I turn to social casinos as a fun alternative to traditional online casinos. I can always play for free, but I have the added potential to redeem virtual winnings for real rewards, like cash or gift cards.
In this guide, I’ll dive into the role of virtual currencies, how real-money prize redemptions work, and the steps you can take to maximize your winnings.
What are virtual currencies?
In social casinos, gameplay is fueled by virtual currencies instead of cash, creating an experience that feels like traditional gaming but without directly wagering money. At nearly every sweeps site I’ve played, the two main types of virtual currencies are Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. In the cases where the names are different, the concept remains the same.
Gold Coins (GC) are play money. When you sign up for an account, you receive them in abundance for free, and there are numerous ways to get more GC. I use GC to sample new games and develop strategy. That’s what they’re there for. There are no stakes, and you can always get your supply replenished.
Sweep Coins (SC) are similar to GC in that they’re given away for free, though in much smaller quantities. To get more SC, you have to wait for daily drops, or seek them out via social media and write-in promotions. You also have the opportunity to buy them, but you don’t need to buy them. In short, they’re a more “valuable” free currency, and one that has some real-world carryover. These are the coins that you can redeem for prizes.
You can play all best social casino games with either currency, and you can toggle between the two currencies within a game.
How real money prizes work at sweepstakes casinos
Now that we’ve got the basic distinction between the two currencies in the sweepstakes model laid out, I’ll hone in on Sweeps Coins, and how you can parlay those into cash prizes.
To start with, you’ll need to accrue specified quantities of SC before you can redeem them for prizes. Here are some of the easiest ways you can start racking them up:
- Sign-up bonuses: Many casinos offer a small number of Sweeps Coins as a welcome bonus to new players.
- Social media and email promotions: Some casinos regularly reward players with free Sweeps Coins as part of social media challenges, email promotions, or other events.
- Write-in promotions: All sweeps sites have an Alternative Method of Entry as part of their compliance with sweepstakes laws. This is a fancy way of saying they give you opportunities to gain site credits (GC and SC) by doing something that requires no or very little cost. In this case, if you mail them a letter asking for SC, they’ll add some to your account. Just make sure you follow the instructions to a T.
- Purchasing Gold Coin bundles: When you buy Gold Coins for extended gameplay, you often receive Sweeps Coins as a bonus.
Obviously, the number one way to get more SC is to win them by playing. The above avenues are here to complement gameplay.
Once you reach a specific threshold of Sweeps Coins, you can redeem them for cash or prizes. I’ve found that 50 SC is the magic number at many sites to start redeeming for cash prizes.
One thing to note when it comes to redeeming SC for cash or prizes is that you’ll have to go through an account verification process first. It will require you to upload personal documents to verify your identity, and you’ll be prompted to do this when you select the option to redeem your SC. Here’s what that prompt looks like at McLuck:
Difference between real money and sweepstakes casinos
The primary difference between real-money casinos and sweepstakes casinos lies in the way gameplay and rewards are structured. In real-money casinos, you wager actual cash and receive your winnings in cash.
Sweepstakes casinos deal entirely in GC and SC. This unique setup allows players to experience casino-like gaming while potentially earning rewards without the need to gamble with real money.
While the way currency functions between real-money and sweepstakes casinos is the main difference, here are a few more key differences between the two types of casinos.
| Feature | Real-money Casinos | Sweepstakes Casinos |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Typically regulated by gaming commissions | Regulated by state sweepstakes laws |
| Age Requirement | 21 and older | 18 and older in most cases; 21 and older in some |
| Social Engagement | Minimal engagement between customers | Lots of social engagement through chat rooms and leaderboards; social media involvement plays a major role |
| Integration with Other Gambling Markets | Often link with sportsbooks or DFS services offered by the same operator | None |
| Look and Feel | Not too flashy; focus on organization and easy navigation | Typically more flashy with a playful interface and emphasis on player achievements |
Online sweepstakes casinos offering free Sweeps Coins on sign up
As I mentioned, sign-up bonuses are one of the first ways you can get some free GC and SC to start playing. Several sweeps sites offer some combination of SC, GC, or both when you sign up. Here’s a list of the best sign-up bonuses for new players. In some cases, you’ll need a promo code to claim the bonus. I’ve included that for the sites where it’s needed.
| Sweeps Casino | Sign-Up Offer | Play Now (Click to claim) |
|---|---|---|
| WOW Vegas | 5 Sweepstakes Coins + 250,000 WOW Coins | WOWBONUS |
| High 5 Casino | 5 Sweeps Coins, 250 Game Coins & 600 Diamonds on Sign Up | Click to claim promo |
| McLuck Casino | 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweepstakes Coins | PLAYBONUS |
| Pulsz | 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins on Sign Up | BONUSPLAY |
| Crown Coins | 100,000 Crown Coins + Sweeps Coins | Click to claim promo |
Finding a Real Money Sweepstakes Casino
Not every sweepstakes casino offers cash redemption options. Some only allow you to redeem your SC for prizes or gift cards. You should always evaluate potential casinos to learn about their redemption policies before spending time trying to rack up coins. Here are tips to help identify real-money sweepstakes casinos:
- Currency terms: Look for casinos that clearly describe their virtual currency system, especially if they mention redeemable currency like Sweeps Coins.
- Redemption policy: Review the casino’s terms and conditions to see if they allow cashing out of certain currencies and whether there’s a minimum threshold.
- Player feedback: Reading reviews and experiences from other players provides insight into the redemption process and the casino’s legitimacy.
Winning real money at sweepstakes casinos
Winning real money from sweepstakes casinos can be achieved by following a few essential steps:
- Claim sign-up and daily bonuses: Many sweepstakes casinos offer free Sweeps Coins as part of their welcome or daily login bonuses, providing a starting balance without any purchase.
- Engage in social media promotions: Sweepstakes casinos often run promotions on platforms like Facebook or Twitter, where players can win additional Sweeps Coins.
- Send snail-mail requests for Sweeps Coins: You can send letters to sweeps operators to receive free SC. It often takes a while, but many sweeps players make a habit of sending them out on a weekly or monthly basis as part of their routine.
- Play games using Sweeps Coins: With Sweeps Coins, players can participate in games that qualify for real prizes, allowing them to build a redeemable balance.
- Participate in casino-run challenges or referral programs: These may offer extra Sweeps Coins for referring new players who sign up and play.
- Reach the redemption threshold: After accumulating enough Sweeps Coins, players can redeem them for cash or other prizes. At Chumba Casino, for example, players typically need 50 Sweeps Coins to initiate a redemption.
Closing
Not everyone will dive into sweepstakes gaming for the cash rewards. I don’t always play for money; sometimes I just want to try out a new slot or learn a new table game without needing to put skin in the game. Sweeps sites are great for this.
However, if you decide to take a chance to win some cash prizes, select a trusted platform among the sweepstakes casinos we’ve listed above. If you’re patient, you can start accumulating Sweeps Coins through the avenues we’ve discussed and maybe even win some real money at sweepstakes casinos.