Sweepstakes casinos vs social casinos
Two new casino types have emerged in recent years — social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. While I enjoy gaming at both of these, I can’t help but notice that many casinos like to use these words interchangeably.
Despite what some people might say, there is a difference between sweeps and social casinos. I’ve compiled this helpful guide to help clear out the confusion between them, including their main differences, similarities, and pros and cons.
Sweepstakes vs social casinos — what are they?
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.
However, one crucial difference separates the two — prizes. Sweepstakes casinos allow you to redeem your winnings for cash prizes or gift cards, while social casinos are play-for-fun only.
This detail may seem minor, but it bleeds into everything else. The laws are different, the currency is different, and the whole gaming experience is different. Always look out for redemptions, it lets you know if you’re gaming at a sweeps or social casino.
Key differences between sweeps and social casinos
Let’s break down the main differences between sweeps vs social casinos in these easy-to-digest points:
Redemptions
The main sticking point. Sweeps casinos let you redeem your winnings, while social casinos do not.
Currency
Social casinos only have one currency, Gold Coins, while sweeps casinos have a second Sweeps Coins currency that all redemptions are tied to.
Availability
Social casinos are far more readily available, being available in all 50 states with few restrictions. Sweeps casinos are only legal in 47 states.
Game variety
Sweeps casinos tend to stick to the same offerings as their real money counterparts, while social casinos are often far more experimental with their games.
Social aspect
It’s in the name after all. Social casinos often have more tools to create a gaming community among their players.
Legal status
Restrictions for social casinos are much more lenient in the different jurisdictions. Sweeps however have state laws that they need to follow.
Sweeps vs social — the pros and the cons
Struggling to pick between a sweeps or social casino? Check out these pros and cons to help you make a final decision.
Sweepstakes casinos
Pros
- Can redeem for cash prizes
- Optimized for mobile
Cons
- Not available in every state
- Needs to comply with legal restrictions
Social casinos
Pros
- More widely available
- Experimental games available
Cons
- No redemptions available
- Often smaller games libraries
Other sweeps guides
Paul Portanier has been writing in the iGaming sphere since 2021. Starting as a freelance 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.
