Sweepstakes Casino Glossary: Terms, Phrases, and Slang A-Z

Writer: Patrik Lidin Principal Writer and Editor / Head of Content

Experience: Sports Trader, Market Maker, Product Owner Sportsbook, Professional Gambler, Poker Player

Published: October 7, 2025, 2:23 PM Updated: 1 month ago

Reviewed by:   Expert review board

A

Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE)

(See also Mail-In Request and No Purchase Necessary)

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: Alternative Method of Entry, or AMOE, is part of a legal requirement that all sweepstakes contests must offer an alternative, free way of participating that is accessible to all. 
• Usefulness: AMOE should be available in any legitimate sweepstakes casino, and you can typically utilize it by sending an envelope per the brand’s instructions or claiming coins on the site.
• Example: “I sent an AMOE by USPS to Vegas Gems, three weeks later, I was credited 5 Sweepstakes Coins for free.”

B

Buy Coins

(See also Purchase Coins)

• Type: Payments
• Definition: In sweepstakes casinos, instead of depositing money, you buy Gold Coin packages that typically award bonus Sweepstakes Coins. 
• Usefulness: While most sites allow you to earn free Sweepstakes Coins and redeem winnings, some sites have a requirement of at least making a minimum buy before you can make any redemptions.
• Example: “I usually wait to buy coins until there is a discount; this way I get more Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins for less money.”

C

Cash Out

(See also Redemption)

• Type: Payments
• Definition: Cash out, or cashing out, is slang for Redemption, as in when you redeem or cash out your Sweepstakes Coins for prizes, such as gift cards or cash prizes. Should not be confused with “Cashout” in sports betting.
• Usefulness: Cashout is a central part of a sweepstakes casino, serving as the equivalent of withdrawing funds from a real-money online casino.
• Example: The minimum cash out in Pulsz Casino is 10 SC.

Casino-Style Games

• Type: Games
• Definition: Sweepstakes casinos often refer to the games they offer as “casino-style games” due to regulatory reasons, to distinguish their sites from those offering real money games. However, if you play slots or blackjack, the gameplay is identical to what you’re used to in real money gambling sites.
• Usefulness: General lingo that doesn’t add or take away from any experiences.
• Example: “In our game offering, you will find 968 different casino-style games.”

Coinback

• Type: Promotions
• Definition: Coinback is a bonus scheme offered by sweepstakes casinos that refunds a portion of the player's lost funds on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Usefulness: Fortune Coins offers up to 10% Coinback as part of its loyalty VIP program, allowing players to regain 10% of their losses.

D

Discount

(See also Buy Coins and Purchase Coins)

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: Nearly all sweepstakes casinos offer store discounts when you can buy Gold Coin packages (with Sweepstakes Coins) at a discounted price to get more value for your money.
• Usefulness: Store discounts typically yield more Sweepstakes Coins than the value of the dollars you purchase, making discounts a good opportunity for paying players to get more out of a purchase.
• Example: “There is currently a 50% discount on the coin package with 100,000 Gold Coins and 10 Sweepstakes Coins. It can be bought for $4.99 instead of $9.99.”

Dual Currency System

(See also Two-Currency System)

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: In technical and legal jargon, the sweepstakes model utilizing two virtual currencies, such as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, is referred to as a “dual currency system.”
• Usefulness: Not relevant to players but rather technical terminology for industry stakeholders.
• Example: Sweepstakes casinos offer a unique approach to casino-style gaming, using a dual currency system: Gold Coins (for fun) and Sweepstakes Coins (for prizes).

E

Enter

(See also Play and Spin)

• Type: Games
• Definition: The term “enter” is used when participating in any type of sweepstakes contest, hence it’s also used in sweepstakes casinos when you play a game. Essentially, every game round in a sweepstakes slot or a hand of Blackjack is an entry. In real money online casinos or sports books, the corresponding term is ‘bet’ or ‘wager’.
• Usefulness: Sweepstakes-specific lingo that is used for gameplay in sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: “Enter for a chance to win Sweepstakes Coins.”

F

Free Play

• Type: Games
• Definition: Free play is the core function of sweepstakes casinos opposed to real money online casinos; these sites provide you with an opportunity to play for free, with the upside of winning prizes.
• Usefulness: Free play is the core feature of sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: “You should try sweepstakes casinos, it’s free play, no need to use any of your money.”

Freeroll

• Type: Games
• Definition: A freeroll is a legacy online poker term that refers to poker tournaments that can be played for free while simultaneously awarding real prizes.
• Usefulness: Freerolls are regularly available in sweepstakes sites that offer online poker.
• Example: “Did you register for today’s freeroll with a guaranteed prize pool of 1,000 Sweepstakes Coins?”

G

Gold Coins

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: Gold Coins, commonly referred to as “GC,” are used for playing casino-style games for fun. It’s not possible to win redeemable prizes when using Gold Coins.
• Usefulness: One of the two dual currencies available in sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: “Once your Gold Coins are down to 0 at LuckyBird, you can just tap the faucet and get more Gold Coins to continue playing for fun.”

H

High Roller

• Type: General
• Definition: A high roller is a player who spends a substantial amount of money and frequently places extremely large bets.
• Usefulness: Some tables can have a classification labeled as “High Roller,” which implies that the minimum stake is high.
• Example: “That Roulette table can only be accessed by high rollers because the minimum bet is 50 Sweepstakes Coins.”

J

Jackpot

• Type: Games
• Definition: A Jackpot is the largest prize a sweepstakes casino game can pay out.
• Usefulness: The Jackpot is an integral part of many sweepstakes casino games and is worth knowing about, as it provides you with the highest possible payout.
• Example: “I read that a player won 231,321 SC on the Jingle Coins jackpot at Jackpota.”

K

Know Your Customer (KYC)

(See also Verification)

• Type: Security
• Definition: Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process of verifying the identity of new customers.
• Usefulness: KYC is a standard requirement for online financial transactions, and every sweepstakes casino in the US requires a complete KYC before redeeming.
• Example: “After uploading the required documents to verify your identity, our KYC team requires around five working days to process your verification.”

L

Live Dealer Games

• Type: Games
• Definition: In live dealer games, players interact with professional dealers or croupiers who are live-streamed alongside the game and all related peripherals to their device.
• Usefulness: Live dealer games have become one of the most popular types of games in sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: Evolution provides the best live dealer games, but ICONIC 21is the most common live dealer game provider in sweepstakes casinos.

M

Mail-In Request

(See also Alternative Method of Entry)

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: A Mail-In Request is another term for the Alternative Method of Entry, or AMOE. 
• Usefulness: When sending an envelope, follow the instructions for mail-in requests.
• Example: “I sent a mail-in request by USPS to Hello Millions, one week later, I was credited 4 Sweepstakes Coins for free.”

N

No Purchase Necessary

(See also Alternative Method of Entry)

• Type: General
• Definition: The phrase “No purchase necessary” is related to sweepstakes legalities, similar to “Alternative Method of Entry,” which allows players to participate in the sweepstakes without making a purchase, while still being eligible to win prizes. 
• Usefulness: A sweepstakes casino must provide players with a qualifying sum of Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins for them to participate in games for free.

“No Purchase Necessary. It’s the Law! You never have to purchase an item or pay a fee to enter and win a sweepstakes. You always have an equal chance of winning whether or not you order, it’s the law.” United States Postal Service, A Consumer’s Guide to Sweepstakes and Lotteries

Non-Redeemable Currency

(See also Gold Coins)

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: Non-redeemable currency refers to credits that cannot be redeemed, for example, Gold Coins (GC). 
• Usefulness: It is essential to understand that gold coins are non-redeemable.
• Example: In the terms and conditions of the sweepstakes casino, you can read that Gold Coins or their equivalent are non-redeemable currency.

O

Odds

• Type: Games
• Definition: Your probability of winning a game or round, as in odds (chance) of winning. 
• Usefulness: Odds are primarily used in sports betting, as seen in Sportzino and Legendz, but you can also come across the terms in relation to casino-style games.
• Example: “What are the odds of hitting the jackpot?”

P

Playthrough

(See also Wagering Requirement)

• Type: Payouts
• Definition: The playthrough requirements set by sweepstakes casino operators are conditions that players must fulfil to convert bonus Sweepstakes Coins to redeemable Sweepstakes Coins. 
• Usefulness: Reading and understanding the playthrough requirements before registering for the sweepstakes casino is vital to learn if the brand is fair or not.
• Example: “The playthrough requirement for Sweepstakes Coins obtained from the Daily Rewards is subject to 1a x playthrough requirement.”

Prizes

• Type: Payouts
• Definition: Prizes can be redeemed using redeemable Sweepstakes Coins (that have met the playthrough requirements) for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash prizes. 
• Usefulness: Prizes are the winnings that can be materialized as gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or cash prizes.
• Example: At SpinBlitz, you can redeem prizes from 10 Sweepstakes Coins.

Promotional Entries

• Type: Games
• Definition: Promotional entries, also known as promotional sweepstakes, refer to a game mode where you use Sweepstakes Coins to play, making you eligible to win prizes. The other mode is free-play using Gold Coins for fun.
• Usefulness: One of the two standard game modes in sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: To win prizes, you must make promotional entries by using Sweepstakes Coins in the games when you play.

Purchase Coins

• Type: Payments
• Definition: In sweepstakes casinos, instead of depositing money, you purchase Gold Coins that normally include bonus Sweepstakes Coins. 
• Usefulness: While most sites allow you to earn free Sweepstakes Coins and redeem winnings, some sites have a requirement of at least making a minimum purchase before you can make any redemptions.
• Example: “I know that sweepstakes casinos are no purchase necessary, but I still like to purchase coins to boost my gameplay.”

R

Redemption

(See also Cash Out)

• Type: Payments
• Definition: Redemptions are the equivalent of a withdrawal in real money online casinos. This is when you request to redeem your Sweepstakes Coins winnings for prizes. 
• Usefulness: Redemptions are how you turn your SC into gift cards, cryptos, or cash prizes.
• Example: “I got lucky and won 1,500 Sweepstakes Coins yesterday. I initiated the redemption process immediately. I should have the winnings in a couple of days.” 

Responsible Gaming

• Type: Safety
• Definition: Responsible gaming is the equivalent of responsible gambling in real online casinos. Sweepstakes often offer similar types of player protection, such as reality checks, playtime limits, spending limits, and self-exclusion.
• Usefulness: Responsible gaming is crucial, and everyone should utilize player safety tools when available.
• Example: To minimize the risk of developing problems or making purchases for more money than you can afford, it’s best to establish limits in advance on how much you can play and how much money you can spend.

S

Social Casino

• Type: General
• Definition: A social casino is identical to sweepstakes casinos, with the exception that you can only play for fun, without the possibility of winning prizes that can be redeemed.
• Usefulness: Some sweepstakes casinos falsely market themselves as social casinos, or vice versa. It’s beneficial to understand the distinction and recognize the type of platform you're engaging with.
• Example: BetRivers.net is a leading social casino, operated by the same company that manages the real-money counterpart, BetRivers.com.

Sweepstakes Coins

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: Sweepstakes Coins, commonly referred to as “SC,” are used for playing casino-style games with the chance of winning prizes. With SC, you can win redeemable SC and redeem them for gift cards, crypto, or cash prizes.
• Usefulness: One of the two dual currencies available in sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: Collect free Sweepstakes Coins, play them 1x in slots, and redeem them for prizes.

Sweeps Slots

• Type: Games
• Definition: Sweepstakes slots, or sweeps slots, is the standard term for what is commonly referred to as online slots in regular online casinos. The traditional term for these types of games is slot machine.
• Usefulness: Sweep slots are the most common type of casino-style game found in sweepstakes casinos.
• Example: At Nioplay, over 1,000 sweepstakes slots are available for free.

T

Two-Currency Model

(See also Dual Currency System)

• Type: Virtual Credits
• Definition: In technical and legal jargon, the sweepstakes model utilizing two virtual currencies, such as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, is sometimes referred to as a “two-currency model.”
• Usefulness: Not relevant to players but rather technical terminology for industry stakeholders.
• Example: Sweepstakes casinos offer a unique approach to casino-style gaming, using a two-currency model: Gold Coins (for fun) and Sweepstakes Coins (for prizes).

U

Underage

• Type: Safety
• Definition: Underage refers to the access and use of sweepstakes casinos, where the minimum age varies between 18 and 21+. Players under this age are considered underage and are not permitted to participate.
• Usefulness: The legal age for sweepstakes casinos varies, but is typically aligned with that of real online casinos, which is 21 years or older in states where online casinos are legally available.
• Example: While an underage player could register on a site anonymously, they will get caught and suspended when proceeding with age verifications ahead of making purchases and redemptions.

V

Verification

(See also Know Your Customer)

• Type: Security
• Definition: Verification refers to the process of confirming that you’re an authentic player after signing up. This typically includes email verification, SMS verification, or phone verification. This is lighter verification compared to KYC checks, used to reduce spam, fake accounts, and bots.
• Usefulness: Most sweepstakes casinos require a light verification upon registration; in some cases, sites enforce a strict KYC before you have access to all the content, Moozi, for example.
• Example: After registering with MyPrize.US, you must verify your account using a US phone number before you can access all platform features.

W

W-9 / 1099-MISC

• Type: Taxes
• Definition: W-9 and 1099-MISC refer to IRS tax forms relating to winnings tax in sweepstakes casinos.
• Usefulness: A sweepstakes casino may request that you fill out a W-9 form for their due diligence, and may report your winnings and issue a 1099-MISC form if you win over $600 for personal tax reporting purposes.
• Example: Prize winnings over $600 are considered miscellaneous income and are subject to 1099-MISC.

Wagering Requirement

(See also Playthrough Requirement)

• Type: Payouts
• Definition: The wagering requirements set by sweepstakes casino operators are conditions that players must fulfil to convert bonus Sweepstakes Coins to redeemable Sweepstakes Coins. 
• Usefulness: Reading and understanding the wagering requirements before registering for the sweepstakes casino is vital to learn if the brand is fair or not. Wagering requirements shouldn’t exceed 1x in sweepstakes casinos; if they do, I consider the conditions unfair.
• Example: “The wagering requirement for Sweepstakes Coins obtained from the Daily Login Bonus is subject to 1a x wagering requirement.”

Differences and Similarities Between Sweepstakes Casino Terms and Online Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos operate under "no purchase necessary" rules, offering alternative methods of entry, along with a dual currency model that utilizes Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Through this business model, sweepstakes casinos don’t offer real-money gambling, as is typically found in online casinos and online sportsbooks. Despite operational differences, real money gambling sites and sweepstakes casinos share many standard terms, primarily related to games such as online slots and table games.

If you are interested in in-depth terminology of features in online slots and slang related to Blackjack and Roulette, please visit our online casino glossary and sports betting glossary, as they’re complementary to this sweepstakes casino glossary.