It’s not just traditional online casinos that have become so popular over the last few years; so too have sweepstakes casinos, which let you play games without spending a single dime. Not only that, but they’re legal in most states, with only a handful of exceptions. But how do they work, exactly?
What Are Sweepstakes Casinos?
Much like real money casinos, sweepstakes casinos let you play online games and join sweepstakes contests, except without making cash bets. Instead, they generally take two kinds of virtual currencies: Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins.
Comparing Gold Coins & Sweepstakes Coins
Gold Coins are meant only for fun, so think of them more like practice coins. They will give you most of the thrill of gambling but without any of the risk.
Sweepstakes Coins, on the other hand, are the main tender, and you can use them in sweepstakes. Though they’re purchasable, and you can even get bonus coins when you buy enough of them, there are also free ways to earn your share. For example, many new non GamStop casinos give players free coins for signing up, subscribing to newsletters, or claiming an active social media promotion.
Types Of Sweepstakes Bonuses
The bonuses you can earn when signing up for a sweepstakes casino will enhance your opportunities to win prizes. The types offered will vary depending on which casino you find, but there are a few common kinds you’ll encounter more than others:
- Welcome rewards – New players often stand to gain the most with free coins just for signing up.
- Daily & loyalty promotions – Regular players can sometimes earn daily bonuses or accumulate points for exclusive perks, including more coins.
- Tournament prizes – Of course, aside from merchandise, Sweepstakes Coins are often up for grabs for winning a tournament or other competitive event.
Considering the free-to-play model and how it’s implemented, sweepstakes casinos just make sense for players who enjoy the thrill of the unknown.
Finding A Sweepstakes Casino
Much like any gambling site, sweepstakes casinos come in many different flavors, making it all the more important to pick a brand that best suits your needs. Generally speaking, you’ll have great results when you look for a casino with certain core standout features:
- Fast and fun games – Casinos are their best when they partner with quality game developers experienced at making low-demand software that doesn’t lag on any devices. They’ll also usually have easier navigation buttons for smaller screens.
- Free sweepstakes coins – Aside from sign-up bonuses, the best brands award free coins, including reload bonuses and loyalty rewards that let you unlock new levels.
- Valuable prizes – Though you won’t win real money in the traditional sense, the best sweepstakes casinos let you go in for actual prizes that you redeem coins for. Be on the lookout for casinos with gift vouchers, event tickets, and other merchandise.
- Works on mobile – Low-demand games run on HTML5 and can adapt to any operating system and screen size.
Since sweepstakes casinos don’t use real money, it’s less urgent to find one that operates with a license. Nevertheless, avoid a site that doesn’t have a reputation or legally accept players from where you live.
Maximizing Sweepstakes Gameplay & Potential
Above all, playing at sweepstakes casinos should be fun. Still, even though real money isn’t on the line, players have some stakes in the game, especially if they’re competing for prizes. So if you want to make the most out of your gameplay potential, be sure to plan and play wisely:
Get All The Right Promotions
Most sweepstakes casinos draw in new members with registration promotions, many of which grant them free Sweepstakes Coins or allow one-time discounts on coin purchases. A little research will go a long way, especially since these deals tend to rotate regularly.
Practice Using Gold Coins
Don’t throw away those valuable Sweepstakes Coins by going in cold – always use your Gold Coins to practice each game in a no-stakes environment first. They’re more readily available and don’t take away your ability to participate more fully in prized sweepstakes.
Remember Standard Game Strategies
Many of the games at sweepstakes casinos are based on luck, but that doesn’t mean strategy is completely impossible. To that end, your approach to such games should be the same as with any other gambling site, and if you plan to change that, practice with Gold Coins first.
Stick To Low Volatility Slots
Understanding slot volatility will give you valuable insight into the game’s mechanics, but the core difference comes down to this: Low volatility translates to more frequent but smaller wins, whilst high volatility can lead to huge ups and downs.
Find Games With High RTP
Games with a high Return-To-Player percentage (96.50% and above) are considered advantageous to players. Once you’ve found the casino site you want to register with, be on the hunt for known high RTP games that they host.