What Is Sweepstakes Poker & Is It Legal?
Sweepstakes poker is a form of online poker where players use virtual currency instead of real money, making it a legal alternative to traditional gambling sites in most U.S. states.
While you can still play tournaments and ring games for “Sweeps Coins” which are redeemable for real cash, these poker sites also offer the option of a free-play mode, meaning you never have to risk your own money to play in poker games should you choose not to.
In this guide, we break down how online sweepstakes poker sites work, as well as where and why they’re available to American players.
How sweepstakes poker sites work
Sweepstakes poker plays much like traditional online poker, offering popular variants like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The key characteristic that sets sweepstakes poker sites apart from real-money poker platforms is the option to play without depositing any of your own money.
On these sites, you have the option to participate in a free-to-play mode using Gold Coins* (GC) or with Sweeps Coins* (SC), which can eventually be redeemed for real cash prizes at a ratio of 1 SC to $1. You can also easily toggle back and forth between the two different virtual currency modes.
*Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins are the names used by ClubWPT Gold. Other Sweepstakes poker sites may use different names, such as Sweeps Cash, but the general idea is the same.
Another signature feature of sweepstakes online poker sites is that you can earn more SC through gameplay, as bonuses when purchasing Gold Coins, and even through promos like welcome offers or social media giveaways. Some sweepstakes poker sites also allow players to send mail-in requests for additional bonus Sweeps Coins.
These alternate modes of entry (AMOE) are actually a core reason that such sites are allowed to operate in so many states.
Are sweepstakes poker sites legal?
Sweepstakes poker sites operate under sweepstakes laws, which allow companies to offer real-money prizes through promotional contests. Because players only technically play poker games using one of two virtual currencies, the sites are classified as sweepstakes gaming platforms, rather than real-money ones which must apply for licenses to operate in real-money iGaming states. Another key element of these sites is that they do not require a purchase in order to participate because of the free-to-play mode option and AMOEs.
Some popular sweepstakes poker brands in the U.S. include ClubWPT Gold, Global Poker, and Stake.us. Each of these sites offers a dual-currency system and the ability to win cash prizes through poker tournaments and ring games. They do differ in terms of exact offerings, number of games, and tournament schedules and prize pools. Also, while sites like Global Poker and ClubWPT Gold allow purchases through debit and credit cards, Stake.us requires purchases and redemptions via cryptocurrency.
Where can you play sweepstakes online poker?
While all of these sites are available to players in most states, there are a handful of jurisdictions that do not allow online sweepstakes gaming sites. For that reason, some of the sweepstakes poker sites are restricted from players residing in Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Kentucky, Vermont, Nevada, Connecticut, and New York.
As this list varies with each site and is subject to change, it’s crucial that you check the terms and conditions of any online poker site before you sign up to make sure it is available to players in your state. It’s important to note that most of these sites specify in their T&Cs that it’s the customer’s responsibility to avoid playing on the site from any of the designated restricted states.
Why so many players are choosing sweepstakes poker sites
More and more poker players are flocking to online sweepstakes poker sites as they provide an entertaining option that is available to players in far more states than traditional poker sites. They also provide a unique opportunity for both casual and seasoned players to enjoy poker games against other players for free or for low investment with a chance to win potential prizes.
Because not every state permits online poker sites operating under the sweepstakes gaming model, it’s important for players to verify local regulations (see: sweepstakes laws by state) before participating.
