Guide to sweepstakes casinos
The sweepstakes concept is not new. In fact, there is a well-known sweepstake run by the Publishers Clearing House that was launched as long ago as 1953.
Sweepstakes are also the basic principle behind many home or office games based around the Superbowl and other big sports occasions.
However, online sweepstakes casinos are a relatively new idea in the US and Canada. Unlike many forms of gambling, the sweepstakes casino is legal in almost all US states, as well as various other nations around the world, making it an increasingly popular option for those who like to gamble or play the lotto occasionally.
How do sweepstakes casinos work?
Sweepstakes casinos do not need you to place a wager in order to win money, as is the case with regular real money casino gaming sites. Instead, they provide you with gold coins, which are a form of ticket or token that customers can use to enter contests.
After finishing the registration process, you will usually earn some coins. You will then have the chance to click and play a variety of online casino games with these coins, including slots, baccarat and roulette. This will give you the chance to earn more coins if you are a winner.
Since the coin tokens themselves have no value, sweepstakes sites cannot be classed as gambling and when you play the games you are not making a bet or considering the odds. However, the coins can be swapped for other credits that can be converted to cash. If you want to play with more coins, you can purchase them, which is how sweepstakes casinos make their profits.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal?
Sweepstakes casinos are entirely legal in most states in the US, since they don’t use real money and don’t fall under the legal term for gambling. Instead of being classified as games of luck or skill, they are categorized as sweepstakes as neither player skill nor programmed rewards decide who is awarded a prize.
Instead, participating players may win one of a number of predefined prizes every sweepstake session, with no guarantee of a payout. Sweepstakes casinos essentially operate a form of lottery or bingo. In keeping with the sweepstakes paradigm, the games are treated as separate draws and unique mini-sweepstake competitions, with winners’ tickets rewarded when the results are announced.
Since sweepstakes casinos are not illegal, they can be found in every state, with the exception of Washington. Sweepstakes casinos are also not permitted in Washington DC.
How many sweepstakes casinos are there?
It isn’t possible to put a figure on the numbers of sweepstakes casinos out there. Since it is not illegal to operate one of these sites, there can be hundreds in operation at any one time across the country.
How old do I need to be to play at sweepstakes casinos?
If you’re 18 years or older and reside in the United States, you may enroll with a sweepstakes casino website or app and play various no-cost games for a chance to win rewards. The age limit is carefully established and enforced across the United States, just as it is for other types of gambling or gaming. It is important that anyone underage who visits these sites is made aware of this information.
Can I win real money from sweepstakes casinos?
Yes, it is possible to claim real money from sweepstakes casino wins, but there is a process to go through before this can be done. For a start, before you are able to receive cash winnings, regulations state that you must present certain documentation. As confirmation of identification, the sweepstakes casino will need you to produce ID verification, which may be in the form of any state or national ID, such as a passport or a driver’s license that shows your name and other details.
You also have to show proof of residency or address in the form of a utility bill, a checking account or an acceptable notarized contract or leasing agreement form. You can scan and upload an electronic copy of each of these documents. Once your ID verification is complete, you will be able to redeem your tokens or coins for a real money amount into your regular bank account.
Summary
As you can see, sweepstakes casinos are an interesting option for those who want to try out a range of casino games, and they can be fun to play. They won’t make you a millionaire, but for players who live in states where online gambling or online casinos are not legal, the sweepstakes casino offers a particularly attractive alternative and can be a handy bonus.
It is important to remember, however, that sweepstakes casino games are not always as well regulated and audited as regular online casino games. Just as with the state lotteries and games like Lotto Plus, you should make sure that any sweepstakes casino site that you visit is reputable and established. You should also check all of the relevant terms, conditions and policies to ensure you understand how it works before you join in on any of the sweepstakes events.
