Top Online Sweepstakes Casinos - Rated For December 2024

In many ways, a sweepstakes casino is similar to a standard real-money online casino. You can still spin the reels of slots and try your hand at virtual table games like blackjack and roulette, all from the comfort of your couch. However, instead of wagering with real cash, you play with virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos. And yes, you can play for free – no purchase is necessary.

When registering with a sweepstakes casino, you’ll typically receive a welcome bonus, often containing Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins that you can use to play games. As an existing player, you’ll also find generous reload bonuses to enhance your gameplay. If your bankroll is still running low, you have the option of purchasing Gold Coin Bundles to keep playing for longer. 

Gold Coins have no monetary value, meaning you cannot withdraw any winnings. Yet, although you can only claim Sweeps Coins through bonuses and promotions, you can exchange these for real-life prizes after wagering them on games.

Whether you’re a fan of slots, table games, or even instant-win options, there are plenty of sweeps and social casinos to suit your tastes. Many casinos host lots of different game types, too, so you’ll find a bit of everything under one virtual roof. Here are some examples of what you can look forward to at our top-rated sweepstakes sites:

Slots 

Digital versions of these classic fruit machine games are all the rage among online casino players. Online slot games are even most fans’ go-to’s, thanks to their easy-to-learn format and exciting volatility. Slots also come in an array of themes, from music and movies to animals, galactic, and more. You name it, and there’s probably a slot for it!

Table games 

Fans of traditional card and dice games will love the online casino varieties – especially on social and sweepstakes casinos where you don’t need to pull out your digital wallet to enjoy the entertainment. You can make the most of virtual roulette, poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps, sic-bo, and more. These games use RNG (Random Number Generator) technology to guarantee random and fair outcomes. 

Other options 

If you like something different from the traditional casino experience, you’ll find a mix of different options available on sweepstakes and social casinos. That includes instant-win titles like Slingo, scratchcards, and even virtual bingo games- all available from OnlineCasino.com’s top-rated sites. 

No matter where you are in the US, you can enjoy the thrill of online slot machines and the excitement of classic table games at trustworthy online sweepstakes casinos. Instead of placing real money wagers, sweepstakes websites provide you with virtual currency you use to wager on sweeps slots and casino games.  

Since your virtual coins technically have no value, legitimate sweepstakes casinos cannot be classed as “gambling”. Nonetheless, if you run out of coins, you can still purchase additional currency to spend on games. You can also swap this for other credits, which you can then convert to withdrawable funds. 

Still, those of you on the lookout for real money online gambling sites may be wondering where you can play slots for fun and legally online. Compared to the simplistic online gaming industries in other countries, the US is a little more complex.  

After the US Supreme Court ruled the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional in 2018, each US state was given the responsibility of legalizing and launching its own online gambling market. So far, only six US states offer legal online casinos, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Let’s dive further into the gambling regulations in some of these areas.  

Real Money Gambling in Pennsylvania  

Pennsylvania is widely regarded as the birthplace of American democracy and the chocolate capital of the US. Yet, the Keystone State is also known for its booming online gambling industry. After PA Gov. Tom Wolf signed HB217 into law in October 2017, online casinos in Pennsylvania became legal. The state’s first legal online casino, BetParx, launched in July 2019. However, today, PA is home to 18 online casinos.  

Real Money Gambling in New Jersey  

To match its lively Atlantic City retail casino scene, New Jersey currently offers around 30 online casinos. In fact, the Garden State was the first to legalize online casino gambling after Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation supported by Sen. Raymond Lesniak into law in February 2013. Just some of the big US betting brands present in the state include BetMGM, Bet365, Borgata, Caesars, DraftKings, 888, and more.  

Real Money Casinos in Michigan  

Michigan is home to as many online casinos as there are lakes! (Well, almost). Legal online casino gambling landed in the Great Lakes State in December 2019, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing HB 4916 into law. Not only did this legalize online casinos, but Michigan also has legal sports betting, fantasy sports, and online poker. With around 15 operators currently live in Michigan, Great Lakes State bettors can wager at top brands like BetRivers and FanDuel.  

Online Gambling in West Virginia  

From its scenic mountains to rolling hills, West Virginia is also renowned for its thriving online casino market. Rep. Jason Barrett submitted a bill that served as a base for the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (HB 2934) in February 2019. After legalizing online casino gambling in March 2019, the bill came into effect in June of that same year. July 2020 saw the launch of the Mountain State’s first online casino, DraftKings.  

Real Money Online Casinos in Connecticut  

Aside from its prestigious schools and contributions to American culture, Connecticut is also home to two of the US’ top online casino brands, DraftKings and Mohegan Sun. Legal sports betting and online casino gambling came to the state in October 2021, with Gov. Ned Lamont signing HB 6451 into law in May of that year. Yet, as the state’s gambling bill was developed alongside a state-tribal gaming compact, only CT’s two Tribes could conduct legal online wagering.  

November 2023: Sweeps casinos face another lawsuit

Amazon is being sued for offering social casinos that the suit’s plaintiff calls “illegal.”

The lawsuit alleges Amazon is offering more than 30 illegal casino apps. This has led to a “dangerous partnership,” per a Reuters report of the suit.

Per reports, the suit cites a Washington state ruling that found social casinos were illegal under state gaming laws. Washington has some of the nation’s strictest online gaming regulations. No major social casinos or daily fantasy providers operate in the state.

Social casinos do not accept real money or offer real money prizes. Instead, players can buy digital coins or tokens and play games including digital slots and table games. Winning players receive non-cash prizes.

The Amazon suit is the latest move against social and sweeps casinos in the US. Opponents argue these games use loopholes to avoid prosecution as illegal gaming operators. Site operators maintain they are within the law by not accepting nor rewarding cash.

Direct real money online casino gambling is only legal in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. In the absence of legalization, social and sweeps casinos, which offer many of the same games but without the chance to win real money, have proliferated in most states.

October 2023: Michigan cracks down on sweeps platforms

Michigan officials have issued threats to certain social and sweeps casino platforms, potentially threatening further such crackdowns in the state.

State Attorney General Dana Nessel said certain social platforms, in addition to fully unregulated and offshore sites, could face punishment if they continue operating in the Wolverine State. These sites pose a threat to Michigan consumers and must cease operations, according to a statement from the attorney general’s office.

Michigan is one of just four states with legal real-money online casino gaming.

Social and sweeps casinos, which allow players to experience online casino games without having to deposit real money, have proliferated across most US states in recent years as few jurisdictions have been able to legalize real-money games. Instead of cash, these sites allow users to earn prizes, typically via digital tokens or coins.

Michigan’s crackdown is one of the first major moves in what could be a dramatic shift in the sweeps and social casino market. Like the daily fantasy sports boom nearly a decade ago, policymakers, regulators, and elected officials may seek to increasingly legislate, regulate, or even ban these games in the coming years.