How to Win Money Playing at Sweepstakes Casinos - A Guide for Beginners

Sweepstakes Casinos are one of the newest wave of gaming available in the United States – and it can be a fantastic way to play casino-style games for free in over 40 US States.

So don’t worry. Below, we’ll explain how to play and win at sweepstakes casinos for beginners.

What Are Sweepstakes Casinos?

Sweepstakes casinos are a place to play free-to-play casino-style games in 45 states. Not only are sweepstakes casinos free to play, but you can also redeem your winnings for real prizes when you play with Sweeps Coins.

Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins

Sweepstakes casinos will offer two different types of virtual coin for play – usually named Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

Gold Coins have no redeemable value and are played strictly for fun, they can be easily acquired through daily bonuses and even purchased.

Sweeps Coins are the coins you may redeem for real prizes, and although you can not purchase them at any time, they may be offered as a part of Gold Coin packages or as a part of other promotions.

Legal Aspects of Sweepstakes Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos operate under the sweepstakes model, so you’re not betting real money and instead virtual coins which can be redeemed for real prizes.

It is also a requirement that sweepstakes offer free-to-play entries, so they’ll offer mail-in offers or promotions that allow you to receive sweepstakes coins for free.

Since sweepstakes casinos are technically not gambling – they are able to operate in 42 US States.

Strategies to maximize wins at Sweepstakes Casinos

It’s more fun to play at Sweepstakes Casinos if you’re winning, and there are a couple of things you can do to improve your chances at sweepstakes casinos.

Use Promotions and Bonuses Wisely

Almost all sweepstakes casino will offer promotions and bonuses to sign-up, and most will continue to offer promotions throughout your time on the sweepstakes casino.

It’s important to manage these bonuses properly, including using the tips below, to get the most out of these bonuses.

Selecting Games with Higher Return-to-Player (RTP) Rates 

The number one thing you can do to improve your chances of winning is play games with a high return-to-player (RTP).

Most slots will vary around 94-96%, and even a small difference in RTP can make hundreds of dollars. If you can find games at the 96% RTP mark, that is a huge boost especially when you’re clearing a bonus.

Note that RTP is not the end all be all – it’s possible to have a high RTP and lose, but it does give you a good idea on what your return will be in the long run.

Taking Advantage of Tournaments and Competitions 

One of the more popular methods of tournaments and competitions which can be played with both Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

Some tournaments will be based on total wins – which will require a bit more effort – while some tournaments will be based on the biggest win on a single spin. Keep an eye out for these tournaments and competitions because they will not require an entry fee – and you can potentially win hundreds of dollars just by playing.

Practicing Patience: When to Cash Out

The number one thing I would recommend when playing at any sweepstakes casino is to verify your account before play and set a number that you’ll cash out at once you reach that amount of sweepstakes coins.

Free Play and No-Purchase Bonuses

Since sweepstakes casinos are always free-to-play, they must offer alternative methods of acquiring Sweeps Coins through promotions and more. We’ll break down some of the more easily accessible ways below:

Daily Rewards and Contests

Many sweepstakes casinos will offer daily no-purchase bonuses and contests you can receive simply for logging into the site.

They will also offer daily contests such as tournaments, random drawings, or more promotions where you can earn free Sweeps Coins. Be sure to check daily or read their promotions schedule to never miss out on a chance for free Sweeps Coins.

Earning Free Sweeps Coins

Some of the most popular methods of earning FREE Sweeps Coins -- outside of claiming the no-purchase welcome bonuses -- are submitting a postal request and purchasing Gold Coin packages.

Many sweepstakes casinos will also offer a daily login bonus, which you can get FREE Sweeps Coins every day.

Sweepstakes Casinos We Recommend for Beginners 

Not all sweepstakes casinos are created equal – especially for beginners – so we’ve compiled some of the best options.

Stake.us

Stake.us is one of the most popular sweepstakes casinos, and it’s great for beginners due to the Stake no-deposit bonus which grants new users 20 FREE SC on sign-up.

You’ll get an additional sweeps coin every day, and it has one of the largest game libraries available in the United States. You’ll have plenty of options for games, and plenty of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to test out the platform so sign-up today and play!

Play at Stake.us Casino

Zula Casino

Zula Casino is one of my favorite sweepstakes casinos – and that goes for both beginners and experienced players. You’ll get a ton of sweeps Coins on sign-up, including 10 FREE SC when you sign-up.

This site doesn’t offer a ton of variety in it’s games outside of slots, but if you’re looking for slots, the over 700 games offered by Zula Casino should be plenty to get you started.

It’s a great entrance point for sweepstakes casinos and a site I highly recommend you check out for yourself.

Play at Zula Casino

McLuck

McLuck Casino is another long-standing popular sweepstakes casino and is quite simple to navigate. You’ll have no problem finding any of it’s games – which includes table games and live dealer options.

It’s not the highest-dollar no-deposit bonus—you’ll get 2.5 FREE SC— but you’ll get at least 0.2 FREE SC per day and have access to a ton of games.

This is a great option to get a feel for sweepstakes casinos—and the nearly daily purchase discounts don’t hurt either.

Play at McLuck Casino

Responsible Gaming and Bankroll Management

It’s important to remember that although sweepstakes casinos are not technically gambling, you can lose real money. And if you don’t manage your bankroll properly, you won’t be able to continue to play.

Always play responsibly, use these tips and tricks to manage your bankroll, and you’ll be able to stay in the game having fun.

Setting Betting Limits 

Most sweepstakes casinos will offer purchase and play limits – but even if you elect not to utilize these tools it’s important to have a number in mind on how much you’d be willing and able to purchase.

It can be easy to purchase $25 - $30 purchase packs consistently – so if you’re not aware of how much you’re spending, it can add up quickly. So don’t be afraid to utilize these handy tools and always play within your means.

Managing Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

If you’re looking to just play for fun, don’t forget about using Gold Coins as well. Once you have sweeps coins, or make a redemption, it can be difficult to go back to sweeps coins.

But they can be a great way to continue to test out new games.

Final Thoughts and Tips for Beginners

Sweepstakes casinos are a relatively new concept into the world of online gaming – and with a ton of options out there – it can be a difficult world to wander into.

On the bright side, having competitions allows you to claim a ton of valuable welcome bonuses and test them out for yourself for free. Use this guide as a start and check out our top sweepstakes casinos for beginners for yourself.