Sweepstakes casino questions, answered
The questions readers send most often, answered briefly. Each review page has its own short FAQ for that casino.
Basics
Getting started
What is a sweepstakes casino?
An online casino that runs under sweepstakes promotion law. You play with free Gold Coins, and separate Sweepstakes Coins, also free, can be redeemed for cash prizes once played through and above the casino’s minimum. Full explainer.
Is it legal where I live?
In thirty-seven states, yes. Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Montana, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, California, Indiana, Maine, Tennessee and Louisiana have closed sweepstakes casinos, and Oklahoma closes on November 1, 2026. State guide.
How old do I need to be?
Eighteen at most casinos. Stake.us and High 5 Casino require 21 everywhere, and some states set 21 for all casinos.
Do I need to spend money?
No. Sweepstakes Coins come free with sign-up, daily logins and postal requests. Buying Gold Coin packages is optional.
Bonuses
Welcome offers
Which casino has the biggest welcome bonus?
By usable value, Stake.us with 55 free Sweepstakes Coins, then Mega Bonanza with 50. Chumba Casino has the largest Gold Coin package at two million, but Gold Coins cannot be redeemed. Bonus ranking.
Why do you ignore the Gold Coin number?
Because it has no cash value. A welcome offer is worth exactly the Sweepstakes Coins inside it, measured against the redemption minimum.
Do I need a bonus code?
At most casinos the welcome offer attaches automatically when you register. Where a code is needed, the review page prints it.
What is playthrough?
The number of times bonus Sweepstakes Coins must be played before they can be redeemed. Sixteen casinos on this site use 1x; Golden Hearts Games and ThrillCoins use 2x.
Prizes
Redeeming
How fast will I get paid?
From about seven hours at Mega Bonanza to three days at ThrillCoins. Speed ranking.
Why do they want my ID?
Casinos verify identity before paying out, as a condition of operating lawfully. Uploading documents at sign-up rather than at redemption is the single most effective way to get paid quickly.
What is the minimum I can redeem?
Fifty Sweepstakes Coins at most casinos, one hundred at Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and ThrillCoins, and 1,200 Fortune Coins at Fortune Coins.
Are prizes taxable?
Yes, as income. Casinos issue a 1099 form above the federal reporting threshold and state rules vary. We are not tax advisers.
This site
About our rankings
Do casinos pay you?
No. This site does not earn affiliate commissions, links are ordinary links to each casino’s own site, and no casino can buy a position. About us.
How often are figures updated?
Redemption times monthly, terms whenever they change, support quarterly. The date at the top of each review shows the last check.
Can I report a wrong figure?
Please do. The contact page explains what to send, and corrections are made within a day.
Still not sure?
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