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Difference Between Sweepstakes Casinos and Real Money Online Casinos

Updated: Sep. 16, 2024

Online Casino Games

Sweepstakes casinos and real money online casinos are incredibly popular in the markets that offer them. And while the two platforms carry many similarities, they are also starkly different in their approach, availability, and play styles.

Sweepstakes casinos are more widely available, and they allow players to redeem cash prizes by playing casino-style games. Meanwhile, real-money online casinos accept players in a few select markets and offer real-money gaming.

In this post, we’ll cover the main differences and similarities between sweepstakes sites and real money casinos.

The main difference

The biggest difference between sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos lies right there in the name of each.

Sweepstakes casinos use a sweepstakes-based operating model. The primary method of play is free and for fun only. You can purchase standard currency to keep playing or collect it from bonuses and giveaways. Sweepstakes casinos also offer premium currencies, which can never be purchased and are only granted as bonuses. Playing with premium currency (usually called Sweeps Coins or something similar) gives you the opportunity to redeem cash prizes or gift cards with the premium coins you win.

Consider Sweeps Coins or their equivalent as entries into a sweepstakes, but you choose when to redeem them, so long as you have enough.

Now shift focus to real money casinos, which—you guessed it—use real money. At real money online casinos, you can deposit funds, play with your money directly, and withdraw any winnings. There’s no intermediary currency to deal with.

Other key differences between sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos

Besides the structural distinction of how they operate, there are many other differences between sweepstakes and real money online casinos. Here are the other differences:.

Real-money online casinos are only available in select states, including Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Sweepstakes casinos are available in most US states with only a few exceptions.
The minimum age to play at real money casinos is 21 while the minimum at sweepstakes casinos is usually 18. Learn more about gambling ages by state.
Most real money online casinos offer a dedicated mobile app. There are some sweepstakes casino apps, but more often they only allow mobile play via web browsers.
Real-money online casinos often allow access to a sportsbook from the same app/brand. Sweepstakes casinos typically stick to casino-style content.

Now that you’re familiar with the key differences, let’s jump into a handful of similarities between sweepstakes and real money online casinos.

How sweeps casinos and real money casinos are similar

While they’re wildly different in many ways, sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos have plenty of similarities, too.

First and foremost, they both offer hundreds upon hundreds of casino games. In fact, you might find some of the same games available at real money casinos and sweepstakes sites. If not, many of the themes and features will be very similar. Slots are the main game type offered at both, but they also have table games, live dealer, and instant games.

Sweeps casinos and real money casinos are also similar in that they offer regular promotions to players. The promotions may look different, though. For example, sweepstakes casinos might offer Gold Coin giveaways or special purchase bonuses while real money sites may offer bonus deposit matches or free play. Similar promotions can include tournaments, leaderboards, and special sweepstakes.

Which is right for you?

The answer to this question hinges a lot on where you’re located. Real-money online casinos are available in Michigan, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. A few other states have limited real money options. Delaware and Connecticut are among them. If you live in (or are visiting) one of those states, you should give them a try. Real-money casinos also tend to have more table games and live dealer options, making them an ideal fit for players of those game types.

Sweepstakes casinos, then, are a great fit if you live in a state without real money online casinos. They offer a fun alternative for players while still capturing the casino-style play experience.