What are the recent trends in online casino gaming over the last 12 to 18 months? One has definitely been the rise of sweepstakes casinos, which are popping up as alternatives to traditional casino sites. These offer casino-style games and the potential for real cash prizes – fun enough, without the risks.
How does this work? Is there such a thing as risk-free gambling? We take a quick look into the world of sweepstakes casinos.
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What is sweepstakes casino?
Also known as social casinos, most likely due to their widespread appearance on social media, sweepstakes casinos operate a different model to traditional online casino platforms where you are required to deposit real money to play slots, live casino online, and other table games.
👉 Sweepstakes casinos use a virtual currency system, so whilst you still get the feel of online casino gaming, you bet with virtual coins or “gold” and sweep coins instead of real cash. Best of all, you can still switch your winnings out for cash prizes in most cases.
Another good thing about sweepstakes casinos is that, since you don't use real money, they aren't considered gambling and, as a result, have found themselves a bit of a loophole in the terms of legality surrounding this kind of entertainment in most of the United States and other regions worldwide where gambling is still either illegal or prohibited.
Gold coins vs. sweeps coins
So we just mentioned that most sweepstakes casinos use two different types of virtual currencies, either gold coins or sweeps coins, but it's important to remember that whilst these coins give you access to sweep casino games, there are a few differences to keep in mind between the two. So let's have a look at their main differences below:
- Gold Coins: These are the standard tokens that most players use for a sweepstakes casino game or on social casinos. Most sweepstakes casinos let players buy these coins to boost their balance and play games for longer, but the coins themselves hold no monetary value outside of the casino platform and cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash prizes. They are purely used for the purposes of playing.
- Sweeps Coins: Sweeps coins are slightly different as a virtual currency, allowing you to earn from welcome bonuses, promo deals, giveaways, free bonuses, and also for buying gold coin packages. But unlike gold coins, these tokens are redeemable for real money cash prizes. Let's take a look below at why you would use one form over the other.
How to get started with sweepstakes casinos
Getting started with sweepstakes casinos is relatively easy. You just have to follow these quick steps:
- Step 1: Choose a sweepstakes casino—The first step to getting started is to find a suitable sweepstakes casino. Ensure you pick a reliable and trustworthy site with loads of games and everything else you want.
- Step 2: Register an account—Once you find the right site, you should join and create an account. The registration step is usually straightforward and similar to conventional real-money sites.
- Step 3: Obtain virtual currencies—Now, you need to get some virtual tokens to play games. Many of the best sweepstakes casinos reward their new players with a small amount of gold and sweep coins as a welcome bonus. But you can also get coins from daily login bonuses, social media promotions, and other opportunities.
- Step 4: Play casino games—Once you have virtual currencies in hand, you can go to the casino lobby and start playing games.
Redeeming Sweepstakes Coins
As mentioned above, the most exciting attraction of sweepstakes casinos is the ability to redeem and exchange sweeps coins for cash prizes. So, by accumulating sweeps coins on your sweepstakes casino account, you can receive cash prizes or gift cards in exchange.
👉 The process of redeeming these virtual tokens is typically straightforward, and the best sweepstakes casinos will provide multiple payment options to choose from.
However, you should note that there's usually a minimum number of sweeps coins you must have to initiate the redemption process. Also, players must go through a KYC verification process before requesting withdrawal for sweeps coins, much like in traditional sites.
Casino Games at Sweepstakes Casinos
As mentioned, sweepstakes casinos work similarly to traditional sites. So, you can expect many of the same types of games on these sites. Unsurprisingly, slots also take centre stage at these sites, featuring loads of titles you can enjoy.
These platforms typically also host selections of classic table games, such as blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and others. And for players who prefer the thrills of authentic real-time gaming, sweepstakes casinos also offer live dealer casino games.
Pros of Sweepstakes Casino
As you might have already inferred, there are many benefits to playing social games via sweepstakes casinos. Below are a few pros:
- It’s legal in most jurisdictions
- Access to a wide range of casino games
- Zero risks of losing money
- Opportunity to win cash prizes
- Low wagering requirements
Conclusion
Sweepstakes bring an exciting new twist into the gaming dynamic, offering a fun way to enjoy the thrills of online gambling without the usual associated risks. Instead of depositing and playing with real money, you utilise virtual free tokens.
And the best part is that you can still potentially win cash prizes by accumulating and redeeming sweeps coins.
Ultimately, sweepstakes casinos present an appealing alternative that offers a perfect mix of social and gambling elements. They are definitely worth trying out for every online casino enthusiast.
