Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins

Andrew Scott

Guides

June 15, 2025

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The first time you visit a sweepstake casino, seeing two different types of coins can be confusing. Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins, bonus coins, redeemable coins… It seems unnecessarily complicated. Why can’t there just be one type of currency like a regular casino?

The good news is that once someone explains the difference, it’s actually very simple. The two coin system exists for legal reasons, and understanding it is the key to getting the most value from sweepstake casinos.

This guide will clearly explain what Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins are, what you can do with each type, how to get them, and most importantly, which ones can actually be turned into real money. By the end, you’ll know exactly how the system works and how to maximize your chances of winning real prizes without spending more than you want to.

What’s The Difference Between Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins?

Gold Coins are for fun play only, while Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real prizes.

That’s the entire system in a nutshell. Gold Coins let you play games and have fun, but they have no cash value. Sweeps Coins also let you play games, but when you win with them, those winnings can be converted to real money and sent to your bank account.

Think of Gold Coins as arcade tokens: they are great for entertainment, but you can’t take them to the bank. Sweeps Coins are more like lottery tickets that you can actually win money with.

What You Need to Know about Gold Coins (GC)

Gold Coins are the foundation of sweepstake casino gaming, but they’re also the source of most confusion for new players. Let’s break down exactly what they are and how they work.

What Are Gold Coins?

Gold Coins (GC) are the primary play-money currency used at sweepstake and social casinos. Think of them like tokens at an arcade – they’re what you use to play the games.

When you play slot machines, table games, or any other casino games in “Standard Play” or “Gold Coin Mode,” you’re betting with Gold Coins. If you win, you get more Gold Coins. If you lose, those Gold Coins are gone.

Gold Coins let you experience all the fun and excitement of casino games without any financial risk. You can play for hours, try different games, and enjoy the entertainment value without worrying about losing real money.

What is the Value of Gold Coins?

Here’s the most important thing to understand: Gold Coins have no monetary value whatsoever. They cannot be redeemed for cash, gift cards, or any other real-world prizes.

Gold Coins are exactly like the points you earn in a mobile game or tickets you win at Chuck E. Cheese. They’re fun to collect and use for playing, but they don’t translate to anything you can spend in the real world.

This is what makes sweepstake casinos legal in most states – the primary currency is just for entertainment, not gambling.

How Do You Get Gold Coins?

Gold Coins are easy to come by, and there are several ways to get them:

• Welcome bonus – Nearly every sweepstake casino gives you thousands of Gold Coins just for creating an account
• Daily login bonuses – Log in each day to claim free Gold Coins, usually 1,000-5,000 per day
• Direct purchase – You can buy packages of Gold Coins with real money to extend your playtime
• Social media contests – Follow casinos on Facebook and Instagram for chances to win Gold Coins
• Promotional offers – Special events and seasonal promotions often include bonus Gold Coins
• In-game bonuses – Some games have built-in features that award extra Gold Coins for certain achievements

The beauty of Gold Coins is that you never have to buy them if you don’t want to. The daily bonuses and promotions provide enough free Gold Coins to play regularly without spending any money.

Now, let’s talk about Sweeps Coins (SC)

Sweeps Coins are where the real excitement happens at sweepstake casinos. While Gold Coins are just for fun, Sweeps Coins can actually be turned into real money. Here’s everything you need to know about this special currency.

What Are Sweeps Coins?

Sweeps Coins (SC) are promotional sweepstakes entries that let you play for real prizes. When you use Sweeps Coins, you’re playing the exact same slot machines and table games as with Gold Coins, but now you’re in “Promotional Mode” or “Sweeps Mode.”

The games look identical and play the same way, but there’s one crucial difference: any winnings you get from playing with Sweeps Coins are paid out in more Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for real cash prizes.

Think of it like this – Gold Coins get you arcade tickets that are just for fun, while Sweeps Coins get you lottery tickets that could win actual money.

What is the Value of Sweeps Coins?

Here’s the exciting part: Sweeps Coins have real redemption value. Once you meet the playthrough requirements, they can be redeemed for actual prizes, typically at a rate of 1 SC = $1 USD.

This means 50 Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for $50, and 100 Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for $100. The conversion is simple and straightforward.

However, remember that Sweeps Coins received as bonuses must be played through at least once before they become eligible for redemption. This is a standard requirement across all sweepstake casinos.

How Do You Get Sweeps Coins?

This is the most important part to understand – you can NEVER directly purchase Sweeps Coins. If a site tries to sell you Sweeps Coins directly, it’s not a legitimate sweepstake casino. Instead, Sweeps Coins are always given away for free through these methods:

• As a FREE bonus when you purchase Gold Coins – This is the most common way. You buy a Gold Coin package, and the casino includes Sweeps Coins as a free promotional gift
• From FREE daily login bonuses – Log in each day to claim free Sweeps Coins along with your Gold Coins
• As a FREE welcome bonus when you sign up – Most sites give you a small amount of Sweeps Coins just for creating an account
• Through FREE social media contests and giveaways – Follow casinos on social platforms for chances to win Sweeps Coins
• By sending a FREE mail-in request – Write a letter or postcard requesting free Sweeps Coins (required by sweepstakes law)

The key word here is FREE. Every legitimate method of getting Sweeps Coins costs you nothing beyond the time it takes to claim them.

Getting free Sweeps Coins is central to the experience. We’ve detailed every way to get some in our Guide to Sweepstake Bonuses.

The Golden Rule: You Can Never Purchase Sweeps Coins

Here’s the most important thing to remember about sweepstake casinos: You can NEVER buy Sweeps Coins directly.

This isn’t a quirky business decision – it’s the law. The fact that Sweeps Coins cannot be purchased is exactly what makes the entire sweepstake casino model legal in the United States.

Sweeps Coins are, and always will be, free promotional tokens. You might buy Gold Coins and receive Sweeps Coins as a bonus gift, but you’re never actually purchasing the Sweeps Coins themselves.

Red flag warning: If any website tries to sell you Sweeps Coins directly – meaning you pay money and only get Sweeps Coins in return – that is not a legitimate sweepstake casino. Legitimate sites will always give you Gold Coins for your purchase, with Sweeps Coins included as a free promotional bonus.

This rule protects both you and the casino. It ensures that sweepstake casinos operate as legal promotional sweepstakes rather than illegal gambling sites. When you understand this distinction, you can confidently identify legitimate platforms and avoid scams.

Remember: Gold Coins can be purchased, Sweeps Coins are always free. This is the foundation that makes everything else possible.

Summary Table: GC vs. SC

Here’s everything you need to know about both coin types in one quick reference table:

So now you know: Gold Coins are for fun, Sweeps Coins are for prizes. Both have their place in the sweepstake casino experience.

FAQ Gold and Sweeps Coins

Now that you understand how the coins work, you’re ready to dive deeper into the sweepstake casino world. Check out our list of the Best Sweepstake Casinos to find the top-rated sites, or learn about the Prize Redemption Process to understand how to turn your Sweeps Coins into real money.