Written By: Mike Ifftner /Fact Checked By: Sarah Lunness
Sweepstakes casinos, sometimes called social casinos, are a great way for players to enjoy all of their favorite casino games online! But how do sweepstakes casinos work, and how do you decide which site is right for you?
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best sweepstakes casino sites, from their games and online casino bonuses, to how they differ from real-money casinos. We’ve also put together a list of the top sweepstakes casinos in the US, complete with our expert rankings.
Our Choice of Sweeps Casinos:
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs Apply
List of Top sweepstakes casinos:
- Chumba Casino - Best Overall Social Casino
- WOW Vegas - Top Sweepstakes Casino
- LuckyLand Slots - Best Social Casino for Slot Games
- Global Poker - Top Social Poker Site
- Fliff Casino - Best Sweeps Sportsbook
- Sweeps Slots - Best Site for Sweeps Games
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs Apply
Best US sweepstakes casinos
Chumba Casino - Our Best Ranked Casino
Expert Ranking: 4.8/5
Chumba Casino is one of the biggest names in social casinos, and taking a look at the site, it’s easy to see why! The site was founded back in 2012, with players able to sign up directly via the Chumba Facebook page, which makes it easy to connect with other gamers.
The Chumba Casino site is also packed with excellent bonuses and promotions, and a lobby of more than 100 games that you can play for free. Our team of experts was thoroughly impressed with Chumba’s offering, labelling it one of the “best social casinos” available in the US!
✅ Pros:
- Available to players throughout the US
- Large game lobby
- Plenty of bonuses and promos
- Dedicated app: Chumba Lite
❌ Cons:
- Fewer payment methods than other sites
WOW Vegas - Best No Deposit Sweeps Bonus
Expert Ranking: 4.9/5
A fairly new addition to the world of sweepstakes casinos, WOW Vegas was founded in 2022 and is operated by WOW Entertainment Limited. This free sweepstakes casino hosts more than 200 casino-style games, and our team of experts found the site to be slick and well designed, making for a great gaming experience.
The site also has a dedicated 24/7 customer support team, so you can rest assured that if you have an issue or query, you’ll be able to chat to a provider who can help.
✅ Pros:
- Huge game selection
- Replicates the look and feel of a real-money casino
- Great customer support
- Generous welcome bonus
❌ Cons:
- No dedicated mobile app
LuckyLand Slots - Best Social Slots Casino
Expert Ranking: 4.6/5
LuckyLand is a social casino that was established back in 2018 by Australia-based operator Virtual Gaming Worlds. The site offers players a hand-picked selection of titles to choose from, with over 45 games currently available on site.
While the social casino doesn’t yet offer a dedicated mobile app, it’s fully optimized for mobile, meaning you can enjoy LuckyLand’s games, bonuses and promotions on whichever device you prefer!
✅ Pros:
- Fully mobile optimized
- Available to players throughout the US
- Hand-picked game selection
- No purchase necessary to play
❌ Cons:
- Somewhat dated graphics
- Not a huge variety of game types
Global Poker - Top Site for Social Poker Games
Expert Ranking: 4.8/5
Poker fans looking for a way to play their favorite game for free are in luck with Global Poker! Global Poker is home to a whole host of poker titles for players to choose from, including classic games and variations. This is a social poker site on which players can redeem cash prizes, and we found the website easy to navigate and safe to use.
Whether you’re new to the world of poker or a seasoned bluffer, there are a range of options available on Global Poker!
✅ Pros:
- Play any poker game for free
- Good selection of titles
- Welcome bonus for new sign-ups
- Website is safe and easy to use
❌ Cons:
- No telephone or live chat customer service
Fliff Casino - Best Sweeps Sportsbook
Expert Ranking: 4.7/5
Fliff Sign-up Promo Code: BETODDS
Fliff Casino is a social sportsbook designed to cater to players who want to make wagers on sports games and events, without risking their hard-earned cash. The site offers a fantastic welcome bonus for new players, and there are daily login bonuses and loyalty rewards available to take advantage of.
The site has a well-designed app that is available on both iOS and Android, as well as a great selection of sports to choose from. The site also provides players with a leaderboard and badges to showcase their achievements.
✅ Pros:
- Dedicated mobile app
- Intuitive user interface
- Sweepstakes sportsbook
- Win loyalty rewards from your favorite brands
❌ Cons:
- Limited payment methods
Sweeps Slots - Best for Online Sweeps Games
Expert Ranking: 4.7/5
Sweep Slots Casino is perhaps one of the most popular sweeps casinos. This is due to the fact that it is home to one of the best ranges of classic casino-style games like slots and many more. Players are able to enjoy these slot games along with many more, all without risking their bankrolls. What more could you ask for? Well, what about payment options? Fear not, as the Sweep Slots Casino website has a plethora of payment options for players to choose from when buying additional gold coins to play with.
✅ Pros:
- Daily Rewards just for logging in!
- Extremely easy-to-use interface.
- Brilliant welcome bonus.
❌ Cons:
- No mobile app is currently available.
What are Sweepstakes Casinos?
At first glance, USA sweepstakes casinos might not seem that different from real-money casinos. However, while it’s true that social casinos and real-money casinos have a lot in common – from the wide selection of games to their digital lobbies – there’s one key difference: you don’t need to spend real money to play games at a sweepstakes casino.
Social casinos operate with a ‘sweepstakes model’, which simply means that players can enjoy games for free, and that they can redeem their winnings for cash prizes and other rewards! All sweepstakes casinos have ‘no purchase necessary’ rules, which means that their games are always free to enter. This also means that players throughout the US can play at a sweepstakes casino, though the rules and legislation do vary from state to state.
Gold Coins & Sweeps Coins – What’s the difference?
While players at a sweepstake coin casino don’t need to pay to play, they can still accrue virtual tokens while playing on the site and, as mentioned above, redeem some of these tokens for real-cash prizes!
There are two main types of tokens at a social casino: gold coins and sweeps coins. The names of these coins may vary from site to site, but they essentially function in the same way.
While there is no purchase necessary to play at a sweepstake casino, players have the option to buy gold coin tokens from the on-site store. These tokens can then be used to play on any of the games in the lobby, but can’t be redeemed for prizes and rewards.
The other type of token is sweeps coins, also known as SCs. To win sweeps coins, make sure that you’re playing in ‘promotional mode’ as opposed to ‘standard mode’. Then, all you need to do is start playing! You’ll be awarded SCs via gameplay, as well as through promotions, regular giveaways or sign-up bonuses.
Once you’ve collected enough sweeps coins, you’ll be able to redeem them for rewards and cash prizes. Also, the best social casinos operate on a ‘no purchase necessary’ basis, which means that SCs are always free.
Sweepstake Casino Benefits
Available to Players Aged 18+
Currently, the legal gambling age in the US is 21 and above, which means that many gamers can’t access online casino-style games. However, as sweepstakes casinos don’t require payment to play at their sites, they aren’t subject to the same restrictions as real-money casinos, and so most sites are available to players over the age of 18.
Of course, every site is different, and we recommend taking a look at your chosen provider’s terms and conditions to check that you meet their age requirements before attempting to open an account.
Bonuses and Promos
What would a social casino be without bumper bonuses and promotions to liven up your gameplay? Almost every sweepstakes casino offers players a host of promotions, such as welcome bonuses, which can take the form of sweeps coins, gold coins, or a mixture of both. When accessing sweepstake casinos online, the promotions are often a little different to those found at real-money sites and may involve VIP bonuses, leaderboards and free-to-enter competitions.
Awesome Games
Social casinos offer players a wide range of games to pick from, such as slot machines, classic table games, live dealer games and lots more! Some sites specialize in one type of gameplay – video slots, for example – while others have a diverse mix of some of the most popular casino-style games. While sweepstake casino game portfolios may not always be as expansive as those at real-money casinos, just remember that you can enjoy any of them for free!
Availability in Almost Every State
Sweepstakes coin casinos are free to play at, which sets them apart from real-money casinos in terms of legislation and regulatory rules. Because gameplay at a social casino isn’t classed as gambling, players throughout the US can sign up and start playing at a sweepstakes casino online.
Are Sweepstakes and Social Casinos Legal in the US?
The short answer to this question is yes, sweepstakes and social casinos are legal in the US! As explained above, players don’t need to make a payment to play at a social casino, and because of the use of virtual tokens such as gold coins and sweeps coins, playing at casino sweepstakes sites is not considered gambling. This means that almost anyone in the US can create an account and enjoy sweepstakes casinos, even if they live in a state that is yet to legalize online gambling.
However, there are a handful of states that don’t allow players to use sweepstakes casinos, so make sure you know your state’s regulatory rules before signing up to play at one of the top social casinos.
States that do not accept sweepstakes casinos
- Idaho
- Nevada
- Washington
Best Sweepstake Slot Games
Egyptian Dreams
This five-reel video slot is a great addition to the continuously popular genre of Egypt-themed games! With great graphics and high volatility, Egyptian Dreams is a great slot for any players looking for an adventure-filled title to play.
- Popular Egyptian theme
- Classic slot machine gameplay
- Slick graphics
Big Bass Bonanza
Pragmatic Play’s excellent fishing-themed slot is packed full of bonus features that can help to ramp up the gameplay. Big Bass Bonanza is a favorite among gamers, and with the free spins and scatters on offer, it’s hardly surprising!
- Medium volatility
- Plenty of special features
- Straightforward gameplay
Gonzo’s Quest
Gonzo’s Quest is arguably one of the most popular online slots out there, and for good reason. Featuring smooth animations and a brilliant avalanche feature, this slot has something for everyone!
- Immersive soundtrack
- Packed with bonus features
- Laid-back gameplay
Why Play at Sweepstakes Casinos?
Do you love casino-style gameplay, but don’t want the hassle of complicated sign-up processes and want to avoid risking your cash? Or perhaps you live in a state that doesn’t allow online gambling, but you still want to enjoy all your favorite games? If that’s the case, online social casinos are an excellent alternative!
At a sweepstakes casino, you can enjoy all the perks of a real-money casino, without spending a dollar. What’s more, playing at a sweepstakes casino online provides players with access to a host of amazing rewards and prizes, simply for playing games.
Sweepstake Casino Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Play with others
- No need to spend any money to play
- Available throughout the US
❌ Cons:
- Smaller game selections on average
- May take longer to win prizes and rewards
Real-money Casino Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Large number of providers to choose from
- Quick withdrawal times
- Variety of games and titles to pick from
❌ Cons:
- Not available in every state
- Your money is at risk
Mobile Sweepstakes Casino Apps
Most social casinos are ‘mobile optimized’ – that is, they work just as well on a smartphone browser as they do on a desktop or laptop. This means that you can usually find a social casino to play at on the go.
Lots of sweepstakes casinos offer a dedicated app that you can download from the App Store or Google Play Store. These apps are designed with players in mind, and let you take your favorite social casino with you.
FAQs
Are sweepstakes casinos safe?
As long as your chosen sweepstake casino is fully regulated and licensed by the appropriate governing bodies, you can be certain that the site is safe. You should research your chosen social casino before signing up and creating an account to ensure that the site is safe, secure and reputable.
How do I obtain sweeps coins?
You can obtain sweeps coins at a social casino in a number of ways. They may be awarded during gameplay, in a welcome bonus, or as part of a promotion on site. Make sure that you are playing in promotional mode, otherwise you won’t be able to win and redeem your sweeps coins for rewards and cash prizes.
What games can I play at sweepstake casinos?
This will depend on the social casino in question, but most sites generally offer players a wide range of titles to pick from, such as slot machines, table games and even live dealer games at a live social casino.
What payment methods are available at sweepstakes casinos?
While accepted payment methods will vary from social casino to casino, the best online sweepstakes casino sites accept a number of different methods, including (but not limited to):
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Apple Pay
- Amex
- Skrill
What sweepstakes casinos are like Chumba?
If you’re looking for new social and sweepstakes casinos like Chumba, or another of the best social casinos, we recommend also checking out LuckyLand, Fliff Casino, Global Poker and WOW Vegas.
