The best US sweepstakes and social casino sites 2023

What are sweepstakes?

Historically, "sweepstakes" referred to contests in which a prize (or prizes) went to a winner picked at random. The best example of this in the US were the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. These saw big prizes delivered to people on their doorsteps.

With online sweepstakes casinos, things are a little different. Visitors can play slots, keno, poker, and other table games, using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins – more on these below ­– instead of staking their own cash.

How safe are sweepstakes and social casinos?

Sweepstakes and social casinos are just as safe as playing at any of the best online casinos. They are legal and regulated in 49 US states. Washington is the only state where sweepstake games are illegal. This is both due to how they define the games and that gambling in the state is illegal.

While you aren’t paying as you play with sweeps games, you still need to register and buy Gold Coins. You will also have to share financial information with a site or app to claim any prizes you might win.

Before you start playing, you'll want to ensure your chosen site is safe and legitimate. We’ve reviewed some of the biggest sweepstake brands available in the US so you can play with confidence. To help you choose a site where you feel safe, see our list of sweepstakes casinos below.

Why are sweepstake and social casinos popular?

Sweepstakes and social casinos are popular because they let people play casino games in places where gambling is restricted.

Social casinos are, as you can imagine, casinos where having fun is the goal. You don’t need to spend any money to play, and you don’t win real money prizes. Sweepstakes casinos differ from social casinos though, because they do give you the chance to win real money as you enjoy free sweeps games. Using Sweeps Coins, players can play for prizes in sweepstake games in most states.

Social casinos only use Gold Coins or an equivalent, not Sweeps Coins, so don’t give players the chance to win real money or prizes.

What are Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins?

There are two different types of coins available for use at most sweepstakes casinos: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Understanding the difference between the two is key to playing online sweepstakes.

Gold Coins - These are usually awarded on signing up and you can buy more at social casinos. These are used to play games for fun.

Sweeps Coins - These can only be collected as a free reward or bonus and can be redeemed for cash prizes.

• Choose a sweepstakes casino

  The first step is to find an online sweeps casino that fits your tastes. Do they have the game types you enjoy? Do they hold regular promotions you’ll enjoy? Is the welcome bonus appealing to you? Do they have a social media presence on your favorite platform? Do they have a mobile app? All the casinos listed above have been thoroughly tested for safety and security, but your personal likes and dislikes are important to think about as well.

• Register an account

  When you’ve chosen a sweepstakes casino that looks like the right fit for you, begin the registration process by clicking the button usually displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Follow the prompts, adding in your personal details and following any verification steps required. You might get extra coins if you connect to your social media account as well.

• Claim your bonus

  Most US sweeps casinos offer generous welcome bonuses for new players, with a range of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins included to help you get started. Check our bonus code table and enter any relevant code needed to claim your bonus.

• Select a game

  There will usually be a wide range of games available at a sweepstakes casino. These are mainly slots based experiences, but there has been an increase in table sweepstakes, live dealer sweepstakes, and poker sweepstakes. If you have a favorite way to play then checking out the sweeps version would be a good first step, or feel free to mix it up and try something new. You can check out our suggestions for the best sweeps slots to help you get started.

• Top up your Gold Coins

  Eventually you’ll need to add some more Gold Coins to your account. To get more coins, you can either apply via traditional mail requesting more, or you can buy a purchase packaged online. Purchase packages usually come with Sweeps Coins included as a bonus. You can also just wait for the casino to top up your account, most will give you free Gold Coins daily. You might also be able to pick up more by joining in with your chosen sweeps casino’s social media posts.

• Play with Sweeps Coins

  If you decide to purchase Gold Coins or take part in promotions, you’ll pick up Sweeps Coins to use for the chance to win prizes. If you’d rather not spend them on sweepstake games, you can also save them and exchange them for cash prizes. Each casino will have different requirements for this, so keep the exchange value in mind when deciding which sweepstakes casino to play with.

One of the best things about sweepstakes is that you can enjoy free sweeps without spending a cent. The best sweeps casinos in the US will give you a generous amount of Gold Coins when you register, and will provide regular top ups to your account. If you link your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media account you can usually pick up extra coins as well as having a more social casino experience.

However, you can also purchase coin packages, like those available at WOW Vegas as shown below, to boost your balance if you choose to do so.

Coin packages will usually be available for purchase at a set value, offering various amounts of Gold Coins, and usually some Sweeps Coins as well. This makes them a good option if you want to play more free sweeps games, but also enjoy using your Sweeps Coins for the chance to play for prizes.

Picking up a coin package isn't much different to any other online transaction you might make. We've put together a step-by-step guide to help should you get stuck:

• 1
  Navigate to the coin purchase screen for your chosen sweepstakes casino.
• 2
  Take your pick from the available coin packages, thinking about your budget and what represents the best value for you.
• 3
  Once you’ve highlighted your package, click the button to “buy” or “purchase” your top up.
• 4
  Choose a payment method that works for you.
• 5
  Enter all of the required information to make the transaction, usually your full name, account or card details, date of birth, and address.
• 6
  Press the button to confirm your purchase.
• 7
  Some payment methods might require two-step verification, complete this if needed.
• 8
  Check your account balance and enjoy your coins.

Popular payment methods

While there will be various payment methods at the different US sweepstakes casinos available, some of the most popular options can be found below:

Sweeps Coins differ from Gold Coins in that you can play games to win prizes, and you can even exchange them for cash once you’ve reached a certain number specified by your chosen sweepstakes casino.

In order to claim your prizes, you’ll follow a process that’s similar to making a deposit or any other financial transaction. In order to do this for the first time, you’ll need to have verified your account as being legitimate. This will usually be part of the registration process, and will include sending copies of confidential information. If you're nervous about sending out personal details, all of the sweepstakes casinos we recommend are fully tested and verified for their security through our 25-step review process.

The types of verification documents accepted by most safe and secure sweeps casinos includes:

• Proof of identity: A main form of verification is to check photo ID, most likely a passport, driver’s license, or state ID card which proves your identity.
• Proof of address: Another way sweeps casinos verify your identity is to check for proof of address, so a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, mobile phone bill, or accepted alternative will be needed.
• Proof of payment method: Some might even ask for your financial service details to prove your payment method is legitimate. This could take the form of a picture of your bank card, for example.

Whatever the method, you will need to verify at some point in order to claim any cash prizes won, or to exchange Sweeps Coins for cash prizes, at any reputable online sweepstakes casino.

Redeeming prizes will usually take a bit longer than the time it takes to make purchases, this is because operators approve every transaction, but once this is complete your prize will be sent to your account.

Popular prize withdrawal methods

Before you register at a sweepstakes casino in the US, you should always consider which withdrawal methods are available. While the goal of sweeps casinos it to play for free, if you decide to play with Sweeps Coins or exchange them, you’ll need to know your preferred transaction options are supported. Some of the most popular methods are listed below:

With gaming on the go more popular than ever, it’s important to know what the options are for mobile sweepstakes casinos in the US. If you’re someone who likes to play mobile games then it’s a big thing to consider when deciding who to register with.

A good mobile sweeps casino should have used what’s known as HTML5 when building their website. This is a type of coding that makes websites work properly across all devices, which is something reputable sites would have considered when creating their gaming experience.

Some of the biggest and best names in sweepstakes casino gaming have also released dedicated mobile apps. You’ll be able to install these to your iPhone, iPad, or Android device either via their website, or from the App Store and Play Store.

Currently, online sweepstakes casinos with real money prizes are legal in all US states except Washington. That’s great news for players in states with legal restrictions on other types of games. It gives them a way to enjoy safe play at secure sites, for free or for cash prizes.

Wondering how this works? When you play at a social or sweepstakes casino you are using a form of virtual coin known as “Gold Coins.” These are awarded for free, or can be topped up by the player, and let you play games for free with no prizes available. Sweepstakes and social casinos will sometimes include a different type of virtual currency when Gold Coins are given out (usually as a bonus or promotion), called “Sweeps Coins.” These cannot be purchased.

Sweeps Coins allow you to play sweepstakes games for the chance to get prizes. You can even hold on to them and redeem them for cash once you’ve collected a certain amount – this varies with each casino so if this interests you a top tip is to check with the casino before you play. These differences to real money casinos allow sweepstakes and social casinos to operate legally in most states.

You’ll need to meet the minimum age for play at home sweepstakes. Generally, the rule is 18 in the US, but it’s always a good idea to check with the site or app you’re playing with. Some might specify a higher age limit to play with them based on state laws.

If you've won a prize, you can claim it much like you would at any other casino. You’ll need to provide proof of identity and payment information to the online sweepstake casino you play in.

• Guide to sweepstakes casinos
• Washington State Gambling Commission - Sweepstakes FAQ
• Washington State Gambling Commission - Online Gambling FAQ
• Draftkings Sportsbook Sweepstakes T&Cs
• Gamblification: An Overview of Legal Issues with Gambling in Social Games and Social Media
• Reference for Business - Publishers Clearing House