Currently, only seven states in the US allow iGaming: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Rhode Island, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware. But despite this, the iGaming market in the US is healthy, with total revenues set to reach $26.8 billion by the end of 2025 – a 15% increase from $23.4 billion in 2024.
A big reason for this can be found in the popularity of sweepstakes casinos, which have been taking the country by storm. For people who can’t access online casinos in their state, these have become the ultimate alternative, helping players to experience online gaming without violating any state gambling laws. So what are sweepstakes casinos and how do they work?
Sweepstakes Sites: Explained
Sweepstakes casinos operate under a unique legal model that makes them different from traditional online gambling platforms. Rather than offering real-money wagering, players use virtual currencies, playing casino-style games like slots, blackjack, and poker without directly betting their cash. There are two types of virtual currency at play here.
The first are known as ‘gold coins’ – used for standard gameplay and often purchased or received as bonuses – and the second are known as ‘sweeps coins’ – often awarded as a bonus with gold coin purchases, and used to play ‘sweepstakes games’, where players can redeem the coins for real prizes, including cash.
Because players can’t directly buy ‘sweeps coins’ and must receive them through promotions or as a bonus, the system complies with US sweepstakes laws, ensuring these casinos are legally accessible in nearly every US state.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos the Answer?
If you live in a state where iGaming is not yet legal, then, are sweepstakes casinos really the answer? Potentially. According to a recent report, video games remain America’s favourite pastime, with more than 212 million Americans playing regularly.
While these video games are often played on PC or a console, a large portion of that 212 million will prefer playing on their mobile phones, and want to experience the convenience and portability, and on-demand access that online casinos offer. Sweepstakes casinos cater directly to this kind of mobile-first audience, offering all of the best casino games without any of the legal barriers or financial risks associated with traditional online gambling.
From slots and roulette to poker and bingo, these are the platforms providing a full suite of casino-style games, giving you the opportunity to play any time, anywhere. It’s not like there’s no incentive, either. As we’ve just mentioned, what makes sweepstakes casinos particularly appealing to casual gamers is their hybrid model, which combines the experience of mobile gaming with the added incentive of real rewards.
So what you’ve got to ask yourself is: what kind of gamer are you? Do you prefer playing AAA games on your console or PC, or do you prefer the quick satisfaction of casual casino games on your phone? If you fall into the latter category, sweepstakes casinos might well be the answer for you. You just need to find one that is well-reviewed, safe, and explore what it has to offer!
