People who enjoy playing casino-style games are spoiled for choice these days. Several websites have popped up, offering high-quality gaming titles to all. Accessing them is easier than visiting a physical casino, which adds to their popularity. But while gambling sites have become quite the norm, a new kind of iGaming solution has emerged. It offers an experience similar to actual gambling, with an option of no money spending.
These sites are known as sweepstakes casinos. It’s an emerging entertainment category aimed at casual gamers. Think of them as a standard gaming platform, but with casino games you play using virtual coins. Whether you’re into real money online casinos or new sweepstakes casinos, leafletcasino.com has the best ones listed. However, these revolutionary gaming sites are still young, so understanding how they differ from typical casinos is crucial before getting started.
Currency
The biggest difference between an online sweepstakes casino and traditional online casinos is the currency. In the latter category, players wager real money. Many popular currencies are supported, including CAD for Canadians and USD for Americans. Such platforms may also allow cryptocurrencies, giving users a wide variety to consider.
Sweepstakes casinos don't use actual money. They offer players the social experience of gambling rather than monetary benefits. Although, you could still win real money. There are two kinds of currencies used:
- Gold Coins are offered to players when they sign up. These are utilized as virtual funds to play games, as opposed to having monetary value.
- Sweeps Coins bridge the gap in gaming just for fun and winning actual cash. These may be purchased from the casino to bet on games. When some have been won, you can redeem them for physical prizes, gift cards, or vouchers.
Legality
Because online sweepstakes casinos essentially work without real money, they're legal in most regions. The operators design their platforms in a way that remains within legal boundaries. However, certain Canadian territories like Quebec and Ontario haven't legalized them. The same holds true for Washington in the USA.
Traditional online casinos have tighter restrictions to overcome. They must obtain a gambling license from one of the many international authorities before operating anywhere. For example, the Kahnawake Gambling Commission issues licenses in the Canadian province of Quebec. They're also required to undergo third-party audits to provide fair play. That's not to say that every casino is licensed, so you should always play on a regulated platform. Gambling online is legal in Canada, even on offshore websites.
Deposits
Deposits at real money online casinos are simple. You're allowed to fund your account with as much cash as you'd like to wager. There exist many low-deposit platforms too, allowing users to add just $1, $2, $5, or $10 and start gambling. These are often incentivized with additional bonuses, so players have more to play with.
On sweepstakes sites, users don't have to deposit any funds. They receive gold coins when signing up and for completing additional tasks. This is enough to enjoy gaming for fun. However, there is an option to purchase more gold or sweep coins. They're sold in packages that are purchased using any of the available payment methods.
Banking Methods
The payment options at standard and sweepstakes casinos are mostly similar. This is especially true for making deposits or purchasing coins. Banking solutions like VISA, MasterCard, and e-wallets are supported. Real money platforms have more variety to consider, often supporting cryptocurrencies and prepaid vouchers too.
When it comes to withdrawals, the story is very different. Conventional casinos utilize identical payment solutions like bank cards and e-wallets for payouts. On the other hand, sweepstakes casinos offer rewards in two ways:
- You may redeem your coins as gift cards or vouchers to various retailers. Choose a store, and your site will craft a voucher tailored to your preference. This has a lower payout limit than opting for cash.
- You can also ask the casino to pay cash. This is done when a minimum number of coins has been accumulated. The withdrawal works like traditional online casinos. You choose a method, and the site pays you.
Cash Prizes
Receiving cash by gaming is possible at both casinos. The potential winnings differ significantly, though. Sweepstakes casinos deal with virtual currency, so payouts aren't huge either. It's more of a fun activity that sometimes rewards you.
A real money site is where the cash truly flows. As you can wager however you want, the money you could win is also exponentially more. Hitting a single jackpot might make you a millionaire, changing your life forever. This poses a higher risk too, so keep that in mind.
Game Libraries
The two casino types offer identical games. Leading gambling titles are present, including favorite table games like poker, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Slots are featured too, with all the 3D, high-intensity goodness that game makers are releasing in 2023.
The number of titles on conventional casinos is often higher than on sweepstakes websites, though. You'll find releases from companies like Microgaming, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play being uploaded regularly. On top of that, live dealer games are more developed on regular gambling sites. They offer the best of both worlds by combining convenient online gaming with thrilling competition. Live dealer gambling is still new to the sweepstakes industry while it's a staple in typical casinos.
Bonuses
Promotions and rewards are the best part of any online casino. Standard casinos have various real money bonuses, including:
- Deposit Bonuses that reward players for adding funds to their accounts. They sometimes enhance the deposited amount by 50% or even 100%. Or they offer free spins on top jackpot slots to players. The best kind combines cash and spins.
- No-Deposit Rewards are given to users without any deposits. These are part of the welcome package or granted to VIP users on an ongoing basis.
- Reload Bonuses provide certain benefits to users who add funds on specific days of the week.
- VIP Rewards are for those who play regularly and join the dedicated loyalty program. These include perks like free spins, lower withdrawal limits, exclusive support, etc.
Sweepstakes casinos also have rewards such as:
- Wheel Spins that enable players to spin a wheel and get random prizes. They're granted in bulk when registering and are then reduced to one per day.
- Purchase Package Rewards give out free sweep coins when buying gold coins.
- Login Bonuses recharge players' wallets for logging in daily. This gives them additional gold coins without buying them separately.
Mobile Experience
Playing online casino games with the best RTP is more fun when accessed via mobile devices. Luckily, conventional and sweepstakes casinos support gaming on the go. Casino operators invest a lot in secure gameplay on smartphones. The key difference here is that sweepstakes casinos typically don't have dedicated apps. But the same holds for many standard gambling sites, too.
That's not a big issue, though. A good operator guarantees that their platform works perfectly on mobile browsers. So, as long as you have a modern mobile phone with a stable internet connection, you'll be able to play to your heart's content!
Customer Support
All virtual gamblers appreciate reliable customer support. Whenever real money is involved, tensions run high. The slightest issue with a withdrawal or a payout can cause panic. In such a case, having easy access to support is crucial.
Because of that, casinos have excellent customer support. Players have the opportunity to get in touch through email and live chat, often 24/7. Sometimes, there are also direct phone lines for instant help.
Sweepstakes casinos differ in this regard. Since they're primarily designed just for fun, their support channels are far behind. Many websites don't have human support at all, instead relying on AI chatbots to clarify everyday issues.
Final Notes
With the rise of online gaming, it's a fun time to be alive for casino fans. Whether you just want the experience of a casino for fun or want to make some real money, you've got plenty of options to choose from. Platforms of various kinds exist today, offering high-quality titles with excellent graphics, secure payment options, and generous bonuses to boot. We recommend joining sweepstakes casinos first and figuring out how online gambling titles work. After gaining some confidence, you'll be positioned to wager real money easily and end up winning some too.
