The online casino world has come a long way over the years and much of this can be attributed to the evolution of technology. When online casinos first became a thing, they were seen as revolutionary because they brought the joys and thrills of land-based casinos into our homes and even portable devices. However, when we look back to these platforms, they originally only offered rudimentary digital versions of casino games – perfect for the time, of course.
These days, online casinos are filled with immersive, high-tech games and this has allowed people to find top-quality entertainment on these platforms whenever they like. However, many of us still avoid online casinos because they’re synonymous with financial risk and even problem gambling, and this is a shame because casino games are incredibly fun when played responsibly.
The good news is that there is now an easy way to play online casino games for free – and this is via sweepstakes casinos. In this post, we’ll look at what these new casino platforms are, how they work, where they’re legal, and why they’re considered free-to-play alternatives to traditional online casinos.
A Guide to Sweepstakes Casinos
If you’re worried sweepstakes casinos won’t provide the same entertainment that you would find at a traditional online casino – fear not.
Indeed, sweepstakes casinos are like regular online casinos in many ways. What this means is that you can play the same types of games – themed slots, table games, jackpot games, and more.
They also feel familiar when it comes to promotions and bonuses because, like regular online casinos, each platform is competing for the attention of users around the world. This means you’ll find the same opportunities to take advantage of bonus offers, free spins, and so on at sweepstakes casinos.
How They Work
Now we understand what sweepstakes casinos are and how they’re like regular online casinos, it’s time to talk about why they’re different.
Ultimately, sweepstakes casinos use a business model that sets them apart from traditional online casinos – the sweepstakes model.
When we mention traditional online casinos, what we’re referring to are real-money casinos. When users sign up for an account, they can then deposit money to play casino games. In other words, players use money to gamble.
The most important thing to note here is that sweepstakes casinos don’t work in the same way because users can’t play with real money. Instead, they use the two alternative currencies outlined below:
- Gold Coins: Players can purchase Gold Coins with real money and will then use them to play casino games. However, they aren’t worth anything and can’t be exchanged or withdrawn.
- Sweeps Coins: Players can’t purchase these, but they are given out for free when signing up, buying Gold Coins, logging in regularly, taking part in tournaments and competitions, and more. They also aren’t worth anything but can be exchanged for prizes, which is where the sweepstakes model comes into play, including real money.
Why They Are Free
Let’s get into the important information now – why sweepstakes casinos are free.
As mentioned above, two currencies are used on these platforms. Although Gold Coins aren’t free and are used to play games, users can also play with Sweeps Coins, and there isn’t a requirement to deposit any money to obtain them. However, you can do so if you wish because they are also often given as a bonus when buying Gold Coins.
So, users can get their hands on Sweeps Coins without spending any money, including through the following methods:
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are designed to attract users to register. As such, you’ll often find these platforms hand out Sweeps Coins when you sign up, which can then be used to play games for free. Plus, winnings can then be exchanged for prizes, like real cash.
No-Deposit Bonuses
No deposit sweepstakes casinos hand these out from time to time. As the name suggests, players receive Sweeps Coins for free, with no need to deposit any money first.
Daily Login Bonuses
Many sweepstakes casinos give players free Sweeps Coins just for logging in every day, which means you can continue to play for free in the longer term.
Other Ways to Play for Free
Some sweepstakes casinos hold competitions, tournaments, and social media campaigns that also provide users with free Sweeps Coins.
Where They Are Legal and Why
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in many US states because they circumvent traditional online casino bans due to the sweepstakes model. However, sweepstakes casinos are not legal to use in Washington because the state considers them to combine elements of two gambling activities to create a third type that is not authorized. Therefore, it’s important to check that sweepstakes casinos are legal where you live because things can change over time, and you don’t want to get caught out if this is the case.
