Glossary
What is Sweepstakes Casino?
A casino game that runs on a dual-currency promotional sweepstakes structure, legal in most US states.
In detail
A sweepstakes casino is a legal workaround that lets US players win real cash prizes outside of regulated gambling states. It uses two currencies: Gold Coins (no cash value, for fun) and Sweeps Coins (the promotional currency that can be redeemed for cash). You receive Sweeps Coins as a free bonus when buying Gold Coins, never by direct purchase. High 5 Casino, Chumba, LuckyLand, and Stake.us run on this model. It's legally distinct from both social casinos and real-money online gambling.
FAQ
Sweepstakes Casino questions, answered
Is a sweepstakes casino legal in my state?
Sweepstakes casinos operate in most US states because they're structured as promotional sweepstakes rather than gambling. A handful of states (Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Michigan) explicitly exclude or restrict them. Always check the app's eligibility list before signing up.
Can you actually withdraw cash from a sweepstakes casino?
Yes, but only Sweeps Coins (the promotional currency), not Gold Coins. You also have to play through them at least once and meet a minimum redemption threshold. Identity verification (KYC) is required before any cash payout.
What's the difference between a sweepstakes casino and a social casino?
Social casinos don't pay cash at all (DoubleDown, Slotomania, myVEGAS). Sweepstakes casinos do pay cash through their Sweeps Coin redemption (High 5, Chumba, LuckyLand). The look and feel can be identical; the legal and economic models are completely different.
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