Last Updated Jan 12, 2023, 4:02 PM
Sweepstakes Casinos For Money Prizes
Sports Betting Expert
| Online Casinos · Sweepstakes Casinos |
Sweepstakes casinos are a clever way to get around gambling restrictions in US states that might not offer legal online casinos. While VegasInsider always recommends you use regulated, real-money websites, we’ve put together this guide so you can get a better idea of what sweepstakes casinos offer, and why you’re likely better off just using a legit casino app.
Top Real Money Online Casinos
|
Casinos
Welcome Offer
|
Legal States |
|
|---|---|---|
|
New customers only, 21+. Offer available in MI, NJ, PA, WV only. Full T&C apply.
|
||
|
New players only. Must be 21 or older. NJ only. Full T&C apply.
|
||
|
New Casino customers only.
Deposit between $10 and $1000. Bonus will be matched to qualifying deposit. 20x wagering on deposit and bonus to make bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
|
||
|
New users only, 21+. Available in NJ, MI only. Full T&C apply.
|
||
|
New users only, 21 or older. NJ, MI, WV only. Full T&C apply
|
||
|
New players only. Must be 21+. NJ only. Minimum deposit of at least $30 required. Full T&C Apply.
|
*New Casino customers only. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of deposit plus bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Best Sweepstakes Casinos To Play For Cash Prizes February 2023
If you are looking into sweepstakes casino, these top three brands are promoted all over the internet:
Chumba Casino
Chumba Casino is ubiquitous on the internet, and you'll almost certainly seen one of their ads. Essentially, Chumba lets you earn Gold Coin payouts that you can then use to convert into prizes, including cash prizes. The wagering requirements are pretty steep, however; that's why we tend to recommend real money casinos regulated by US markets.
Pulsz Casino
Pulsz Casino is what is referred to as a "social" gambling site, and it's a bit of a misnomer since no gambling actually takes place. You can play some fun casino games, but you're not going to be entitled to any real-world prizes.
Funzpoints
Funzpoints works much like Chumba Casino, but instead of offering users Gold Coin rewards, users subscribe to the service and can then earn perks within their Funzpoints account. Again, the above options are fun ways to pass the time, but you're always going to have a better chance at a real-money payout if you use our preferred online casinos.
Understanding Sweepstakes Casinos
Can I Win Real Money Playing At Sweepstakes Casinos?
There isn't a cut and dry answer here. While essentially the answer is no, you don't win real money playing at sweepstakes casinos, you will find that sweepstakes casinos will sometimes reward players with real money prizes. However, you'll have to jump through a lot of hoops to get that cash, and in many cases, you'll have to convert the currency once or twice between different rewards before you have money in your hands.
How Does The Currency System Work At Sweepstakes Casinos?
For most sweepstakes casinos, you're essentially buying lottery tickets in the form on playing online casino games. What sweepstakes casinos do is let users play casino games and then reward them with contest entries in big-money sweepstakes payouts. For example, you can spend your real money to earn in-game currency to buy plays on online slots. Then, based on how many points you earn, that enters your name a certain number of times to win a big payout.
How Does The Coin System Work At Sweepstakes Casinos?
With the coin system at numerous online casinos, you're rewarded for high scores with in-game currency called "coins" (Gold Coins at Chumba, for example). You can then use those coins to buy a number of other rewards, or buy in-game currency that enables you to again buy entries into lottery-like sweepstakes contests.
How Do I Get Free Sweepstakes Coins?
There are plenty of promo codes and bonuses for free sweepstakes coins available on the web. Check back on this page for more updates, and don't forget to try the bonuses at the top of the page: they actually reward you with real betting cash!
Purchase & Redemption Methods at Sweepstakes Casinos
Online Banking / ACH
Online banking is perhaps the most popular method to add money to your sweepstakes casino account. Make sure you trust the provider you're signing up with before you share your banking details! Then, just link your account and add coins or credit!
Credit/Debit Cards
This is a bit more of a secure way to sign up and put money onto your sweepstakes casino account, as credit cards typically have user protections that an ACH transfer might not.
Skrill
Skrill is a third-party payment processing wallet that is a great choice for anyone interested in online betting, even sweepstakes casinos: this PayPal-like online wallet works with a ton of trusted iGaming sites in the US and abroad.
Other
PayPal, PayNearMe and even cryptocurrency are becoming more prevalent in the world of online payment, and you'll likely find these options on sweepstakes casinos as well.
Difference Between Sweepstakes Casinos & Online Casinos
The big difference that you need to know about: sweepstakes casinos aren’t offering real money, and they’re not exactly illegal, but most states don’t have laws permitting them, either. Here are some of the main takeaways between the two:
Similarities
The biggest similarity between sweepstakes and online casinos is that they're both online casinos. It sounds silly, but a sweepstakes casino and an online casino are tying to do the same thing: offer users casino games and make money. However, sweepstakes casinos don't reward you with cash payouts if you win, but the legitimate online casinos we promote will pay real money. Which sounds better to you?
Game Selection
For the most part, Sweepstakes Casinos have about the same variety in games that you'd find on a comparable online casino. Table games like blackjack and baccarat, roulette, and of course slots are the big features for a sweepstakes casino. However, online casinos for real money tend to have a bit more in the way of resources, so you'll also find some high-tech, livestreaming games with Live Dealers as well.
Return to Player (RTP) Rates
RTP or return to player is a measure of how often users win on slots and other games. For the most part, the RTP on real money online casinos will be a lot better. You can look up RTP figures online, but make sure you avoid anything under 96 -97% RTP.
Available Slot Games at Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos have a ton of available slots, but you're not going to find any big names in slots like Jeopardy!™, Blood Suckers, Zeus, or many of the other popular favorites found on real-money casinos. Sweepstakes casinos are essentially trying to replicate the thrill of a real-money online casino with cloned games that work much like the originals, but with a tweak. Stick to the real money sites we recommend for the best slots!
Playing Blackjack at Sweepstakes Casinos
Blackjack is another huge online casino favorite, but it's not always found on sweepstakes casinos. However, you can find this simple-but-not-easy table game at a majority of online casinos, and some sweepstakes casinos might have a few variants. The ability to compare your scores is a nice touch on social and sweepstakes sites, but it doesn't beat winning real money.
Other Available Casino Games at Sweepstakes Casinos
The best sweepstakes casinos will have a solid variety of games including table games, slots, poker variants and more. Craps is kind of hard to come by on online casinos and sweepstakes sites, but a few sites and apps do offer variants of this favorite dice game. The best variety, we have to say, is found on legit, real-money sites licensed by state governments, though.
How Do Bonuses Work At Sweepstakes Casinos?
Essentially, when you secure a bonus at a sweepstakes casino, you'll get more entries into big-money, lottery-style payouts. What sweepstakes casinos do is pool money from players into prize pools and then often match that with some of their own funds, and pick a name at random. Yes, you can enter more times to have a better chance at winning, which is why people aim to earn currency in sweepstakes games.
Sweepstakes Casinos FAQ
What are sweepstakes casinos?
Sweepstakes casinos are casinos where you can win in-game currency like Gold Coins, but not real money. That in-game currency can be used to enter your name into a randomly selected cash prize.
Can you play at sweepstakes casinos online for real money?
Yes and no: you cannot win real money as you would chips on a legitimate online casino. However, you can win entries into real money prize pools that are selected randomly.
How many sweepstakes casinos are there?
There are a ton of sweepstakes casinos on the internet, with more being added every day. The big three are Funzpoints, Pulsz, and Chumba Casino.
How old do I need to be to play at sweepstakes casinos?
Users must be 18 years of age or older to play on sweepstakes casinos.
How safe are sweepstakes casinos?
Relatively, but we would always recommend users wait until 21 and play for real money on legitimate, regulated online websites. That way, you can win real money instead of a random currency that makes you jump through hoops just to maybe be selected for a small cash prize. Use the sites at the top of this page instead!
