I love how the sweepstakes casinos legal framework is super relaxed compared to regular casinos. This makes slots and other online casino games easily accessible in states where gambling sites are still illegal.
You get to enjoy your favorite casino games for free. But while the goal here is to play for fun, you stand a chance to redeem cash prizes if you win Sweeps Coins. Sounds like a good additional bonus, right? Join me as I go deeper and explain the legalities of sweepstakes, the best sites to join, the bonuses to claim, and more.
For a while, I wondered if sweepstakes casinos are legit – the short answer is yes. The US online casino law has been restrictive for some time. And while several states are gradually legalizing online gaming, some players still can’t legally access casino games. In these states, sweeps casinos are a great alternative if you want to enjoy the best fun without breaking the law.
Sweeps casinos are legal, provided they adhere to specific requirements. For example, these sites must allow players to access games without paying. So, instead of real money, sweeps casinos use virtual currencies, which my guides to online sweepstakes explain in greater detail.
States like Washington and Idaho ban sweeps casinos entirely. Other states let you play at sweepstakes casinos legally under specific conditions, like the availability of free methods of entry. That’s why it’s important to know the specific laws in your state.
As I mentioned before, Sweepstakes casinos are legal because you don’t play using real cash deposits. Instead, you purchase and use virtual coins, comprising a mix of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Gold coins are the basic currency and can only be used to play for fun. You can purchase more if you run out, but that’s optional. You can always play free sweepstakes games using coins from daily promos and other bonuses. You can’t purchase Sweeps coins, but you can only receive them as a bonus. But get this — if you play and win Sweeps Coins through various promos, you can redeem them for cash prizes, subject to the site’s terms and conditions.
You now know how legal sweepstakes casinos work, so how about I let you in on the best sites to join?
As soon as you join Stake.us, you receive a handsome welcome package containing $55 Stake Cash + 260K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback. No purchase is required to claim the bonus. Just make sure you enter the promo code SPORTSGRID to activate the deal successfully.
The coins are added to your account immediately at no cost, so you can get cracking on over 1,000 games from industry greats like Pragmatic Play. Stake.us is a free instant win sweepstakes site, so you can unlock SC from various promos such as daily login bonuses, races, rakebacks, and mail requests to redeem prizes later.
I consider Stake.us the top dog of sweepstakes casinos that are legal, but McLuck isn’t a shabby option either, with its 700+ casino games. Just note that the majority of games are slots, with a few Slingo titles.
McLuck hits you with a rather miniature bonus of 9,000 GC + 5 SC free when you sign up. But I’ll admit I was sold on the catchy web design featuring stunning graphics. You’ll like the exciting promos, especially the McJackpot that gives you a chance to win a share of over 200 million GC. Otherwise, you can keep busy with the loyalty program and enjoy coin boosts, weekly competitions, and more.
Explore over 900 slots from top studios like Betsoft when you join WOW Vegas. Again, it’s one of those legal sweepstakes casinos that don’t offer any other casino games. But the quality of slots is unmatched and includes jackpots, classics, and Megaways.
WOW Vegas embraces new signups with a staggering bonus worth 250K WOW Coins and 5 SC. I also found the graphics top-tier and the interface user-friendly.
I’ve included a mini comparison table below showcasing my top sweepstakes casinos for legal gaming and their main features, so you choose the best one.
Casino | Bonus | Number of Games | Cash Prizes |
---|---|---|---|
Stake.us | 55 Stake Cash + 260,000 GC + 5% Rakeback | 1,000+ | Yes |
WOW Vegas | 250,000 WOW Coins + 5SC | 900+ | Yes |
McLuck | 9.000 GC + 5SC | 700+ | Yes |
At first glance, two sweepstakes casinos legally appear identical until you take a closer look at the games, promos, and security. Cross the following items off your checklist when choosing one you like.
When you ask a question like what is a sweepstakes casino and is it worth my time?”, the number of free games it allows you to play is a huge consideration. The best sites feature games across different categories from slots to keno.
Sweeps coins are your ticket to redeeming cash prizes. Since you can’t purchase these, you can only accumulate SC from unlocking promotions on the site. As such, look for platforms that give you plenty of daily login and social media promos to claim SC.
You’ll need a range of payment options if you want to purchase extra coins or redeem your winnings. It’s, therefore, vital to look at the efficiency, reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness of the banking methods supported by each sweeps casino. Our top legal casino selection covers a list of payment methods you’ll likely be comfortable using.
You may need to enter your personal and financial details online for purchases and prize redemptions. As such, you should only work with secure websites. While most sweeps casinos don’t have licenses, look at other tell-tale signs that point towards their security. Consider the type of payment methods available and if they’re reputable. Also, check if the site is encrypted and has a responsive support team you can actually reach.
Sure, the idea around playing at legal sweepstakes casinos is to have fun. But if I’m being honest, winning some cash prizes is a cherry on top. But here’s the thing — not all sweeps casinos allow you to redeem cash prizes, so look for those that do before you join.
Most social gaming happens on the move, so a sweepstakes casino that lets you play on a downloadable app is convenient. You can enjoy a secure and customized casual gaming experience on your handheld device at the drop of a hat.
Sweepstakes casinos are hailed for their relaxed approach to casino gaming but also have challenges.
No need to wonder if sweeps casinos are legal — the answer is they mostly are. Barring a few states like Washington and Idaho, you can use your GC and SC to play slots and other casino games to your heart’s content. The only catch is you need to sign up with a legit site that’s safe, has a broad range of games, and offers generous promos. Stake.us, McLuck, and WOW Vegas perfectly fit this description.
Top sweepstakes casinos feature most of the popular gaming categories, such as slots, table games, poker, live casino, and even specialty titles. Most of them also offer in-house titles you won’t find elsewhere.
Yes, but not directly from playing games. You can only win cash if you play using Sweeps Coins and later redeem them for real money prizes.
Yes, you can. Most sweepstakes casinos understand the demands for mobile-first gaming. As such, they build their mobile sites using HTML5 technology, making them accessible via any mobile device.