CASINO GAMES

Why are sweepstake casinos so popular in 2023?

By Marcus Harmon
May 22, 2023

Sweepstake casinos have barreled into the iGaming scene over the last few years and are vastly popular across the US. Most likely you’ve been seeing names pop up while you’ve been surfing the web and might be wondering what’s got people so interested. With the current cost-of-living crisis and the legislative landscape in the US, the sweepstake casino model is more relevant now in 2023 than ever.

But what’s behind this increase in popularity?

sweepstakes

What is a sweepstake casino?

Sweepstake casinos offer all your favorite casino games, but rather than playing with real money, the game works with a virtual currency usually called sweeps coins. Players stake these coins on the game rather than using real money and have a chance at big rewards — both in the game’s virtual currency and real prizes.

Why are sweepstake casinos so popular?

While brick-and-mortar casinos have been declining in popularity, there’s a new generation being swept up in the new world of online casinos. Sweepstake casinos are one of the newest crazes. Below we’ll look at some of the aspects of the games that make them so popular.

Sweepstake casinos are fully legalized

Gambling is illegal in several US states, and online casinos are no exception to this rule. Sweepstake casinos, however, are exempt from this law and this means that sweepstakes casinos are fully legalized in the USA except for in Washington state.

This is because of the virtual currency used in the game. While the option exists to purchase sweeps coins, it’s not essential to play and due to the several steps between your money and the game’s currency, it’s not considered gambling according to the current regulations in place.

As they’re legal, sweepstake casinos are well-regulated and safe to use, making it a great choice for people who want the thrill of gambling without having to travel to one of the relatively few traditional casinos available in the US.

Sweepstake casinos offer good bonuses

There are several fantastic bonuses available from sweepstake casinos. You can get plenty of different rewards, such as free coins, bonus spins on the slots, discounted purchases or cashback on losses. It’s really easy to access all of these rewards, and many you earn simply by signing up and playing.

A few of the different bonuses available include:

Welcome bonus: Most good sweepstake casinos will offer you a great sign-up bonus. This is the first thing customers see when they’re looking to sign up, so casinos will compete to make you the most attractive offer they can. The bonuses usually include a bundle of free coins to get you started and some free rolls at your favorite games.

Daily bonus: Sweepstake casinos reward you for coming back. Rewards are offered daily when you log into your casino game, with rewards such as free coins and bonus spins, as well as things like reward multipliers to give you a leg-up while you play.

Purchase discounts: When you do need to top-up your coins, there’s a good chance the casino will have a deal to discount the cost of your new sweeps coins. Keep an eye on these – you’ll really be getting your money’s worth on play then!

Match deposit: Sometimes the casinos will offer to match a percentage of any new coins you buy as well.

Rakeback bonus: Losing doesn’t have to mean all your winnings disappear! Rakeback bonuses will return a portion of your lost coins back to you at the end of the month.

Loyalty programs: Sweepstake casinos have outdone themselves on the quality and complexity of their loyalty programs. To give back to their long-time players, a lot of casinos have elaborate tier systems of rewards and bonuses. These can be tiered milestone progressions on your favorite games or mini-game quests across the platform.

Sweepstake casinos use virtual currencies

It’s the free-to-play model that’s behind most of the popularity of sweepstake casinos. Instead of making a deposit to gamble, players use the casino’s virtual currency which can be acquired completely free.

Players are free to try out new casino games and to play for longer on their favorites without any financial concern. It’s an accessible way for new gamers to take their first steps into casino gaming.

Often, players will get their first bundle of sweeps coins in a welcome bonus package, but they can also be won in other ways. Some casinos work on a model where you mail them a request for the virtual currency and when you receive it back, you can use this to play. Many casinos also run competitions on social media giving away huge bundles of sweeps coins that are suitable for both new and returning players.

Once you’re a member, sweepstake casinos take many opportunities to load you up with new coins through the bonuses mentioned above, so there’s very little risk of running dry.

There is always the option to purchase additional sweeps coins with real money, but at the end of the day, the virtual currency means you can play absolutely free. Given this, there’s no wonder that sweepstake casinos have become so popular.

Sweepstake casinos offer a variety of games

Sweepstake casinos don’t skimp on the games they offer. The sites will offer hundreds of classic casino games, so you’re bound to find your favorite or a new thrilling game to give a spin. It’s the variety of games that keep the attention of players who have been brought in by the lure of welcome bonuses and free currency.

Below are some of the games you can expect to find:

Slots: Slots are a classic in the casino world, and sweepstake casinos don’t fail to deliver. With some sites offering over 300 kinds of slots, you’re bound to find your favorite type. Having all this for free is a huge part of the appeal of sweepstake casino games.

Poker: Almost everyone’s heard of poker, and whether you’re an expert or a beginner wanting to learn the rules of Texas Hold’em, you can have as much of the tense, strategic gameplay as you want at no cost. Even poker-only sites have been operating on a sweepstake model to great success over the last few years.

Blackjack: Blackjack is another classic casino game available at sweepstake casinos. From classic to multi-hand to high stakes variants, there’s something to enjoy for everyone.

Baccarat: Chance rules baccarat and chance alone, making it perfect for the type of casino player who loves the thrill of random luck on the slots. It’s easy to learn, and at a sweepstake casino, there’s no need to lose any money while you do.

Roulette: It’s impossible to think of a casino without thinking of roulette. Take as many spins on the wheel as you like, and when you hit your number, you might just hit it big without spending anything at all.

Sweepstake casinos are great for beginners

One thing comes up again and again when discussing sweepstake casinos – the lack of risk. Being able to learn and try new games without the fear of losing your stakes is exactly what makes sweepstake casinos so popular among beginners in the casino world. Sweepstake casinos still offer all the entertainment of real money casinos especially with the promise of real prizes, but it’s a great testing ground for those who aren’t quite yet ready to step into the world of traditional online casino games.

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Marcus Harmon poker author
Written By.

Marcus Harmon

Marcus Harmon is a poker writer and editor of Sunshine Poker Rooms, a poker news and information source. With a decade of experience in the online gaming industry, Marcus has been lucky enough to have met and indeed been beaten by some of the great players. His other passions are soccer and travel.

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