If you’ve explored the sweepstakes casino reviews available on our site, you’ve seen lots of talk about “no deposit” bonuses. 

A no-deposit bonus (which we sometimes call a “no-purchase” bonus) awards players with free Sweeps Coins (SC) when they sign up at a sweepstakes casino. As the name suggests, you can claim this type of bonus with no deposit or purchase required.

Legally speaking, all sweepstakes gaming sites must offer some way to enter the sweepstakes for free. In terms of sweepstakes casinos, no deposit bonuses allow players to collect SC for free, and use those virtual credits to play in sweepstakes casino games with cash prizes on the line.

Let’s dive into the specifics of no-deposit bonuses, including how Sweeps Coins work at the sweepstakes casinos featured here at OnlineSweeps.com.

Sweepstakes no deposit bonuses for new players

The sweeps casinos featured on our site all offer some kind of no deposit bonus. These bonuses allow you to start playing the sweepstakes games at a casino with no purchase necessary.

The games at a sweepstakes casino are divided into Gold Coins (GC) games and Sweeps Coins (SC games). 

GC games function as play-money games, while SC games allow you to win sweepstakes credits that can be redeemed for real-money prizes. You can purchase GC packages at any time, and with those purchases, you’ll get SC as a free gift.

No-deposit bonuses allow you to jump right into the SC games at a casino, however, without having to purchase GC.

Here’s a look at the no-purchase offers and best GC packages offered at our top recommended sweeps casinos:

How do sweeps no deposit bonuses work?

The most common no deposit bonuses at sweeps casinos essentially function as sign-up bonuses. These promos award free SC for signing up for a new account at a sweepstakes casino.

Be sure to enter the appropriate promo code when prompted during the sign-up process. Entering the promo code unlocks the no deposit bonus at a given sweepstakes casino.

You’ll usually see a field labeled “Promo Code (optional)” or something similar on the screen where you input your details (like name, email, screenname, etc.) during the registration process.

Keep in mind that you can only claim the sign-up bonus once per casino. Be sure to check out our promo code articles and our sweeps casino reviews for more information on promo codes.

In some cases, you won’t need to enter a promo code, and you’ll automatically unlock the no deposit bonus when you register for a new account through our sign-up links.

Once you’ve registered for a new account at a sweepstakes casino, entered the promo code (if necessary), and verified your email, you’ll see the no-deposit bonus automatically appear in your Sweeps Coins balance.

For example, let’s say you want to claim the Luckyland Slots no deposit bonus (10 SC free). Here’s how to do it:

• Click this link, which takes you to our Luckyland Slots review.
• Click one of the “VISIT LUCKYLAND SLOTS” links that appear throughout that page.
• That link sends you to the Luckyland Slots registration page.
• Provide a valid email, choose a password, and enter your date of birth.
• Click the “Create Account” button (note that there’s no promo code required at this casino).
• Look for a verification email.
• Once you confirm your email, you’ll see the 10 SC appear in your balance at Luckyland.

Things to consider in advance

While the sign-up and verification process is similar across the different sweepstake casinos, terms and conditions vary from casino to casino.

Let’s look at some of the most important things to consider from the T&C sections of the top sweepstakes casinos.

Here’s a look at how the T&C’s we’ve highlighted here stack up at a couple of our favorite casinos, starting with Wow Vegas:

Wow Vegas terms and conditions

• Playthrough requirement: 1x
• Expiration dates: SC expire after 60 days
• Game restrictions: Only GC games available in Idaho
• Restricted states: CT, ID (SC games restricted), MI, MT, NV, WA
• KYC checks: Yes

Compare those terms and conditions with McLuck Casino:

McLuck Casino terms and conditions

• Playthrough requirement: 1x
• Expiration dates: SC expire after 60 days
• Game restrictions: Only GC games available in Idaho
• Restricted states: AL, DE, GA, ID (SC games restricted), KY, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, OH, WA
• KYC checks: Yes

As we can see here, Wow Vegas and McLuck offer identical T&C’s in a lot of areas. The restricted states list is quite a bit longer for McLuck compared to Wow Vegas, however.

No deposit sweeps promos for existing players

Sign-up bonuses aren’t the only way to collect SC for free at the top sweepstakes casinos. While we’re usually talking about sign-up offers when we discuss no deposit bonuses, existing players (i.e. not just new players) can always find ways to earn free SC.

These no deposit offers for existing players can include mail-in offers, social media giveaways, daily login bonuses, and other promos.

Here’s a list of no deposit promos that you can use to collect free SC at some of our top recommended sweeps casinos:

Who can claim these deals?

Sweepstakes casinos are legal in most U.S. states. Only Michigan and Washington state explicitly ban players from using sweepstakes casinos. Idaho restricts players to only playing the Gold Coins (play money) games at a sweepstakes casino.

The minimum age to play at a sweepstakes casino is 18, except in some specific jurisdictions. Some casinos might place the minimum age at 21.

Before you register for an account at a sweepstakes casino, be sure that the casino offers games in your state. If it does, you’ll be able to claim the casino’s no-deposit offer (as long as you’re of legal age).

All legitimate sweeps casinos use Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to verify the age and location of its players. You’ll have to go through the KYC process before you can redeem SC for cash prizes.

Note that New York and Florida laws limit the amount you can win at a time at a sweeps casino to $5,000. That means any jackpot, bet, spin, or other action that results in more than a 5,000 SC win will only allot 5,000 SC to your player balance.

Which no deposit bonus is best for you?

As we’ve discussed, you’ll find several different no deposit offers available at a sweeps casino at a given time. 

No deposit bonuses aren’t just limited to welcome bonuses, though a casino’s sign-up bonus is the easiest one to unlock.

Here’s an expanded look at the different types of no deposit offers that can net you free SC:

Sign-up bonus

A sweepstake casino’s sign-up bonus presents the easiest way to collect free SC. Simply register for a new account, enter the appropriate promo code (if applicable), and verify your email. Those steps are all you have to follow to claim the no deposit bonuses outlined in this guide.

Sign-up bonuses are best for players that want to try a new sweeps casino, or try sweeps gaming for the first time in general. Be sure to use the sign-up links and promo codes on our review pages to claim these bonuses.

Mail-in offers

Mail-in offers usually net between 3-5 SC per request. Some sweeps casinos allow you to submit unlimited requests, while others cap the number of times you can redeem the mail-in offer.

Even when it’s capped, the total number of requests you can mail in is usually pretty generous. This bonus type is best for patient bonus hunters, as each request must follow very specific instructions and comes with a 4-6 week turnaround time.

Daily login bonus

This bonus type is easy to collect, as you can earn free SC by simply logging into your account every day. 

Be sure you know where to claim the daily login bonus at a given sweeps casino, as you’ll usually need to log in and then fulfill one extra step to claim the bonus. You’ll usually find the link to claim the daily login bonus in the Cashier/Wallet area of the main lobby.

Some casinos increase the daily login bonus amount on each consecutive day you sign in. This bonus type is best for players who can commit time to a sweeps casino every day.

Social Media giveaways

Social media giveaways are a fun way to collect free SC, and really emphasize the “sweepstakes” element of sweepstakes casinos.

This bonus type is best for avid social media followers and players who enjoy contests. Scoring free SC isn’t a sure thing in social media giveaways, but you’ll feel like you’ve genuinely won something if you do.

How to turn the bonus into cash prizes

When you score free SC, you have to fulfill a few requirements before you can redeem them for cash prizes.

Let’s take a look at how to turn your free SC from no-deposit bonuses into cash prizes, step-by-step:

Claim the free Sweeps Coins

This is the easy part – simply follow the instructions we’ve outlined for the bonus you’re trying to claim, and you’ll see the free SC appear in your account.

Play through your free Sweeps Coins

Sweeps Coins redemptions come with a playthrough requirement (aka rollover requirement), and it varies from casino to casino. 

Most sweeps casinos use anywhere between 1x and 3x as the playthrough requirement. For example, if a sweeps casino has a 3x playthrough requirement, and you have 5 SC, you must wager 15 SC for the original 5 SC to be eligible for redemption.

Keep in mind that the playthrough requirement applies to all SC that you obtain, whether through bonus offers or through winning in the sweepstakes games.

Reach the minimum requirements

All SC redemptions must meet the minimum redemption requirements of the casinos. This amount is usually anywhere from SC 10 to SC 100.

Many casinos offer at least two different redemption methods – gift cards and bank transfers. Gift card redemptions often carry a much lower minimum threshold than bank transfers.

Request a payment

If you’ve met the playthrough requirements and you have enough SC to claim a minimum redemption, navigate to your Cashier/Wallet and request a payment. Once your request is processed, look for a 3-5 day turnaround time for the cash prize to appear in your bank account (or as a gift card).

Tip: Be sure you’ve completed the casino’s KYC process and verified your identity before you request a payment. 

5 Tips and advice for new players

Sweepstakes casinos have boomed in popularity in the U.S. in the last few years. These platforms bring the excitement of online casino gaming to nearly every U.S. state, with substantial cash prizes on the line in the sweepstakes games.

If you’re new to sweepstakes gaming or casino games in general, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Take advantage of bonuses: You can earn a good amount of SC if you take advantage of all sweeps bonuses available at the casino. Be sure you claim all of the possible no-deposit bonuses, and look for the most generous first-purchase (and sometimes second and third-purchase) offer available.
2. Try the games on the Gold Coins side: If you’re new to casino games in general, you can use your Gold Coins (play money) credits to try out the games. This will make you familiar with the rules and payouts of the games before you move on to playing for SC.
3. Stick with legit top-rated casinos: Our site is dedicated to pointing players toward the best, safest, and most legitimate sweeps casinos. If a casino isn’t listed here, or gets a bad review from our experts, it’s best to move on. Plenty of great sweeps casinos are out there, and there’s no reason to play on a subpar or shady platform.
4. Complete the KYC Checks immediately: Once you sign up at a sweeps casino and claim your no-deposit bonus, your next move should be to verify your identity through the casino’s KYC protocols. Get this step completed early on in your casino journey, and you’ll enjoy a seamless redemption process.
5. Set purchase limits: Sweeps casino gaming should be for entertainment purposes only! Be sure you set aside only what you can afford to lose. If needed, use the Spending Limits feature within the casino’s RG tools to help you set a budget and stick to it.

Final thoughts

One of the best aspects of sweepstakes casinos is the “sweepstakes” part. The casinos featured on our site operate as sweepstakes gaming sites, and must provide ways for players to enter the sweepstakes with no deposit or purchase required.

Some of the no-deposit offers at our recommended sweeps casinos are quite generous. Be sure to take advantage of all of them as outlined in our sweeps reviews and in this guide.