Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer - Published: 03/02/25
Poker comes in different forms, and for US players, the choice often boils down to whether traditional poker sites are legal in their state. If not, then sweepstakes poker sites make a fantastic alternative, and are much more widely available.
Both have unique appeal, but sweepstakes sites stand out for casual players who want to enjoy poker without initial financial risk. With virtual currencies and numerous rewards, they offer a fun, accessible way to play poker legally in most US states. Here we’ll go through the differences and benefits of each.
While traditional and sweepstakes poker sites and games may seem similar at first glance, they have lots of differences, which became clearer after I had tried out a selection of sites.
One of the biggest differences I noticed between sweepstakes poker sites and traditional poker sites was how you play. Traditional poker requires real money deposits, and there is an entry cost for each game, meaning every hand comes with financial risk. In contrast, sweepstakes poker sites use virtual currencies – Sweepstakes Coins (SC) and Gold Coins (GC) letting you join in with social poker games and even play free slots between hands.
Another key difference is the way winnings are handled. At traditional poker sites, you can withdraw cash directly from your account if you win. Sweepstakes sites, however, don’t offer cash withdrawals. Instead, you’ll collect Sweepstakes Coins, and if you win more through gameplay, they can be redeemed at sweepstakes casinos for real money prizes, gift cards or branded merchandise.
I also found the overall atmosphere was different between the two types of sites. When I played at a traditional poker site, it was more competitive, as players were often skilled and took each game very seriously. This made the experience a little intense, especially as I’m just a casual player. Sweepstakes poker sites, on the other hand, are designed for entertainment, creating a relaxed and friendly community where anyone can join in without worrying.
Lastly, accessibility is a huge factor. Traditional poker sites are restricted by individual state gambling laws, limiting where you can play. Sweepstakes poker sites operate under a different legal framework, making them widely available across the US thanks to their ‘no purchase necessary’ business model. They provide a simple and legal way for casual players to enjoy poker without restrictions.
After playing at lots of poker sites offering traditional or sweepstakes games, I decided that I much preferred the more laidback style of social poker, and made it my mission to track down three of the best poker sweepstakes sites that I think you’ll enjoy as much as I did.
SportsMillions, besides being a popular social sportsbook, offers an engaging sweepstakes casino experience, allowing players to enjoy a variety of games using Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. The site provides over 800 social casino games, including slots with features like Megaways, Cascading Reels, and Jackpot Play.
Players can participate in poker games using Gold Coins just for entertainment or Sweepstakes Coins to enter promotional games. After signing up at SportsMillions, I was welcomed with a bonus offer of 1,000 Gold Coins and 3 Sweepstakes Coins. I was more than impressed to discover I could use my SportsMillions welcome bonus to either place social bets on the sportsbook, or use my Gold and Sweepstakes Coins to play any of the casino games, rather than needing to choose one or the other.
While I was trying to sign up for a Stake.us account, I had issues finding any worthy bonuses to start my poker gaming experience. I used the promo code SPORTSGRID when I signed up, and with this code, I claimed 260,000 Gold Coins, 55 Stake Cash and a 5% rakeback bonus, immediately after signing up.
I’ve had previous experiences where I received bonuses that weren’t exactly worth it, so I hurriedly tested out my bonus on the famous Texas Hold ‘em video poker slot that’s available only at Stake,us. I was way more than impressed by the fact that I could play the poker game for absolutely free.
RealPrize has built a name for itself as one of the best sweepstakes casinos. With a generous no-purchase welcome bonus offer of 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweepstakes Coins, playing free poker games was a breeze.
RealPrize doesn’t offer live poker games, it only has video poker games. However, it includes top titles like Teen Patti, Oasis Poke, and Texas Hold ‘em. The site makes sure the games are as intuitive as possible, and provides guides for newbies. Besides all of these, RealPrize also offers an eight-tier VIP program designed to reward player loyalty. Players earn VIP points through gameplay and Gold Coin package purchases, progressing through levels from Bronze to Black.
For casual poker players like myself, sweepstakes poker sites are the perfect way to enjoy the game without worrying about my skill level. I loved that I could play using my Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, take advantage of site welcome bonuses, and get the chance to redeem my Sweepstakes Coin winnings for real prizes.
Unlike traditional poker sites, where high stakes and competition can make things overwhelming, sweepstakes sites keep your gaming experience fun. The friendly atmosphere and entertainment-focused gameplay made it easy to enjoy poker at my own pace. If you’re looking for a way to play poker purely for fun while still getting rewarded, sweepstakes poker sites are the way to go.
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