The Biggest Differences Between Sweepstakes and Regular Online Casinos
No one can argue with the fact that Sweepstakes are trendy worldwide. Due to how they work, these sites allow people to experience a real casino without worrying about some of the downsides that come with these types of operators.
Speaking of these companies, users familiar with both types of sites know that there are many differences between them. Sadly, only those with more experience can differentiate between the two, so it’s time to uncover some of the most significant differences between the two platforms.
Legal Status and Accessibility
Perhaps the biggest difference when it comes to sweepstakes and real online casinos is in their legal status. Many people assume that both types of operators are legit, but this depends greatly on where you reside, especially in the US. Speaking of the US, people can browse the list of sweepstakes casinos and find legal operators in most states, especially in places where traditional gambling is restricted. Although their gambling regulations are changing all the time, as of now, the sites that don’t require real funds are available in many parts of the country.
These types of casinos allow people to gamble without using real money, bypassing some of the strict regulations that make real-money gambling illegal.
All regular online casinos require a gambling license to offer their services. The situation in the US is very complicated because brands need a permit from a specific state. Consequently, many decide to get licenses from third-party regulators, such as those in Gibraltar or Malta.
The bad news is that these kinds of licenses do not allow a specific site to be available in the US. Users need to be careful and research the brand they want to use.
Bonuses and Promotions
Another big difference between Sweeps Casinos and regular operators is in the bonuses and promotions. If you visit any of the leading Sweepstakes casinos, you will see that all their bonuses offer either Gold Coins or Sweep Coins (sometimes even both). These perks rarely require you to spend anything, and they come in the form of giveaways, contests, social media activities, and more. An interesting fact about these things is that they do not have such aggressive marketing because of legal limitations.
If you check some of the big “real casino” sites, however, you will find a massive difference in the offers they have. For starters, almost all of the bonuses that these casinos have in stock will require a deposit or withdrawal. Sometimes, you may even have to make multiple transactions to get something. No deposit bonuses exist, but only a handful of sites offer them.
Many standard iGaming sites provide similar promos as their sweepstakes counterparts. On top of that, these brands can also provide free spins, cashback, and special kinds of loyalty perks.
Both casinos offer different conditions that customers must follow. These include wagering requirements, promo durations, and so on.
Currency and Gameplay Structure
The next big difference that players should be aware of is related to the currencies. People who have used a standard online casino know that it usually accepts a wide array of currencies. Many of them also accept cryptocurrencies because they are becoming much more popular among bettors. Gambling with cryptocurrencies has its risks, so it is important for players to know how everything works.
However, sweepstakes casinos are very different. These companies usually have two virtual currencies: Sweep Coins and Gold Coins. Most Gold Coins come for free, and you can get them every single day. With that said, people who want to get Sweep Coins will usually need to complete different tasks or purchase them.
What’s different about the Sweep Coins is that players can redeem them for different rewards. The operators that will allow you to do that will usually require some kind of identity verification. Speaking of verifying something, this rule also applies to regular gambling operators.
Player Demographics and Intent
Another big difference between the two sites is related to the people using them. Most Sweepstakes casinos attract casual players or those in restricted states who are not legally allowed to use “normal” casino sites. These users are often interested in fun and social gaming with a slight chance of winning real rewards. Consequently, most of these sites have a strong presence on social media platforms and are often accessible via Facebook or mobile apps.
Moving on to the regular casinos, they appeal to a broader mix of casual and serious gamblers. Many players using these sites pursue strategic play, big jackpots or professional-style games. Aside from that, these players usually have higher average deposits and play longer than usual.