What are Sweeps Coins?
The first and most important question: what are they, exactly?
Let’s take it to the base level: Sweeps Coins (SC) are one of two forms of virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos (the other being
Gold Coins). They have no monetary value out of a sweepstakes casino. What sets SC coins apart from GC, however, is the fact that they can be redeemed once they reach a redemption threshold. So when you start playing at a sweepstakes casino, you need to remember:
- Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for prizes
- Gold Coins cannot be redeemed
When people ask “Are sweepstakes casinos legal?”, the answer is yes and the reasons given should include some mention of this system: while some states have rules against real money gaming, sweepstakes casinos can operate in those states because they have a system where prizes can be won, but are not the sole focus of the process. Sweeps Coins are a key point of this differentiation. Because SC cannot be bought, they represent a promotional credit rather than a financial transaction which would be regulated in a different way.
Sweeps Coins pros and cons
If you’re new to Sweeps Coins, here’s a quick look at the good and the not-so-good aspects:
Pros and Cons
- Redeemable for cash prizes
- Available in most states
- Clear dollar-equivalent value
- Plentiful bonus opportunities
- Need to be played through
Claiming and using Sweeps Coins
So we know Sweeps Coins are a major part of sweepstakes casino play. The next thing we need to know is how you pick them up, and this is a key principle of
how sweepstakes casinos work. The first thing to know is that Sweeps Coins cannot be purchased. They will be given to you in a variety of ways:
- If you buy Gold Coins, an amount of SC will usually be included as part of the deal.
- Sweepstakes casinos tend to have bonuses, which are made up of a large amount of Gold Coins and a smaller tally of Sweeps Coins.
- You can also play and win SC on the games at a sweepstakes casino.
- You may request SC from the provider through Alternative Mode of Entry (AMoE) or mail-in option.
Using Sweeps Coins seems easy—you get SC, play with them, and hope to win more. But there’s a bit more to it, so let’s look at it in more detail.
- The main purpose of SC is to be played and won to a point where they can be redeemed.
- Sweeps Coins only become redeemable when they have been played through once.
- That means bonus SC, or those gained in any way other than winning a game, cannot be redeemed.
So in short, when looking at your SC balance, bear in mind that there are two numbers which matter: your actual SC balance, and the redeemable SC total within that. It’s nice to have SC, but don’t just leave them sitting there. You will need to play them to make them worth anything.
5 things you should know about Sweeps Coins
Knowing about SC will help you understand sweepstakes casinos and thrive when playing there. So what should you know in order to better understand them? The following five facts will help to build on what we’ve already talked about and broaden your understanding.
They’re not always called Sweeps Coins
“Sweeps Coins” is common terminology, but not every platform will use that exact name for them. It might be subtly different, like “Sweeps Cash”, but some sweepstakes casinos will use a more proprietary name. It will always be pretty clear what they’re referring to, but a handy way to differentiate the coins at those sweeps casinos is to remember that the higher number on their offers, and the coin you can purchase at the casino, is their version of GC; the one you can’t buy is their Sweeps Coin.
SC have a set exchange rate
Once you have reached a redemption threshold, you can exchange your Sweeps Coins for real prizes, which will include cash amounts. Unless otherwise stated, the exchange rate at this point tends to be 1 SC/$1. In other words, if you are redeeming 135 SC, your prize amount will be $135. This doesn’t specifically mean that one SC is a dollar. It doesn’t become
anything
until you have reached a redemption threshold and passed
sweepstakes casino verification
– uploading your ID when you sign up is a wise step for this reason.
Redemption thresholds vary by sweepstakes casino
We’ve mentioned often enough that you can claim prizes when your SC reaches a certain threshold, and you’re probably by now wondering what that threshold is. The truth is that like many other things, it varies depending on the sweepstakes casino. There’s no golden figure. It’s up to the sweepstakes casino to set the redemption total where it wants to. The following are some general facts that aren’t necessarily 100%, but are usually true:
- Usually, the redemption threshold will be 100 SC
- At some social casinos, it may be lower, sometimes as low as 50 SC
- Some operators have differing thresholds for gift cards and cash prizes
It is worth checking the sweepstakes casino you wish to play, to see what their redemption thresholds are, whether there is a lower one for gift cards, if there is a lower gift card threshold, and where you can use gift cards.
You cannot buy Sweeps Coins
This is important. You do not purchase Sweeps Coin packages or individual Sweeps Coins. Instead, you purchase Gold Coins for entertainment gameplay as Sweeps Coins
may
be included as a promotional bonus. You may also pick them up through contests, daily login bonuses or other promotions
Sweeps Coins are promotional entities and cannot be sold directly, so they are always included in bonuses or deals.
Every sweepstakes casino must offer an AMOE
It is a legal requirement for sweepstakes casinos to offer what is known as an Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE).
What’s that? It means, essentially, that players must be able to request Sweeps Coins without making a purchase. The way to do this is to mail a written request to an address that will be listed on the platform’s website. There is no specific set number of SC that will be given in an AMOE, but it’s usually 3 or 4.
Here is a quick overview of everything you need to know:
| Virtual currency
|
Sweeps Coins |
| How you receive them |
Promotional bonus, add-on, or AMOE |
| Used for
|
Prize-targeted sweeps casino play |
| Direct purchase allowed? |
No |
| ID verification needed |
Yes, for redemption |
| Likely minimum redemption threshold |
50 SC to 100 SC |
Why Sweeps Coins matter
Sweeps Coins have an essential part to play in the
best sweepstakes casinos. They are the mechanism that allows such sites to operate across multiple jurisdictions, offering prize redemption without demanding that money be spent. For players, they represent:
- Access to casino-style gameplay
- Prize opportunities
- The chance to play in states that do not and may never allow real-money gaming
Understanding the way that Sweeps Coins work is fundamental to playing at sweepstakes casinos, but also to comparing between different providers when it comes to Gold Coin purchases and special bonuses. It is also a beneficial step towards figuring out where you will stand the best chance of reaching a redemption threshold and redeeming a prize that fits with your needs.
Conclusion– Understanding Sweeps Coins before you play
It’s easy enough to understand that there are two types of virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos, and that one is for fun, the other for potential prizes. However, this is only a part of the story and a deeper understanding of SC will certainly help you get a handle on sweepstakes casino play before you start.
When you know how to access SC coins, get a feel for their overall rarity compared with GC, and know how to maximize both their number and their efficiency, you can target your play to give yourself the best chance of overall success. Bear in mind that different sweeps casinos have different approaches, and use this knowledge to pick the ones with the best offers and most achievable redemption thresholds– and if you want to see some options for where to put this knowledge to use, click our on-page banners to check out some of our recommended sites.
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Sweeps Coins FAQs
💰 What are Sweeps Coins?
Sweeps Coins are a virtual currency used at sweepstakes casinos. They can be redeemed for prizes after meeting eligibility and playthrough requirements.
🛒 Can you buy Sweeps Coins at a sweepstakes casino?
No, they can only be received as part of a larger promotion: this may be a signup offer or other bonus, or it may be as an add-on when buying Gold Coins. You may also request them by mail as an Alternative Method of Entry.
💵 How much is one Sweeps Coin worth?
On most sites, you can only redeem Sweeps Coins after you’ve played them, and how much you need to play depends on the platform. Each casino has its own rules, so it’s smart to meet all the requirements before hitting the SC limit—this makes cashing out much easier.
🔑 What do you need to do to redeem Sweeps Coins?
You cannot redeem Sweeps Coins before you reach a redemption threshold; different sweepstakes casinos have different thresholds. All SC must have been played through before they count towards this threshold. In addition you will need to have verified your own identity as per the terms of the sweeps casino, as well as the payment method by which you will receive your redemption. Once this is done, redemption can be instant but may take up to 10 days to show in your account, although Gift Cards show up within 24 hours.
