Sweepstakes casinos are different from land-based and real money online casinos because they use virtual currencies instead of real cash. The first type is gold coins, which work like credits for playing free slot games, similar to social casinos. The second type is sweeps coins, which have real value and can be exchanged for cash prizes or gift cards. Sweeps coins are what make these casinos legal in almost every US state.
What are Sweeps Coins?
Sweeps coins are a virtual currency with real value that you can’t buy directly. Here’s a breakdown of what that means:
- Non-purchasable: Sweepstakes casinos can’t legally sell anything of value, so they don’t sell sweeps coins directly. Instead, you get them for free through welcome bonuses, promotions, or when you buy gold coins (you’ll get some sweeps coins based on how much you spend).
- Promotional currency: Sweeps coins are used for promotional purposes, often in a mode called “Sweepstakes Mode.” Players can switch between using gold coins and sweeps coins whenever they want.
- Monetary value: Sweeps coins have real value, usually equal to 1 sweeps coin = 1 USD. Once you meet the bonus requirements, you can turn your sweeps coins into real cash prizes.
Can You Buy Sweeps Coins at Sweepstakes Casinos?
A real sweepstakes casino will never sell sweeps coins because it’s against the law. To stay legal, these casinos must also ensure players can get free entries without buying anything.
This “giving away” of sweeps coins has led to a common workaround. Casinos can legally sell gold coins, which have no real money value, and often include free sweeps coins when you buy gold coins. Many sites offer sweeps coins with some, or even all, gold coin purchases.
Do Sweeps Coins Have Real Value?
Each sweepstakes casino has its own rules for sweeps coins, but they all have real monetary value because you can exchange them for cash prizes after meeting certain conditions.
It’s important to know that you don’t actually own the sweeps coins (or gold coins) in your account. They can’t be transferred or shared and can only be used at the casino where you got them. To redeem sweeps coins for cash prizes, you need to:
- Create and verify a free account at a sweepstakes casino where you can play (check the eligibility criteria in the terms and conditions).
- Wager the sweeps coins you received from bonuses while playing games to make them redeemable (look at the Sweeps Rules for playthrough requirements).
- Gather enough redeemable sweeps coins (usually between 50 and 100) to request a cash prize.
How to Get Free Sweeps Coins
Before you can get free sweeps coins at your favorite sweepstakes casino, you need to register. Signing up is free and usually the only step required to claim the welcome bonus. While the registration forms might look different across sites, they generally ask for the same basic information. For example, here’s how Stake.us does it:
Many sweepstakes casinos also let you skip the sign-up process by logging in with your Google or social media accounts.
Once you create your account, you can access most of the casino bonuses available on that platform. The types and amounts of bonuses vary by site, but top sweepstakes casinos often give you both free gold and sweeps coins when you register. Check out our detailed reviews to learn more about specific bonuses at the best social casinos in the US. Here’s a quick look at some common promotions to help you get free sweeps coins:
- Welcome Bonus: When you sign up, you usually get a free pack of gold and sweeps coins. Some casinos may offer an additional bonus after you verify your account.
- Daily Login Bonus: You can claim a small amount of free virtual currency daily (once every 24 hours). Many top sweepstakes casinos offer increasing rewards for regular logins.
- Mail-in Bonus (AMOE): You can get free sweeps coins by sending a handwritten postcard to the casino’s parent company. Check the “Alternative Method of Entry” section in the terms and conditions for details on what to write.
- First Purchase Bonus: You might receive a discount when you buy gold coin packs. For example, Chumba Casino offers a 200% value deal on its 10,000,000 GC + 30 free SC pack.
- Referral Bonus: You can earn bonuses by inviting friends to the casino using a special referral link.
- Social Media Promotions: Many sweepstakes casinos run giveaways and contests on social media. Follow your casino on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to stay updated on new events.
Remember, all sweeps coins you receive—whether from gold coin purchases or promotions—are considered bonus funds. Be sure to check your casino’s Bonus Rules for details on wagering requirements and minimum redemption limits.
Getting Sweeps Coins through Gold Coins
Players can buy more gold coins at sweepstakes casinos, but first, they need to have a verified account. This involves completing a KYC (Know Your Customer) check, which usually requires your full name, address, and proof of payment method ownership, like a photocopy of your credit card.
Verify Your Identity
The process is straightforward. You’ll be directed to the in-game store when you try to buy gold coins. If your account isn’t verified, you’ll be taken to the KYC form to fill out. Completing this form will also allow you to redeem your sweeps coins once you meet the bonus rules.
Next, you’ll choose a payment method. After selecting the gold coin bundle you want, you’ll choose from options like Visa, Discover, or Apple Pay. Different casinos support various payment methods, so choosing one that suits you is good. For example, WOW Vegas offers various payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, online banking, and cryptocurrencies.
At most sweepstakes casinos, the payment method to buy gold coins will also be used to transfer your cash prize after redeeming sweeps coins.
Gold Coin Bundle Options
There are two types of offers for gold coin bundles: “purchase match” offers and “deals.” Purchase match offers give you the same amount of free sweeps coins for your payment (like paying $30 for 30 free sweeps), while deals provide better value for larger bundles (like a $90 bundle giving 98 free sweeps).
You can find packs containing hundreds of thousands or even millions of gold coins. It’s a good idea to evaluate the value of each bundle based on the number of free sweeps coins you get.
Redeeming Sweeps Coins for Cash Prizes
Redeeming cash prizes from sweeps coins differs from cashing out at regular online casinos. Instead of withdrawing money, you redeem your sweeps coins for cash prizes. This process is similar to transferring your winnings to your bank account, but specific rules for sweeps coins make it unique.
First, remember that all sweeps coins are treated as bonus funds, so you must meet the bonus rules to redeem them.
The wagering requirement specifies how many times you need to play through your sweeps coins before you can redeem them. You need to use your sweeps coins in casino games to turn your “unplayed balance” into “redeemable coins.” Most sweepstakes casinos have a 1x rollover requirement, while some may require up to 3x.
Once your sweeps coins are redeemable and you have enough in your account, you can convert them into cash using one of the supported redemption methods.
Sweepstakes casinos typically offer a limited number of redemption options. For example, Stake.us only accepts cryptocurrencies, while WOW Vegas offers methods like Trustly and Skrill.
The redemption process is straightforward. If you’re playing at a reliable sweepstakes casino like Sweeptastic, you can find the “Redeem” button on the lobby screen.
If you don’t see that option, check the “My Profile” section for “Redemptions” or a similar menu. Click on “Redeem Coins,” and if your account is verified, you can choose a redemption method and specify how many sweeps coins you want to redeem.
Sweepstakes Coins Minimum Redemption
The minimum SC redemption limit is the least number of redeemable sweeps coins you need to convert into a cash prize. This limit is 100 SCs on average, so you must collect and wager 100 sweeps coins to request your cash prize.
The minimum redemption amount is usually lower at some sweepstakes casinos offering gift cards. For example, sites like Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Funrize, and NoLimitCoins provide both gift cards and real cash prizes. Remember, the bonus rules always apply, no matter which prize you want to claim.
Costs, Exchange Rate, and Time to Process
Sweeps coins are a virtual currency with real monetary value that can incur various fees. Reputable sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas and Chumba Casino typically don’t charge fees, but your payment method, such as a credit card or e-wallet, might.
While transaction fees are rare, you may face small charges if you enter incorrect banking details or cancel a redemption.
Most casinos value sweeps coins at a 1:1 ratio with USD for simplicity. However, some, like Fortune Coins and NoLimitCoins, use a 100:1 ratio. This can make tracking your coins more complex but allows for more flexible wagering options.
Instant redemptions are uncommon. You usually have to wait several hours to over 10 business days, depending on the casino and payment method. Generally, cryptocurrencies and credit/debit cards provide the fastest payouts, while online banking methods tend to be slower.
Best Way to Use Sweeps Coins
When using sweeps coins, treat them like real cash. It can be tough since they’re often free and virtual, but wasting them means losing chances to win real money without spending your own.
Most sweepstakes casinos use a dual-currency system, so only use sweeps coins for wagers after you’ve practiced and learned the rules of your favorite games with gold coins.
Focus on games that can lead to big wins, like high RTP slots or jackpot slots. Also, check the Bonus Rules to see which games count toward the wagering requirements. For instance, you might be able to play live dealer games with sweeps coins, but only slots may count toward making them redeemable.
