Sweepstakes casinos are fast becoming a hugely popular option with players across the iGaming industry. By offering improved accessibility, exclusive bonuses and a boosted game library, sweepstakes casinos are becoming a major player within the market. As the industry moves increasingly online and shifts toward other lower stake options such as slots, could sweepstakes casinos be the next step forward for this constantly evolving industry?
Understanding sweepstakes casinos
First, let’s look more closely at what sweepstakes casinos actually are. Rather than players using real-world money to play, sweepstakes casinos use a virtual currency called gold coins or sweepstakes coins. Players are able to earn these coins without spending any money, through offers, bonuses and rewards, allowing players around the world the opportunity to enjoy their favorite games without risking any of their own money.
When a player first opens an account at a sweepstakes casino, they’ll usually receive a reward in the form of coins to start them on their journey. These can be used to play any of the games included in the casino library. Players are then rewarded for loyal play, completing challenges and taking part in tournaments with even more coins to be used at the casino. They can also make the most of the range of bonuses available – like birthday and referral bonuses – to replenish their supply.
What makes sweepstakes casinos so appealing?
There are a number of benefits to playing at sweepstakes casinos, making them a popular option among many players. Let’s look at some of these benefits in more detail:
Lower risk – still high reward
One of the most appealing benefits of playing at sweepstakes casinos is, of course, the ability to play for free. For many players, making the most of the free ways to gain coins means they’re able to play their favorite games, from blackjack and poker to roulette or slots, without risking their own money.
This is a great option for players looking to get to grips with the mechanics behind games before spending any money. Responsible gambling is one of the biggest concerns in the industry, so sweepstakes casinos are a great alternative that can help players to limit their spending. As players don’t have to stake their own money to play, many find they’re at lower risk for overspending or chasing losses when playing at sweepstakes casinos.
The truly incredible thing about sweepstakes casinos is that players are still able to earn great rewards without spending. While sweepstakes coins and gold coins don’t have value outside of the casino, they can still be cashed in for exciting prizes. Some of the prizes on offer include experiences like holidays, gift cards and even cash! Overall, sweepstakes casinos are a great way for players to earn impressive prizes without staking money.
A wide library of games to choose from
Most sweepstakes casinos have an expanded library of games, including exclusives and those games that aren’t seen as often on other platforms. Of course, they still have all the popular classics, including poker, blackjack, roulette, slots and more, but there’s also more niche options like scratch cards, Plinko and Mines. For those looking to play some of the more unique casino games, sweepstakes casinos can be a great option.
There’s also a good choice of the more innovative games that are increasingly popular among players. One of the most popular of these is i-slots or interactive slots, which use mini-games to enhance the playing experience. Player’s results from the mini-games have an impact on the overall outcome of the slot – for example, they might get a multiplier as a reward for a high score.
There are further choices for the technology-minded as well, through live gaming options. These games use a real dealer who interacts with the player via livestream, and include impressive set designs to immerse players in the vibrant casino experience.
Epic bonuses help players make the most of their money
Sweepstakes casinos feature all the great bonuses that make playing online so great, and even go a step further with some unique bonuses on offer as well. At most casinos, players are able to gain gold coins or sweepstakes coins through signup, no deposit or welcome bonuses. To increase their stash of coins, players can make the most of promotions and offers – like 10,000 gold coins for logging on every day for a week. It’s important to keep an eye out for any casino emails containing exclusive offer codes. It’s also a good idea to keep up to date with sweepstakes casinos through their social media, to make the most of any promotions or giveaways posted!
Sweepstakes casinos go beyond the usual bonuses that can be found at other casino options. One example of this we were able to find was the incredible number of rewards on offer through tournaments. Players are able to sign up to tournaments at many sweepstakes casinos, where they have the opportunity to win exclusive rewards, including gold coins. The majority of tournaments use a leaderboard to help players keep track of their progress. Players who find themselves near the top of the leaderboard could win tens of thousands of gold coins or a share in an exclusive jackpot.
To compare the bonuses on offer at different sweepstakes casinos, sites like SweepsChaser are leading the way. By comparing the performance of casinos across features like player experience, payment methods and the bonuses on offer, they provide players with only the top options. It’s easy to find the very best bonuses on offer across sweepstakes casinos by using their platform.
Other bonuses that can be found at some sweepstakes casinos include challenge promotions. Players who achieve a certain goal are rewarded with gold coins to be used at the site. Some sites even give players the opportunity to set their own goals, determining how many times or which game they need to play to win. Those who achieve their goal are rewarded with a hoard of gold coins!
An uncertain future in some areas
Although sweepstakes casinos are growing in popularity, they also face some challenges. In the US, where these casinos have over a million players, potential changes in reform could mean they face an uncertain future. The American Gambling Association (AGA) announced measures to regulate sweepstakes in the same way as other forms of casinos throughout the country this year.
They also asked states to tighten gambling rules to exclude sweepstakes from being a legal form of gambling. The AGA remains in a battle against the Social Sweepstakes Gaming Alliance, who point out the positive impact of casinos where players are able to play for free. Despite this, sweepstakes casinos remain legal in 48 states, with Washington and Michigan being the only exceptions.
Elsewhere in the world, sweepstakes casinos remain a popular option for players due to the convenience of being able to play from anywhere at any time. In the UK, they are legal but fall under the same legislation as other casino options – the 2005 Gambling Act. This means that sweepstakes casinos are able to offer players the same level of security and safety combined with the opportunity to play for free.
Could sweepstakes casinos be the future of iGaming?
Sweepstakes casinos could represent the future of iGaming, as players look toward more affordable options. They could symbolize a similar shift in the market as slots, the low-wagering iGaming option that has exploded in popularity in recent years. Of course, the ability to play their favorite games for free is appealing to most players! Sweepstakes casinos’ impressive value for money is also enhanced by the range of bonuses on offer. By utilizing promotions like signup rewards, tournaments and challenges, players can top up their coin totals, meaning they don’t have to spend any of their own money.
As well as the financial benefits of sweepstakes casinos, they also boast enhanced game libraries. Through exclusive games and more niche options combined with the usual casino favorites, there’s something for every player. Although they could face potential legislative changes in some areas, the appeal of sweepstakes casinos will likely still remain. In the future, it’s hard to imagine that more players won’t want to continue to make the most of all the incredible benefits on offer at sweepstakes casinos.