FAQ
Sweepstakes Casino Questions, Answered
The things people ask before their first free bonus and before their first withdrawal. Plain answers, no hype.
Sweepstakes casinos, explained
What is a sweepstakes (social) casino?⌄
An online gaming site that runs under US sweepstakes law rather than gambling law. You play with two currencies: Gold Coins, which have no cash value, and Sweeps Coins, which can be redeemed for cash prizes. Because it is a sweepstakes, there must always be a free way to get Sweeps Coins: daily login bonuses, mail-in entries, and promotions.
What is the difference between Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC)?⌄
Gold Coins are for entertainment only and cannot be redeemed. Sweeps Coins are the promotional currency you can redeem for cash or gift cards once you meet the casino's playthrough and minimum. One SC is generally treated as one dollar of prize value.
Is it really free? Do I need to buy anything?⌄
No purchase is necessary. Every sweepstakes casino must give away Sweeps Coins for free, and most players who follow a daily routine never spend a dollar. Purchases are optional Gold Coin packs that sometimes include bonus SC; our Promo Pack Calculator shows whether one is worth it.
How much free SC can you collect in a day?⌄
Most casinos give between 0.3 and 2 SC per day for logging in. Across the 100+ casinos we track that adds up to well over 50 SC a day, though nobody collects from every casino. A realistic routine of 20 to 30 casinos takes about 20 minutes.
Which states allow sweepstakes casinos?⌄
Most US states allow them, but several are excluded by many operators and the list keeps changing as states pass new laws. Each casino page lists the states we know it excludes, and the directory has a state filter. Always confirm on the casino's own terms page.
What is KYC and why does a casino want my ID?⌄
KYC (Know Your Customer) is the identity verification every casino requires before your first redemption: a photo of your ID, sometimes a selfie, and proof of address. It is a legal requirement, not a scam. Prepare your documents once and reuse them across casinos.
Playing and cashing out
What is playthrough?⌄
Playthrough is how many times you must play through free SC before it becomes redeemable. Most casinos use 1x (each SC must be bet once); some use more. Playthrough figures we have confirmed appear on each casino page.
What is RTP and why does SweepsGirl track it?⌄
RTP (return to player) is the long-run percentage of wagers a game pays back; a 97% game keeps 3% on average. Higher RTP and lower volatility means you clear playthrough with less swing. Members log sessions and the app computes observed RTP per game and casino, which is often different from the published number. It is not a way to win, only a way to lose less while clearing playthrough.
How long do withdrawals take?⌄
Anywhere from same day to a couple of weeks depending on the casino, the method, and whether KYC is complete. We publish anonymized, opt-in community medians per casino and method on the Payout Times page.
What is AMOE (mail-in entry)?⌄
Alternative Method of Entry. Sweepstakes law requires a free entry route, and for many casinos that is a hand-written postcard mailed to a specific address, credited with a set amount of SC. Requirements are strict about card size, wording, and envelopes. Our supply kit covers the basics; subscribers get every casino's address and rules in the AMOE tracker.
Do I owe taxes on sweepstakes casino winnings?⌄
Prize winnings are generally taxable income in the US, and some casinos send a 1099 above certain thresholds. SweepsGirl helps you keep clean records with locked session logs, withdrawal tracking, and a tax-year CSV export. That is record-keeping, not tax advice; talk to a tax professional.
About SweepsGirl
What does SweepsGirl actually do?⌄
A daily routine tool. It keeps a live countdown for every casino's bonus reset, walks you through collecting in Focused Mode, logs sessions and withdrawals, shows which games and casinos actually pay from real member data, and alerts you when deals drop. It also publishes free public data: the directory, deals feed, and payout times. See how it works.
Is SweepsGirl free?⌄
A free account gives you dashboard timers for five casinos, the live deals feed, and session and withdrawal logging. The full tool is $1 a month or $10 a year: unlimited casinos, Focused Mode, Insights, alerts, statement import, and tax exports. Compare on the pricing page.
Does SweepsGirl automate collecting or log into my casino accounts?⌄
No. SweepsGirl never asks for your casino passwords and never plays on your behalf. Focused Mode opens each casino and you click the bonus yourself, which keeps you inside every casino's terms of service.
How does statement import handle my bank data?⌄
Your statement is parsed entirely in your browser. The file is never uploaded, and no account numbers, balances, or bank transaction IDs are stored. Only the withdrawals and purchases you confirm are saved.
Where does the payout-time data come from?⌄
From members who opt in to share their withdrawal turnaround anonymously. We publish only medians and counts per casino and method, and only once at least five withdrawals exist.
How does SweepsGirl make money?⌄
The $1/month subscription and referral links to casinos. Signing up through a referral link supports SweepsGirl at no cost to you and often earns you a better welcome bonus. Referral relationships never change which casinos we list or what we say about them.
Still have a question?
Start with the beginner's guide, or email thesweepsgirl@gmail.com.
For educational purposes only. No purchase necessary. Not gambling, financial, or tax advice. 18+ (21+ in some jurisdictions); availability varies by state.