer term. One way they achieve this is by handing out regular bonuses, which means that users can play for free regularly, rather than only upon registering.
Accessibility
The legal status of sweepstakes casinos in many states where other online casinos are banned makes them a popular place to visit for casino game fans in those locations.
Thrilling Prizes
Getting back to the idea of playing for free, one of the best things about sweepstakes casinos is that you can exchange your Sweeps Coins for prizes, including withdrawable cash. What’s not to love about that?
A Guide to Sweepstakes Casino Bonuses
As with all online casinos, sweepstakes casinos provide users with lots of different bonuses, including the following:
Deposit Bonuses
If you decide to buy Gold Coins to play with, sweepstakes casinos will often give you free Sweeps Coins as a bonus. Therefore, you can play for longer and might win enough to exchange for prizes.
No-Deposit Bonuses
One of the best bonuses at sweepstakes casinos is the no-deposit variety. As the name suggests, players can claim free Sweeps Coins without a deposit and, therefore, without needing to spend any money.
Daily Login Bonuses
Sweepstakes casinos love users to come back regularly, so they often provide an incentive for doing so, such as daily login bonuses. It’s simple – log in every day to continue to receive more free Sweeps Coins.
Social Media Bonuses
Sometimes, sweepstakes casinos hand out free Sweeps Coins to users when they join in with social media tasks, such as ‘liking’ posts.
