Online sweepstakes casinos are the best legal alternative to real money casino sites. These platforms allow players to earn Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, the latter of which can be redeemed for gift cards and real money. Learn more about Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins here.

How do sweepstakes casinos work?

The US has allowed traditional casino gambling for more than a century. Unfortunately, much of the country has remained hesitant to embrace online casino gambling. Today, only seven states have chosen to legalize and regulate online casinos.

Many have expressed disappointment in the lack of legal online casino gaming options. Fortunately, online sweepstakes casinos have emerged to serve as the best possible alternative.

Online sweepstakes casinos look and feel much like traditional real money online casinos. Unlike their real money alternatives, however, online sweeps casinos do not offer traditional cash winnings to players. Sweeps casinos utilize two forms of virtual currencies, each of which has a specific function: Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC).

Sweeps casinos are legal throughout most of the country and operate under sweepstakes laws. In order to abide by sweepstakes laws, sweeps casinos always must be free to play, utilize a dual-currency system and cannot offer real cash prizes to players.

Sweepstakes casinos are safe, fun to play and can offer players some great opportunities to earn real money.

What are Gold Coins (GC)?

Definition and purpose of Gold Coins

Gold Coins are a core feature of online sweepstakes casinos. GC are used at the best sweepstakes casinos to play games for fun. These coins have no monetary value. They are used for fun to play games in a “social” setting.

The most common name for this type of virtual currency is Gold Coins. Some platforms refer to Gold Coins by alternate names, such as Game Coins or Tao Coins.

How to get Gold Coins

Online sweepstakes casinos make Gold Coins easy to obtain. All new players who sign up to a sweeps casino will automatically receive a set amount. The specific number of Gold Coins earned as a sweepstakes no deposit bonus, or no purchase bonus, will vary from casino to casino.

Existing players can earn Gold Coins daily simply for signing into their accounts. This is a core component of what makes online sweepstakes casinos legal: they must always be free to play.

Players also can get Gold Coins by purchasing them via the sweeps casino’s store. GC are purchased in packs or bundles, often ranging from $1 up to $500.

Some of the other ways to earn Gold Coins include promotions, tournaments and simply playing with them and winning.

What you can do with Gold Coins

Gold Coins are used only to play games for fun. They have no monetary value and never can be redeemed for any prizes. Players can use GC to play any game that is available and climb leaderboards to make the gaming experience fun and social.

Online sweeps casinos provide their players with Gold Coins for free every day. Players can log into their account daily, receive a set number of Gold Coins and begin playing their favorite games.

Are Gold Coins worth real money?

Gold Coins are not worth any real money. It does not matter if players accumulate more than 1 million Gold Coins, they never can be converted into prizes.

While they can’t be redeemed for money, Gold Coins do offer players a great opportunity to improve their skills in certain games.

What are Sweeps Coins (SC)?

Definition and legal purpose of Sweepstakes Coins

Sweeps Coins have key similarities and differences with Gold Coins. SC can be used to play and “wager” on games in the same way Gold Coins are used. Sweeps Coins, however, can be redeemed for prizes, including gift cards and real money.

The ability to redeem Sweepstakes Coins is what separates them from Gold Coins. Online sweeps casinos can set their own minimum requirements on Sweeps Coins redemptions. Generally, players will need at least 50 SC in order to redeem them.

How to get Sweeps Coins

Sweeps Coins are considerably more difficult to obtain than Gold Coins. Players are unable to buy these in the same way Gold Coins can be purchased. Sweeps Coins are, however, often included as a free bonus to those who purchase Gold Coins.

Players also can sometimes earn Sweepstakes Coins via promotions and social media campaigns. It’s recommended to regularly check your online sweepstakes casino’s promotions page and social channels in order to take advantage of these offers.

What you can do with Sweeps Coins

Players are able to use Sweeps Coins to “wager” on games. They can almost be thought of as credits in an arcade – if that arcade allowed players to redeem their credits for real money.

Sweeps Coins can be fairly difficult to earn. Because of this, the minimum Sweeps Coin wager for games is generally far lower than the Gold Coin minimum wager requirement.

Once players have collected enough Sweeps Coins (often 50 or 100) they can be redeemed. Most sweepstakes casinos allow their players to make Sweeps Coin redemptions for gift cards and real money.

Key differences between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins have key similarities and differences. Both can be used to play games. Only one, however, has any monetary value.

GC vs. SC at a glance

Which one has real-world value?

Only Sweeps Coins have any real-world value. As I’ve pointed out, Gold Coins are used only for entertainment purposes. Sweeps Coins also can be used to play games, including slots and table games. One Sweeps Coin has a value of $1.

Which games use GC vs. SC?

Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins generally can be used to play any game that an online sweepstakes casino offers, including the best free sweeps slots that pay real money. Players can choose the type of virtual currency that they want to play with.

The number of games and variety of playing options will vary depending on the online sweepstakes casino. Nearly all provide their players with a huge variety of slots. Many also provide table games and live dealer tables.

Some online sweeps casinos limit the games that can be used to play with Sweeps Coins. Others allow every single game to be played using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins.

How to redeem Sweeps Coins for real prizes

Redeeming Sweeps Coins is generally very simple. Players almost are always given two options to do so: gift cards and real money. Online sweepstakes casinos set strict minimum requirements for Sweeps Coins redemptions.

Here are the steps to make a Sweepstakes Coins redemption:

1. Earn enough Sweeps Coins to initiate a redemption. This minimum requirement will be listed clearly on your online sweepstakes casino’s redemption page.
2. Click the “Redeem” tab.
3. Choose your redemption option. Players can choose between gift cards and real money redemptions.
4. Enter the amount of Sweeps Coins you want to redeem. Some players prefer to retain some in order to play more in the future.
5. Wait for your redemption to process. Redemptions for gift cards are generally processed within 24 hours. Real money Sweeps Coin redemptions are often processed in 1-10 days.

Before a SC redemption can be processed, players will have to verify their identity. Online sweepstakes casinos usually ask their players to provide an image of a real ID, along with proof of their address.

SC coin casinos

Legal & safe use of GC and SC

Real money online casinos are legal in only seven states. Online sweepstakes casinos fall under a different regulatory framework and are legal throughout most of the country.

There are several key requirements that all online sweeps casinos must abide by. Perhaps the most important is that these platforms are always free to play. Players are never forced to spend a single dime playing at an online sweepstakes casino.

Being free to play is what allows online sweepstakes casinos to remain legal. Players are not technically “gambling,” because they have not been forced to spend and bet any of their own real money.

These unique gaming platforms also must utilize a dual-currency system. Sweeps casinos must allow Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to be used.

While online sweepstakes casinos are not considered real money gaming platforms, they must offer responsible gaming features to players. These include allowing players to self-exclude themselves, set strict time limits on their playing and track their spending habits.

Online gaming regulations are constantly changing. Many states are taking a closer look at online sweepstakes casinos and their models. Fortunately, these platforms remain legal in most states and serve as the best alternative to real money online casinos.

Pros and cons of playing with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

Advantages of GC and SC system

Gold Coins are easy to claim. Online sweeps casinos provide their players with these coins every day, simply for logging into their accounts.

Gold Coins are great for players looking for entertainment. They are also great for those looking to improve their casino game skills. Players are able to learn the rules and strategies for various games with no legitimate risk involved.

Sweeps Coins also can be used to play all the different games that online sweeps casinos provide. Once a player collects enough SC, they can be redeemed for a variety of prizes.

The Gold Coin and Sweeps Coin system is also what allows online sweepstakes casinos to legally operate. They are not real money gaming platforms. With this unique dual-currency system, these platforms are available throughout most of the country.

Limitations and misunderstandings to avoid

Online sweepstakes casinos are far easier to understand than some might imagine. Here are some of the most important notes to keep in mind:

• Two virtual currencies: Sweepstakes casinos must use two forms of virtual currencies. One is used to play games only for entertainment, while the other can be redeemed for real prizes.
• No purchases required: There is never a requirement to spend real money playing at online sweepstakes casinos.
• Available in most (but not all) states: Thanks to sweepstakes laws, these gaming platforms are legal throughout most of the country. Some states, however, consider these platforms as too similar to real money online casinos and have banned them. Some of the notable states to prohibit online sweeps casinos include Idaho and Michigan.
• 100% fair to players: The games offered by online sweepstakes casinos are 100% fair to players. These games utilize sophisticated random number generators to ensure the house never has an unfair advantage. The top online sweepstakes casinos offer games by world-class developers such as Pragmatic Play and Playson.

It’s important to note that Sweeps Coins generally need to be wagered a few times before a redemption can be made. The specific requirements will vary from casino to casino. Players always will need to verify their identity before a redemption can be initiated.

Gold Coins are never redeemable for real money. These are used only for fun. Players can accumulate as many Gold Coins as possible. While this offers plenty of gaming opportunities, Gold Coins will never provide players with real money.

Gold Coins (GC) & Sweeps Coins (SC) FAQ

Are Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins the same thing?

No. Gold Coins are used to play games for fun. Sweeps Coins are used to play games, but they also can be redeemed for prizes, including real money.

Can I win real money with Gold Coins?

Gold Coins can never be used to win real money. This type of virtual currency has no monetary value. It is only used to play casino games for entertainment purposes.

Are sweeps casinos legal in Alabama?

Online sweepstakes casinos are legal in Alabama. This state is known for having some of the strictest gambling laws in the country, however, and lawmakers here continue to take a close look at the regulations surrounding these unique gaming platforms.

How do I get sweeps coins without buying them?

Sweeps Coins can be earned via promotions, social media campaigns and by using them to play games. Many online sweeps coins casinos also provide players with a small number (often less than one) of Sweeps Coins as a daily login bonus.

Can I use GC and SC on the same games?

Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins generally can be used on the same games. If an online sweeps casino limits the number of games that can be played using Sweeps Coins, it will clearly list that.