Sweepstakes casinos in the US generally use a dual virtual currency system involving Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins (or Sweepstakes Coins). If you’re new to this concept, you may wonder how these coins work and if there’s any difference between them. To be straightforward, yes. There’s a clear variance between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, and we’ll explain all the details throughout this post.
How Do Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins Function
Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC) are used for playing free games at sweepstakes casinos, and both of these currencies have no actual worth. If you play with Gold Coins and win, you’ll get more GCs. Likewise, winning with Sweeps Coins gets you more SCs.
However, the difference is that the Sweeps Coins you win while playing in SC mode can be redeemed for prizes. The reason is that Sweeps Coins also represent sweepstakes entries. So, playing with them is equivalent to participating in promotions where you can win prizes.
Another distinction between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins involves purchasing. At US sweepstakes casinos, you can buy Gold Coins, although it’s 100% optional. Meanwhile, Sweeps Coins are not purchasable. However, if you buy a Gold Coin package, you can sometimes get free Sweepstakes Coins as a bonus.
The table below provides a concise summary of the difference between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins at sweepstakes casinos:
| Coin | Supports Free Play? | Eligible for Sweepstakes Entries? | Purchasable? | Redeemable? |
| Gold Coins | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sweeps Coins | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Legal Considerations of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins
The United States has strict online gaming laws, making conventional casinos not permitted in many states. However, sweepstakes casinos are widely legal since the sites adhere to sweepstakes laws and regulations. The sweepstakes model demands that the gaming sites allow players to play for free. Hence, payment is necessary to access the games.
Furthermore, US sweepstakes laws and regulations allow players to receive rewards as prizes. This differs from conventional casinos that provide a payout for each win. As mentioned before, if you win using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, you’ll only get more coins from the game. However, since Sweeps Coins are classified as entries by sweepstakes laws, you can exchange them for prizes.
Ultimately, for a sweepstakes casino to be legal in the United States, it must not require payments to get redeemable coins. That’s why Sweeps Coins are not purchasable, and you can only optionally buy Gold Coins. As a result, due to Gold Coins’ ability to be purchased makes them automatically ineligible for sweepstakes entries and prize redemptions.
Impact of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins on Player Experience
There’s no argument that Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins are central to player experiences at sweepstakes casinos. With these coins, you can access all your favorite games for free without making any payment. At the same time, you can get real prizes if you play and win using Sweeps Coins.
Besides the entertainment value, Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins also amplify player interaction. For instance, if you sign up with Fortune Coins, you’ll instantly receive 100,000 GC and 200 FC (equivalent to SC) to start playing. Additionally, there are other offers, such as referral and daily login bonuses.
These offers occur frequently, meaning you’ll have to regularly engage with the sweepstakes casino to get them. Plus, some promotions include challenges, contests, and giveaways, where you engage with other players. Consequently, Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins ensure the sweepstakes gaming experience is not only fun but also social.