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-style promotional model with separate entertainment and prize-play currencies instead of direct cash wagering.