List of Best US Sweepstakes Casinos July 2023

The US Sun

28 July 2023

SOCIAL casinos and sweepstakes casinos have been quietly changing the game in the US for the last decade or so. These sites let you play casino-style games online totally free, including slots, blackjack and roulette to name a few. Many sweepstakes casinos also offer the chance to redeem cash prizes.

Best of all, they are available in almost every single state in the US for anyone over the age of 18. The exceptions are Washington DC and Idaho. Unlike regular casinos, social casinos and sweeps casinos don’t require a gambling license to operate. Instead, their games are subject to a different set of laws, which govern sweepstakes competitions.

On this page, we’re going deep into our list of sweepstakes casinos in the US. Everything you need to know about the new gaming format is here: how it works, advantages and disadvantages, coins, cash prizes, the legal stuff, and much more.

Top list of sweepstakes casinos for US players in July 2023

Pulsz - 5,000 gold coins + 2.3 sweepstake on registration
Wow Vegas - 30 SC on first purchase + 4.5 SC free
Fortune Coins - Get $8 in coins for FREE - Pay $10, get 5000 FC and 20,000,000 GC
Luckyland Slots - 7777 gold coins + 10 sweeps coins free
Stake.us - Daily stake cash & 10,000 gold coins + 5% rakeback
Global Poker - Get 65% off using code PLAYPOKER
Chumba Casino- 2,000,000 free GC + 2 free SC

What are sweepstakes casinos?

Sweepstakes casinos and social casinos are online gaming platforms where you can play casino-style games for free. The two terms - social casinos and sweepstakes casinos - are used somewhat interchangeably, but there can be some small differences too.

These sites use special virtual tokens or currency to play their games. Normally, you can play in one of two modes, depending on which currency you use.

Gold coins are the currency for the basic mode, and they are more associated with social casinos. They are a currency that exists solely to power the games on the platform.

Sweeps coins or gold coins are associated with sweepstakes casinos. When you play in sweepstakes mode, you have the possibility of redeeming your winning sweeps coins for cash prizes and more.

Sweeps coins can never be purchased, only received for free. If you run out of your supply of gold coins however, you can optionally purchase additional bundles to top up your account. If you do, you’ll normally receive some free sweeps coins as a bonus.

What are the advantages of sweepstakes casinos?

The biggest advantage of sweepstakes casinos is how widely available they are. You can join and play at sweeps sites from every single state in the US (with the exception of Washington and Idaho) and from parts of Canada.

Compared with traditional casino platforms, which are still only legal in a handful of states, it’s a massive plus point for sweeps platforms.

Social casinos and sweeps casinos also offer a special experience. The clue is in the name, but there is much more of an emphasis on sociability, sharing your highs and lows with the community on social media, and taking part in giveaways and promotions and generally having fun.

What are the disadvantages of sweepstakes casinos?

If you are used to playing at regular casinos, social casinos can sometimes feel a little underdeveloped. The whole industry is younger, the software of different platforms might be less slick and on the whole there are fewer games available.

Also, if you’re solely interested in winning cash prizes, the process of redemption is a little more convoluted.

Are sweepstakes and social casinos legal in the US?

Yes, they are. Sweeps and social casinos are legally distinct from regular casinos and don’t require a gambling license to operate. They are still regulated however, and their model operates under sweepstake laws.

Sweepstakes coins can only ever be received for free, never purchased. All of this is part of the format which designates the games as types of sweepstakes contests, not gambling.

The regulation is subject to a certain amount of change, so it’s always worth checking availability before you sign up to a sweepstakes casino, but sweeps sites are generally available for everyone over the age of 18 in the following states:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Is it safe to play at a sweepstake or social casino?

Yes. As we’ve covered, sweepstakes casinos are both legal and regulated by local authorities. Sweeps sites are required to verify the identity of their players, and you’ll probably have to submit some personal documentation (like a driver’s license) before you can redeem prizes.

Of course, every site is different and it’s difficult to be totally definitive about every single one. But the top sweeps sites in the US - like the ones that made it onto our list above - have been safely and legally offering their services for years now, and built up solid reputations in the industry.

The difference between sweepstakes vs real-money casinos

Both practically and from a legal perspective, sweepstakes casinos are different from regular casinos. That said, there are some similarities too.

First legally: the games at sweeps casinos are not gambling. Instead, they are sweepstakes contests, just like the promotional tools used by countless companies in the US.

All the games are available for free and there is no obligation to spend a dime if you prefer not too. In fact, you can’t withdraw and deposit money even if you wanted to.

Even though you can potentially redeem cash prizes, winning money is just one aspect of the whole experience of sweeps casinos. Playing for fun and for free, getting involved on social media, sharing your wins with the community - these are all big parts of the social and sweeps experience, in a way that isn’t really the case at regular casinos.

Still, although the format and atmosphere is different, the actual games available at sweepstakes casinos can feel very similar to regular casino games. Slots are the most popular, but you can also find sweeps versions of blackjack, roulette, bingo and many more.

If regular casinos aren’t available in your state, sweeps sites are a good alternative.

Can you play sweepstakes online for real money?

No. All the games at sweepstakes casinos are available for free, with no purchase necessary.

However, you can potentially redeem your coins for cash prizes in sweepstakes mode.

How to sign up and play at a USA sweepstakes casino

Signing up to a sweepstakes casino is very simple.

It really just requires providing some basic personal information and account details, like the below:

Full name
Date of birth
Username
Password
Address
Phone number
SSN

Remember that you’ll also need to verify your identity, either when you first sign up or before you can request a prize redemption.

This process is relatively simple too, although it takes a little bit of time. You’ll need to send some personal documentation to the customer support team at the casino, which matches the details you provided for your account. Normally, a driver’s license or bank statement does the job.

Your details get reviewed and once everything is confirmed as good to go, all the features of your account get fully unlocked. Until you are verified, you’ll find some restrictions.

How do coins work at social and sweepstakes casinos?

Social and sweepstakes casinos use virtual tokens, normally called coins, to play their games.

The most common designations are gold coins and sweeps coins. These are the generic names that many social casinos employ, but some platforms have their own specific names. For example, at Funzpoints Casino the two are known as Standard Funzpoints and Premium Funzpoints respectively.

Both gold coins and sweeps coins can be received for free, and neither have any real-world value. Although similar, they have some important differences at sweepstakes casinos.

What are gold coins at a sweepstakes casino?

Playing with gold coins - often called “Standard Mode” or something similar - is reminiscent of playing for play-money at a regular casino. You’ll receive gold coins for free when you sign up, and normally also get a top-up every day you sign into your account.

You also have the option of purchasing additional gold coins, normally in the form of packages or bundles of different sizes.

Gold coins have no real-world value and cannot be redeemed for prizes. Their only function is playing games at the sweeps casino.

What are cash coins in US sweepstakes?

Cash coins or sweeps coins are the second type of token used at sweeps sites. Playing with them is often referred to as “Sweepstakes Mode”.

Just like gold coins, sweepstakes coins are available for free in a number of different ways. You’ll get some for free when you sign up, as part of daily login bonuses, via social media giveaways and even via mail requests. More on that later.

You’ll also normally receive some for free when you purchase gold coins. Still, sweepstakes coins cannot be purchased themselves, only received for free.

Unlike gold coins, sweeps coins can be redeemed for prizes.

What games can I play in sweepstakes casinos in the USA?

The gaming options at sweepstakes casinos in the US have been steadily improving, although the variety is still not quite at the level of regular casino gaming options.

Slots

Slot games are by far the most popular type of game at sweeps casinos. In fact, many platforms offer slot machines more or less exclusively. The range of slots on offer is typically impressive, with good variation in terms of the themes, the number of reels, the types of bonus games and more.

Megaways games, progressive jackpots and other features that have long been popular at regular casinos have made their way to sweeps casinos too. In fact, we’re increasingly seeing games from the same software providers at sweeps sites and regular casinos.

Lots of sweeps sites have slot contests and leaderboards too, which offer additional sweeps coins in prizes.

Table games

Table games are considerably less widely available than slots, but they are still pretty popular. Blackjack and roulette are fairly common, and you can also find types of social poker, bingo games, keno, Wheel of Fortune-type games and more.

Unlike at regular casinos, you can probably expect to find one version of each table game at most.

What is the best sweepstakes casino in the US?

Chumba Casino is one of the originators of the format in the US, and the platform is still deservedly among the most popular out there. Owned by Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) and founded in Australia back in 2012, Chumba has grown and developed its social gaming model steadily over the last decade.

Chumba Casino does a lot of things very well.

The gaming menu is varied - among the most diverse in the US - and includes loads of slots, progressive jackpots, and a good selection of table games. The platform is active on social media and regularly offers the chance to claim some extra sweep coins via promos or giveaways.

The software has steadily improved over time too. Where some social casinos can veer too much into feeling basic and cartoonish, Chumba splits the difference between being fun but also modern and well-designed.

It’s telling that after so long in the game and such a fast-moving industry, it’s still one of the most popular social sites in the United States, alongside sites like Luckyland Slots.

Can I get free sweeps coins?

Yes. In fact, sweeps coins can only be received for free. There are a few main ways to get free sweeps coins:

You’ll normally be given some when you create your account as a welcome gift.
Most social casinos have daily login bonuses, so you’ll receive a small amount of coins every time you enter your account, every 24 hours.
Claiming coins via special offers and promos - often via social media like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - is a popular way to get coins.
It sounds crazy, but you can send a handwritten request via mail to get sweeps coins. It’s part of the legal requirements for sweepstakes contests. You’ll find specific instructions on the casino which need to be followed exactly, up to and including the precise wording of the request. But it works!
You often get free sweeps coins whenever you purchase gold coin packages.

How to redeem prizes at sweepstakes casinos in the US

Redeeming prizes at sweepstakes casinos is a pretty simple process, providing your identity has been verified. Remember that you can usually only redeem sweeps coins that have been won or used to play with.

In the case of cash prizes, the money typically gets sent directly to your account via the same payment method you previously used to purchase gold coins. If this isn’t possible, you can nominate an alternative method - normally a bank account in your name for a transfer.

If you’re redeeming a gift card prize, it typically gets sent to the email address associated with your account.

The process should look like this:

Type in the number of sweeps coins you wish to redeem.
Choose the redemption method and where your prize will be sent.
Click confirm and wait for your redemption request to be processed.

What is the age limit for sweepstakes and social casinos in the USA?

Generally, you need to be at least 18 years old to play at social or sweeps casinos in the US. Still, we always recommend checking this yourself before signing up to a specific site.

Our top 5 tips for playing at US sweepstakes and social casinos

Social casinos and sweepstakes casinos are great, but you need to know what you’re doing to really get the most out of the experience. Below you can find our top five tips to do just that.

Read and understand the rules of sweepstakes and play carefully. Although what we’ve described on this page is generally accurate for sweeps sites around the US, every site is a little different, starting from the redemption request process. It’s up to you to take the time to understand the process.
Don’t be careless with verifying your identity.
That’s where you’ll often find the best promos and bonus codes, as well as helpful tips and advice from the rest of the community.
Remember you normally can’t redeem sweeps coins you’ve received for free, only ones you have won or used to play games with. This often trips up beginners.
If in doubt, get in contact with your social casino directly. The format can be confusing at first and the regulations change up over time, causing confusion. This is what customer support is for.