Are sweepstakes casinos legal?
If you’re not familiar with the current laws around
sweepstakes casinos online, it may surprise you to learn that these unique gaming platforms are perfectly legal in parts of the world where real-money gambling is restricted or blacklisted altogether. So, how exactly do they operate within the law while continuing to offer a casino-like experience?
OK – so how are sweepstakes casinos legal?
Since sweepstakes casinos are totally free to access with no purchase necessary, they’re not defined as online gambling sites. It’s perfectly possible to play Vegas-style slots and table games at a sweepstakes casino without ever spending a single cent of your own money, which is part of the reason why these sites can operate legally in countries and jurisdictions with otherwise tight anti-gambling laws.
How do sweepstakes casinos work?
Legal
sweepstakes rules
are actually pretty simple. Rather than betting with real cash as you would in a regular casino, these gaming sites use free tokens to facilitate realistic casino-like play. That means you can slide credits into your favorite slot machines or go all in or black over at the roulette table without fear of breaking the law.
Are sweepstakes casinos legit?
Come on – would I really lie to you? Sweepstakes casinos are 100% legal and legit, with millions of players using them to access free casino games online every single day.
Of course, there are better and more reputable brands out there than others, so to help you stay safe while gaming online, here are my top tips on
how to tell if a sweepstakes casino is legitimate.
| What to look for | Good to know |
| Customer reviews | Reviews from existing players can usually tell you everything you need to know about the reputability of a particular sweepstakes outfit. |
| Brand origins and ownership | Look for details on when the brand was founded and who it’s owned by. Longevity is a nice look in the world of online sweepstakes. |
| Licensing | If specific gaming licenses are required where you live, be sure these are present and correct on the brand’s website. It is worth noting, though, that most sweepstakes casinos don’t require a license since they’re not classed as real gambling sites. |
| T&Cs | Check for clear and transparent T&Cs that bring to light any essential small-print details, including local restrictions and limits. |
| Customer service | What kind of customer service does a sweepstakes brand offer? Are they easily reachable and responsive? And is there native support available in your country? |
5 legal sweepstakes casinos to put your trust in
If you’ve asked the question, “are sweepstakes casinos legal?”, then chances are you’re seriously considering signing up for one. Before you do, allow me to fill you in on my choice of five legal, legit, and frankly awesome sweepstakes casinos that I think you ought to know about.
Stake.us –?The ultimate sweepstakes brand in the US
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- Legal sweepstakes brand in the USA
- Premium games from Hacksaw Gaming and Pragmatic Play
- Range of bonuses for new and returning players
- Not legal in Nevada, Idaho, Washington, New York
Live in the US? Then look no further for your sweepstakes six than Stake.us. The US-only branch of Stake.com is a legal sweepstakes outfit with tons to offer its customers, including hundreds of Hacksaw Gaming and Pragmatic Play slots and its own collection of unique Stake Originals games.
Stake.us is available in most US states barring Nevada, Idaho, Washington, and New York. Note, too, that you must be 18+ to play.
Chumba Casino – High coverage and bags of fun await
Chumba Casino: Pros & Cons
- Massive welcome bonus for qualifying players
- Excellent coverage across the US and Canada
- Over 100+ free-play slots and games available
- Restricted in Washington, Michigan, Idaho
Players in the US and Canada are privy to one of the web’s best legal sweepstakes casino brands: Chumba Casino. Offering top games like Fireshot Inferno and Dancing Gold as well as a dedicated social gaming app for mobile players; it’s no wonder Chumba has earned a reputation as North America’s go-to platform for sweepstakes gaming.
You should know that Chumba Casino isn’t available in Washington or Michigan, and is also restricted in Idaho, with only social (not sweepstakes) casino games available here.
Sweeptastic –?Safe and legal sweepstakes play
Sweeptastic: Pros & Cons
- 1,000+ slots and table games from six studios
- Comprehensive player loyalty program
- Good coverage across the US
- Lacks reputational clout of comparable brands
Sweeptastic may be new compared to the likes of Stake.us and Chumba Casino, but it is a reputable sweepstakes outfit with plenty to offer fans of quality online casino slots. The padlock encryption beside the brand’s URL tells you that it’s safe and reputable, with SSL encryption in place to keep you safe while you access Sweeptastic’s colossal library of over 1,000 Vegas-style games.
I should point out that Sweeptastic is restricted in Nevada, which is a similar story for comparable sweepstakes brands out there. So if you’re asking the question, “are sweepstakes casinos legal?”, you can pretty much guarantee that there may be some restrictions in place in the Battle Born State.
Fortune Coins – Fully legal in 48 US states
Fortune Coins: Pros & Cons
- Near blanket coverage across North America
- Real prizes available with Fortune Coins exchange
- Tons of free coins available
- Comparatively small games library
Owned and operated by Blazesoft Ltd., Fortune Coins is a legit sweepstakes outfit that’s available in no fewer than 48 US states, with the exceptions being Idaho and Washington. The site is also legal in Canada, although players in Ontario and Quebec will have to look for their free-play casino fix elsewhere.
I’ve spent plenty of time with Fortune Coins, so can confirm that its sweepstakes prize redemptions are legit and reputable. As with all other sweepstakes casinos, you will need to provide proof of your name, address, and DOB to redeem prizes as a Fortune Coins player.
Golden Hearts Games – A legit sweepstakes outfit with a unique twist
Golden Hearts Games: Pros & Cons
- Operates under Golden Hearts Charitable Foundation
- Donate to causes while accessing sweepstakes games
- Fun live bingo games
- Limited choice of Vegas-style slots and table games
Golden Hearts Games is a sweepstakes gaming platform with a difference. Operating under the Golden Hearts Charitable Foundation, the brand brings a unique gift-giving element to the table, allowing players to donate to good causes while they access live bingo, slots, and table games.
Since it has a philanthropic element, Golden Hearts Games is legal in almost every part of the US. While it’s free to access, most players choose to donate to charity, although you should feel absolutely no pressure to do so.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal? You bet they are
Depending on where you live, sweepstakes casinos offer something of a lifeline for casino fans who are unable to access real money slots and table games online. Legit operators like Stake.us, Sweeptastic, Chumba Casino, Fortune Coins, and Golden Hearts Games offer a completely legal way to access Vegas-style games, along with the chance to redeem real prizes.
If you’d like to learn more about these unique gaming platforms, I’d encourage you to check out my other
guides to online sweepstakes. Don’t forget to take a look at the banners on this page, too, where you can learn about the latest offers and deals from legal sweepstakes brands.
Our top sweepstakes casino bonuses of 2024
1.
200 Free Spins + 500,000 Free G-Coins
Sweepstakes casinos legal FAQs
?? Do legal sweepstakes casinos offer real prizes?
No, you can’t win prizes directly by winning games on sweepstakes casino sites. You can, however, get prizes by exchanging free sweepstakes tokens, although you will need to satisfy playthrough requirements and other redemption rules.
?? Is it legal to play sweepstakes casino games?
That depends on where you live and the brand you’re using. Some countries allow sweepstakes-style casino games and others don’t, while certain brands are allowed to operate in some jurisdictions where others are restricted. That’s why it’s important to do plenty of research before joining an online sweeps casino.
?? Do sweepstakes casinos offer real gambling?
No, definitely not. You won’t ever be asked to pay or bet with real money on online sweepstakes casinos. These sites are free at the point of entry with no purchase necessary, although you may make optional purchases if you so wish.
