Best Sweepstakes Casinos Accepting Crypto
The post Best Sweepstakes Casinos Accepting Crypto appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Sweepstakes nationwide are using crypto because it’s convenient – the transactions are backed by high-end encryptions and are usually processed faster than fiat currency payments. However, many crypto sweepstakes casinos aren’t too transparent about their fees, and I’ve seen many sites downright mislead customers into buying crypto on shady platforms.
There’s no need to be afraid of buying or using crypto to gamble at sweepstakes if you choose reputable sites like Sweepstastic, Stake.us, or Chanced. In this article, our experts will guide you toward the process of choosing the best sweepstakes casinos accepting crypto, how to play at crypto gambling sites, and how they work.
5 Best Crypto Sweepstakes Casinos
1. Sweeptastic
2. Stake.us
4. LuckyBird.io
Casino nameSupported CryptocurrenciesWelcome BonusCoin Redemption RateSweeptasticBTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDT (TRC20), USDC, BTCH, TRX27,777 LC + 2 SC1 SC = $1Stake.usBTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, DOGE, USDT10,000 GC + 1 SC1 SC = $1Chanced CasinoBTC, LTC, ETH, XRP10,000 GC + 2 SC1 SC = $1LuckyBird.ioBTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, TRX, DOGE, USDT1,000 GC + 0.21 SC1 SC = $1Scrooge CasinoBTC, ETH, LTC150,000 GC + 250 SC100 SC = $1
Fast transactions, a secure platform, and numerous supported cryptocurrencies are just some of the things these sweepstakes casinos have in common. Our team of experts has tested dozens of sites before shortlisting the 5 most trustworthy sites.
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic was launched by Heuston Gaming Limited in 2023, and it’s currently among the trendiest crypto sweepstakes casinos due to its hefty 27,777 LC + 2 SC welcome bonus.
Over 1,000+ popular games from some of the leading i-Gaming providers are included in Sweeptastic’s library. You can enjoy slots from Belatra, Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, and Wazdan, as well as numerous poker, roulette, and specialty games at this casino.
The payment methods available at Sweeptastic are a mix of credit & debit cards, and 9 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, two versions of Tether (USDT & USD TRC20), USD Coin, Bitcoin Cash, Tron, and Dash. It’s a considerably more versatile site compared to the industry average, especially because many sweepstakes support only Bitcoin and a handful of mainstream cryptocurrencies.
Since the minimum redemption limit at Sweeptastic is $100, and its biggest bonuses are exclusive to paying players, I recommend this sweepstakes casino to players who plan on spending real money in it. You can kickstart your race to 100 redeemable SCs with the 100% SC boost on your first purchase, grabbing 45,000 LC and 45 free SCs for just $29.49.
Stake.us
Sweepsteaks Limited launched Stake.us in 2022, and in less than a year, it climbed the ranks of U.S. sweepstakes casinos, offering more than 400+ slots from big-time developers like Pragmatic and Hacksaw.
Stake has dozens of original games and unique challenges and events that award huge amounts of free SCs to the winners.
This sweepstakes casino will greet you with 10,000 GC and 1 SC Welcome Bonus, which is a decent package, especially for a young casino. Our experts underscore that Stake’s free SC promotions are among the most generous offers in the current market, with offers like the Mail-in 5 SC bonus, Daily Login 1 SC, and regularly updated social media contests.
Stake supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Doge, and Tether. Unlike Sweeptastic, you can redeem your hard-earned coins at a lower threshold of 40 SCs, albeit for gift cards; real money prizes require at least 100 redeemable Stake Cash.
In my opinion, Stake is the closest a sweepstakes casino can get to being a true “no purchase necessary” site. Follow its social media pages, participate in giveaways & daily races, climb your way through the VIP ladder, and you’ll reach the redemption limit in no time.
Chanced
Chanced Casino was launched by Golden Coin Group LLC in 2023, and it’s among the youngest sweepstakes casinos in the U.S. market. Right off the bat, players can claim the 10,000 gold coins and 2 free sweeps coins welcome package without making any deposits.
Its gaming library features 500+ games, most of which come from Pragmatic, Hacksaw, and Relax Gaming. Besides high RTP slots, Chanced offers a handful of table games and a few exclusives called “Chanced Originals”.
The welcome bonus and several free promos for existing players make it worth checking out, especially if you’re not keen on spending any real money. This casino is ideal for players who don’t mind that the selection of card & dice games is humble as long as slots pay and play well.
LuckyBird.io
LuckyBird owns the sweepstakes casino with the same name; it’s a young casino that is quite different from popular alternatives in that it exclusively deals with crypto payments, including BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, DOGE, TRX, and USDT.
The welcome no deposit bonus at LuckyBird.io gives all newcomers 1,000 GC and 0.21 free SC, which is roughly 5 times smaller compared to the industry average. On the upside, there are plenty of ways to earn additional SCs for free, so make sure to use the Refer-a-Friend program, check out the VIP club, and claim treasure chests whenever they’re available.
What’s different about LuckyBird.io is that its minimum redemption threshold is set at 20 SC. Additionally, its daily free SC bonus is based on the “unlimited faucet” concept. You’ll get more coins as you use the community chat, share LuckyBird posts, and purchase coins. I recommend LuckyBird.io sweepstakes casino to players who find “grinding” for coins fun, but also to low rollers – you won’t find many casinos with lower SC redemption minimums.
Scrooge Casino
The polar opposite of the “Christmas Carol” protagonist, Scrooge Casino is among the most generous new sweepstakes in the U.S. This casino kept improving its welcome bonus ever since its launch, and currently, new players are looking at 150,000 GC and 250 STs for free.
Scrooge is owned and operated by Scrooge, a crypto company that has its own coin (Scrooge Token) on the Binance Smart Chain. Scrooge Tokens are powering Scrooge Casino, but according to the company, they also offer additional benefits to holders, like monthly USDT reflections as passive income.
I’m not a huge fan of crypto trading, so I can only recommend using these tokens to withdraw real cash prizes. The minimum redemption threshold is $100, and unlike the casinos I mentioned earlier, 100 STs are worth $1. This casino supports a variety of mainstream cryptocurrency payout methods, as well as credit cards and Cash App.
A Brief Intro to Crypto Sweepstakes Casinos
Cryptocurrencies are very hard to trace due to the robust encryption blockchains use, which makes them perfect for online casinos, especially offshore venues, to dabble in shady work. Without established regulatory bodies with sufficient understanding of crypto, offshore sites will continue to (ab)use the current situation to retain anonymity and scam customers.
Similar practices have stained the reputation of casinos accepting crypto everywhere. However, the silver lining here is that many U.S. sweepstakes casinos saw the remarkable potential of this digital currency and they are actively working on implementing streamlined, rapid payment processes. We’re here to help you understand how these casinos work, how to set up a crypto wallet, and how to choose safe sweepstakes accepting cryptocurrencies.
How to Play at Crypto Sweepstakes Casinos
The only notable difference between “traditional” sweepstakes casinos and the ones accepting cryptocurrencies is that you’ll be using a different payment medium (crypto wallet instead of credit/debit cards or online banking).
To do this, you’ll first need to set up an account, verify it, and claim the bonuses. Even though each sweepstakes casino has a different sign-up procedure, the standard rules are almost always the same, so just follow these simple steps:
Choose a reputable, legit sweepstakes casino and use our links to safely access their principal sites.
Tap “Join”, “Sign Up”, “Register”, or “Create an Account”, which is usually located at the top-right corner.
Complete the registration form to receive a basic account by providing your email address and creating a password.
To verify your new account, check your mail and phone, and follow the instructions provided in the verification message.
Grab all no deposit promotions (some are automatically allocated to the balance)
Tap your GC/SC balance to see how much currency you have. Click on the “plus” symbol or “Buy More” to purchase additional coins.
Gold coins are used to demo games for free while sweeps coins/tokens/cash can be used to play for real cash prizes.
Check out the casino’s Sweeps Rules to learn more about the minimum SC redemption limit and how to redeem your SCs.
Depending on your chosen sweepstakes website, there may be a few variations to these steps. For instance, you can sign up for Sweeptastic or Scrooge Casino with your Facebook account, but you’ll need to make a new one from scratch to access LuckyBird.io or Chanced.
Check out their T&Cs to see the list of supported states and if you’re eligible to play.
Crypto Wallet Setup & Why You Need One
Unlike plain cash, cryptocurrency transactions take place between, in this case, casinos, and decentralized crypto wallet apps. Crypto wallets function a bit differently from e-wallets in that they don’t carry money – they carry digital “keys” that store and facilitate transactions using crypto.
Simply put, I recommend using a crypto wallet that allows you to store, buy, and sell crypto from one place, such as Coinbase or Binance. This way, you’ll be able to receive funds from your chosen sweepstakes casino and convert received crypto into the currency of your choosing. Follow these simple steps to set up a crypto wallet:
Choose a trustworthy crypto wallet service and go to their official website
Tap “Sign Up” and fill out the required fields to create a free account
Choose the “Buy and Sell” function
Select the desired cryptocurrency and enter how much you’d like to buy
Choose your preferred payment method
Optionally, tap “Preview Buy” to get more details about the transaction
Once you’re satisfied with the outcome, tap “Buy Now” to finalize the purchase
If you plan on playing with no deposit bonuses exclusively, you can simply create a free crypto wallet account and link your wallet’s address to the chosen sweepstakes casino.
How Deposits Work at Crypto Sweepstakes Casinos
Technicalities aside, there aren’t many differences between making deposits in crypto or fiat currencies at sweepstakes sites. However, it’s important to note that some casinos like Stake.us or LuckyBird.io work with crypto exclusively.
Just like credit card deposits would allocate funds from your credit card to the casino, crypto deposits will allocate funds from your crypto wallet to the casino. Instead of choosing between available fiat currencies (like USD or CAD), you’ll be prompted to choose between supported cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, LTC, and so on).
Follow these steps to make a crypto deposit on your chosen sweepstakes site:
Log into your sweepstakes casino account.
Tap on “My Wallet” (or similar variations) and navigate to “Deposits”
If the above option is unavailable, tap on coins and choose one of the available coin bundles.
A drop-down menu of available cryptocurrencies will appear. Select the currency you have assets in (e.g. if you purchased Bitcoin, choose BTC).
If you haven’t already, link your wallet to the casino by providing the unique crypto wallet address.
Enter the amount of crypto you wish to deposit, and the funds will be wired in seconds.
Many sweepstakes casinos offer free SCs with gold coin purchases; the larger the pack, the more free sweeps coins you’ll receive. I warmly recommend looking for casinos that offer exclusive first purchase bonuses, such as Sweptastic’s 100% bonus or Scrooge Casino’s 150% Deposit Match Bonus, if you plan on depositing your own cash.
How Crypto Withdrawals Work at Sweepstakes Casinos
Regardless of which sweepstakes casino you’ve chosen, you’ll only be able to withdraw money if you’ve reached the minimum sweeps redemption threshold and played through your coins at least once. For reference, this is 20 Sweepstake Cash at LuckyBird.io, 40 Stake Cash at Stake.us, 100 Sweeps Coins at Sweeptastic and Chanced, and 1,000 Scrooge Tokens at Scrooge Casino. Follow these steps to withdraw your funds:
Log on and if you haven’t already, verify your sweepstakes casino profile.
In the Wallet section, tap “Withdraw” or “Redeem”
Choose from the list of available cryptocurrencies
Enter the amount of sweepstakes coins/tokens you wish to redeem
Wait for the casino’s staff to process the request
Even though crypto withdrawals are almost instantaneous, the request approval process can take a bit of time. If you’re withdrawing funds for the first time, or if you’re withdrawing large sums (e.g. $10,000+), you may have to wait for a few days before receiving your funds.
Which Cryptocurrencies are Available at Sweepstakes Casinos in the US?
According to CoinMarketCap’s report, more than 22,000+ unique cryptocurrencies including (non-mineable crypto) currently exist on various exchanges across blockchains, but only a dozen or so are safe, convenient, and cost-effective to deserve consideration. Our team of experts has shortlisted 5 trendiest cryptocurrencies that are available in reputable sweepstakes U.S. casinos:
Bitcoin (BTC): the first crypto ever released, as well as the one that is available in virtually all well-respected sweepstakes sites. Not to be confused with Bitcoin Cash (BCH), which many consider an upgrade of plain Bitcoin, but it’s not as widespread in casinos.
Ethereum (ETH): a “runner-up” in the race for the most popular crypto, Ethereum made waves with its smart contract technologies, which are self-executing programs meant to streamline the use of altcoins.
Litecoin (LTC): launched merely two years after Bitcoin, Litecoin is a “lightweight” cryptocurrency with distinctly lower gas fees.
Ripple (XRP): using a proprietary RippleNet protocol, Ripple stands out with exemplary transaction speeds.
Tether (USDT): experts define Tether as a remarkably liquid stablecoin. Its main benefit lies in support for virtually all mainstream blockchains, such as Solana, Avalanche, Polygon, Bitcoin, and more.
Having multiple options may sound great, but you should also consider the drawbacks of having to convert one crypto to another if you intend to use it at another sweepstakes casino that doesn’t support your original choice. For this reason alone, I recommend sticking to Bitcoin since the vast majority of crypto sweepstakes casinos support it.
Gas (Transaction) Fees & Payout Speeds
Fiat currency transactions rely on banks as intermediaries to complete deposit and withdrawal processes. You, as the player, submit a request, the bank has to approve it (based on your limits and available cash), and then the casino has to verify it. Even the fastest fiat payment methods can take a while to finish.
Cryptocurrencies, on another hand, emit broadcasts between “nodes’’ and don’t require third-party approvals. Consequently, crypto payouts and deposits are significantly faster, if not downright instantaneous.
While there are casinos that charge transaction fees on crypto payments, the sites I reviewed above and recommend won’t charge you a dime for your deposits or withdrawals.
I should also note that, according to industry standards, sweepstakes casinos don’t charge anything on first deposits while all subsequent crypto payout requests have small fees attached to them. Crypto withdrawals, on another hand, are free in most sweepstakes casinos.
Crypto Sweeps Vs. Offshore Casinos
Even though sweepstakes casinos don’t require specific licenses to operate in the United States, many sites went the extra mile to pass all required player safety and security checks; for example, Sweepsteaks Limited, the owner of Stake.us has a Curacao license while Sweeptastic, LuckyBird.io, Chanced, and Scrooge Casino push the envelope with features like geolocation, no purchase necessary, underage gambling prevention, compliance with state laws, and self-exclusion policies.
The same can’t be said about offshore sweepstakes sites that accept cryptocurrencies. Below, I’ll outline some of the main differences between US-based sweeps and offshore casinos in terms of legality, legitimacy, and overall safety:
US Crypto Sweepstakes Offshore Crypto SweepstakesLegal in the United StatesIllegal in the United StatesNo deposit and daily login bonuses make purchases unnecessaryPurchases are necessary for participationTested, provably fair games by reputable i-Gaming developersA mixed bag of games from both popular and obscure brandsDetailed player protection & safety policies backed by local lawsMinimal (if any) player protection options, often unreachable to US playersRegular bonuses with stable rulesA revolving door of bonuses with terms that frequently change
Crypto Sweepstakes Casino Features
The aforementioned sweepstakes casinos have a lot more to offer than just crypto payments. We’re looking at amazing bonuses, numerous fiat payment methods, fair games from reputable vendors, sleek websites, and a barrage of regular promos for account holders. Most importantly, crypto sweepstakes sites are available in almost all U.S. states, as opposed to real cash online casinos that are only legal in 6 states.
Legality
Legal sweepstakes casinos abide by US state laws where they operate. This stands in stark contrast to offshore crypto casinos which, as I mentioned, capitalize on the low traceability of crypto transactions and often resort to scams.
Reputable sites like Stake, Sweeptastic, and LuckyBird.io are constantly working on expanding, but unlike offshore sites, they must go through relevant regulatory bodies to do so, which takes a tremendous amount of time. Simply put, the US doesn’t have as many sweepstakes sites as other countries because legality is a number one priority, not just an “option”.
Purchase
You’ve probably seen “No Purchase Necessary” on the websites of most U.S. sweepstakes casinos. That’s because sweepstakes sites are required by law to enable players to participate without paying anything. You do need a crypto wallet, but only so that the casino can allocate your funds once you’re eligible to redeem your SCs. Crypto purchases at respected sites are completely optional.
Provably Fair Games
The term “provably fair” means that the fairness of games can be verified. This ties into the RTP (return-to-player) of games that, even though it’s just a theoretical parameter, paints a picture of what you can expect at any slot you start. US crypto sweepstakes are almost laser-focused on filling their gaming libraries with provably fair games, and many even order original titles from reputable i-gaming developers; these games can typically be found under “Exclusives” or “Originals” categories.
Software Providers
We rate i-Gaming software developers “obscure”, “dodgy”, “popular”, and “respected” based on several parameters. The highest scores go to developers who’ve been around for decades, and who have proven that they can create enticing games that consistently pay the advertised percentage back (RTP). That’s why most sweepstakes gamers recognize names like Hacksaw, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play.
Availability
While there are dozens of sweepstakes casinos that are available in most U.S. states, only a handful of sites have legal backing to integrate crypto payment options. As I underscored earlier, it’s better to have a few sites you can trust than thousands that you can’t.
Pros & Cons of Crypto Sweepstakes Sites
ProsConsStrict no-logging policies Hard to tell if some, especially new operators are legitInstant deposits and withdrawalsDifficult to pursue legal action due to low crypto traceability Either no or remarkably high transaction limitsSome sweepstakes casinos don’t support any fiat currencies Multiple cryptocurrencies supported
Crypto Sweepstakes Casinos to Avoid
Since embodying all the aforementioned qualities takes a lot of time, effort, and money, there are more dodgy sites than legit sweepstakes crypto venues. A few particular sites have a reputation for not being as transparent (or fair) about their operations, so keep an eye out for sites that engage in the following:
Omitting to declare any information about the owner/operating company
Keep outdated bonuses on their websites and rarely update the selection
Source their games from obscure i-gaming developers
Openly require players to make deposits
Offer very little assistance on-site (no email support or live chat)
The saddest part is that new casinos are often lumped in the same basket with shady operators because they lack the experience to avoid these common but potentially deadly pitfalls.
How to Select the Best Crypto Sweepstakes Casino
Prioritize US-based and regulated crypto sweepstakes sites. Even though technically sweepstakes don’t need a license, casinos with valid licenses have met guidelines that ensure a safer, more comfortable gaming experience for the player.
Compare no deposit & welcome bonuses of crypto sweepstakes casinos. Reputable sites have thousands of active players who indirectly fuel big promotions.
Inquire about the available crypto deposit & withdrawal methods and their fees. We recommend sites that offer a variety of options that you don’t have to pay to use.
Gauge the quality of bonuses based on minimum SC redemption thresholds. For instance, it’s risky to pay $10 for a $20 bonus if you have to grind your way to $100 redeemable coins.
Ignore sites that don’t have provably fair games. Pragmatic, Betsoft, Habanero, Mascot, Relax Gaming, and several other developers are remarkably transparent about how they test the fairness of their games.
Summary
The process of legalizing crypto sweepstakes casinos is sluggish, but in my opinion, rushing it would cause more harm than good. The U.S. may not have thousands of crypto sweepstakes sites, but you know you are playing at a safe, trustworthy venue when you sign up.
More and more casinos will adopt various cryptocurrency payment options in the near future, and I strongly believe waiting for the benefits of rapid, inconspicuous transactions and virtually nonexistent fees will pay off in the long run.
Meanwhile, you can safely approach established crypto casinos like Stake, Sweeptastic, LuckyBird, Scrooge, and Chance by using our banners. Once again, no purchases are necessary at any of these sites; have fun, and you’ll have a chance of getting real money prizes while you’re at it.
Filed under: Bitcoin - @ November 16, 2023 7:16 am