Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins: Understanding Sweepstakes Casino Currencies

Updated February 25, 2026

The Dual Currency System at Sweepstakes Casinos

Every legitimate sweepstakes casino uses a dual currency system. Understanding how these two currencies work is essential before you start playing. The system may seem confusing at first, especially because different platforms use different names for their currencies, but once you grasp the underlying mechanics, it becomes straightforward. The two currencies serve very different purposes: one is purely for entertainment with no monetary value whatsoever, while the other can be accumulated, played through, and ultimately redeemed for real prizes including cash.

What Are Gold Coins?

Gold Coins (GC) are the primary virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos. Think of them as play money or arcade tokens. They exist purely for entertainment value and have absolutely no real-world monetary worth. You cannot redeem Gold Coins for cash, prizes, or anything of value. Your Gold Coin balance is displayed in your account dashboard and is used exclusively for playing games in the fun-play mode.

Gold Coins serve as the foundation of the sweepstakes model's legality. When you make a purchase at a sweepstakes casino, you are buying Gold Coins, which constitutes a purchase of virtual entertainment, not a gambling deposit. This legal distinction is critical because it means you are paying for entertainment value only. The price of Gold Coin packages varies by platform, but common options range from $4.99 for a small package to $99.99 or more for larger bundles. Many platforms also run promotional pricing on Gold Coin packages during holidays and special events.

How to Get Gold Coins

Welcome bonus: Every platform gives you a free Gold Coin balance when you register. This is often generous, ranging from tens of thousands to millions of GC depending on the site.
Daily login bonuses: Log in each day to claim free Gold Coins. Some platforms offer escalating rewards for consecutive daily logins.
Purchasing packages: Buy Gold Coin packages directly through the casino. Prices start as low as $1.99 at some platforms.
Social media promotions: Follow the casino on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for periodic Gold Coin giveaways.
Refer a friend: Many platforms reward you with Gold Coins when friends you refer sign up and play.

What Are Sweeps Coins?

Sweeps Coins (SC) are the promotional currency that carries real value. This is the currency you want to accumulate, because Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real prizes once you meet the platform's requirements. At most sweepstakes casinos, 1 SC is equivalent to $1 USD when redeemed.

Sweeps Coins are never sold directly. You cannot buy them. This is a critical legal requirement of the sweepstakes model. Instead, you receive Sweeps Coins for free as a bonus alongside Gold Coin purchases, through daily logins, via social media giveaways, or by sending a mail-in request. The fact that Sweeps Coins are always free is what keeps the sweepstakes model legally distinct from gambling.

How to Get Sweeps Coins for Free

Welcome bonus: Most platforms include free Sweeps Coins in the registration bonus. Common offers range from 2 SC to 25 SC or more at signup.
Daily login bonus: Claim a small amount of free Sweeps Coins every day just by logging into the platform.
Gold Coin purchase bonuses: When you buy a Gold Coin package, you receive bonus Sweeps Coins included at no additional cost. Larger packages typically come with proportionally more SC.
Mail-in entry: Every legitimate platform offers a postal mail option. Send a handwritten request with your account details and a stamped envelope, and the casino will credit Sweeps Coins to your account. This is the legally mandated no-purchase-necessary entry method.
Social media contests: Platforms regularly run giveaways on their social channels where you can win free Sweeps Coins.

Playthrough Requirements

Before you can redeem Sweeps Coins for prizes, you must meet the platform's playthrough (or wagering) requirement. This means you need to wager your Sweeps Coins a certain number of times before they become eligible for redemption.

The good news is that most sweepstakes casinos have a very low playthrough requirement, typically just 1x. This means if you receive 10 SC, you need to wager a total of 10 SC worth of bets before those coins can be redeemed. Compare this to traditional online casino bonuses that often require 30x to 50x wagering, and you can see why sweepstakes casino terms are considered much more player-friendly.

Not all games contribute equally to playthrough requirements. At some platforms, slots count 100% toward the wagering requirement, while table games like blackjack or roulette may contribute at a lower rate such as 10% or 20%. Always check the platform's terms for game contribution details so you can clear your playthrough efficiently.

Once Sweeps Coins have been played through, they move to your redeemable balance. Your account dashboard will typically show two separate SC figures: your total Sweeps Coin balance and your redeemable balance. You can then submit a redemption request for any amount above the platform's minimum threshold.

The Redemption Process

Redeeming Sweeps Coins for real prizes typically follows these steps:

Complete identity verification: Submit your government ID, proof of address, and sometimes a selfie for KYC compliance. This is a one-time process.
Check your redeemable balance: Make sure you have enough played-through Sweeps Coins above the minimum redemption amount.
Choose your payment method: Options vary by platform but commonly include bank transfer, Skrill, PayPal, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Submit the request: Enter the amount you want to redeem and confirm. Processing times range from under an hour at the fastest platforms to up to 12 business days at slower ones.

Platform-Specific Currency Names

While the dual-currency mechanic is universal, different platforms brand their currencies with unique names. Here are some common examples:

CrownCoins Casino: Crown Coins (play currency) and Sweeps Coins
Fortune Coins: Fortune Coins and Sweeps Coins (or prize-redeemable Fortune Coins)
Stake.us: Gold Coins and Stake Cash (SC)
McLuck: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins
Cazino: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

Regardless of the naming convention, the underlying system works the same way. One currency is for entertainment only, and the other can be redeemed for prizes. When comparing platforms, focus on the redemption value, playthrough requirements, and how generously each site distributes the redeemable currency through free methods.

Key Takeaways

The dual currency system is what makes sweepstakes casinos legally accessible in most US states and fundamentally different from real-money gambling. Gold Coins provide unlimited entertainment with no financial risk, while Sweeps Coins offer the exciting possibility of earning real prizes. By understanding how to obtain each currency, meeting playthrough requirements, and following the redemption process, you can make the most of your sweepstakes casino experience. Always prioritize platforms with generous free Sweeps Coin distribution, low playthrough requirements, and fast redemption processing when choosing where to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert Gold Coins into Sweeps Coins?

No. Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins are completely separate currencies and cannot be converted into each other. Gold Coins are purely for entertainment with no real value. Sweeps Coins must be obtained through welcome bonuses, daily logins, Gold Coin purchase bonuses, mail-in requests, or social media promotions.

How much are Sweeps Coins worth in real money?

At most sweepstakes casinos, 1 Sweeps Coin is equivalent to $1 USD when redeemed. So if you accumulate 100 redeemable SC, you can redeem them for $100 in prizes. Some platforms may have slightly different rates, so always check the specific terms.

What is the playthrough requirement for Sweeps Coins?

Most sweepstakes casinos require a 1x playthrough before Sweeps Coins can be redeemed. This means you simply need to wager the Sweeps Coins once in eligible games. This is far more favorable than traditional online casino bonuses, which often require 30x to 50x wagering.

Can I get Sweeps Coins without spending any money?

Absolutely. Every legitimate sweepstakes casino must offer free ways to obtain Sweeps Coins. You can get them through welcome bonuses at signup, daily login rewards, social media giveaways, and postal mail-in requests. While purchasing Gold Coin packages provides additional bonus Sweeps Coins, spending money is never required.