Paul Portanier has been writing in the iGaming sphere since 2021. Starting as a self-employed writer, his detail-oriented approach, research accuracy, and dedicated work ethic led to him being offered a full-time position at Time2play.
He aims to bolster Time2play’s content with data-driven content and accurate analyses of all US gambling operations.
About Paul Portanier
Paul began his journey in the video-gaming industry, designing levels and gaining a knowledge of game mechanics and methodologies. This knowledge transferred over to casinos and slot games, as he had a deeper understanding of how they work and entice the players. Armed with years of game-making experience, Paul brings a fresh perspective on all things US gambling related.
When not writing about casinos and sportsbooks, Paul can usually be found sailing, fencing, or doting on his dog.
Sweepstakes casinos
Paul has been working on sweepstakes casinos for over 3 years, and has been with them as they slowly rose to dominate the US gambling market. He’s seen all of their great features, as well as their common flaws.
Thanks to this, Paul is able to tackle the sweeps market with expert knowledge and insights. He knows when a sweepstakes casinos is trying to pull the wool over your eyes, and can recognize immediately when a great sweeps casino hits the market.
Operator reviews
Be it sweepstakes, casinos, or sportsbooks, Paul has written them all. His meticulous attention to detail has helped shape the high-quality reviews found on Time2play’s site, and his flexibility with managing multiple topics has allowed him to gain expertise in all US gambling areas.
Gambling guides
Paul loves to share his expert knowledge through a vast array of gambling guides. He’s been in this scene for years, and has a wide array of tips and tricks up his sleeve ready to share with everyone else.
Whether it’s secret knowledge on how to get a withdrawal processed faster, how to spot an unsafe casino at a glance, or even quick tips on fish shooting games, Paul is willing to share it all.
Professional journey
Time2play - US Content Editor
2023 - Present
Time2play - Freelance Writer
2021 - 2022
Dorado Games - Game and Level Designer
2021 - 2023
Dorado Games - Level Designer
2019 - 2021
Dorado Games - QA Tester
2019 - 2019
Education
University of Malta Digital Games (Postgrad Diploma)
2017 - 2019
University of Malta - English (B.A.)
2014 - 2017
Recent pieces
The quick MegaJackpots Ocean Belles review was just the warm-up, and now is the time to dig deeper into the slot’s RTP, volatility, bonus features, symbols, and the paytable. You’ll also learn how and where to play the game.
Before you go after the $500,000+ prize, take a moment to explore my thorough Siberian Storm Mega Jackpots review. In it, I’ll cover the game’s RTP, volatility, bonus features, symbols, and paytable and share my experiences about how they affect gameplay.
If the general overview above doesn’t cut it for you, my in-depth Dragon Fa slot review surely will. In it, I’ll be covering the key areas that make up this online slot, including RTP, volatility, bonus features, symbols, and paytable, and sharing my firsthand experiences with you.
In this Ted slot review, I'll be covering all the essential details you need to know before playing. That includes the RTP and volatility, the bonus features and how they work, the paytable, and how to get started with the slot.
In this Legacy of Dead slot review, I'll be covering all the essential details you need to know before playing. That includes the RTP and volatility, the bonus features and how they work, the paytable, and how to get started with the slot.
Cash ‘N Riches WowPot Megaways is basically the original, 2-month-older Cash ‘N Riches Megaways with one major upgrade: progressive WowPot! jackpots instead of fixed prizes. It’s the same high-volatility slot with a 6x7 grid and up to 117,649 paylines, albeit with a lower RTP of 92.23%.
My Cash Machine Jackpots slot review will help you get familiar with everything the game has to offer before your first spin, from RTP and volatility to how to play it and where to find this rather unique Everi slot.
If the general overview of the game isn’t enough for you, I’ve prepared a detailed Book of Atem WowPot slot review that will further discuss the RTP and volatility, bonus features, symbols, and paytable, but also how and where to play the release.
CoinsBack Casino looks strong on paper: 1,000+ games, Evolution and Ezugi for live games, 16+ providers, and a 50% instant CoinsBack rebate that credits in real time instead of weekly cycles. The welcome package stacks 12 SC across two promos (2 SC signup, 10 SC verification), and the 10,000 SC maximum redemption beats most sweepstakes platforms.
The numbers are hard to ignore here: 3,900+ games put ThrillCoins among the largest sweepstakes libraries I've reviewed. The 102 live dealer tables is a lot more than what most competitors offer. Instant crypto redemptions actually work as advertised, which separates ThrillCoins from platforms still running multi-day approval queues.
Before you try your luck at massive payouts, take a few moments to go through my detailed Break Da Bank Again Mega Moolah slot review, where I break down the RTP, what the medium volatility means for you, the bonus features, symbols, and how to play.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning the World Cup; it can take host nations decades to be fully ready to host sport’s biggest event. One of the more modern considerations is whether the stadiums are digitally equipped to handle the influx of data from the projected record 3.5 million attendees.
Challenges are the latest addition to the Thrillzz promotions page, which isn’t updated too often. They involve various tasks centred on sports predictions or casino games, and you can try your luck at each.
One of the most active ongoing promotions at The Money Factory is the 7-day daily login promo cycle. The reward structure increases throughout the week, from 20,000 GC + 0.10 SC on day 1, to 100,000 GC + 0.25 SC on day 7.
The newest promo at Legendz, Playson Prize Drop, is making waves. It runs every Tuesday, and to get in on it, you’ll need to spin Playson slots in SC mode that day. Each qualifying spin gives you a shot at a prize drop, paid out in Sweeps Coins.
Pulsz currently runs Midweek Madness tournaments, a recurring leaderboard event that runs from Tuesday through Thursday. Players compete across selected games for a combined prize pool of 1.6 million GC + 8,000 SC, with rewards awarded based on leaderboard position.
You can access Interactive Brokers Prediction Markets through the Interactive Brokers platform using the ForecastTrader interface.
PredictIt is a platform where you can speculate on political events using a market structure that works much like stock trading. Instead of buying shares in a company, you’re buying contracts based on whether a political outcome happens or not.
Robinhood Prediction Markets is an add‑on inside the main Robinhood app that lets you trade on outcomes. Each market is framed as a yes/no question about something in the real world, for example, an economic release, a political result, or a sports outcome.
BangCoins has come out swinging in the US sweepstakes market, and it’s clear that scale was a top priority from the start. With more than 3,200 games available, including a large live games section and a big focus on slots, BangCoins is definitely above most newer sweepstakes casinos in terms of content.
Instant win games are designed around one simple idea: you take an action, and you get a result. Whether it’s spinning a slot, dropping a Plinko ball, clicking a scratch card, or deciding when to cash out in a Crash round, the outcome is decided within seconds.
By the end of 2025, platforms like Kalshi had helped drive more than $40 billion in prediction market trading volume. This is a staggering figure for an industry that mainstream audiences barely knew about just a few years ago.
Firesevens is clearly built for players who are willing to put time in. With over 1,600 slots, daily rewards, and a VIP program that scales up to 20% weekly coinback, there’s a lot going on here. If you log in regularly and mainly play slots, you can get a lot of value through the different promos on offer.
Since direct carrier billing isn’t available at major US operators, I evaluated pay by mobile casinos based on how smooth, secure, and flexible their mobile payment systems are. I looked at wallet support, withdrawal options, transaction speed, and app usability.
Underdog Predict is a prediction market platform integrated into the Underdog Fantasy app. Rather than placing traditional sportsbook bets against the house, users trade event contracts with prices that reflect the market’s estimate of how likely an outcome is to occur. The contracts themselves are offered through CDNA, a derivatives exchange regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
OG.com is a prediction market platform developed by Crypto.com that allows users to trade contracts tied to real-world events. The platform operates through Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA), a derivatives exchange regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Below is my handpicked list of the best Hold and Win slots, selected for their availability in fully licensed and regulated casino sites across the US.
This Mighty Empire Hold and Win review takes a close look at this slot’s RTP and volatility, explores its paytable and bonus features, and digs into how its gameplay works. It also points you to the shortlist of the best US casinos that host the game, so you can test it yourself.
In this detailed Republic Empire Hold and Win review, I’ll break down the key elements of this slot. You’ll learn about its RTP and volatility, bonus features, symbols, and payouts, and how to play the game. I’ll even recommend some of the best online casinos offering the title.
Below, I’ll walk you through all the details you must know about the Fruit Coins Hold and Win slot before you start spinning its reels. You’ll learn about its RTP, what its high volatility means, the different bonus features, symbols, and how to start your gaming journey.
If you sign up using our link, the Clubs Casino promo code TIME2PLAY will apply automatically. From there, you only have to verify your email for the 5,000 GC and confirm your phone number for the 10 SC. On top of that, you also qualify for a 300% boost on your first GC purchase if you pick the 100,000 GC + 30 SC + 30 free spins pack for $10.
Kalshi is a federally regulated financial exchange market, more commonly known as a 'prediction market'. Rather than offering traditional bets, where traders bet against the 'house' with odds determining their likelihood of succeeding and potential payout, instead traders bet against each other through 'event contracts'.
Our rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of each platform’s regulatory status, liquidity and trading volume, fee structure, market variety, mobile app quality, and overall safety and user experience.
During signup, hit “I have promo code” and enter the Funrize code TIME to lock in 75,000 Tournament Coins. Complete email, phone, and ID verification to stack another 50,000 Tournament Coins on top.
Right now, Hello Millions is running its 7 Seats Blackjack Tournament, which is a seasonal event that gives you a shot to compete for a share of a 3,000,000 GC and 1,500 SC prize pool. Your win-to-play ratio on qualifying live blackjack tables contributes to your position on the leaderboard. In total, 100 winners can receive a share of the prize pool.
Cider Casino is a great choice if you’re a casual or a mobile-first sweepstakes player, not so much if you’re a high-volume user. The game library of just over 500 games gives enough variety for most players, but the lack of live dealer games means it won’t appeal to players looking for a full casino-style experience.
SpinPals may be new to the sweepstakes game, but it already feels a lot more established than most platforms at this stage. With over 1,600 games available, it’s leaning hard into variety, and that’s really where it shines. Slots, bingo, scratch cards, and live games give players a lot to explore without feeling repetitive.
Here’s how some of the best sweepstakes casinos in the US measure against what Ding Ding Ding used to offer.
In this Sneaky Santa review, I go over the game’s RTP and volatility, unpack its bonus features and paytable, and explain how it works. You’ll also see a list of the best US casinos that host this slot, so you can try it and check all my claims firsthand.
Now that you have an idea of what to expect from QuickSpin’s Book of Yuletide, let me go into my full review, where I cover the RTP, volatility, bonus features, symbols, and payouts. This is also where you get to understand how the game works and what you need to know before you spin.
To provide a full, unbiased take on this NetEnt slot, my Wonders of Christmas review will cover its RTP and volatility, features, symbols, and payouts. You will also learn how the game works and where you can play it.
In this Big Bad Wolf Megaways review, I’ll go through all of the key aspects of the slot. I’ll be looking at the RTP and volatility, the bonus features, and the symbols and payouts. I’ll break down exactly how the slot works, including any technical mechanics.
I stepped into this review assuming Thrillzz Casino would feel like an afterthought tacked onto the existing sportsbook, and looking at the site in more detail didn’t really change my initial opinion.
LuckyZino comes off like a mashup of Funrize and Funzpoints, combining a lively, cartoon-forward style with a modern finish.
Here’s a side-by-side look at how Chanced compares to some of the best sweepstakes casinos around today.
Before I dive into the reviews, here’s a quick head-to-head look at how Carnival Citi stacks up against five of its notable alternatives.
The following table shows how Zula Casino measures up to its main competitors in the new sweepstakes gaming market.
After analyzing the entire market, I narrowed down the list of top Hello Millions alternative sites to these five options.
Here’s a side-by-side look at how Funzpoints stacks up against other leading sweepstakes casinos in 2025.
Free casino slots run on virtual credit systems, not real money. When you load a demo or sweepstakes title, the platform gives you a credit balance that functions like casino chips. Credits rise and fall like cash, but they never leave the screen or reach your wallet.
After checking through all legit US casino apps that offer Megaways slots, three names rise above the rest. These sites bring the widest selection from top providers and pair those games with bonuses that give players extra mileage on their spins.
To find the absolute best high-roller promos, I had to sift through all of the top-rated sweeps platforms and examine each of their bonuses.
I tested the sweepstakes circuit top to bottom, logging every first purchase bonus and putting each welcome deal through its paces. These three casinos pack the biggest punch for your first buy-in.
The best VIP sweepstakes casinos do their best to actually make me feel like a VIP. This means not just having a quick throwaway birthday bonus included, but weekly promos, speedy redemptions, and dedicated hosts that go above and beyond to solve my problems. With that in mind, here are three sweepstakes casinos that stand out with their VIP experience:
Casinos are constantly releasing quality casino bonuses to attract new players, but occasionally, casinos will reach out to sites like Time2play to promote exclusive bonuses through our site.
The sweepstakes casino verification process, sometimes referred to as Know Your Customer (KYC), is essential for keeping underage or restricted players out, preventing fraud, and ensuring the casino remains compliant with US laws. It verifies that you are who you claim to be, that you’re of legal age to gamble, and that you’re playing from an eligible location.
Legitimate sweepstakes casinos operate outside UIGEA gambling laws because they don’t require monetary entry for participation. Therefore, these casinos don’t need to own any particular gambling license.
Sweepstakes Gold Coins are the non-redeemable currency used at sweepstakes casino sites. You can obtain them through a variety of free Gold Coin bonuses or purchase them in the platform's coin store.
Time2play often partners up with online casinos, to get you even better deals than you would otherwise find on their site.
The relationship between Gen Z and U.S. sport has been rocky over the past few years. While previous generations grew up watching NFL Sundays and NBA playoff runs, today’s 18–24-year-olds are choosing to tune out.
Online casino games open the door to a diverse world of fun and chance accessible through your screen.
Unlike traditional sports betting, where you simply wager on outcomes, sports trading lets you buy and sell positions on those outcomes. This makes it more like trading on the stock market, but instead of buying or selling shares in a company, you're trading in the probability of a sports event happening.
A distinguishable feature of sweepstakes casinos is their dual-currency system. Players can obtain two types of coins, often labelled Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins (though each platform may brand them differently).
Spinfinite is certainly trying its best. With 400+ games, 18 providers, 24/7 email support, and constant slot tournaments, it has a lot to offer, but also a lot to overcome compared to brand new sweeps casinos on the US Market.
A social casino is a website that offers the same type of entertainment as a standard online casino but uses virtual currency instead of real money. Players are issued free virtual currency on sign-up and through other promotions, which they can use to play video slots, blackjack, roulette, and other casino-style games. This currency can also be purchased but cannot be redeemed as real money or physical prizes at any point.
Deposit bonuses are a common online casino promotion. They reward the player after a deposit has been made, either in the form of a cash bonus or free spins.
Wagering requirements are a multiplier-based metric that dictates how much you need to turn over before a sportsbook or casino bonus becomes eligible for withdrawal. The higher the multiplier, the more you have to bet, making it tougher to redeem the bonus for real money.
Our Stake.us code T2PSTAKE will hook you up with 250,000 GC and 25 SC, for one of the best sweepstakes sign-up bonuses around. But before you jump in, it’s worth knowing how the bonus works, what playthrough requirements you can expect, and whether you can even sign up from your location.
Playtika is a casino software company that decided to do things a little differently. Rather than release games for different casinos, Playtika instead creates its own casino-style games for the mobile market.
The winter holidays are here and it's time to say goodbye to 2024. This Christmas, why not have some fun at an online casino and end it with a bang? Not only is it entertaining, but it's a great way to test your luck and head into 2025 on a high note.
Sweepstakes and social casinos allow you to gamble without needing to make a real money purchase. You can play at both of them without ever spending a dime.
FunzCity is a bit of a mixed bag. There's a lot to like about the sweeps casino, but a lot of drawbacks as well.
There's one big difference that separates sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos, and it's right there in the name: money.
BetRivers.NET is an excellent social sportsbook most of the time, but it doesn't always stick the landing in some areas.
Sleeper is certainly a unique fantasy betting site, but it struggles to stand out from its competitors.
There's a lot to like about betPARX, especially for new players. If you're curious to check out the rebranded site, I'd recommend trying it.
Punt.com may not be one of the best sweepstakes casinos on the market, but it has a lot of good points that make it worth checking out.
RealPrize is a great sweepstakes casino, with excellent offerings across the board.
With loads of sports and even more betting sites, finding a good sports betting site for the Olympics can be tricky. Unfortunately, not every sportsbook filters for the Olympics, so sometimes even finding Olympic bets can be a drag.
I won't lie, there are better social sportsbooks out there.
Chanced is easily one of the best sweepstake casinos out there.
Horseplay is a good site in its own right, but sports betting fans might struggle to get into it.
If you're looking for one of the best sweepstakes casinos, you've come to the right place with Ding Ding Ding casino.
Horseplay casino tries to do something new and innovative, but it doesn't quite stick the landing.
Spree.com is undoubtedly one of the best sweepstakes casinos on our site.
Zula Casino is fantastic and easily one of the best sweepstakes casinos we've reviewed.
The Copa América finds its roots far back in an unofficial event in 1910. Argentina, wanting to celebrate the centenary of the May Revolution, would host a small tournament between them, Chile, and Uruguay.
Being one of Pragmatic Play's most popular slots, Big Bass Bonanza is everywhere the software is.
Crabs Sports is a good sportsbook, but it struggles to excel above the competition.
Jackpota is a great sweeps casino that I would certainly recommend checking out.
LuckyBird.io is a good sweepstake casino that's worth checking out, especially for anyone interested in cryptocurrency betting.
We’ve picked two sportsbooks based on how suited they are for betting on the Copa América. This includes their specific soccer betting markets, promos, and in-play betting features, while also making sure their overall quality is of a high standard as befits the best sportsbooks in the US.
Fortune Wheelz is not a bad casino, but it struggles to compete with better, more established brands out there.
Finding the best site for Euro betting can be tricky, which is why our experts are here to help. We've got three recommendations for the best Euro betting sites on the market.
Hello Millions has a lot of good points going for it and is overall a sweepstakes casino that's worth checking out. However, there are some noticeable cons that you should be aware of before going in.
Crown Coins Casino is solid sweepstakes casino that is worth checking out.
Scrooge casino is a great casino overall, though not without its flaws.
Golden Hearts Games casino packs a lot of quality into a rather small offering.
If you're looking for a great sweepstakes casino, then Sportzino certainly delivers.
Every punter has a right to a fair game, but there's more to it. Gambling sites, including online casinos and sportsbooks, are required to adhere to the rights set and enforced by regulatory bodies. These rights include:
Top picks
Zula Casino is fantastic and easily one of the best sweepstakes casinos we've reviewed.
How do you know if a sportsbook is good for betting on basketball? It's not just about whether or not they have the sport available you know.
As you can see, trying to figure out in what states gambling is legal can be difficult. Most only have a limited form of online gambling allowed, and states with casinos may not necessarily also have sportsbooks legal.
When we’re researching, we use a comprehensive set of criteria with predetermined point values to find the best online casinos. We look at things like the number of games, bonus amounts and wagering requirements, and whether games come from top providers. This means two things: