
Instant withdrawal casino sites aren’t always easy to find in the US, particularly at a time when real money casinos are prohibited in most states. The good news? Sweepstakes casinos with superfast SC prize redemptions are widely available.
Brands like RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us offer Vegas inspired games powered by virtual coins – some of which (known as “Sweeps Coins” or “SC”) have a prize redeemable value in the real world. What’s more, these sites are legal in most US states right now, and completely free to play at, too. Here’s what you need to know.
Put simply, instant withdrawal casinos are casino oriented gaming sites that’ll let you cash out instantly, without having to wait around a couple of days (or even weeks) to get your hands on your winnings.
But for casino lovers in most parts of the US, there’s a problem. You see, unless you live somewhere like New Jersey or Pennsylvania, where conventional “real money” casinos are legal and regulated at a local level, playing at the market’s fastest payout online casino sites isn’t really a viable option for you.
Fortunately, the industry knows this, and in recent years, excellent iGaming alternatives known as “sweepstakes” casinos have sprung up, offering all the fun of real money casinos, but in a virtual coin based environment, and with much broader US availability.
In the US, instant withdrawal online casinos of the cash variety are real hard to come by unless you live in one of the small handful of states where such sites are permitted.
Conversely, sweepstakes casinos are generally deemed legal in most US states. Each site sets its own rules and customer acceptance policy, of course, but most can be accessed and enjoyed from all states bar:
The reasons these popular alternatives to instant withdrawal casinos, including sites like RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us, are so widely available ultimately boils down to the following:
I’ll talk more about how this all works in the next section. But ultimately, just as free cash bonuses with no deposit at casinos are common in the cash based gaming world, sweepstakes casinos will credit you with some bonus GC and/or SC on sign up.
Later down the line, daily reloads and other free to claim promotions tend to be offered, too, while players also have the option of purchasing GC bundles that usually come with free SC thrown in as an extra bonus.
I’ll explore the basics of how sweepstakes casinos work in the next section, before introducing you to three of my personal favorite sites operating according to the sweepstakes model.
It’s dead simple, really. All the slots, roulette tables and other casino inspired games offered by the likes of RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us operate in the same way they would at cash based instant withdrawal casinos – except they are fueled by GC or SC virtual coins.
Before you play for the first time, it’s wise to shape up on the key differences between these two virtual currencies, which are as follows:
What are they? | Do they have any cash value? | Can you buy more if you run out? | |
Gold Coins (GC) | Entertainment only gameplay tokens. | No. | Yes, you’ll be able to choose from various GC bundles. |
Sweeps Coins (SC) | Sweepstakes style tokens with a prize redeemable value. | No – but SC can be redeemed for IRL prizes once certain conditions have been met. | No, but you’ll most likely get a free SC bonus if you purchase an optional GC package. |
To give an example, let’s say you register with RealPrize which, instead of the free bet or cashback casino bonuses you might be used to in the real money gaming world, is currently offering 100,000 GC and 2 free SC to all new players, with no deposit or purchase requirement.
In this scenario, you’d be able to play your 100,000 GC at any of the brand’s 350+ casino style games in just for fun mode. What’s more, you’d also be able to enter your 2 free SC into more competitive, sweepstakes style games and tournaments – perhaps on a popular slot game like Cat Peak or Phone Tag.
While there’s no traditional instant withdrawal casino “cash out” options if you win, you’ll be able to redeem your SC winnings for real world prizes, such as cash and gift cards instead – though of course, T&Cs will always apply.
At RealPrize, you’ll need to win at least 45 SC to be able to request an SC prize redemption for a gift card, for example, while Stake.us’ minimum redemption limit sits at 100 SC and you need to play through your Stake Cash at least three times.
Ultimately, all sweepstakes casinos have their own pros and cons, just as cash based instant withdrawal casinos do. For this reason, it’s important to compare the market before choosing where to play – something I’ll gladly help you out with here.
I’ve hunted high and low for the best alternatives to cash online casinos with instant withdrawals in the sweepstakes sector, and here’s what I’ve found.
Without a shadow of a doubt, RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us are the three best sites similar to instant withdrawal casinos right now, each offering plenty of casino style games crossing multiple genres, generous welcome bonuses and tons of other awesome features.
But which operator is best for you will of course depend on things like what kinds of games you’re most into, and which US state you’re based in. To help you out with that, then, here’s a handy comparison table:
Number of games | Top game genres | Latest bonus | Average SC prize redemption time | Off limits US states | |
RealPrize | 350+ | Slots, jackpots, reels and megaways. | 100,000 GC + 2 free SC. | 2 to 3 business days. | ID, MI, NV, WA and MT. |
MegaBonanza | 800+ | Slots, jackpots, megaways and live dealer games. | 7,500 GC + 2.5 free SC. | 1 to 2 business days for gift cards.
1 to 5 business days for cash prizes. |
AL, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ and WA. |
Stake.us | 2,000+ | Slots, table games, live dealer titles and unique “Stake Originals” games. | 260,000 GC + 55 Stake Cash (SC) + 5% rakeback (code “STFSOCIAL” required). | Up to 3 business days. | WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI and VR. |
In theory, no – because RealPrize, MegaBonanza, Stake.us and similar sites are powered entirely by GC and SC virtual coins, meaning conventional “deposits” and “withdrawals” simply aren’t offered.
All three sites’ games are completely free to play at, though, and you can optionally purchase GC bundles using Apple Pay at casino sites like these three, too, among other popular payment methods.
On the cash out front, mind, conventional casino instant withdrawals are not permitted. Instead, you’ll be able to request SC prize redemptions only – usually once you’ve collected 100 SC or more in your player account, and played through any bonus SC you’ve received at least once.
Now you’re a little more familiar with what’s what, here’s a bit more information about all that RealPrize, Megabonanza and Stake.us have to offer to players seeking fun, legal instant withdrawal casino alternatives. Let’s go.
If slots style games with huge jackpots are your jam, RealPrize is well worth a look.
The site is a fair bit smaller than most instant withdrawal casinos, with just 350 or so games up for grabs, but those that are on offer routinely qualify for giant prize pools, often exceeding five or even six figures in GC/SC.
On sign up, you’ll be able to get your hands on 100,000 free GC and 2 SC to get you started, followed by free to claim daily bonuses good for 10,000 GC apiece, playable on exciting slots titles like Tiki Goddess and Million Vegas.
Of course, you’ll have the option to purchase additional GC bundles whenever you wish, too, or redeem any SC you’ve won for gift cards or cash prizes once you’ve collected 45 or 100 SC, respectively.
Being a sweepstakes casino, RealPrize won’t be winning any awards for best online casino with instant withdrawal anytime soon, but it’s pretty fast acting as far as SC redemptions go. On average, I’ve found that SC prizes tend to be processed here within just two to three business days, which is really quite impressive.
If pinning down some of the internet’s highest quality games is top priority, look no further than MegaBonanza; a popular sweeps site that offers slots and tables from more than 15 leading software names, like Playtech and Pragmatic Play.
Another particularly special aspect of the site is that unlike RealPrize, MegaBonanza runs an awesome ”Social Live Casino” page that comes chock full of live dealer games like Sic Bo and Gravity Blackjack, as well as a few slightly more unusual live titles like Crash and Fashion TV Mega Party, too.
When registering from a MegaBonanza friendly US state, you’ll get 7,500 GC and 2.5 free SC straight off the bat. Should you wish to opt for a GC bundle purchase in your first few days of playing, I found that you guys can qualify for 150% extra coins right now, too – which is great.
What’s more, things are real plain sailing with MegaBonanza on the SC prize redemptions front. While no conventional instant casino withdrawals are offered, you can redeem your SC for a gift card once you’ve amassed just 10 SC or more, and within a very competitive 1 to 2 business days.
If you’ve been eyeing up a potential cash prize instead, mind, you’ll need 75 SC or more first, and might need to wait up to 5 business days for processing.
If you’re looking to secure one of the biggest sweepstakes sign up bonuses out there, Stake.us’ latest is a superb choice.
It’s worth up to 260,000 GC, 55 Stake Cash (SC) and 5% rakeback on qualifying game losses from day one of playing – though you will need to enter my unique code “STFSOCIAL” to activate your offer.
With an impressive more than 2,000 different games on its books, Stake.us trumps most instant withdrawal casinos on the market when it comes to game range and variety, too. They offer a little bit of everything, from classic slots like Sweet Bonanza, right through to in house designed poker tables and completely unique “Stake Originals” games like Mines and Crash, to name just a few.
Frequent tournaments and special events are run on Pragmatic Play slots titles like Fruit Party, while SC prize redemptions are typically processed within just three days of sending in your initial request. Just note that you’ll need at least 100 SC in your account first, and that gamers based in WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI and VT can’t currently play here.
On the upside, those of you elsewhere will be able to tap into 24/7 customer support whenever you need it here, as well as an awesome VIP program that really rewards longer term, more frequent gamers.
So, RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us are your best alternatives to cash based, instant withdrawal casino sites right now – and from my reviews above, I’m sure you can see why.
But how do I go about actually ranking, rating and shortlisting the best new sweepstakes casinos that I come across?
Well, it’s quite simple, really. I sign up for a new player account myself, then test out the following essentials:
Just as traditional instant withdrawal casinos ought to have a decent game selection to be deemed worth checking out, the same goes for virtual token powered sweeps brands, too.
RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us not only all offer hundreds of games apiece, but their portfolios tend to span a diverse range of different genres, often encompassing:
Slots, fruit machines and reels games.Megaways and jackpots.Table games and live dealer experiences.
For me, whether I’m looking at instant withdrawal casinos that support cash, or sweepstakes sites that run on GC and SC, the games offered should always have great graphics and software, too. Bonus points go out to any brands that offer games from famous developer names like:
All three of my top picks for today offer generous free GC and SC bonuses on sign up, with Stake.us even going so far as to throw in 5% rakeback on eligible game losses to anyone who enters my code “STFSOCIAL” on registration.
Longer term bonuses aimed at existing players are especially essential in the sweepstakes world, too, due to the fact you can keep playing for free as and when such offers are available. As such, I tend to predominantly shortlist sweeps sites that offer:
Daily login bonuses – where you can get free GC/SC just for logging in.VIP and loyalty programs – that offer ample rewards to longer term players.
When playing at cash based casinos with instant withdrawals, it’s imperative that the site you’re rolling with holds a local license with your state level regulator – such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement if you’re in The Garden State, for example.
One of the beauties of playing with sweepstakes casinos instead is that these alternative, virtual coin powered gaming sites don’t so strictly require state by state licenses. That said, I make a point of only ever shortlisting tried, tested and trusted sites that offer:
As you won’t be able to pursue old school instant withdrawals with casinos that utilize the sweepstakes model, and will instead be redeeming your SC chips for real world prizes, it’s important the sites you’re playing with offer fast, fair and faff free SC redemption processes.
RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us will all send you any cash or gift card prizes you request via an SC redemption within five business days or less – which is a lot better than average.
Just note that prize redemption thresholds (the minimum amount of SC you’ll need in your account to request an SC redemption) vary pretty dramatically between the three sites.
The three sweepstakes sites I’ve been focusing on throughout today’s guide all run a pretty tight ship, and it’s highly unlikely you’ll run into any major tech glitches or other issues when playing.
That said, I only ever recommend sweepstakes sites that offer solid customer support options just in case, such as:
At a time when real money casino sites are strictly prohibited in most US states, it’s real easy to see why sweepstakes casinos like RealPrize, MegaBonanza and Stake.us are so popular.
In addition to their excellent US availability, all three sites offer awesome game selections that put many cash powered casinos to shame, as well as such benefits as no purchase necessary policies, ample bonuses and excellent gaming software to boot.
Right now, RealPrize looks to me like a great option for anybody into competitive tournaments and jackpots, while MegaBonanza’s game software is basically second to none. Last but not least, mind, Stake.us’ 260,000 GC, 55 SC and 5% rakeback bonus is one of the best you’ll find anywhere – just remember to enter my promo code “STFSOCIAL” when claiming it.
No, they don’t. But the very best sites, like Stake.us for example, will process any SC redemptions you request for real world prizes in three business days or less.
If it’s a cash powered casino you’re looking at, the site will need to hold a state level license with your local regulator, such as the Pennsylvania Gaming Control board. If it’s a virtual coin led sweepstakes casino, mind, you’ll instead need to check the site’s “Customer Acceptance Policy” and T&Cs to ensure it’s available to gamers in your region.
RealPrize, Megabonanza, Stake.us and other similar sites will always offer some variation of a daily login bonus. With most sites, simply logging into your account at least once a day will be enough to automatically trigger the bonus.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Trading financial products carries a high risk to your capital, especially trading leverage products such as CFDs. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.