Sweepstakes casinos are real and legal options for playing online slots and casino games almost anywhere in the United States. Legitimate sweepstakes casinos comply with sweepstakes laws and are, therefore, allowed in most states. Common exceptions include Idaho, Washington, and Michigan.
You can't play for cash at legit sweepstakes casinos, but you can redeem your winnings for cash prizes and gift cards. Here's more on legitimate sweepstakes casinos, how they operate and how you can win cash prizes and gift cards by playing.
Are sweepstakes casinos legit?
Sweepstakes casinos are as legitimate as licensed real money online casinos. The key difference is that you can’t play directly for cash at sweepstakes casinos as you would with a traditional online casino. Instead, you play for free using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins. Then, you can redeem the Sweeps Coins you win for cash prizes and gift cards.
No purchase is required. In fact, you can’t ever buy Sweeps Coins. Instead, you can get them for free through sign-up bonuses, promotions, contests, mail-in requests, and as a bonus when you buy Gold Coins. Then, you can play online slots and casino games with the Sweeps Coins you get for free and redeem any additional Sweeps Coins you win for cash prizes and gift cards.
That’s how sweepstakes casinos comply with state law and remain a legitimate option for anyone who wants to play online slots and casino games almost anywhere in the country.
Top legit sweepstakes casinos
WOW Vegas
- How many slots on WOW Vegas? 700+
- Top slots on WOW Vegas: Buffalo King Megaways, Sugar Rush, Wild Booster
- Live dealer games? No
- WOW Vegas sweepstakes currencies: WOW Coins / Sweeps Coins
- Can I redeem cash prizes at WOW Vegas? Yes
- Loyalty program: Yes
- WOW Vegas banking options: Online banking, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay
- States where WOW Vegas is unavailable: Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, and Washington
McLuck
- How many slots on McLuck? 500+
- Top slots on McLuck: Coin Strike Hold and Win, Gold Party, Buffalo King Megaways
- Live dealer games? Yes
- McLuck sweepstakes currencies: Gold Coins / Sweeps Coins
- Can I redeem cash prizes at McLuck? Yes
- Loyalty program: Yes
- McLuck banking options: Credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- States where McLuck is unavailable: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, and Washington
High 5 Casino
- How many slots on High 5? 800+
- Top slots on High 5: Queen of the Gods, Double Da Vinci Diamonds, Majestic Cats
- Live dealer games? Yes
- High 5 sweepstakes currencies: Game Coins / Sweeps Coins
- Can I redeem cash prizes at High 5? Yes
- Loyalty program: Yes
- High 5 banking options: Online banking, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Trustly
- States where High 5 is unavailable: Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, and Washington
Pulsz Casino
- How many slots on Pulsz? 700+
- Top slots on Pulsz: Diamond Strike, Wolf Gold, Buffalo King
- Live dealer games? No
- Pulsz sweepstakes currencies: Gold Coins / Sweepstakes Coins
- Can I redeem cash prizes at Pulsz? Yes
- Loyalty program: Yes
- Pulsz banking options: Online banking, credit/debit cards, PayPal
- States where Pulsz is unavailable: Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Montana, and Washington
Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins
There are two key differences between the Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins at sweepstakes casinos. First, you can purchase Gold Coins, but Sweeps Coins are not directly for sale. The second is that Gold Coins have no actual cash value, but you can redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes and gift cards.
You can play all the games at a sweepstakes casino with either currency, but you can only redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes and gift cards. The two currencies are connected in that any Gold Coin purchases come with a Sweeps Coins bonus, but, again, you cannot directly purchase Sweeps Coins.
However, there are other free ways to get your hands on Sweeps Coins, such as welcome bonuses, giveaways, contests, and mail-in requests. That’s another way sweepstakes casinos comply with state sweepstakes laws and ensure that no purchase is necessary.
Legitimate sweepstakes casinos: pros & cons
Playing with legitimate sweepstakes casinos versus traditional online casinos has pros and cons. Here’s a look:
Best sweeps casinos pros
✔️ You can win cash prizes and gift cards.
✔️ You can play many of the same games available at traditional online casinos.
✔️ No purchase is necessary.
✔️ Sweepstakes casinos are available in many states that don’t have traditional online casinos.
Best sweeps casinos cons
❌ You can’t play directly for cash.
❌ Sweepstakes casino software isn’t as cutting-edge as traditional online casino software.
❌ Most sweepstakes casino loyalty programs aren't connected to land-based casino loyalty programs, as is often the case with traditional online casinos.
❌ Banking options are often limited.
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