ShareSweepstakes casino sites, which are popular in North America, mainly in the United States, but also in many parts of Canada, and ‘normal’ aka ‘regular’ online casinos are essentially the same but with one key difference – no real money gambling takes place on sweepstakes sites.
However, you can still win cash prizes and other real-world prizes on sweepstakes sites, which is why they are the perfect alternative to real money gambling sites for many people like me.
If you have ever wondered what sweepstakes sites are and how they differ from normal sites with thousands of computer-generated and live dealer online slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and others, you’ve come to the right place.
Here is everything you need to know about sweepstakes sites, specifically focusing on what sets them apart from the regular gambling sites where you can gamble real money, provided you are of legal age in your country.
What are sweepstakes casinos?
A sweepstakes site is a website that can be accessed across the internet just like any other website using a Wi-Fi/internet-enabled PC or mobile device.
Some sweepstakes sites have a secure mobile application, which can be downloaded and installed for free in under a minute onto most modern iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, or you can play instantly in your web browser from your preferred mobile device.
Alternatively, you can also visit these sites and access their services, features, and products in any reliable web browser like Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, Vivaldi, or Firefox using any decent Linux, Windows or macOS desktop computer or laptop.
The choice is yours. I prefer playing on these sites and playing their game library in my Google Chrome web browser on my PC, but you might prefer playing on the go from your Samsung or iPhone smartphone.
Most sweepstakes casinos have several hundred computer-generated online slots, table & card games, and one or two other gaming categories, such as video poker or bingo & lottery-style challenges like keno, scratchcards, bingo, and slingo (a mixture of slots and bingo)
They work on a two-coin system, meaning each sweepstakes casino has two different types of digital currencies (aka virtual currencies), which are native to that site alone and have ZERO MONETARY VALUE in the real world.
Therefore, the coins cannot be transferred to other players, sent to your preferred bank account or eWallet, or exchanged for real money.
The two main types of coins are typically called Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, although some sites may call them Diamonds, Free Coins, Fortune Coins, Gems, and so on. Each site is different.
You will typically receive both types of coins FOR FREE as part of the initial sign-up bonus, and any coins you receive can only be used to play the games on those sites. If you run out of the free coins like I frequently do, they can be topped up for free in no time so you can continue playing your favourite games.
However, real-world prizes can’t be won with these free coins.
Sweep Coins (aka Sweepstakes Coins), on the other hand, can be purchased and redeemed for cash prizes and other real-world prizes, such as the latest merchandise for your favourite brands, vouchers for your favourite online stores, vacations, the latest electronic gadgets, and so much more.
When you run out of these coins, they won’t be topped up for free. Instead, you can purchase them in bundles/packages using PayPal, Visa, or various other trusted online payment methods currently accepted on that site. It’s still not classed as gambling because you are not gambling real money.
You are playing with virtual coins with no monetary value. When you have built up those coins to a decent amount, they can be exchanged for real-world prizes, which may include cash prizes.
You may need to collect 100, 500, 1,000, or 10,000 before they can be exchanged, so always check because each site works slightly differently from the next.
Although no purchase is necessary on sweepstakes casinos, if you decide to deposit and purchase bundles/packages of Sweeps Coins, you must complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) account verification process, meaning you would have to send in proof of address/ID documents.
How are sweepstakes casinos different from regular real-money online casinos?
To sum up, sweepstakes casinos are basically the same as regular online casinos, but without the gambling part. Here are some of the other key differences:
- Sweepstakes bonuses are different to regular online bonuses, but they are equally as generous for people like me who like to play on these sites, especially on the top-rated sweepstakes sites currently featured here on this page at: askgamblers.com/casino-bonuses/sweepstakes
- Although you aren’t forced to deposit at real money gambling sites, you won’t be able to play in the real money mode if you don’t deposit at least $10. On sweepstakes sites, no deposit is necessary
- Sweepstakes sites are not classed as real money gambling sites because a digital currency with no monetary value is used to play the games
- Sweepstakes sites are also classed as social gaming sites because they bring players together and foster a sense of community, unlike traditional online gambling sites
- Sweepstakes sites players can top up their balance for free by contacting the player support, or via daily login bonuses, social media and email newsletter promotions, onsite competitions, raffles, and tournaments
- Sweepstakes coins that you purchase have a tendency to expire after 60 to 90 days if they are not used
- There’s no risk involved when playing on sweepstakes sites, which are far more laid back than regular online gambling sites
Final thoughts
I enjoy playing on sweepstakes and regular online gambling sites in equal measure, and the main reason I visit the former is to try new strategies I have wanted to try but haven’t been able to afford trying them out in the real money mode on a regular online gambling.
I also visit my favourite sweepstakes sites when I have run out of money at my regular gambling site, but I still want to continue having fun playing online slot machines without having to deposit.
If you decide to join a world-class sweepstakes site before trying a real money online gambling site, I would still recommend taking a responsible gambling approach, even though these are not real money gambling sites, just to prepare yourself for a day that you do decide to join a real money online gambling site.
In other words, learn the rules of games before playing, never play while tired or intoxicated, take regular session breaks, and don’t just play for the sake of it.
