Sweepstakes casinos have fast become one of the most popular options in iGaming – you could even say they’ve swept the market! They’re an alternative to the traditional casinos we know and love where players can access their favorite games using the virtual currencies of gold or sweeps coins – instead of their hard earned dollars; Understandably that’s made them a pretty popular option – after all who doesn’t like getting something for free?
Sweepstakes casinos might be the hottest topic of the moment but sports betting has the important advantage of tradition; Some of our very favorite sports – from the NFL to the NBA – are entwined with betting and the industry even experiences dramatic spikes during big events – such as the Super Bowl!
Interestingly the two sectors of gambling I’ll be looking at have fallen on opposite sides of the coin when it comes to legality – leaving the future of sweepstakes casinos in the states hard to predict.
What Actually Are Sweepstakes Casinos?
While you might have heard of sweepstakes casinos you might not be completely sure what I mean by them; Honestly I’ve heard the term thrown around so much that it’s easy for it to lose all meaning! Sweepstakes casinos are a popular alternative to the traditional versions where players use sweeps or gold coins to play games rather than parting with real money. They’ve become hugely popular since they first began gaining traction around 2018 – and now it seems you can’t go anywhere in the industry without hearing their name.
How Do Players Get Hold of Coins?
Playing your favorite casino games for free – it all sounds a bit too good to be true right? Although players can make purchases to top up their gold coin tallies – there’s plenty of ways to keep the ball rolling without having to cough up any money at all!
When you first join a sweepstakes casino you’ll be given a stash of gold and sweeps coins to get you started; These totals can be topped up by making the most of daily bonuses – or completing tasks and challenges such as logging on everyday for a week. I’ve also noticed that these casinos prominently feature competitions and tournaments where placing near the top of the leaderboard will net you even more coins.
What Are the Coins Worth?
The coins you encounter at sweepstakes casinos have no monetary value outside of the platform so you can’t exchange them directly for cash like you can at the traditional version; Instead they can usually be traded in for prizes – such as gift cards or vouchers.
Why Are Sweepstakes Casinos So Popular?
Before we dive into the reasons behind the rise of sweepstakes casinos – let me illustrate just how popular they are. Between 2019 and 2022 sweepstakes casinos grew an almost unbelievable 89% in the USA – resulting in a staggering value of $3.1 billion! The uphill climb has only continued from there and the sweepstakes casino market is projected to be worth $11 billion by the end of 2025.
Focus on the Social Elements
You might have also heard sweepstakes casinos referred to as social casinos – which gives you a little hint as to one of the reasons they’re so popular – their focus on community; The majority of sweepstakes casinos I’ve reviewed offered more social elements than found at their traditional counterparts – with things like chatrooms and forums being commonplace.
Many also offer community hubs where players can exchange tips or chat about the latest game they’re playing – offering a heightened social experience; They also have a strong social media presence – running giveaways and gathering player feedback across platforms.
Control Over Spending
It pretty much goes without saying that the biggest reasons behind the popularity of sweepstakes casinos is their value for money. If users play their cards (or coins) right they don’t have to spend anything at all to access their favorite games at a sweepstakes casino; They can even pick up prizes without having to spend a dime – making them very appealing to anyone who likes a good deal!
Additional Bonuses
Bonuses are even more important at sweepstakes casinos compared to a regular one – as they’re a way for players to replenish their coin supplies; That means that many have more frequent bonuses and more rewards on offer. I also recommend that players keep a close eye on their inbox as sweepstakes casinos often send exclusive offers directly to them!
Sweepstakes Face a Rocky Legal Future
Although all of that sounds very positive – things are actually looking a lot less than rosy for sweepstakes casinos in the US right now. In recent years a number of states have taken steps to ban them – the most recent of which is California where the Assembly just voted unanimously (63-0) in favor of a bill that would ban sweepstakes from operating in the state; Governor Gavin Newsom still has to approve the bill before it goes into effect – but given how easily it won I think it’s unlikely to be overturned.
Where Else Have Sweepstakes Been Banned
California isn’t alone in moving to ban sweepstakes this year – New Jersey already outlawed them at the end of June; They were the sixth state to do so this year with the others including Montana, New York and Nevada. While sweepstakes remain legal in most of the states this year will certainly leave providers concerned about their future in the country.
How Popular Is Sports Betting in Comparison?
Since the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018 – sports betting has been experiencing a boom in popularity. Revenue increased from $400 million before the overturning to $11 billion in 2023. When I said it was an inherent part of our favorite sports, I really wasn’t lying; around a quarter of all American adults placed a bet on the 2024 Super Bowl! All of this has ensured that sports betting has remained the dominant force against sweepstakes.
Which States Have Legalized Sports Betting?
The overturning of PASPA in 2018 gave states the possibility to individually decide whether to legalize sports betting. Since then 30 states have introduced some form of sports betting; just a month after the ruling, Delaware became the first new state to legalize in-person sports betting. Other states such as New Jersey, Arizona, New York and Washington were quick to follow suit – with forms of in-person and online sports betting allowed.
There’s also a number of states that look likely to introduce sports betting in some capacity in the near future. Legal sports betting in Missouri starts on December 1 of this year – after passing by a vote last year. Other states also look promising but I think we could be a few years off seeing any of them accept sports betting.
What Has Boosted the Popularity of Sports Betting?
Aside from the boost that’s come as part of legalizing sports betting – things such as the movement online and continued innovation have helped the industry grow; Of course online betting has been an important movement that has placed the nation’s favorite betting sites directly at people’s fingertips.
It also opened up a wider range of sports to bet on – with international options such as Premier League football (or soccer as it’s known here) which are much easier to access online. We all fancy something different on occasions – so having more sports than ever is a big selling point for online sports betting providers; On the same theme I also think we have to recognize the work of innovations – such as live sports betting and pools – which keep bettors interested.
What Does the Future Look Like for Sweepstakes Casinos and Sports Betting?
Although both sweepstakes casinos and sports betting are growing in popularity here in the states – their paths seem set to diverge when it comes to legalization; While many states are looking to ban sweepstakes casinos – sports betting is going the other way and being accepted more and more.
There might be some crossover between bettors in both sectors – but they have an inherently different appeal; Sweepstakes are a strong, innovative, new option for those who want to play their favorite casino games for free while sports betting appeals to tradition – having become so ingrained in some of our most beloved sports. It’s hard to say at the moment what the future will look like for the two industries. So much depends on legal changes – but I think it’s unlikely we’ll see sweepstakes casinos challenge the popularity of sports betting anytime soon.
Jasper Bushby-Edwards is a leading voice in the sports betting and casinos industry having spent five years crafting detailed reviews of each. His interest extends beyond the professional as he harbours both a keen love for casino games and enjoys watching his favorite sports teams.
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