The two-currency system used by sweepstakes casinos where Gold Coins are for fun play and Sweep Coins are for prize-eligible play.
The dual-currency model is the foundation of how sweepstakes casinos operate legally. Players use two separate virtual currencies: Gold Coins (GC) for free entertainment play, and Sweep Coins (SC) for prize-eligible play. Gold Coins can be purchased directly and have no cash value. Sweep Coins cannot be purchased directly — they are received as bonuses with Gold Coin purchases, through daily logins, mail-in offers, or promotions. This separation is what allows sweepstakes casinos to operate under sweepstakes law rather than gambling law, since players are technically purchasing Gold Coins (entertainment) and receiving Sweep Coins as a free bonus entry into a sweepstakes promotion.
The dual-currency model is essential for legal compliance. By separating purchased entertainment currency (Gold Coins) from prize-eligible promotional currency (Sweep Coins), sweepstakes casinos operate as sweepstakes promotions rather than gambling operations.
The free-play virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos used for entertainment purposes only, with no real cash value.
The prize-eligible virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos that can be redeemed for real cash prizes after meeting playthrough requirements.
An online gaming platform that uses a sweepstakes model with virtual currencies instead of real-money wagering, making it legal in most US states without a gambling license.
