Sweepstakes payouts 2025: how to claim your cash prizes legally
Sweepstakes casinos provide a fun twist on the traditional online gambling experience. While you’re not playing with real money, you have the opportunity to receive rewards in the form of cash prizes.
I’ll take a look at how sweepstakes redemptions work, how to claim sweepstakes prizes, as well as the legal considerations for sweepstakes payouts.
| Casino Logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-casino button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
Best bonus
|
88/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 96% Playscore based on |
250,000 Gold Coins + $25 Stake Cash
|
Play now |
Good to know
10 payment methods 
|
|
2
Best VIP club
|
82/100 Expert rating by Sophie P. 87% Playscore based on |
100,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Sweep Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods 
|
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3
Fast prize redemptions
|
89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 89% Playscore based on |
Up to 650,000 Gold Coins + 1,400 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods
|
|
4
Player favorite
|
89/100 Expert rating by Sophie P. 77% Playscore based on |
50,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
|
Play now |
Good to know
7 payment methods
|
|
5
Best for slots
|
94/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 91% Playscore based on |
1.5 million WOW Coins + 35 free Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
8 payment methods
|
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6
|
89/100 Expert rating by Vule P. 79% Playscore based on |
500 Gold Coins + 3 FREE Sweeps Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
8 payment methods
|
|
7
|
89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 81% Playscore based on |
10,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
10 payment methods
|
|
8
|
89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 79% Playscore based on |
1,000,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
5 payment methods
|
|
9
|
89/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 87% Playscore based on |
Up to 120,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
3 payment methods
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|
10
|
88/100 Expert rating by Paul P. 90% Playscore based on |
57,000 Gold Coins + 27.5 free Sweeps Coins
|
Play now |
Good to know
4 payment methods
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My picks for the three best sweepstakes casino payouts
These casinos offer the best sweeps payouts thanks to their wide variety of transaction methods, speedy payouts, and generous maximum and minimum limits. If you’re looking for a sweeps caisno with great payouts, check out these three below:
🥇#1 Stake.us Best overall
A top-tier cryptocurrency sweeps casino, Stake.us offers payouts through 10 cryptocurrencies. Stake.us also offers some of the fastest payouts on the market, with your crypto redemptions being credited to your account in often just a few hours. If cryptocurrency isn’t your style, you can still get sweeps payouts through gift cards or merchandise.
Pros
- 10+ crypto options available
- Gift cards and merchandise available
Cons
- Prize redemption incurs a fee
- No FIAT options
🥈#2. LoneStar Best VIP payouts
LoneStar’s VIP payouts go the extra mile, with players in the VIP program able to benefit from faster redemptions and personal hosts. This means not only are you getting your payouts much quicker, but you’ll have a dedicated person on-site should you encounter any issues. If it’s gift cards you’re after, LoneStar will let you redeem them for just 45 SC.
Pros
- Skrill redemptions available
- 10,000 SC daily max redemption
Cons
- 100 SC min cash redemption
- Non-VIP redemptions take long
🥉#3. Fortune Coins Fast prize redemptions
Easily the casino with the fastest redemptions on the market, payouts through Skrill are near-instant. The account manager you’ll get through the VIP bonus can help make it even faster, as well as immediately deal with any payout issues that might arise. You’ll be able to payout instantly after playing through Fortune Coins’ 1,500+ games.
Pros
- Skrill redemptions available
- Trust seals show casino is safe for payouts
Cons
- Long bank transfer redemption times
- No cryptocurrency available
What are sweepstakes payouts?
Sweepstakes casinos make use of virtual currency as opposed to real money. When you sign up, you receive a share of Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC) to get started. GC has no real monetary value, and is used for fun. SC, on the other hand, is eligible for sweepstakes payouts, provided you meet the redemption requirements.
When playing at sweepstakes casinos, you may redeem eligible SC for gift cards, and depending on the sweepstakes platform, this may include Amazon gift cards, iTunes gift cards, and Starbucks gift cards, among others. Some sweeps sites offer Google Play or Visa prepaid cards.
If you don’t want a gift card, you may redeem eligible SC for cash prizes. In most cases, one SC (1 SC) is equivalent to one USD ($1). You need to meet redemption requirements, which include accumulating a set number of SC, and playing them through an x amount of times before you can receive your cash prize payout.
How sweepstakes payouts work
Sweepstakes prize redemptions are pretty straightforward once you understand the basic steps involved, so let’s take a look below:
- To qualify for sweepstakes payouts, you’ll need to meet the SC threshold. This could be anywhere from 50 SC to 100 SC, depending on the sweepstakes casino. You can accumulate SC by playing games in SC mode and receiving them as winnings.
- After accumulating the necessary amount of SC, you’ll need to play them through according to the sweepstakes casino’s criteria. Playthrough requirements could be anywhere from 1x to 3x; however, you’ll find that it leans more towards the lower end at most sweeps sites.
- Once you’ve obtained and played through the required amount of SC, head over to the Redeem page, select gift card or cash prize, and hit the Redeem button to send in your request.
- Gift cards are distributed as a digital code sent via email, and it could take anywhere between 10 minutes to 24 hours to receive, depending on the sweepstakes casino’s redemption times.
- If you’ve opted for a cash prize, then the amount of time you need to wait depends on the payment method you chose, so this could be anywhere between one to three business days.
How to claim sweepstakes prizes
The process of claiming sweepstakes prizes may differ from one sweeps casino to another, but the standard process is outlined below:
Check the minimum requirements
The requirements for redemptions can be found under the sweepstakes casino’s terms and conditions. Gift card redemptions always require a lower minimum SC threshold, while cash prize thresholds are usually double. So, while you may only need to accumulate and playthrough 50 SC for gift cards, you may need at least 100 SC for cash prizes.
Go to the redemption page
So, what happens when you win a sweepstakes prize? Head over to the redemptions page. This is where you select gift card or cash prize as your redemption option. Enter any details they ask for, such as your email address for gift card redemptions or payment info for cash prizes.
<strong>Account verification</strong>
Before you can receive a gift card or cash prize, you will need to verify your sweeps account as this is a part of the sweepstakes winnings process. This is usually done by submitting documents like your government-issued ID to confirm your identity, or a utility bill to confirm your residential address. Upload all requested documents, as these measures ensure that you are who you say you are and also prevent unauthorized access to your sweepstakes account.
Wait for your payout
Gift cards are sent electronically and should arrive in your email inbox within a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on the casino’s redemption times. The time you wait for a cash prize depends on your payment method and the casino’s processing time. Some of the fastest options include e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal, which pay within 24 hours, or cryptocurrency payouts like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are usually sent out within 10 to 60 minutes.
There are certain things that can hold up your sweepstakes prize collection. If you’re waiting on a gift card, check your spam folder for emails. If you’re waiting on a cash prize, ensure that the verification documents you uploaded match the information on your sweepstakes casino account.
If they don’t match, the verification process may fail and you may be asked to upload additional documents or take a selfie. If you still haven’t received your gift card or cash prize, consider reaching out to customer support.
How to win sweepstakes real prizes
The following tips will help maximize your chances of winning real prizes at sweepstakes casinos:
Read bonus terms and conditions
This is probably the most important step in the process, and compulsory if you want to avoid surprises. Reading the sweeps bonus terms and conditions ensures you know the minimum SC thresholds required, as well as the playthrough requirements you need to meet to turn your SC winnings into eligible redemptions.
Make use of all available bonuses
Sweepstakes casinos offer welcome bonuses to new players, which include both GC and SC. Aside from the welcome bonus, many top-recommended sweep sites offer daily login bonuses, mail-in SC bonuses, rakebacks, referral bonuses, social media giveaways, tournaments, and VIP bonuses. Claiming and using all available offers will give you more virtual currency to play with.
Start with games you're familiar with
Playing games that you are familiar with will help you make faster decisions since you know the rules of the game and how to spot patterns. Ultimately, this means making fewer mistakes, managing your bankroll effectively, and improving your chances of winning.
Start with GC instead of SC
GC has no real-world value; this is why it’s best to use GC to practice on games you are not so familiar with. GC allows you to learn the rules of the game and preserve your SC for chances of winning gift cards or cash prizes.
Start with minimum bets
Before using GC or SC on any game, read the game description so you can check the minimum entry requirements. It’s in your best interest to start with smaller bets or entries, to make your virtual currency balance go further, and ultimately extend your playtime. You can gradually increase your bets or entry amounts once you’re more familiar with the rules of the game.
Play high RTP games
Playing high RTP games, which is usually around 95% and above, will give you higher returns, fewer losses, and ultimately extend your gameplay. Higher RTP games also offer steady wins and better value when using your SC.
Legal considerations for sweepstakes payouts
There are a few legal things you need to keep in mind, especially when receiving sweepstakes payouts:
You must be between 18 and 21 years of age, depending on the state in which you reside. Also, make sure that sweepstakes casinos are not banned in your state before attempting to sign up.
Sweeps sites abide by anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering laws, which is why they require all players to verify their identity. In the event you don’t verify your identity and upload the required documents, the casino can withhold your payout.
You also need to understand the sweeps tax implications. Sweepstakes winnings are considered taxable income in the US, and you are required to report them to the IRS. You’ll also have to comply with state regulations, and since the laws differ from state to state, you should stay on top of local tax regulations to avoid legal consequences.
Sweepstakes payout timelines: how long does it take?
If you’ve requested a gift card redemption, you’ll need to wait anywhere from 10 minutes to 24 hours for an email from the sweepstakes casino. So, 10 minutes if the system is set to send out instant code delivery and 24 hours if your identity still needs to be verified. The email will contain a code that you can enter on the relevant online store to activate your gift card.
When it comes to cash prize payouts, you need to choose your payment method wisely. E-wallets like Trustly are the quickest option, and if you feel comfortable enough, cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin and Ethereum work well for sweepstakes cash prizes. Other payment methods, such as bank transfer or wire transfer are not as ideal, since it can take anywhere from one to five business days, depending on your bank.
Sweepstakes payouts: cash vs. non-cash prizes
As the name implies, cash prizes can be with you almost immediately. You can spend them at any online store or retailer, or alternatively withdraw your money and use it at brick-and-mortar outlets. Lots of sweepstakes players prefer to use gift cards online; however, some types of gift cards, such as Walmart gift cards, Target gift cards, or Starbucks gift cards, can be used in-store.
Common problems with sweepstakes payouts
Here are the most common problems with sweepstakes payouts and what to do if you encounter any of them:
- Verification delays: send clear copies of your ID and follow up with support
- Document mismatch: make sure your name and address match your account exactly
- Email code in spam: check your spam or promotions folder for the gift card code
- Not enough SC: obtain more SC until you reach the minimum for your payout
- Wrong payout method: pick a method you’ve set up and verified beforehand
- Gift card code expires: redeem it right away or ask support for a replacement
- Bank transfer delays: allow extra days or switch to an e-wallet like Trustly if available
- Account hold or suspension: contact customer support to resolve any holds
What to do if you haven’t received your sweeps prize
The best thing you can do in this case is reach out to the sweepstakes casino’s support department. They will be able to advise you on what’s causing the delay and how to resolve it.
FAQs
What happens after I win a sweepstakes?
If you’re wondering what happens when you win a sweepstakes prize, you should make your way to the redemptions page and request a gift card or cash prize depending on your personal preference. Enter all required info and wait for your sweepstakes payout request to arrive.
How do I claim my sweepstakes prize?
After ensuring that you’ve met the minimum requirements, including SC threshold and playthrough requirements, simply request a redemption. You can do so from the sweepstakes payout page.
Are sweepstakes winnings taxable?
Yes, in the US, sweepstakes winnings are considered taxable income and must be declared and report to both federal and state authorities.
How long does it take to receive sweepstakes payouts?
Gift cards take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours. Cash prizes may take longer as it all depends on the payment method you’ve chosen and the sweepstakes casino’s processing times.
