Sweepstakes and social casinos are growing more popular, especially in states that lack real-money online gaming. And, while there are many sites that offer a safe and legal way to enjoy casino-style games and earn cash prizes, there are many others that try to masquerade as sweepstakes sites. It’s important to know the difference, and today, we’ve collected a few signs that can help you identify unsafe sites.
Purchases and Redemptions vs. Deposits and Withdrawals
Sweepstakes casinos operate in a highly specific way. They use standard currency (usually called Gold Coins) and premium currency (usually called Sweeps Coins). While the names can differ on some sites, the idea remains the same.
Gold Coins are just another word for “play money.” You can buy Gold Coins (or the equivalent) or receive them for free. Either way, you use them just to play for fun. Premium currency, on the other hand, can never be purchased, for legal reasons.
It’s only obtainable as a bonus, most commonly alongside a purchase of Gold Coins. You can play games with your Sweeps Coins to try to win more. The difference between them and Gold Coins is that you can redeem Sweeps for cash prizes once you have enough.
Notice the terms “purchase” and “redeem” here. That language is what you want to look for, to make sure the site you’re using is on the right side of the law. Both terms are surefire signs of a reputable site.
On the flip side, sites that advertise deposits, withdrawals, or real money are not trustworthy operators unless they’re operating with a license from a state regulator. Only Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Delaware, and Rhode Island have legal real-money online casinos, and you’ll find the logo of the state regulator on their sites.
Deposits and withdrawals are reserved for real-money online casinos in legal jurisdictions. Most sweepstakes casinos using such language should be avoided.
Confusing Download Processes
I’ve reviewed dozens of sweepstakes casinos in the past few years. One of the biggest warning signs is a site that requires you to download a “platform” and then access individual casinos through that “platform.” The platform ostensibly serves as a middle-man. I am genuinely concerned for my information and safety with such sites because they often have precious little detail about what they’re asking you to download.
If a sweepstakes site pushes you to download something—especially if it’s not coming through the App Store or Google Play—that’s a huge red flag.
A reputable sweepstakes or social casino will allow you to play games online and/or via a dedicated mobile app without ancillary downloads.
Unfamiliar Games or Providers
Take this one with a grain of salt and use your own judgment simply because there are hundreds of developers and thousands of games. However, you’ll notice a trend if you start playing at sweepstakes casinos: many of the same providers and games pop up frequently. A site offering games by developers you don’t recognize could be a reason to steer clear.
Bear in mind that some social casinos, such as Funzpoints, have exclusive developers. Others, like High 5, make their own games. So, unfamiliar games aren’t automatically a sign to stay away. This red flag is only a reasonable warning sign if it’s paired with one or more of the others on this list. If you’re already suspicious of a site and can’t find any games you recognize, that’s confirmation that your instincts are correct.
Limited or Unknown Payment Providers
Credit cards, debit cards, Skrill, online banking, and ACH are common payment methods accepted at trustworthy sweepstakes casinos. Others may offer PayPal or Apple Pay. There are even some legitimate sites like Stake.us that accept cryptocurrency, though that’s more common in the black market.
Anything else should be viewed with skepticism. That’s especially true when it comes to redeeming your sweeps.
While purchase methods are a good measure of a site’s reputation, redemption methods speak even louder. If you ever see a payment method you’ve never heard of for redemptions, proceed with a hefty dose of caution, especially if the site calls it a “withdrawal.”
Lack of Concrete Information
Sweepstakes and social casinos that care about their players will feature detailed and comprehensive FAQ and “About” sections. I’ve encountered many sites with little to no information about the site, how it operates, who owns it, or where it’s based. Being unable to find this information is a good reason to take your time and money elsewhere.
Remember: We Only Recommend Reputable Sites
I’ve touched on some of the biggest reasons to avoid untrustworthy sites posing as legitimate sweepstakes casinos here. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about vetting every site for yourself. At Gaming Today, we only recommend trusted sites that have been thoroughly tested by our team of experts.
About the Author
