Can you play free casino games that pay real money in the US?
Only a handful of states permit online gambling, but the vast majority of states allow sweepstakes casinos to operate with limited restrictions. The main reason for this is that sweepstakes casinos are completely free to play, unlike their online casino counterparts. But, this does not mean you can play free online casino games and win real money with no deposit.
When you join a sweepstakes casino you will usually receive a welcome bonus that contains both Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. You’ll also find a wide range of ongoing promotions such as daily reloads, referral offers, social media giveaways, mail-in requests, VIP programs, and more. These virtual currencies can be used for the following:
- Gold Coins:
Used to play any of the sweepstake casino’s games for free, including your favorite slots. Gold Coins are used purely for entertainment purposes and hold no monetary value.
- Sweeps Coins:
Typically eligible for use on a smaller selection of sweepstakes-eligible games. They are also used for entertainment and hold no direct monetary value. But this virtual currency can also be used for real prize redemptions from the social casino, including real money and gift cards.
You can see how playing
new casino games for free
at a sweepstakes casino provides a viable alternative to free real money slots online. You’ll receive free Sweeps Coins for the casino, which can be used to play sweepstakes slots at no cost. Any Sweeps Coin winnings you may receive could be eligible for a real money prize redemption, but only after meeting all of the social casino’s requirements.
What are the requirements for free slots win real money prizes?
If you want to enjoy free to play slots with real money prize redemptions at a sweepstakes casino you’ll need to meet several requirements. These requirements can be different at each social casino, so it is important to read up on your chosen social casino’s sweepstakes rules. However, some of the most common include:
To redeem Sweeps Coins for real money prizes, players are required to provide proof of ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.) and proof of address (recent utility bill, phone bill, etc.).
🎲 Playthrough Requirements
Refers to the number of times Sweeps Coins must be played to be eligible for prize redemptions. This is typically between 1x and 3x at most sweepstakes casinos.
The minimum amount of eligible Sweeps Coins required to submit a prize redemption request. This is typically lower for gift card redemptions than cash prizes, and the threshold is usually between 10 and 100 eligible Sweeps Coins.
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What are the differences between real money casinos and sweepstakes casinos?
Here is a quick recap of the differences between real money casinos and sweepstakes casinos:
| Feature |
Real money casinos |
Sweepstakes casinos |
| Legal status |
Regulated and licensed in specific jurisdictions |
Operates under sweepstakes laws in the US |
| Availability |
Limited to selected states where online gambling is legal |
Available in the vast majority of US states |
| Regulation |
Regulated by gambling commissions (e.g., MGA, UKGC) |
Complies with sweepstakes laws, often less strict regulation |
| Currency used |
Uses real money |
Uses virtual currencies (Gold Coins & Sweeps Coins) |
| Deposits & withdrawals |
Players deposit and withdraw real money |
Free to play; eligible Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes |
| Gameplay |
Wagers placed with real money |
Games played with virtual currencies |
| Risk level |
Higher risk due to real money wagering |
Lower risk since you can play for free |
| Purpose |
Designed for traditional online gambling |
Designed as a free and legal alternative to gambling |
Pros and cons of free to play slots that can lead to real money prizes
Pros & Cons
- No purchase required
- Redeem SC winnings for real prizes like cash
- Wide variety of slots to play
- Playthrough requirements not always easy to achieve
What are the best sweepstakes casinos with real money prizes?
Whether you’re playing
free Cleopatra slots
or submitting your first real money prize redemption, you want to make sure you’ve picked the perfect sweepstakes casino. Here are my top three options for sweepstakes casinos that offer real money prizes:
Real Prize - Redeem SC for real money prizes
Real Prize: Pros & Cons
- Impressive welcome offer
- Competitive prize redemptions
- Range of ongoing rewards
- Fair redemption process
Start your journey at this site with a whopping 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 free Sweeps Coins. This provides enough free virtual currencies to explore what this social casino offers as a new player. You will quickly notice the VIP program as you settle in and become a regular player. This will help to keep your account balance topped up as you work toward your first real money prize redemption by making use of your Sweeps Coins.
There might not be any free casino games that pay real money. But, the quick and simple prize redemption system provides a viable alternative. This lets you play your favorite slots at the site using Sweeps Coins. If you accumulate at least 100 eligible Sweeps Coins you’ll be able to submit a cash prize redemption request.
Stake.us - Claim a huge welcome bonus
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1,000+ Vegas-style games
- Live dealer sweepstakes games
- Thrilling Stake Originals titles
- In-built player forums
- Redeem Stake Cash for prizes
- Not available in all US states
Stake US features an exclusive welcome bonus when you register using code DIMERS. This offer includes 55 Stake Cash, 260,000 Gold Coins, and a 5% rakeback on any of your losses. While you might not be able to play free slots for real money with this no deposit bonus, you can still explore over 800 slot games from a wide range of categories including
free progressive slots, megaways, hold and win, cascading, and more. Some of my favorite free slots here include Duel at Dawn and Gates of Olympus.
This is a sweepstakes casino heavily dependent on cryptocurrency payments. If you are able to collect enough eligible Stake Cash to submit a cash prize redemption request, you can choose crypto as your payment method, which provides fast processing and improved security. The minimum redemption is low, at just 40 eligible Stake Cash. But, keep in mind that there is a 3x playthrough requirement.
McLuck - Play for free via the mobile app
McLuck: Pros & Cons
- Quick sign-up process
- User-friendly mobile app
- Interactive live games
- Fun and rewarding slot games
Use promo code DIMERS when registering at this site to receive a welcome bonus of 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins. Other generous promotions at the social casino include a daily reload of 1,500 GC and 0.2 free SC, or a referral bonus that includes up to 200,000 GC and 100 free SC. All of these bonuses can kickstart your journey to a prize redemption. With the minimum redemption starting at just 10 eligible Sweeps Coins for gift cards, or 75 Sweeps Coins for real money prizes.
Furthermore, the mobile app provides a seamless gaming experience on the go, with improved performance, security, and additional features like push notifications. However, don’t worry as the mobile-friendly official website also provides a way for players to enjoy over 800
free slot games with no download.
How to find the right free to play slot game for you?
Free to play slots come in all shapes and sizes at sweepstakes casinos, each with unique features, themes, and bonuses. When selecting a free slot to play you’ll want to start by checking the developer behind the game. Look for industry-leading brands that have a history of delivering top-rated slot games. Some examples include Pragmatic Play, BetSoft, Evolution, Play’N Go, Hacksaw Gaming, and more.
The next factor to consider is your risk tolerance. If you like to minimize risk, then playing a high RTP slot with low variance will help to retain more of your free virtual currencies on average. On the other hand, if you’re feeling more adventurous a high-volatility slot game or progressive slot might be a better option for you. You could even choose a medium volatility-rated game with an RTP of around 96% if you want a happy medium between the two. No matter what you choose however, make sure that playing responsibly has the top spot on your priority list, next to having fun.
Finally, consider the free slot game features. Some players like to play megaways slots for the almost endless amount of paylines they provide. However, some players prefer the simplicity that classic slots offer, while others prefer hunting down a big jackpot with progressive slots. Furthermore, you can also consider the different bonus features the slot offers. This could include free spins, wilds, scatters, multipliers, bonus rounds, tumble features, and more.
Final verdict on real money prize redemptions when playing free slots
To summarize, it is unlikely that you will be able to find any free to play slots that offer real money payouts in the US. However, sweepstakes casinos provide the best alternative. These social casinos welcome you with free virtual currencies, such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, that can be used to play any of their slot games. Sweepstakes casinos like Real Prize, McLuck, and Stake.us feature several hundred free to play slot games. These social casinos also offer the ability to use your Sweeps Coins winnings to redeem real money prizes. But, only after meeting other requirements including KYC verification, playthroughs, and minimum redemptions. I’d highly recommend checking one of these social casinos out for yourself.
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Free to play slots real money FAQs
đź’° Can you win real money on free slots?
It is not possible to win or play with real money at a sweepstakes casino. Instead, you will play with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins obtained for free through bonuses and promotions. However, eligible Sweeps Coins winnings can be used to redeem real money prizes.
🎰 What’s the difference between free slots and real money slots?
Free slots can be played at sweepstakes casinos using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins obtained from a variety of bonuses and promotions. On the other hand, real money slots are exclusive to online casinos and require a deposit to play.
âś… Are free slots at sweepstakes casinos legit?
Yes, as long as you’re playing at a reputable sweepstakes casino that follows U.S. sweepstakes laws. Sites like Stake.us, McLuck, and Real Prize are known for offering fair and legitimate free slots. These sites also let you use eligible Sweeps Coins winnings for real prize redemptions, including cash and gift cards.
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