So, you’re feeling lucky? But are you feeling real-money-in-your-pocket lucky, or virtual-coin-and-mild-thrill lucky? This article dives headfirst into the complicated relationship between sweepstakes casinos and the classic, high-stakes world of real money gambling. We’ll untangle the legal knots, dissect the gameplay, and figure out if you’re chasing a jackpot or just a fun way to kill time. Spoiler: your wallet might have strong opinions.
Sweepstakes casinos and real-money online casinos offer players different gaming experiences. While both provide a variety of casino games and the thrill of winning prizes, the way players participate and cash out winnings vary significantly. Note that online casinos are also sometimes referred to as “iGaming.” In almost all cases, “iGaming” simply means “online casinos” and casino play for games like slots, roulette, baccarat, and more.
Key Differences Between Real Money & Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes and real money casinos differ in several important ways, including the type of currency used, game selection, platform availability, legality, and accessibility.
Arguably the largest contrast between the two options is what’s at stake.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Players do not deposit money directly to wager. Instead, they use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. While Gold Coins are for entertainment, Sweepstakes Coins can be redeemed for real prizes or cash.
- Real Money Casinos: Players deposit real money, wager actual funds on games, and can withdraw winnings directly as cash.
In our favorite sweepstakes apps we quickly forgot we were playing with “coins” and “tokens,” because the gameplay is identical to online casino apps.
Generally, we have to admit that real-money casinos offer more games than their social and sweepstakes casino counterparts. As they say, your mileage may vary, but our testing found it to be so.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Often feature slots, keno, and table games with a focus on social gaming. The selection may be more limited compared to real-money casinos.
- Real Money Casinos: Offer a broader range of casino games, including live dealer games, progressive jackpot slots, and exclusive table games.
While online casinos still consistently offer more game types and quantity, sweepstakes casinos are catching up. Sites like McLuck and WOW Vegas offer nearly 1,000 games, and sites like Stake.us have an impressive live dealer selection. You’ll also find more exclusive and original sweeps games across most sites.
If you find yourself in a state without legal online casinos, there may be sweepstakes casinos available at your favorite app marketplace.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Many operate as mobile-friendly websites. A smaller percentage have dedicated apps. You often sweeps sites in areas where real-money gambling is restricted.
- Real Money Casinos: These are available on both desktop and mobile platforms and often feature downloadable apps for a seamless experience.
Only a handful of states have legal online casino apps with real-money play. That includes New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, among the larger populated states. Otherwise, your state likely has sweepstakes casino options, unless they have banned such platforms.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Operate legally in many states where real-money online gambling is restricted. They function under sweepstakes laws, making them accessible to a wider audience.
- Real Money Casinos: Regulated by gaming authorities in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Players must adhere to state-specific laws regarding real-money gaming.
The sweepstakes model relies on the concept of “free entries,” where players can obtain virtual coins (like “Gold Coins” and “Sweeps Coins”) without necessarily making a purchase. “Sweeps Coins” can often be redeemed for cash prizes, which distinguishes them from purely social casino games.
If you are unsure of the safety of using a social sweepstakes casino app, check the website for your state’s regulatory agency. The state will typically share news on social casinos if necessary, to protect consumers.
Sweepstakes casinos provide access to casino-style entertainment in states where traditional online gambling is prohibited. This expands the potential market significantly.
The social aspect of these platforms, with features like social interaction and community-based promotions, appeals to a broad audience.
There’s a clear demand for online casino-style games in the U.S. Sweepstakes casinos fill this gap, offering a legal alternative. The appeal of potentially winning cash prizes, combined with the entertainment value of the games, drives their popularity.
The increasing quality of online gaming platforms, and mobile apps, makes the user experience of sweepstakes casinos very enjoyable. This increases the amount of users, and the amount of time they spend on the platforms.
In essence, sweepstakes casinos have carved out a niche by leveraging existing legal frameworks and meeting the entertainment demands of a large, underserved market.
Comparing Advantages of Both Sweepstakes and Real-Money Online Casinos
Both types of casinos have unique benefits. Below is a comparison of key advantages in table form:
| Feature | Sweepstakes Casinos | Real Money Casinos |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Availability | Available in most U.S. states; legal age varies from 18 to 21 | Restricted to a few licensed states; legal age is 21 |
| Cost to Play | Free play with virtual coins with the option to purchase more coins | Requires deposits to play |
| Potential Winnings | Redeemable sweepstakes prizes | Real cash winnings |
| Game Variety | Heavy focus on slots but game variety is growing; emphasis on social game play | Wide variety from top game developers, including live dealer games |
Are Sweepstakes or Real Money Casinos Right for You?
Both social and sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos offer exciting gaming opportunities. The right choice depends on whether you prefer risk-free entertainment with the chance to win prizes or the thrill of wagering real money. If you’re looking for a legal way to play in restricted areas, online sweepstakes casinos provide a fun alternative to real-money gambling. Here’s how the two compare in currency, game variety, access, and legality.
Arguably the largest contrast between the two options is what’s at stake.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Players do not deposit money directly to wager. Instead, they use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. While Gold Coins are for entertainment, Sweepstakes Coins can be redeemed for real prizes or cash.
- Real Money Casinos: Players deposit real money, wager actual funds on games, and can withdraw winnings directly as cash.
In our favorite sweepstakes apps we quickly forgot we were playing with “coins” and “tokens,” because the gameplay is identical to online casino apps.
Generally, we have to admit that real-money casinos offer more games than the Social and sweepstakes casinos counterparts. As they say, your mileage may vary, but our testing found it to be so.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Often feature slots, keno, and table games with a focus on social gaming. The selection may be more limited compared to real-money casinos.
- Real Money Casinos: Offer a broader range of casino games, including live dealer games, progressive jackpot slots, and exclusive table games.
A sample audit of two apps, one sweepstakes the other real-money, showed the real-money casino offered nearly twice as many titles. That’s because many game companies specialize in creating titles for real-money casinos only.
You should expect to find entertaining game titles on sweepstakes casino apps: some of the most popular series titles are also available in a free-to-play sweepstakes format.
If you find yourself in a state without legal online casinos, there may be sweepstakes casinos available at your favorite app marketplace.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Many operate as mobile-friendly websites. A smaller percentage have dedicated apps. You often sweeps sites in areas where real-money gambling is restricted.
- Real Money Casinos: These are available on both desktop and mobile platforms and often feature downloadable apps for a seamless experience.
Only a handful of states have legal online casino apps with real-money play. That includes New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, among the larger populated states. Otherwise, your state likely has sweepstakes casino options, unless they have banned such platforms.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Operate legally in many states where real-money online gambling is restricted. They function under sweepstakes laws, making them accessible to a wider audience.
- Real Money Casinos: Regulated by gaming authorities in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Players must adhere to state-specific laws regarding real-money gaming.
The sweepstakes model relies on the concept of “free entries,” where players can obtain virtual coins (like “Gold Coins” and “Sweeps Coins”) without necessarily making a purchase. “Sweeps Coins” can often be redeemed for cash prizes, which distinguishes them from purely social casino games.
If you are unsure of the safety of using a social sweepstakes casino app, check the website for your state’s regulatory agency. The state will typically share news on social casinos if necessary, to protect consumers.