All US states where online gambling is legal require players to be 21+ years old to participate. While social casinos only use Gold Coins as their primary currency, sweepstakes casinos have spiced things up with “Sweeps Coins”, which hold monetary value and can be redeemed for cash prizes. Sweepstakes casinos are legal in almost all US states, with notable exceptions being Washington, Michigan, Idaho, California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Nevada.
At WSN’s Learning Hub, you can explore over 40 articles and videos that cover various aspects of online gaming. Our hub ensures you have all the knowledge needed to enjoy social sweeps casinos. Washington state specifically prohibits all forms of sweepstakes contests, which include sweepstakes casinos. The legal activities similar to sweepstakes in Washington are limited to raffles and promotional games of chance. In 2025, four other US states (Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, and New Jersey) moved to classify sweepstakes casinos as gambling.
Real Prize Pros and Cons
We recommend trying multiple sweepstakes casinos to see which suits you best. While sweepstakes and social casinos offer virtual gameplay, their goals differ. Social casinos focus on entertainment, allowing players to enjoy games without the chance to win real prizes. Sweepstakes casinos (or sweeps casinos) are available in many US states, offering an alternative to real money online casinos.
📋 How to Sign Up at Sweepstakes Casinos
The base functionality is similar between sweeps casinos and social sportsbooks, allowing players to wager using different coins and become eligible to win real money prizes as they build up their bankroll. Some of the available sports markets include NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAAB, NCAAF and more. Sweepstakes casinos are free-to-play sites that offer traditional casino-style games. While sweepstake casinos look and feel similar to online casinos, they do not involve real money wagers. Instead, they operate using virtual currency, generally in the form of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
Tips for Choosing an Online Sweepstakes Casino
Remember, regular engagement with the platform increases the chances of receiving bonuses and rewards. The best sweepstakes casinos provide tools and features to help players manage their activity and stay within healthy limits. Making enough coins through gameplay, promotions, or purchases is key before requesting a redemption. Some casinos may sweeps coins casino even offer bonuses to help you reach the threshold faster. Idaho, Michigan, and Montana, Nevada, and Washington do not permit them.