Fortunately, today, most sweepstakes website operators, especially the ones that control sites that I have joined, are more than generous when it comes to offering bonuses to new and existing members like me, either as part of the initial welcome bonus or part of an ongoing promotional offer, such as a daily log-in bonus or loyalty rewards program.
One of the main ways I’ve found of enhancing my experience whenever I play on my favourite sweepstakes sites, which some people also refer to as social casinos or social gaming sites, is to claim as many bonuses as I can get my hands on.
If you are new to playing on sites like this and want to take advantage of these special offers but aren’t sure what you should be looking for, here are three of the most common sweepstakes bonuses every new player should know about in 2024.
What are Sweepstakes Websites?
A sweepstakes website is essentially like a regular online sports betting and casino website, except there’s no gambling involved, which is why they are proving to be so popular, especially with people like me in North America.
Players in most states in the US, for example, now have access to numerous perfectly secure sweepstakes sites with hundreds of computer-generated and live dealer online fruit machines and classic favourites, such as blackjack and roulette. These sites are also now popular in parts of Canada.
The feature-rich online fruit machines, scratchcards, blackjacks, roulettes, pokers, and baccarat variants commonly found on these digital entertainment websites are typically supplied by just a handful of the iGaming industry’s most notable providers.
They can easily be accessed by anyone who is of legal age in their country to play at regular real-money gambling sites.
In some Canadian provinces, such as Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, you must be at least 19, but in British Columbia, it’s just 18.
In fact, in most parts of the world, you only need to be 21 to play on sites like this, but in most US states, you will find that it’s 21, although there’s still no gambling involved on sweepstakes websites.
Instead, a two-coin digital currency system is used on sweepstakes sites – Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins (or Sweepstakes Coins), neither of which have any monetary value in the real world.
You can use Gold Coins to play any of the content available on your chosen site, but those coins can never be exchanged for real-world prizes or be used to win real-world prizes.
Sweeps Coins, however, are different. These ones CAN be used to win real-world prizes, such as the latest gadgets, vacations, merchandise for your favourite brands, vouchers for your favourite stores, and even cash prizes.
What are the Three Main Sweepstakes Bonuses to Look For?
In my experience of having played countless times on today’s best sweepstakes sites, especially the top-rated sites currently featured here on this page: askgamblers.com/casino-bonuses/sweepstakes, the three most common bonuses that I’ve come across are the following:
- Deposit bonuses
- No deposit bonuses
- Free spins bonuses
I’ve noticed that most of the time, any new player welcome bonuses I have received include free Gold Coins AND free Sweeps Coins. However, I’ve also found that to unlock some bonuses, I’ve needed to make a minimum qualifying deposit. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to deposit anything.
Besides free Gold Coins/Sweeps Coins bonuses, you can also look forward to free spins bonuses. You may receive a certain number of free spins (say, 1 to 20) instead, which can then be used to play on one or more of their selected online fruit machines.
Alternatively, you may receive a mobile bonus simply for logging in, depositing, and playing from a specific device, such as an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, Dell laptop, or Windows desktop computer.
I’ve also received special bonuses because I’ve deposited with a specific payment method, and on many of the sites that I regularly visit, I receive a happy birthday bonus (on my birthday) and/or anniversary bonus each year (to celebrate the day that I first signed up to that website).
Each website is different, but the good news if you are like me and always looking for a bonus, you can generally find something worth claiming on today’s best sweepstakes sites.
How can I Highest Up My Balance on a Sweepstakes Site if I Run Out, and Will I Get a Bonus for Depositing?
Unlike Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins can’t be topped up for free. To get more Sweeps Coins, you can go to the cashier section and buy bundles/packages using various reliable online payment solutions, such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, Mastercard, and Paysafecard.
Some of the sites I’ve joined also now accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum at the checkout.
In comparison, Gold Coins (aka Free Coins) can be topped up for free in one or more of the following ways. The exact process for topping up your free Gold Coins varies from one site to the next.
For example, I’ve found that you can top up your free Gold Coins in the following ways:
- I’ve got my free Gold Coins balance topped up, for free, just by launching the live chat feature and asking them to top up my account for me. This happens on most sites, not just the sites I’ve joined.
- I’ve received extra free Gold Coins by taking part in online fruit machine tournaments and then placing (finishing in a paid position)
- I’ve also won free Gold Coins via on-site raffles and promotional offers and by visiting the official social media channels of my favorite sites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even TikTok
- When I sign up to a new sweepstakes site for the first time, I always check the box during the registration process that says I’m ok with receiving monthly newsletters sent directly to my email inbox because most newsletters contain bonus codes for free coins, which I can use to top up my free Gold Coins balance
- I’ve also received plenty of free Gold Coins simply by taking part in the daily log-in bonuses, or I’ve received them as part of the loyalty rewards programs
Don’t forget that the free Gold Coins can’t be used to win real-world prizes; only Sweeps Coins can be used in this way.
Final Thoughts
Although no purchase is necessary on a sweepstakes site, and no real gambling takes place, I always still strongly recommend anyone who joins one of these sites to gambling responsibly when playing, just to prepare yourself for if the day ever comes when you do decide to join a real money casino site.
In other words, always learn the rules before playing anything, and never gamble while intoxicated, tired, or under the influence. Take regular session breaks, only deposit money you can afford to lose, and never play just for the sheer sake of it.