Best sweepstakes & social casinos for US players

The podium of social casinos

We had a closer look to check which sweepstakes & social casinos are coming out the best according to our rating system. Below, we present our top three casino sites and why they are on the podium.

What are sweepstakes casinos and social casinos?

Compared to real money casinos, sweepstakes or social casinos allow you to play casino games for free. The free aspect makes these casinos legal in almost all US states except Washington, Nevada, and Idaho.

How does it work?

Sweepstakes casinos have their virtual currency, gold coins, and sweeps coins. Therefore, there are no bets placed with real money. However, besides the daily allowance of free coins, you can purchase more virtual coins to continue playing. These extra coins need to be bought with real money, though.

While playing, you can win various rewards, including earning sweep coins that allow you to win cash prizes. People also talk about social casino real money play by having the opportunity to win cash prizes. However, that’s not the case since playing can only be done via the respective casino coins, and cash is just one of the possible rewards one can win.

Where can I play sweepstakes casinos?

Below you’ll find a map filled with sweepstakes casinos state specific guides.

Bonuses in US sweeps and social casinos

A significant aspect of all US social casinos are the sweepstakes casino bonuses, rewards, and promotions the platform offers its new players and returning users. Below, we’ll dive deeper into the types of bonuses that usually exist on such platforms and cover bonus codes, events, VIP tiers, and loyalty programs.

Since most sweepstakes casino visitors play without spending money, the platform must provide numerous gifts and free coins to increase player engagement and drive traffic. Therefore, innumerable bonuses exist on these platforms, most of which we’ll cover below.

Sign-up bonus

The first and most vital bonus on nearly all sweepstakes platforms is each player’s welcome bonus upon registration. To get it, you must register with a valid email address and create an account, and it’ll be applied to your account automatically. It allows players to begin their gaming journey without needing to do anything besides registration.

No deposit bonus

Numerous online platforms offer sweepstakes casino no deposit bonuses to increase customer engagement and attract new players. Such a bonus is typically available for a few days after account registration. It means you don’t have to spend a dime, but you can still receive numerous coins, wheel spins, boosters, and other valuable in-game items for free.

Deposit match bonus

New users often have the benefit of multiplying their first few purchases, as various casinos have a bonus to double or triple your deposit, and it usually lasts for between one to five purchases, depending on your gaming platform. However, it’s worth noting that some casinos have a minimum deposit amount, so some smaller purchases are not eligible for this bonus.

Free spins

As a significant aspect of sweepstake casinos is about being able to play without spending money, numerous platforms give users daily or weekly free spins to keep them engaged. That means all users can enjoy various casino games, including people that aren’t interested in gambling but enjoy gaming, competition, and the thrill of winning a jackpot.

Daily login bonus

As online sweepstakes casinos value loyalty and constant platform activity, they give out valuable daily bonuses each time you log in. Such bonuses can also have streaks – the daily bonus might grow if you’re highly active without missing a day. It’s worth noting that this login bonus is often hourly on numerous sweeps casinos, where it typically activates every four hours.

Loyalty programs

Since most sweepstake online casinos offer massive welcome bonuses, it makes sense for players to jump from platform to platform. Thus, casinos offer multiple loyalty programs that reward users for logging in daily and staying on the platform to prevent platform jumping and keep their gamers. Typically, the more you play, the bigger the loyalty benefits, which also work toward increasing your level.

For example, sweepstakes casino sites can offer various VIP tiers or account levels. To advance on the platform and move up a level or increase your VIP tier, you must collect a particular number of loyalty points. As you move up, your bonuses become different, and you might get enormous daily rewards.

Birthday bonus

As you must create an account to join a sweepstakes casino platform, you’re likely giving away your birth date, too. However, that also means you’ll receive additional rewards on your birthday each year, as numerous online sweepstake casinos also have hefty birthday bonuses that will undoubtedly cheer you up. Getting a year older will feel good because of a reward for games you enjoy.

Bonus codes

In addition to the numerous bonus types mentioned above that players get under specific conditions, sweepstakes casinos also offer various bonus codes that must be manually added to the platform. These bonus codes include the following:

• Sign-up codes – Players input these codes during registration, whether they were part of a promotional event or a referral program. That activates the bonus, which usually can’t be applied later if skipped.
• Deposit bonus codes – Such codes must be typed into particular boxes during deposits, and they activate specific deposit bonuses. Most platforms allow users to go back and add the code if they’ve accidentally forgotten it, but that will typically be allowed for a few days from the deposit time.
• Reload codes – Similarly to deposit bonus codes, reload ones require players to add them under particular conditions. That could be a specific day of the week or involve other elements needed to activate the reload event, and they differ from casino to casino.

Other bonus code types also exist but significantly vary from platform to platform and follow different rules. As mentioned, some can only be added during deposits, while others must be typed out in dedicated casino sections.

Sweeps and social casino games

Although some social casinos primarily focus on slots, other game types exist in the libraries. These sweepstakes casino games provide hours of entertainment, excellent visuals, and terrific audio. Below, we’ll cover some of the most popular game types and dive deeper into each.

Slots

The shiny and classic sweepstakes slots – likely the first thing you think about when someone mentions casinos. A slot machine in a traditional Vegas-like casino involves dropping a coin or token and pulling the lever to get three of the same items in a horizontal row on a screen of rapidly changing icons.

Although such games are typically three-by-three icons, online casinos have improved upon these games, offering multiple variants with four or five rows or columns.

Table games

When gambling is mentioned, most of us first think of various table games, like the ones we’ve seen in the movies and the ones you’d find on the Las Vegas strip. These games include blackjack, roulette, Texas and casino hold ‘em, baccarat, sic bo, etc. Although they have different mechanics, all these games revolve around players sitting by a table and placing bets.

Poker

Loved by many and seen in almost every casino on Earth, online poker is a traditional gambling game requiring much skill. However, a hint of luck is also involved since it’s a gambling game. It revolves around getting the best cards among the participating players and taking their wagers. Video poker, used in online casino games and websites, works like a traditional game.

Live dealer games

As many players join sweepstakes platforms wanting the thrill of real Vegas-like casinos, sweepstakes casinos recreate the feeling with sweepstakes live dealer games. These are table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, or poker, but with a live video feed of a dealer. As such, they’re meant to recreate the in-person casino experience, provide an interactive interface, and enhance social interactions.

Exclusive games

Although most sweepstakes casinos opt for trusted and well-known software providers, sharing hundreds of games, some platforms also create their own unique titles. They often have exclusive games that significantly differ from those in most sweepstakes or social casinos. That exclusivity comes from custom gameplay, additional features, mechanics, rules, themes, etc.

Currencies in sweepstakes casinos

Online casinos don’t use real money or Vegas-style chips. Instead, they employ virtual currencies specific to the platform, which serve numerous purposes, and by which they’re often categorized.

Most sweepstakes casinos have three currency types: primary, premium, and social. Each currency type has a different value and role, appears in various numbers throughout the platform, and requires specific methods to obtain.

Below, you’ll find information about each type of currency, how they work, what they’re worth, and how social casino players can obtain them.

Primary currency

All sweepstakes casinos have at least one primary currency, and it’s the foundation of every game. These are usually called Gold Coins, Virtual Chips, or have a specific name depending on the casino.

Players must wager a particular amount of this currency for each game they begin. However, they don’t have any monetary value and can’t be exchanged for rewards.

Most games reward you with an abundance of primary currencies. Therefore, you can win these by gaming or through numerous daily awards and free wheel spins.

Gold coins

Sweepstakes casinos often use Gold Coins as their primary currency. Although they can have multiple names in various combinations, they all serve a similar purpose.

Such coins are used for all of the casino’s games, driving the gameplay and letting players bet anywhere between 0.1 Gold Coin and up to a few thousand.

As a player, you can often get these coins upon registration, as many casinos offer a hefty welcome bonus. You can also get them through free daily awards, wheel spins, competitions, tournaments, etc.

Virtual chips

Chips are another common type of primary currency on many platforms. These virtual chips work just like gold coins, but under a different name, for a higher immersion and a better gaming experience.

Such currencies were modeled after Vegas casinos. For example, playing poker games with coins might feel weird, so virtual chips exist, amplifying the immersion and letting you experience a casino like the ones in Vegas or Atlanta.

Players don’t have to purchase them and can earn these chips through welcome bonuses, login rewards, daily games, etc.

Premium currency

Besides the primary currency, some casinos offer premium coins, which work differently. Obtaining them is challenging, and their value is higher than primary currencies.

These currencies are much less common on sweepstakes casino platforms. They’re far more valuable and often have a monetary value, meaning that players can redeem sweeps coins for real money once they collect plenty.

Players can usually win premium currency coins by playing games, wagering primary currencies, and winning competitions or tournaments. Some casinos also reward these coins during wheel spins.

Sweeps coins (or sweep cash)

Sweep Cash or Coins are one of the two standard premium currency types that sweepstake casinos use. You can exchange these coins for various rewards like real cash prizes and gift cards.

As they have a monetary value, obtaining them is tricky. You’ll have to win games like blackjack, poker, roulette, or social casino slots to win Sweeps Coins.

On top of being a reward for winning casino games, they can also be won through various promotional offers or purchased on multiple sweepstakes casino platforms.

Gems or diamonds

Other common types of premium currencies are diamonds and gems. Their names can also vary depending on your casino platform, but such coins share similar features.

These currencies are used in specific games, where they can either unlock the game itself, provide various types of boosts and power-ups, give you access to bonus levels and unlock game content, or save you time during specific tasks.

Players can obtain these by watching ads, spinning the wheel, referring friends to the casino, etc. They can also be purchased in special packs.

Social currency

Lastly, there’s also the social aspect of social casinos, which can best be seen in social currencies, the third and final type of online casino coins. These currencies improve player engagement, boost interactions, and create a sense of community on such platforms. As such, they also promote healthy competition among visitors.

Players gather social currencies by logging in daily, wagering primary coins, playing different games, entering tournaments and competitions, purchasing packs, etc. However, gifting items to friends is among the most common methods to obtain them.

Loyalty points

The most common types of social currencies are loyalty points. All loyal users, including people who actively use the casino app, constantly visit the website, or log in daily, can quickly obtain many loyalty points.

These points often establish your level or VIP tier but can also be exchanged for rewards, other currencies, discounts, etc.

Some casinos also have a mission-style dashboard where you get daily tasks, complete assignments, and participate in challenges. If you accomplish these, you’ll likely be rewarded loyalty points by the casino.

Tickets or entries

Sweepstakes casinos are based around special events, also known as sweepstakes, hence the name. It also includes raffles and contests. However, these events also require another type of currency – tickets or entries. You obtain these tickets by progressing in some casino games, logging in daily, or purchasing packs.

Players must get a decent amount of tickets to participate in these sweepstakes events, as they’re often required for entry. However, they’re also necessary for the prize-drawing mechanism. The more tickets you have, the likelier you are to win a valuable prize.

Tokens

Last but not least, there are also tokens, another currency type you can win by playing the casino’s games. They’re also obtainable for completing game achievements, doing missions, or as rewards in various events.

Players can use these currencies to access certain features, participate in other games, including locked ones and mini-games, and enter special events.

Not all of these currencies are available on all casino platforms. The names of coins and the regularity of special events can also greatly vary from platform to platform.

Redemption of prizes in social casinos

Winning a prize is what sweepstakes casinos are all about, but learning about the journey to redeeming what you’ve won is another vital aspect. The time between having a large account balance in the casino, and having your wallet fat, can vary from platform to platform.

Multiple factors affect prize redemption in such casinos. Below, we’ll explore how players can convert in-game currencies and what they’ve won into real money, various gift cards, and valuable rewards. We’ll also dive deeper into any possible rules for prize redemption and elaborate on each aspect in detail.

Eligibility

Like in-person casinos in Vegas or Atlanta, all sweepstakes casinos also have a few legal requirements regarding who can use the platform. These requirements often revolve around the user’s age and place of residence. Such rules are strict for gameplay, payments, and, most importantly, payouts.

Depending on the jurisdiction, the age requirement is either 18 or 21 years. In addition, some US states have notoriously rigorous laws against all casinos. If you’ve managed to register as a minor and live in one such state or country, the casino has every right not to pay out what you’ve won.

Accumulation of winnings

You’re probably wondering how long you can hold the prizes you’ve won in your account. The good news is most sweepstakes casinos have no time limit, and if you’re not ready to withdraw, you don’t have to.

Although casinos usually have a minimum you can withdraw, which changes from platform to platform and isn’t a norm for all sweepstake casinos, they don’t have an upper limit in most cases.

You can accumulate your winnings for weeks or months, and as long as you’re a regular platform user, you’ll never have issues with account termination or anything similar.

Redemption methods

Most sweepstake casinos have significantly varying payout methods, with many different options. These methods frequently include credit cards from well-known companies like Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, but other payout methods are also available.

Redemption options vary highly from platform to platform. For example, one sweepstake casino might use PayPal and Skrill, while another relies on bank transfer and other methods. Some operators also present themselves as crypto sweepstakes casinos, adapting to the rising demand.

You can learn more about the numerous casino payment methods from the casino’s website, which often also has info about eligibility and processing times.

Documentation and verification

Since numerous safety methods exist in sweepstake casinos, these platforms won’t pay out to just about anyone. Getting your prize will require you to prove you are who you claim to be, so you must provide a legal document to verify your account. It may seem like somewhat of a hazzle but it could also be considered one of the strongest signals of trust that a casino can send to a player.

Verification brings another layer of security to your account and is often required during registration. That’s why you’ll need a valid government-issued document, like an ID card, a passport, or a driver’s license, but you might also need to verify your residence. These documents are the foundation of your identity verification and a pre-requirement for payouts.

Processing time

The payout’s processing time primarily depends on the casino platform you’re playing on. One casino might have a payout time of three to five business days, while another completes payouts in less than 48 hours.

Other factors also affect this. These include your chosen payment method, winning amount, residence state, and other variables.

For example, credit cards, PayPal, Skrill, etc., have quick processing times, with a maximum of four to five days, while checks via mail can take up to two weeks to arrive. Therefore, the payout can be completed in a day or two or take up to 15 days or more.

Tax implications

Like any money you make, the government asks for its slice of the cake, and sweepstakes casinos are no different. Taxes also exist here and can affect the amount of money you’ve won.

These also greatly vary from state to state and from country to county. That’s why no one can say whether it’ll be this amount or that amount.

Thus, it would be best to learn more about your government’s taxes and laws before redeeming prizes. Of course, you can always consult with tax professionals, especially if the winning amount is high.

Pros & cons of social and sweepstakes casinos

As mentioned, online sweepstakes casinos take the finest features from real money online casinos and social platforms and create a combination that offers the best of both worlds. As such, users play casino games, as they have numerous benefits, including the following ones:

However, there are also some cons to consider, especially when you are looking for a Las Vegas-like casino experience.

Safety measures & responsible gaming

Since they’re not considered the same as Vegas and Atlanta-based in-person casinos and offer a free-to-play experience, sweepstakes casinos don’t require special licenses to operate and are legal in most US states.

Most such casinos also obtain permissions that prove their safety and security. They also get tested by multiple third-party agencies like eCOGRA and iTechLabs, ensuring their casino-style games’ fairness and randomness.

Finally, these platforms also employ various state-of-the-art security protocols, like the latest and greatest encryption technologies, to ensure the safety of their users’ data. That’s why you have nothing to worry about when using the recommended platforms if you keep your password secure.

Another important aspect is responsible gaming. Although sweepstakes casinos don’t need real money wagers, their game libraries are filled with gambling games, which can cause problems for some individuals. Therefore, there’s a need for platforms that offer a responsible gaming experience. 

An excellent sweep casino will have multiple responsible gambling measures in place. These include risk recognition protocols, player safety features, and the ability to recognize warning signs and connect you with helpful external resources.

Below, we’ll thoroughly explore such protocols, measures, and features and dive deeper into each

Legal basis of sweeps and social casinos

Registering a traditional casino and operating such a business can be highly challenging, so most states don’t allow them. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act essentially states that betting businesses can’t knowingly accept payments for Internet gambling transactions.

However, sweepstakes casinos don’t adhere to the same laws, as they’re not classified as gambling businesses. Instead, they offer a free-to-play model by using virtual currencies and giving away numerous bonuses that let players enjoy casino-style games without spending a dime. 

State-specific regulations

No real-money gambling has to occur on sweepstakes platforms, so they’re considered free-to-play casinos and don’t require gambling licenses, making them legal in most US states. Notable exceptions include primarily Washington, which banned sweepstakes casinos entirely, with Idaho, Nevada, Kentucky, and Wyoming being very strict towards such platforms.

Safety protocols in place

In this age of scams, cybercrime, and hacks, everyone is concerned about the safety of their data, and for a reason. However, the recommended sweepstakes and social casinos have multiple security measures that prevent any wrongdoing, like data theft or hacks. These include top-of-the-line SSL encryption methods that encrypt data in transit, various firewalls, and other high-tech cybersecurity tools.

Fair play assurance

As mentioned, multiple third-party audit agencies continually test popular sweepstakes casino platforms. Such agencies try and test gaming mechanisms such as random number generators, on which many casino-style games are based, ensuring complete fairness and randomness of all casino games. You can rest assured that the recommended platforms are entirely safe and fair.

Privacy concerns

If you’ve registered on online casinos before, you might have felt unsafe about giving away most of your data, as such data is required for various verification and documentation protocols. However, sweepstakes platforms adhere to multiple data protection rules, providing excellent player confidentiality and following all regulations.

Third-party certifications

Similar to fair-play assurance, where third-party agencies test the fairness and randomness of all casino-style games, these companies also provide multiple certifications that speak about the credibility of casino platforms. Once tested, these agencies place a sticker on casino platforms that says “safe to use.”

Risk recognition

Even though real money doesn’t have to be involved on online sweepstakes platforms, casino-style games are still a form of gambling. By their nature, they’re made to be addictive, encircling you with stunning visuals and offering a fantastic auditory experience, and tickling just the right sensors in your brain. 

They can lead to gambling problems, regardless of whether it’s a free-to-play experience, which is why risk recognition protocols must be in place to recognize individuals that might fall victim to these games.

Safety features for sweep and social casino players

To make things easier to understand, we’ve also added a table of the most common player safety features that sweepstakes casinos have. Below, you’ll see which tools are present and the frequency at which they’re offered in such casinos.

Potential warning signs

There’s a reason gambling is considered an addiction. Some individuals can fall victim to this addiction, leading to multiple problems that might require special treatment and months or years of therapy.

This addiction can be expressed in multiple ways, which, on their own, don’t have to mean anything, but can be problematic when appearing together. That’s why learning to see the potential warning signs is adamant in diagnosing it and getting proper treatment for this addiction.

These warning signs often revolve around multiple hours spent on gambling websites, where the individual might neglect their other responsibilities. Massive financial losses are another telltale sign that someone is struggling with a gambling addiction, as they often chase losses.

External resources

Fortunately, multiple organizations can help people with gaming problems. These often differ from state to state, so it would be best to investigate such agencies near you individually.

If you believe you or someone you know might have gambling issues, you can recommend some well-known organizations like Gamblers Anonymous or look into the National Problem Gambling Helpline. Most of these organizations and helplines are available 24/7 and guarantee confidentiality.