
Due to some tough legislation, playing real money casino games in the US can be tricky. Thank goodness for sweepstake casinos, then, which let you win small cash prizes while mimicking the fun and thrills of a real money casino.
If you enjoy playing slots and table games online but live somewhere where it’s hard to access them, it’s still possible to play real money casino games through legal and legit sweepstakes operators. Not sure how to get started? Let our experts here at The Game Haus break things down for you.
There’s no getting around it: the US has some tight laws in place to regulate gambling, so there may be very few online casino games with real money where you live. Don’t stress, though, as it’s still possible to play free casino games for a chance to win small prizes thanks to sweepstakes casinos.
Sweepstakes casino operators provide a legal and legit means of winning real money to players in states with limited alternatives. And best of all, these platforms typically have broad coverage across the US and beyond, so you should have no trouble accessing the biggest and best real money sweepstakes casinos where you live (unless that’s Washington D.C., which has some of the tightest rules in the country).
So, what exactly are sweepstakes casinos? And how can they offer legal real money casino games? More on that below.
Casinos that use the sweepstakes gaming model provide customers the chance to play real money casino games. Plus, they’re mostly free to play at too – how awesome is that?
Confused? Allow us to explain. You see, sweepstakes are part of free online casinos, which require no deposit or payments to play at. Such sites use virtual tokens and you need to collect a certain type of these called “Sweepstakes Coins” to win real money prizes.
For players, this means you get to play free casino games and still be in with a chance of winning real money. Sure, the amount you can win isn’t as high as in a traditional casino, but given that you can play real money casino games for free, we reckon it’s a fair trade-off.
There are tons of free titles to choose from across the biggest and best sweepstake casinos, many of which will count towards your pot of Sweepstakes Coins. The most popular free real money casino games include:
As we mentioned earlier, winning money on these free casino games relies on redeeming Sweepstakes Coins. More on this, and how to collect them, later in the guide.
We get that tracking down a trustworthy and reliable casino can be overwhelming, with tons of options available. So to make things a little simpler, arm yourself with our top tips for finding the best betting sites for winning real money below.
Before you go any further, take some time to review the site’s licensing info, credentials, and player safety provisions. You’re looking to tick boxes for the following:
Signing up for a casino for the time puts you in the fortunate position of being eligible for a variety of bonuses, including welcome promos, loyalty programs, casino reload bonuses, and other cool offers. These deals can make a big difference to your overall experience, so compare what’s on the table to find the bonuses you like the sound of. One of our favorite promos has to be the 5% Rakeback offer at Stake.us, which you can redeem with our exclusive code TGHSOCIAL.
Since you’re reading this guide, having the ability to play real money casino games is obviously a priority for you. So, don’t be afraid to check out a site’s cash withdrawal process. You’re looking to establish a minimum cash-out requirement, payment options, and general transaction times. This information may be buried in the operator’s T&Cs, so seek it out before you start so you’re aware of what the process entails.
It’s easy to get sidelined by welcome bonuses, but don’t forget to review an operator’s games library before you sign up. Sure, you want to play casino games for real money, but you should be looking to have fun while you’re at it. A wider collection of games means a more engaging experience that you’ll be happy to keep coming back to. The quality of games can make a difference, too, so we’d recommend playing a demo or two to check performance and playability.
Not every legal online casino that is available in your state will offer sweepstakes games, so be sure to check before you register. The T&Cs should fill you in on the availability of sweepstakes and how they work with a particular operator.
We get it – winning real money by playing free casino games sounds like hokum. But as you'll no doubt have read on all the best betting guides, it is entirely possible. Below, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide showing how you can win real money playing your casino favorites.
Heed our advice above to find a site offering free sweepstakes casino games that let you win real cash and other prizes.
You’ll need to add some personal details here, typically your name, address, and DOB. Some operators may ask for other bits and pieces too, like some digits from your SSN, which is fairly standard.
If you have one, it’s time to activate that welcome bonus. Keep your eyes peeled on where to add this, as you may not be able to do it later.
Now that you’re registered, it’s time to get to grips with how the casino works and the tokens it uses. Most sweepstakes casinos use a combination of two virtual tokens, including Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins (names may vary). Here’s a brief primer on how these work:
Gold Coins – used for playing free casino games. You can usually buy more of these, but they have no monetary value and can’t be redeemed for prizes.
Sweepstakes Coins – used for playing sweepstakes games. You need to collect these and can’t buy more, but they can be redeemed for cash and other prizes. You can build up your tally of Sweepstakes Coins by winning games, claiming bonuses, and logging into your account each day.
OK, so you’ve started building your tally of Sweepstakes Coins. Once you reach a specified sum, you should be able to make a redemption using the payment method of your choosing.
Playing real money casino games can be tough depending on where you live in the States. But with sweepstakes casinos, you can still have fun and be in with a chance of winning small cash prizes, with plenty of legal operators to choose from across the country.
When searching for a sweepstakes casino that offers free-to-play real money games, don’t forget to review player safety features and licensing info before you sign up. And to easily compare different casino welcome offers, be sure to check banners across The Game Haus site for the latest deals and bonuses.
It’s true that the US has some tough rules governing the use of online casinos, and state-specific legislation makes things even more complicated. Don’t be completely deterred though, because our guide to online casino games can show you whether or not it’s possible to win real money playing your casino favorites.
That all depends on the site you sign up to and the type of casino you’re playing at. For a complete breakdown of the free-to-play games that give you the chance to win real prizes, be sure to read our need-to-know guide.
Sweepstake casinos provide a nice way to win small cash prizes by playing free casino games. The question is, are they legal here in the US? Our in-depth guide to real money casino games has all the answers.
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