Sweepstakes casinos use virtual coins, but the games are the same kind of slots and table games you would find in a real-money casino, and Gold Coin purchases are real spending. Treat them the way you would any gambling product: set a budget before you start and stop when it is gone.
The business depends on players, as a group, spending more on Gold Coins than they redeem in prizes. Play for entertainment, never to make money or to cover a bill.
Age limits
Most brands set 18 as the minimum age, some set 21, and some apply a higher limit in particular states. The brand confirms your age when it verifies your identity, usually before your first redemption, and an underage account can lose any prizes.
Tools to use
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Purchase limits | Caps what you can spend on Gold Coins per day, week or month |
| Session reminders | Tells you how long you have been playing |
| Time-out | Locks your account for a short, fixed period |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for months or for good, and the brand should stop marketing to you |
State self-exclusion programs are run for licensed gambling operators, so don't assume one covers a sweepstakes brand: exclude yourself with each brand directly.
Tools vary by brand. One that makes you contact support to set a limit, or lets you raise a limit instantly, scores lower under our review method.
A simple plan before you play
- Decide a monthly amount you can spend on entertainment without missing it, and set it as your purchase limit on the first day.
- Turn on session reminders, for example every 30 minutes, if the brand offers them.
- Don't save a card for one-tap purchases. Typing the details in each time is a useful pause.
- Keep a simple record of what you buy and what you redeem. If the gap keeps growing, take a break.
Warning signs
- Buying Gold Coins to win back Sweeps Coins you have lost.
- Spending more than you planned, or hiding purchases from people close to you.
- Counting on a redemption to pay a bill.
- Playing to escape stress, or feeling low when you can't play.
- Borrowing money or using credit to buy coins.
Where to get help
Free, confidential help is available 24/7 through the National Problem Gambling Helpline: call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), or chat online through the National Council on Problem Gambling. The older helpline number, 1-800-522-4700, still works, and 1-800-GAMBLER, run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, also answers calls.
You don't have to be in crisis to call: the National Council on Problem Gambling says people can reach out at any point in their relationship with gambling. If someone else's play worries you, the same helplines can point you to support for family and friends.
FAQs
What is the minimum age for sweepstakes casinos?
It is usually 18 or 21, set by each brand and sometimes different from state to state. The brand confirms your age when it verifies your identity, often before your first redemption, so check the eligibility section of its sweepstakes rules before you sign up.
Can I self-exclude from a sweepstakes casino?
Usually, yes. Many brands let you exclude yourself for a set period or permanently, from your account settings or by contacting support. State self-exclusion lists are run for licensed gambling operators, so exclude yourself with each sweepstakes brand directly rather than relying on a state list.
Where can I get help with gambling in the US?
Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, the National Problem Gambling Helpline, or chat online through the National Council on Problem Gambling. The helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, and it can refer you to counseling and support groups near you.