How Sweeps Coins Work – About the Dual Currency System of Sweepstakes Casinos

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Mike Epifani, Author

Last Updated : 06/02/2025

Sweepstakes casinos don’t allow real-money deposits or withdrawals. Instead, they offer site-specific currency to comply with sweepstakes laws. This currency, usually called “coins,” can vary in name depending on the site, but they all work the same no matter the sweepstakes casino. Here’s a simple breakdown of how Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins work.

Two Types of Coins: Gold Coins Vs. Sweeps Coins

Gold Coins Vs. Sweeps Coins

There are two types of currency at sweepstakes casinos:

  • 🥳 Gold Coins: This type of coin is strictly for fun, allowing players to enjoy games and social components of the casino site without the ability to redeem for a cash prize. Without the real-world value, players get thousands of Gold Coins for signing up, logging in daily, or making purchases. Many social casinos are fun-play only and do not offer cash prizes or gift card redemptions, which means players can only use Gold Coins at these sites.
  • 💰 Sweeps Coins: This type of coin can be used to play the games, and any winning coins can be redeemed for a cash prize or gift card. By playing with Sweeps Coins, each round of a casino game acts as a mini sweepstakes entry, but the odds are the same as they are at a real-money online casino. For example, if you play a slot with 2 Sweeps Coins and win 20 Sweeps Coins, you can redeem those coins for a cash prize, gift card, or continue playing the games.

All sweepstakes casinos offer both Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins; however, some go by different names depending on the site. For example, “Stake Cash” is what they call Sweeps Coins at Stake.us Casino, and “Crown Coins” is what they call Gold Coins at, you guessed it, Crown Coins Casino.

How To Get Sweeps Coins (SC)

How To Get Sweeps Coins (SC)

Sweeps Coins are not for sale directly, but you can acquire them in several legitimate and legal ways through sweepstakes casino promotions:

  • Welcome Bonus: Players receive a few free Sweeps Coins (and tons of Gold Coins) when they first create their account. Keep in mind that you may need to verify your identity to claim the free Sweeps Coins at sign-up.
  • Gold Coin Purchase Bonuses: When you purchase Gold Coins (GC), many sweepstakes casinos include Sweeps Coins as a free bonus. Most packages follow a 1:1 ratio – for example, buying $20 worth of Gold Coins typically gives you 20 SC (and thousands of Gold Coins).
  • Daily Login Rewards: Simply logging into your account each day usually earns you free Sweeps Coins. In fact, many daily login bonuses are progressive, meaning they grow in value the longer your streak of consecutive logins continues.
  • Prize Wheel Spins or Mission Bonuses: Some sites feature daily spins, quests, or missions that reward you with SC in addition to GC.
  • Social Media Giveaways & Promotions: Sweepstakes casinos often run contests and giveaways on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, where you can win free SC.
  • Mail-In Requests (AMOE: Alternate Method of Entry): Nearly all sweepstakes casinos allow you to request free Sweeps Coins by mailing in a no-purchase-necessary form. This complies with US sweepstakes laws and ensures the games remain legal across many states.
  • Referral or Invite Bonuses: Inviting friends to join can result in bonus SC once they sign up and complete certain actions.
  • Email & Push Notification Offers: Occasionally, sites send special SC offers via email or push notifications, especially around holidays or promotions.

With so many legal, no-purchase-required ways to earn Sweeps Coins — from login bonuses to social giveaways and mail-in requests — you can play for real cash prizes without ever spending a dime.

Yays & Nays of Playing with Sweeps Coins

Yays:

  • Winning coins can be redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards.
  • Always awarded as a free bonus.
  • Simple to understand. 1 SC = $1.
  • Access to all games in most cases.
Nays:

  • Cannot outright buy Sweeps Coins like you can Gold Coins.
  • Small amount awarded for purchases compared to Gold Coins.
  • Tied to at least 1x playthrough requirements but sometimes more.

How To Get Gold Coins (GC)

How To Get Gold Coins (GC)

Gold Coins are purchased with real money, and are used for standard gameplay (not redeemable for prizes). However, you can accumulate GC for free as well:

  • Welcome Bonus When You Join: New users typically receive several thousand Gold Coins just for signing up – no purchase required.
  • Daily Free GC Rewards: Logging in daily, spinning wheels, or completing small tasks often grants additional GC.
  • Unlimited Free GC Offers: Some platforms allow you to claim free GC multiple times a day, letting you play without spending money – just spread out your sessions.

Whether you purchase them directly or collect them for free through daily rewards, Gold Coins give you unlimited gameplay and are your key to enjoying sweepstakes casino games without limits.

Yays & Nays of Playing with Gold Coins

Yays:

  • Receive thousands of coins for free and frequently.
  • Not tied to playthrough requirements.
  • Great for testing games and practicing strategy.
  • Sometimes earns rewards points and other benefits.
Nays:

  • Cannot be redeemed for a cash prize or gift card.
  • Some games are unavailable for Gold Coins play.

How To Redeem Sweeps Coins for a Cash Prize

How To Redeem Sweeps Coins for a Cash Prize

Once you’ve collected enough Sweeps Coins (SC), you can turn them into real-world value — either as cash, gift cards, or other prize options. While the exact process can vary slightly depending on the sweepstakes casino you’re using, most follow the same general steps.

Here’s how to redeem your SC safely and successfully:

  1. Meet the Minimum Redemption Threshold: Before you can cash out, you must accumulate the minimum number of redeemable Sweeps Coins (usually 10 SC/$10 to $100/100 SC).
  2. Complete Playthrough Requirements: You’ll need to wager your Sweeps Coins at least once (1x) before they become eligible for redemption.
  3. Verify Your Identity (KYC): To stay compliant with sweepstakes laws, most sites will require you to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. This usually involves uploading a government-issued ID, proof of address, and sometimes a selfie. Note that you only need to do this once unless your information changes.
  4. Choose a Redemption Method: Once your SC are verified and eligible, select how you’d like to receive your prize. Common options include Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.), digital gift cards via platforms like Prizeout, bank transfer or ACH (where available), or e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill.
  5. Submit Your Redemption Request: Enter the amount you’d like to redeem and follow the casino’s instructions to finalize the transaction. You’ll usually get a confirmation email once your request is processed.
  6. Wait for Payout Confirmation: Most redemptions are processed within 24 to 72 hours, though gift cards can sometimes arrive instantly, and our fastest payout sweepstakes casinos offer several instant withdrawal methods.

Redeeming Sweeps Coins is a simple and rewarding process. Just make sure you meet all the requirements, play through your SC, and verify your identity. With just a few clicks, your virtual wins can turn into real prizes.

Terms and Conditions of Sweepstakes Casino Coins

Terms and Conditions of Sweepstakes Casino Coins

While sweepstakes casinos make using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins relatively simple, there are a few important terms and conditions to keep in mind.

Expiration

Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins usually expire if your account is inactive for 60 consecutive days. This varies by sweepstakes casino, but 60 days is the industry standard. An inactive account typically means that you haven’t logged in, but it can also mean that you haven’t played any games either.

Playthrough Requirements

Sweeps Coins must be played at least once to become redeemable for a cash prize. Put another way, you can’t simply receive Sweeps Coins as a bonus and redeem them immediately, you need to use them on slots, table games, or whatever games you like to play. In most cases, you only need to play the Sweeps Coins one time (1x playthrough requirements), but you may need to play them up to three times (3x playthrough requirements) depending on the casino site.

Redemption Thresholds

You must meet a minimum balance of SC before you can redeem. This often ranges from 10 SC to 100 SC, depending on the site and redemption method (e.g., crypto, gift cards, or bank transfer). In fact, most sweeps coins casinos have different thresholds for different payout methods, so read carefully. For example, players at McLuck can redeem a minimum of 10 SC for a $10 gift card or $75 for a cash prize.

More Sweeps Coins Terms

  • Identity Verification (KYC): Before redeeming SC, most sites require Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. This usually includes uploading government ID, proof of address, and possibly a selfie. KYC is required to comply with sweepstakes law and prevent fraud.
  • Bonus Coins vs. Purchased Coins: SC received through mail-in entries, giveaways, or promotions may have stricter playthrough terms or limited redemption options. SC that comes as a bonus with a Gold Coin purchase usually has standard 1x playthrough and full redemption eligibility.
  • State Restrictions: Some states prohibit sweepstakes casino play (e.g., Washington, Idaho, Michigan, and Wyoming), and attempting to redeem from those states may result in frozen funds or account bans. Always check your state’s eligibility before signing up or redeeming prizes.
  • Maximum Redemption Limits: Some casinos cap daily, weekly, or monthly redemptions (e.g., $2,000 per day). VIP programs may offer higher redemption limits for frequent or verified players.

Understanding the fine print of Gold Coin and Sweeps Coin use helps you get the most value from every play – and ensures you don’t run into surprises when it’s time to redeem.

Final Thoughts on Sweeps Casino Currency

Currency at sweepstakes casinos may feel a bit overly complicated, but they’re necessary for these sites to be compliant with the law. The good news is that once you understand how the coins work, they’re quite simple. Here are more sweepstakes casino tips and strategies to help you win more.