A score is only worth trusting if you can see how it was reached. This page sets out what we check at every sweepstakes casino, how much each check counts and what we won't do.
Before we publish a score, we open an account, claim each free Sweeps Coin method on offer and request at least one redemption, writing down every date along the way.
What we score and how much it counts
| Check | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Redemptions | 25% | Verification steps, minimums, methods and how long our test redemption took from request to arrival |
| Sweepstakes rules | 15% | Official rules that are easy to find, with the free entry method, excluded states and minimum age spelled out |
| Free Sweeps Coins | 15% | Daily bonuses, mail-in requests and giveaways, and how quickly free coins are credited |
| Responsible play | 15% | Purchase limits, time-outs and self-exclusion you can set yourself, without contacting support |
| Coin packages | 10% | Clear prices, the bonus Sweeps Coins in each package and no pressure at checkout |
| Games | 10% | The range of games, named game studios and published game rules |
| Support and company details | 10% | A named operator, a working contact route and how well support answered our questions |
Each check gets a mark out of 5, and the weights turn those marks into the overall score. We only recommend brands that score 4 or more.
Why redemptions count most
Buying Gold Coins is easy everywhere. The difference between a good sweepstakes casino and a poor one shows when you try to redeem: how many documents it asks for, whether the minimum moves, and whether the prize arrives when the rules say it will. That's why the redemption test carries a quarter of the score.
For every test we record the method, the amount, when we asked and when the prize arrived, and we publish all four in the review. Our guide to redeeming Sweeps Coins explains each stage.
States, age and dates
Every review lists the states the brand excludes and its minimum age, taken from its sweepstakes rules on the day we checked. State laws changed repeatedly in 2025 and 2026, so each review shows when it was last checked. See where sweepstakes casinos are legal for the state-by-state picture.
We recheck each review at least every six months, and sooner when a brand changes its rules, coin packages or state list.
How we make money, and what we will never do
Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you sign up through one, we may earn a commission. It never changes a score, and brands cannot pay for a review or a higher place in our lists.
- We will never describe Sweeps Coin play as a way to make money or pay bills.
- We will never write pages that recommend a brand to players in states where it is banned.
- We will never publish a score without testing a redemption ourselves.
FAQs
How do you rate sweepstakes casinos?
We mark seven areas out of 5 and weight them by how much they matter to players. Redemptions count most, at 25%, followed by the sweepstakes rules, free Sweeps Coins and responsible play tools at 15% each. Every score depends on a redemption we request ourselves before publishing.
Do affiliate commissions affect your scores?
No. We may earn a commission when you sign up through a link on this site, and we say so on every review, but every brand is scored against the same seven checks. A brand that pays us a commission and fails the redemption test still scores badly.
How often do you update reviews?
At least once every six months, and sooner when a brand changes its sweepstakes rules, coin packages or excluded states. Each review shows when it was last checked, so you can see how current the details are before you sign up.