Sweepstakes casinos let you play slots and casino-style games for free with virtual coins, and redeem one type of coin for real prizes, in states where online casinos are not licensed. For several years they filled the gap left by the patchwork of US gambling laws, spreading to around 40 states. That era is ending. Since mid-2025, state after state has outlawed them, and as of November 1, 2026, the count of states with a sweepstakes casino ban on the books reaches 14.
This guide explains how sweepstakes casinos work, where they are legal, banned or under pressure, how redemptions and taxes work, and which sites are open where you live.
In this article 13 sections
- Top sweepstakes casino offers
- Sweepstakes casinos: facts and figures
- How sweepstakes casinos work: Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins
- Are sweepstakes casinos legal? The state-by-state picture
- Sweepstakes casino availability by site
- Our featured sweepstakes casinos
- How to choose a sweepstakes casino
- Sweepstakes sportsbooks and social casinos
- Do you pay tax on sweepstakes casino prizes?
- Responsible play at sweepstakes casinos
- Sweepstakes casinos vs real-money online casinos
- Sweepstakes casino guides by state
- Sweepstakes casinos in 2027
Top sweepstakes casino offers
Funrize AK · AL · AR · AZ · CO · DC · FL · GA · HI · IA · IL · KS · KY · MA · MD · MN · MO · MS · NC · ND · NE · NH · NM · OH · OK · OR · PA · SC · SD · TX · UT · VA · VT · WI
Welcome gift: 125,000 coins
No Promo Code neededNo purchase necessary. 21+. Not available in CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, RI, TN, WA, WV, WY; free-coin mode only in CA, IN, MD, ME, OK. Full terms at Funrize.
- FU
FunzCity AK · AL · AR · AZ · CO · DC · FL · GA · HI · IA · IL · KS · KY · MA · MD · MN · MO · MS · NC · ND · NE · NH · NM · OH · OK · OR · PA · SC · SD · TX · UT · VA · VT · WI
Welcome wheel: 125,000 Fun Coins
No Promo Code neededNo purchase necessary. 21+. Not available in CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, RI, TN, WA, WV, WY; Fun Coins only in CA, IN, MD, ME, OK. Full terms at FunzCity.
- NO
NoLimitCoins AK · AL · AR · AZ · CO · DC · FL · GA · HI · IA · IL · KS · KY · MA · MD · MN · MO · MS · NC · ND · NE · NH · NM · OH · OK · OR · PA · SC · SD · TX · UT · VA · VT · WI
100,000 Gold Coins on sign-up + 10,000 for email
No Promo Code neededNo purchase necessary. 21+. Not available in CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, RI, TN, WA, WV, WY; Gold Coins only in CA, IN, MD, ME, OK. Full terms at NoLimitCoins.
RealPrize AK · AL · AR · CO · DC · FL · GA · HI · IA · IL · KS · KY · MA · MN · MO · MS · NC · ND · NE · NH · NM · OH · OR · PA · SC · SD · TX · UT · VA · VT · WI
100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins after verification
No Promo Code neededNo purchase necessary. 18+ (21+ where required). Not available in AZ, CA, CT, DE, ID, IN, LA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NJ, NV, NY, OK, TN, WA, WV. Full terms at RealPrize.
Sweepstakes casinos: facts and figures
| Real-money deposits | No: you buy virtual Gold Coins; Sweeps Coins are free |
| Purchase required to play | No (no purchase necessary by law) |
| Regulated by state gaming boards | No |
| Statewide bans in force | CA, CT, IN, LA, ME, MT, NJ, NY, TN; plus ID, MI, NV and WA blocked under existing law |
| Next ban | Oklahoma, November 1, 2026 (SB 1589) |
| Typical minimum age | 18+ or 21+, set by the operator and state |
| Typical redemption minimums | $25-$50 gift cards; $50-$100 cash |
How sweepstakes casinos work: Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins
Every sweepstakes casino runs two currencies side by side. The names change from site to site, but the roles never do.
- Gold Coins (called Tournament Coins at Funrize, Fun Coins at FunzCity) are play money. You get them free on sign-up and every day, and you can buy more in coin packages. They have no cash value and can never be redeemed.
- Sweeps Coins (Promotional Entries at Funrize, City Coins at FunzCity, Super Coins at NoLimitCoins) are the prize currency. You cannot buy them. They are given away free: with sign-up and daily bonuses, as a bonus attached to Gold Coin packages, and through a mail-in request. Winnings from Sweeps Coin play can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.
That split is the whole legal basis of the model. Gambling under most state laws requires three things: a prize, chance and consideration (paying to play). Sweepstakes casinos argue that because you never pay for a Sweeps Coin, and anyone can get them free, there is no consideration, and so no gambling. It is the same principle that lets a soda company run a bottle-cap prize draw.
No purchase necessary: the alternative method of entry
To keep that argument intact, every sweepstakes casino must offer a free “alternative method of entry,” almost always a handwritten postal request. You send a card or letter, in the exact format set out in the official sweepstakes rules, and the operator credits free Sweeps Coins. Rules are strict: requests that are typed, photocopied or missing details are usually rejected.
Redemption rules you should know
Before you can redeem anything, expect three hurdles:
- Playthrough: Sweeps Coins usually have to be played through once (1x) before winnings count as redeemable.
- Identity verification: a government ID and proof of address, checked before your first redemption.
- Minimums: commonly $25 to $50 for a gift card and $50 to $100 for cash, usually at 1 Sweeps Coin to $1.
You can only redeem prizes from a state where the site runs Sweeps Coin play. Being physically located in an excluded or gold-coin-only state blocks redemptions there.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal? The state-by-state picture
There is no federal law that licenses or bans sweepstakes casinos, so legality is decided state by state. Some states have passed explicit bans, others apply existing gambling laws, and a growing group has sent cease-and-desist letters without changing the law.
States that ban sweepstakes casinos by statute
- California: AB 831, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on October 11, 2025, effective January 1, 2026.
- Connecticut: SB 1235 (Public Act 25-112), effective October 1, 2025.
- Indiana: HB 1052, signed by Gov. Mike Braun, effective July 1, 2026.
- Louisiana: HB 883 (Act 182) and HB 53 (Act 48), signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, effective August 1, 2026. HB 53 adds racketeering penalties.
- Maine: LD 2007, signed by Gov. Janet Mills, effective July 2026.
- Montana: SB 555, effective October 1, 2025, with felony penalties.
- New Jersey: A5447, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy and effective August 15, 2025.
- New York: S5935-A, effective December 5, 2025.
- Tennessee: SB 2136, signed by Gov. Bill Lee, effective May 22, 2026. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti had already sent cease-and-desist letters to nearly 40 operators in December 2025.
States that block sweepstakes casinos under existing law
- Idaho: the state constitution (Article III, Section 20) bars the games; operators do not accept Idaho players.
- Michigan: the Michigan Gaming Control Board treats them as illegal gambling and announced 33 cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed operators on October 8, 2026.
- Nevada: gaming law requires a licence, and SB 256 (2025) added penalties and disgorgement for unlicensed operators from October 1, 2025.
- Washington: RCW 9.46.240, the state’s long-standing ban on internet gambling, has been applied to sweepstakes casinos by the courts.
Oklahoma: ban from November 1, 2026
Oklahoma’s SB 1589 was vetoed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 12, 2026, and the legislature overrode the veto on May 14. The ban takes effect on November 1, 2026. Our featured A1 Development sites already limit Oklahomans to play-money coins, and RealPrize excludes the state.
States where regulators are pushing back
These states have no statewide ban, but regulators or attorneys general have acted, and many operators already exclude them:
- Arizona: Department of Gaming cease-and-desist orders.
- Delaware: Division of Gaming Enforcement action; several operators have withdrawn.
- Florida: the Attorney General sued Stake and VGW in August 2026; ban bills died in the 2026 session.
- Illinois: Gaming Board cease-and-desist letters (February 2026); a ban bill is in committee.
- Iowa: SF 2289 gave the regulator cease-and-desist powers from July 1, 2026.
- Maryland: cease-and-desist letters; ban bills did not clear the Senate.
- Minnesota, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and West Virginia: letters, subpoenas or warnings from the attorney general or gaming regulator.
Where sweepstakes casinos still operate
Most remaining open markets are in the South, Midwest and Mountain West: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia and others. Availability varies by brand, because each operator sets its own excluded list. Always check the site’s terms, not just the state law.
Sweepstakes casino availability by site
| State status | Funrize | FunzCity | NoLimitCoins | RealPrize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| California, Indiana, Maine | Free coins only | Free coins only | Free coins only | No |
| Maryland, Oklahoma | Free coins only | Free coins only | Free coins only | No |
| New Jersey, New York, Michigan | No | No | No | No |
| Texas, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island, Wyoming | No | No | No | No |
Our featured sweepstakes casinos
Funrize
The flagship of A1 Development’s group, known for leaderboard races and a deep slot lobby. Welcome gift: 125,000 coins. No purchase necessary. 21+. Not available in CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, RI, TN, WA, WV, WY; free-coin mode only in CA, IN, MD, ME, OK. Full terms at Funrize.
Read our Funrize review Visit Funrize →
FunzCity
A lighter, slots-first sister site with a daily wheel and a $25 gift-card threshold. Welcome wheel: 125,000 Fun Coins. No purchase necessary. 21+. Not available in CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, RI, TN, WA, WV, WY; Fun Coins only in CA, IN, MD, ME, OK. Full terms at FunzCity.
Read our FunzCity review Visit FunzCity →
NoLimitCoins
A1 Development’s original site, with Gold Coins, Super Coins, a twice-daily wheel and an iPhone app. Offer: 100,000 Gold Coins on sign-up + 10,000 for email. No purchase necessary. 21+. Not available in CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, RI, TN, WA, WV, WY; Gold Coins only in CA, IN, MD, ME, OK. Full terms at NoLimitCoins.
Read our NoLimitCoins review Visit NoLimitCoins →
RealPrize
RealPlay Tech’s brand, with games from studios such as Pragmatic Play and Relax Gaming and free Sweeps Coins at sign-up. Offer: 100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins after verification. No purchase necessary. 18+ (21+ where required). Not available in AZ, CA, CT, DE, ID, IN, LA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NJ, NV, NY, OK, TN, WA, WV. Full terms at RealPrize.
Read our RealPrize review Visit RealPrize →
How to choose a sweepstakes casino
- Check your state first. Each operator publishes its own excluded list, and it can be longer than the law requires.
- Compare redemption minimums. A $25 gift-card threshold is far easier to reach than $45 or $100.
- Look at the game studios. Recognizable providers are a good sign of a well-run lobby.
- Read the free-entry rules. A clear, easy mail-in method shows the operator takes the “no purchase necessary” requirement seriously.
- Verify early. Completing ID checks before you have a prize waiting avoids delays later.
Sweepstakes sportsbooks and social casinos
Sweepstakes sportsbooks such as Fliff, Sportzino, Rebet and Thrillzz apply the same two-currency model to sports picks. They have faced their own enforcement wave: Tennessee’s sports wagering regulator pushed several out of the state in 2025. Pure social casinos, which sell coins with no prize redemption at all, are a different product, but check your state’s law, because some bans are written broadly.
Do you pay tax on sweepstakes casino prizes?
Yes. Prizes redeemed from Sweeps Coin play are taxable income under federal law, just like gambling or contest winnings, and most states with an income tax treat them the same way. Operators may ask for your Social Security number and issue tax forms for larger annual prize totals. Keep a record of your redemptions. The IRS explains how gambling and prize income is reported in Topic 419.
Responsible play at sweepstakes casinos
Because sweepstakes casinos are not licensed by state gaming regulators, they are not bound by the deposit limits, reality checks and statewide self-exclusion programs that regulated online casinos must offer. That puts more of the responsibility on you. Set a monthly budget for coin purchases, never buy coins to chase a redemption, and use any limits the site offers. If you need help, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit GambleAware.org. Our responsible gambling guide has more resources.
Sweepstakes casinos vs real-money online casinos
In the seven states with regulated online casinos, licensed sites offer real-money play, regulator oversight and statewide protections. See our online casino guide for those markets. Everywhere else, sweepstakes casinos are the main casino-style option still open, and in a shrinking number of states.
Sweepstakes casino guides by state
SB sportsbooks · CA online casinos · HR horse betting
Sweepstakes casinos in 2027
Wyoming’s two drafts
Wyoming lawmakers have working drafts for the 2027 session pointing in opposite directions: one would prohibit sweepstakes casinos from July 1, 2027, while another would license them with a 21+ age limit and geolocation. Neither has been introduced yet.
Virginia and New York bills carry over
Virginia’s SB 579 was continued to 2027 by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee, and New York’s S 10092 passed the Senate in June 2026 and sits in Assembly committee. Both are worth watching when sessions open.
Florida and Pennsylvania pressure
Florida’s attorney general is suing major operators after ban bills died in 2026, and Pennsylvania’s HB 2801 is pending in House Gaming Oversight. Either could reshape two of the largest remaining sweepstakes markets.
Which states have banned sweepstakes casinos?
California, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Tennessee have passed bans. Idaho, Michigan, Nevada and Washington block them under existing law, and Oklahoma’s ban starts on November 1, 2026.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Texas?
Texas has no sweepstakes casino ban, and sites such as Funrize, FunzCity, NoLimitCoins and RealPrize accept Texas players. Online real-money casinos and sportsbooks remain illegal there.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in New Jersey?
No. Gov. Phil Murphy signed A5447 on August 15, 2025, banning online sweepstakes casinos. New Jersey players can use the state’s licensed real-money online casinos instead.
What is the difference between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins?
Gold Coins are play money you can buy or get free, with no cash value. Sweeps Coins are always free, and winnings from them can be redeemed for gift cards or cash after playthrough and ID checks.
Do I have to buy anything to win at a sweepstakes casino?
No. Every legal sweepstakes casino must offer a free way to get Sweeps Coins, usually through daily bonuses and a mail-in request.
Can I redeem Sweeps Coins if I travel to a banned state?
No. Redemptions and Sweeps Coin play depend on where you are physically located, and are blocked in states the site excludes.