Sweepstakes Casino Glossary: 50+ Terms Every Player Should Know

Sweepstakes casinos use a specialized vocabulary that blends gaming terminology, legal concepts, and marketing language into a lexicon that can confuse even experienced online casino players. Terms like “Sweeps Coins,” “playthrough,” and “AMoE” have specific meanings within the sweepstakes model that differ from their usage in regulated gambling — or do not exist in regulated gambling at all.

This glossary covers over 50 terms organized alphabetically. Each definition is written for clarity rather than legal precision: the goal is practical understanding, not statutory interpretation. Where a term has specific financial or regulatory implications, those are noted. Where industry data provides useful context, it is included.

A–F

ACH (Automated Clearing House). The electronic bank-to-bank transfer network used for most sweepstakes casino cash withdrawals in the US. ACH transfers typically take 3 to 5 business days and carry no fees from most SC platforms.

AMoE (Alternate Method of Entry). A legally required free-entry mechanism that allows players to receive Sweeps Coins without purchasing Gold Coins. Typically fulfilled through postal mail: you send a handwritten request to the casino’s designated address and receive SC credited to your account within 7 to 14 business days. AMoE exists because the sweepstakes model must satisfy the “no purchase necessary” requirement to maintain its legal classification.

ARPU (Average Revenue Per User). A metric measuring the average monthly spending by each active player. In the sweepstakes casino market, ARPU typically ranges from $10 to $50 per month, according to Gaming Innovation Group investor data.

Bankroll. The total SC or GC balance available to a player for wagering. Bankroll management — controlling bet sizes relative to available balance — is essential for preserving SC through playthrough requirements.

Bonus SC. Sweeps Coins awarded as a promotional bonus, typically attached to Gold Coin purchases, welcome offers, or referral programs. Bonus SC usually carries playthrough requirements before it can be redeemed for cash.

Bust. Losing your entire SC balance before completing playthrough or reaching the minimum redemption threshold. Bust risk increases with higher bet sizes, higher volatility games, and smaller starting bankrolls.

C&D (Cease and Desist). A formal legal demand — typically from a state attorney general — ordering a sweepstakes casino to stop operating in that jurisdiction. Over 100 C&D letters were issued across 12+ states during 2026.

Consideration. One of the three legal elements of gambling (alongside chance and prize). Sweepstakes casinos argue that because SC can be obtained without payment, the consideration element is absent, and therefore the activity is not gambling.

CPA (Cost Per Acquisition). The marketing cost of acquiring a single new player. In the sweepstakes market, CPA ranges from $50 to $100 per user — lower than traditional regulated gambling but still a significant expense that shapes bonus and referral program economics.

Crash Game. A game category where a multiplier increases from 1x upward until it randomly “crashes.” Players must cash out before the crash to lock in their multiplied SC wager. Popular crash titles include Aviator and Plinko.

Daily Login Bonus. SC and/or GC awarded simply for logging into a sweepstakes casino each day. Amounts typically range from 0.10 to 1.00 SC, with streak systems offering escalating rewards for consecutive daily logins.

Dual Currency. The two-currency system used by sweepstakes casinos: Gold Coins (no cash value) and Sweeps Coins (redeemable for cash). The dual-currency structure is the core mechanism that distinguishes sweepstakes casinos from both traditional casinos and social casinos.

Fish Game. An arcade-style game category where players shoot at animated targets (typically fish) to earn SC. Fish games incorporate a skill element — aiming and timing — that distinguishes them from pure chance-based games like slots.

Free-to-Play (F2P). Playing at a sweepstakes casino exclusively using free SC obtained through daily logins, AMoE, social media giveaways, referrals, and no-purchase welcome bonuses. Approximately 75% of sweepstakes casino players are free-to-play.

G–P

GC (Gold Coins). The non-redeemable virtual currency at sweepstakes casinos. Gold Coins are purchased directly (or received for free) and used for entertainment gameplay. GC cannot be converted to cash under any circumstances.

Geo-blocking. Technology that restricts access to a sweepstakes casino based on a player’s physical location. Used to comply with state-level bans and enforce geographic restrictions. Geo-blocking relies on IP address analysis and GPS verification.

GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue). In regulated gambling, the total amount wagered minus prizes paid — effectively the casino’s income from player losses. The US regulated casino market generated a record $78.7 billion in GGR during 2026. GGR is comparable to sweepstakes net revenue (not gross sales).

House Edge. The mathematical advantage the casino holds over the player on each wager, expressed as a percentage. A slot with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge. House edge compounds over multiple wagering cycles, which is why higher playthrough requirements reduce expected SC value.

iGaming. Licensed, state-regulated online casino gambling. iGaming is legal in approximately seven US states and is subject to gaming commission oversight, mandatory audits, and responsible gaming requirements. Sweepstakes casinos are not classified as iGaming.

Jackpot. A large prize pool that accumulates over time and is won by a single player (or divided among multiple winners) when specific game conditions are met. Progressive jackpots at sweepstakes casinos grow with each wager; fixed jackpots pay a predetermined amount.

KYC (Know Your Customer). The identity verification process required before a player can redeem SC for cash. Standard KYC requires a government-issued photo ID, proof of address, and (for redemptions at or above $600) a Social Security Number.

Live Dealer. A game format where a real human dealer operates a table game (blackjack, roulette, baccarat) via live video stream. Players wager SC remotely while watching and interacting with the dealer in real time. Live dealer availability at sweepstakes casinos contracted significantly in 2026 following provider exits.

Net Revenue. The income retained by a sweepstakes casino operator after prize payouts. Industry net revenue was approximately $3.4 billion in 2026, according to RG.org research, reflecting a payout ratio of 65–70% on approximately $10 billion in gross sales.

No Purchase Necessary. The legal requirement that every sweepstakes promotion must offer a free method of entry. This principle is the foundation of the sweepstakes casino model’s legal defense — AMoE, daily logins, and free SC bonuses all fulfill this requirement.

Playthrough (Wagering Requirement). The multiplier that determines how many times SC must be wagered before it becomes eligible for cash redemption. A 1x playthrough on 100 SC requires 100 SC in total wagers; 3x requires 300 SC. Playthrough is the single most important variable affecting the real-dollar value of any SC balance.

Provable Fairness. A cryptographic verification system that allows players to independently confirm that game outcomes were randomly generated and not manipulated. Used primarily in crash games and at crypto-friendly platforms like BGaming titles.

PWA (Progressive Web App). A web-based application that functions similarly to a native app without requiring download from an app store. Some sweepstakes casinos offer PWAs as an alternative to native iOS/Android apps, bypassing app store restrictions.

Q–Z

Redemption. The process of converting Sweeps Coins into real money. Redemption requires completed playthrough, verified KYC, and a balance at or above the casino’s minimum threshold. Available methods typically include ACH, Skrill, and cryptocurrency.

Referral Bonus. SC awarded to both the referring player and the new player when a successful referral is completed. Typical referral rewards range from 2 to 10 SC, with qualifying actions required from the new player before the bonus is credited.

RTP (Return to Player). The percentage of wagered money that a game returns to players over time. A slot with 96% RTP returns $96 for every $100 wagered on average. RTP at sweepstakes casinos ranges from approximately 95% to 99%, though most platforms do not publish verified figures.

SC (Sweeps Coins). The redeemable currency at sweepstakes casinos. SC can be earned for free (through daily logins, AMoE, social media, referrals, and welcome bonuses) or received as a promotional bonus attached to Gold Coin purchases. After meeting playthrough requirements, SC is redeemed at a standard rate of 1 SC = $1 USD.

Self-Exclusion. A voluntary mechanism allowing players to block their own access to a sweepstakes casino for a defined period or permanently. Available at some but not all SC platforms. Unlike regulated gaming, there is no centralized self-exclusion registry for sweepstakes casinos.

Skrill. An e-wallet service commonly used for sweepstakes casino withdrawals. Skrill processes SC redemptions in 1 to 3 business days and serves as an intermediary between the casino and the player’s bank account.

SPGA (Social and Promotional Gaming Association). The industry trade group representing sweepstakes casino operators. The SPGA introduced a voluntary Code of Conduct in 2026 covering age verification, responsible gaming, self-exclusion, and data protection.

SGLA (Social Gaming Leadership Alliance). The advocacy arm that represents sweepstakes casino operators in legislative and regulatory discussions. SGLA has commissioned industry research through Eilers & Krejcik Gaming and advocates for regulatory frameworks as alternatives to outright bans.

Streak Reward. An escalating daily login bonus that increases in value with consecutive login days. Missing a day typically resets the streak to day one, forfeiting accumulated progress toward higher-value bonuses.

Sweepstakes Model. The legal and business framework under which sweepstakes casinos operate. As Magnus Boberg, founder of JustGamblers, has explained, traditional gambling requires three elements — consideration (payment), chance, and prize. The sweepstakes model removes consideration by providing a free entry path, thereby arguing that the activity does not meet the legal definition of gambling. This framework is the basis for the dual-currency system, AMoE, and the “no purchase necessary” requirement that defines every aspect of how sweepstakes casinos function.

VGW (Virtual Gaming Worlds). The Australian parent company of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker. VGW is the largest sweepstakes casino operator, with reported revenue of A$6.13 billion and market share that declined from approximately 90% in 2020 to roughly 50% by 2026.

Volatility. A measure of how frequently and how large a game’s payouts are. High-volatility games pay less frequently but in larger amounts; low-volatility games pay more often but in smaller amounts. Low-volatility games are generally preferred for clearing playthrough requirements on small bankrolls because they reduce bust risk.

VPN (Virtual Private Network). Software that masks a user’s real IP address and location. Using a VPN to access a sweepstakes casino from a banned state violates virtually every platform’s terms of service and can result in account closure and balance forfeiture.

Wager Requirement. See Playthrough. The terms are used interchangeably across the sweepstakes industry.

1099-MISC. The IRS tax form used to report sweepstakes casino prize income. Operators issue 1099-MISC (not the W-2G form used for traditional gambling winnings) for SC redemptions totaling $600 or more in a calendar year. The $600 threshold triggers reporting; withholding at 24% applies at the $5,000 level.