The inexorable rise of sweepstake casinos across the US hasn’t been by accident, and there is something rather compelling about them.
Its origins can be traced back as far as the 1950s when many of the biggest brands in the US organized campaigns, which convinced people to buy products and raised the spectre of them winning a prize.
For those unfamiliar with sweepstakes, it’s best to frame them in the context of social establishments where gamblers can play traditional casino games and do so without sacrificing their hard-earned cash.
Despite some of the legal ambiguities surrounding sweepstakes, the appetite for them remains insatiable, and these sites will attempt to provide as authentic a betting experience as possible for all those who choose to visit.
From slots and baccarat to roulette and poker, sweepstake casinos provide a purpose, and gamblers will use virtual tokens or coins to participate in games.
This guide will seek to address the popularity of sweepstakes, and how they carved out a tidy space for themselves in the fiercely competitive igaming arena.
Table of Contents
An Industry That Keeps On Growing
Sweepstakes mirror many of the same aspects of traditional real money casinos, but the distinct difference between the two is that player purchases are construed as “entries” as opposed to “bets”, so they can bypass strict gambling laws through the circulation of virtual tokens or coins.
Recent figures have shown the online casino industry is, by 2027, expected to have a user base of around 76 million users, and a market volume of around $ 31.09 billion. Sweepstakes have remained prevalent, especially in those states where legal gambling seems to be a distant reality.
As such, analysis can help hugely. For example, the likes of Stake.us and Wow Vegas, which are held in high regard, are imbued with plenty of promotions and engaging gameplay functions to keep players on side.
We’ve also seen the emergence of sweepstakes apps recently, as providers explore more options to allow people to play. With this, they have been able to extend their reach to arguably untapped states, and subsequently, they have been able to generate consistently high levels of traffic.
Freemium Business Model
Sweepstakes have utilized the freemium business model to great effect, and to a certain extent, they deviate away from the norm and stand out from the crowd.
Of course, few things may beat the thrill of winning at a traditional casino which will test the mettle of a player against the house, and things are ultimately left to chance.
But the quality of gamification available at sweepstakes means that players are happy to come back for more. Yes, the way VR and AR elements have been embedded into games draws some parallels with the types of titles you can explore at real-money online sites. Oh, and the quality of customer support offered shouldn’t be forgotten about either.
Providing More Accessibility
Sweepstake casino sites aren’t just a desktop preserve. No, like its real money counterparts, sweepstakes have expanded their presence over the past few years, and the bulk of them will have native apps.
Security is taken very seriously on all sweepstakes mobile apps, and that includes having measures such as two-factor authentication which gives players an added layer of safety when they enter a site.
Just like real money sites, having a strong signal or WiFi connection is critical for sweepstakes, but remember, you will have to carry out software updates if your iPhone or Android device doesn’t support it, as you don’t want to be vulnerable to any viruses or malware threats.
The same principle applies to all types of apps you use whether they are sweepstakes or not.
More importantly, sweepstakes casino apps have provided a degree of convenience, and just like real money sites, US players can enjoy them when it suits them most.
Final Thought
With over 40 states now hosting sweepstakes casinos, it would be fair to assert that they have had a huge impact, and they have arguably reinvented the traditional gambling landscape.
As you will be competing against other players, the social strand of sweepstakes casinos can’t be overlooked especially as traditional casino gambling can seem like a rather lonely pursuit as you are pitting your wits against the house.
Sweepstakes casinos will have an extensive range of games for players to choose from, and while there may be a lack of regulation compared to other casino platforms, this hasn’t deterred US players from having a go on them.
If anything, sweepstakes have added a more exciting dimension to casino gambling for US players, and they can successfully co-exist with other sites. The future therefore for sweepstakes is fascinating, and we can’t wait to see what direction they take next.
