Sweepstakes poker: What’s it all about?
Whether you’re a big fish at the poker table or are just starting out on your journey into the world of Texas Hold ’em – it may never have occurred to you that you can play poker at
sweepstakes casinos online, particularly if you live in a region with tough laws blocking real-money gambling sites.
But I’m here to tell you that sweepstakes poker sites are very much the real deal, allowing you to play your favorite card game without fear of breaking local anti-gambling laws.
What is sweepstakes poker?
Online poker sweepstakes are exactly what they sound like: games of poker played on sweepstakes casino websites. Depending on the type of poker you’re playing, the same familiar rules apply, with the only real difference being that you won’t play with real money.
What’s the difference between real poker and poker sweepstakes?
As I said, the only difference here is the fact that you’re not playing with real cash. Instead, you’ll be using virtual coins to facilitate authentic poker play, with each chip you place worth an allocated sum of “Gold Coins” or “Sweeps Coins”.
Let’s take a closer look at these virtual tokens and how they work in relation to online poker sweepstakes.
| Tokens | Characteristics |
| Gold Coins (GC) | Gold Coins are just-for-fun tokens used on sweepstakes casinos. You can use these non-transferable tokens to play poker on a fun-only basis – perfect if you’re still learning the ropes.
Gold Coins have no monetary value and can’t be redeemed for prizes. You can, however, purchase more if you run out. |
| Sweeps Coins (SC) | Sweeps Coins are what you’ll need to enter sweepstakes poker games online. These free-to-collect tokens have no monetary value beyond the sweepstakes casino you’re playing at, but they can be redeemed for prizes like cash, vouchers, and gift cards.
You can’t purchase SC but you can collect more by redeeming bonuses, accessing
VIP sweepstakes
games, and purchasing GC packs containing a random allocation of SC. |
What are the advantages of sweepstakes online poker?
Not convinced by the idea of sweeps poker games online? Let me sell it to you by taking a look at their key advantages, some of which you may not have considered…
That’s right – sweepstakes casinos are free to access with no deposit or purchases necessary. So, even if you’re not completely sold on the idea of sweepstakes poker, you’ve nothing to lose by giving it a shot.
While you can’t win cash directly at the poker table,
sweepstakes with real money prizes
do at least let you work towards claiming rewards. Remember: collect enough SC through poker victories, and you can redeem these tokens for genuine prizes.
Even if you do have access to real-money poker games, I would argue that sweepstakes online poker is worth it. The fact that you can play for free means you have the perfect training ground, a place where you can refine your skills and grow in confidence before playing for real.
Where should you play poker sweepstakes online?
So, you’re fully up to speed on the what and the why of online poker sweepstakes, but what about the where?
Well, as it happens, I’ve got five sweepstakes poker sites to recommend, each offering at least one type of free virtual poker for you to play online to your heart’s content.
Stake.us – Play two types of video poker games
Play with Stake Cash
Original Slot Games
Stake.us Pros & Cons
- Video poker games available, including live games rooms
- Play for Stake Cash and redeem real prizes including crypto
- Excellent reputation and thousands of happy customers
- 3x playthrough requirement applies before Stake Cash can be redeemed
Stake.us has bolstered its games library with a growing number of premium-quality table games in recent years, with video poker now very much a part of the brand’s wheelhouse. You can play two different types of online poker at Stake.us, including sweepstakes poker machines against an AI-augmented computer, and an immersive live version with a real dealer and real competitors.
I like the fact that it’s so easy to switch between free and sweepstakes gameplay when playing poker at Stake.us, so you can toggle between different modes when you feel like upping the ante. It’s also worth noting that new players signing up for a Stake.us account can enjoy an exclusive welcome bonus of $25 in Stake Cash, 250, 000 Gold Coins, and a 5% rakeback on losses.
Chumba Casino – Simple poker games with a social twist
Chumba Casino
Play for Fun
Chumba Casino Pros & Cons
- Simple poker games that are easy to pick up and play
- Real sweepstakes prizes are available
- Fantastic brand with excellent coverage across North America
- You’ll need to collect 100 SC before you can redeem prizes
Chumba Casino places a real emphasis on simple, social gaming, so if you’re looking to hone your poker-playing skills, this could be a nice place to start. One of Chumba’s most popular video poker titles includes Jacks or Better, which is, in my opinion, one of the easiest poker games to pick up on any like-for-like social gaming site.
Make no mistake, though, sweepstakes prizes are on offer at Chumba Casino, so you can play poker, collect SC, and claim nice rewards. A 100 SC minimum redemption does apply here, but Chumba only asks for a 1x playthrough requirement.
Sweeptastic – The place for sweepstakes poker machines
Play with Lucky Coins
Play on Mobile
Sweeptastic Pros & Cons
- Strong selection of game studios
- Eye-catching bonuses available
- Small handful of high-quality video poker games
- No live poker tables available
For a
new sweepstakes
gaming platform, Sweeptastic sure knows how to curate an awesome games library. As well as hundreds of slots and classic casino favorites like blackjack and roulette, players will find a handful of video poker games here, with software provided by the likes of BGaming and Belatra.
I guess the only slight downside is the fact that there are no live sweepstakes poker tables here, with players instead facing AI competitors only.
Fortune Coins – Easy-peasy poker games at Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Social Casino
Play on Mobile
Fortune Coins Pros & Cons
- Simple poker games that are ideal for beginners
- Tons of free coins on offer at Fortune Coins
- New games added every week
- Not the largest selection of sweepstakes poker games
I’ll be frank: Fortune Coins doesn’t have the largest library of games but it does, at least, offer a couple of variations of video poker. You’ll find two poker-based titles in the Fortune Coins’ collection, including Joker Poker and Jacks or Better, both of which are an absolute breeze to pick up and play. So, if you’re a beginner looking for an easy entry point into the world of online sweepstakes poker, you should find these titles entertaining.
Golden Hearts Games – Play poker and give to good causes (if you like)
Golden Heart Games Social Casino
Play across devices
Golden Hearts Games Pros & Cons
- Simple video poker game available
- Donate to good causes while you play
- Win real prizes including cash and gift cards
- Not the biggest choice of casino and poker games
If you can drag yourself away from Golden Hearts Games’ immersive live bingo rooms, you’ll find that this unique gaming outfit offers one poker sweepstakes games – a Jacks or Better-style title similar to those offered by Chumba Casino and Fortune Coins. It’s easy to pick up and fun to play, but I would like to see more poker games added in the future.
Of course, the main draw of GHG is the brand’s charity-based sweepstakes mechanic, which invites players to donate to good causes while they play. This is a totally unique system, and one that means that Golden Hearts is legal in practically every state in the US.
My final say on sweepstakes online poker
While I’m sure some high-stakes players will shun the idea of sweepstakes poker, I happen to think it’s a fun way for beginners to learn the ropes and hone their skills. Plus, for those who live in areas with strict anti-gambling rules, online sweepstakes casinos might be the only place to play this classic table game in a safe and legal way.
Before you head on over to Stake.us, Chumba Casino, Sweeptastic, Fortune Coins, or Golden Hearts Games, don’t forget to check out the banners on this page for the latest new sweepstakes bonuses and special offers.
Our top bonuses in November
1.
200 Free Spins + 500,000 Free G-Coins
Sweepstakes poker FAQs
?? Can I play poker on sweepstakes casinos online?
Yes! Some of the best sweepstakes casinos offer video poker games.
?? Is live sweepstakes poker a thing?
Yes! Some sweepstakes casinos, namely Stake.us, offer live video poker games where you can go up against real players.
?? Can I win real prizes playing online poker sweepstakes?
While you can’t win prizes directly at the poker table, you can collect sweeps coins and exchange these for prizes like cash, vouchers, and gift cards. You will have to satisfy a few rules first, including a minimum redemption and playthrough requirement.
