Social sweepstakes casinos are under threat in NY, but don’t despair, because there are still some operating here and we’ll help you find them.
Yes, the Attorney General recently issued cease and desist letters to 26 major social/sweepstakes operators, though this did not clear out all platforms from the state. On this page we’ll go through the best ones that remain operational in NY.
Plus, we’re going to explore how New York sweepstakes casinos differ from real money sites, how they work, and touch on the best online casinos with sweeps to join today here in our guide. Let’s begin!
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Like many US states, New York permits sports betting for real money. Retail sports betting has been legal since July 2019 at physical casinos and racetracks, while online/mobile sports betting went live in January 2022.
However, the Empire State hasn’t yet legalized online casino gambling, even though the topic is often debated by lawmakers. For example, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. submits an iGaming proposal every year, but it’s thought the State Governor isn’t on board with the idea just yet.
So given the anti-gambling laws currently in place, how have sweeps casinos managed to find a legal way around this?
Well, they offer their platforms in the same way you’ll find in other states across the US. Essentially, the element of ‘consideration’ or payment present in traditional gambling is removed from the equation by offering a dual-currency system with Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins (or equivalent currencies), and a proliferation of bonuses so that players can play for free if they choose.
Operating in this way has allowed platforms like WOW Vegas, Luckybird.io, and Kickr to avoid traditional gambling legislation. That being said, each state has its own wording, and while sweepstakes platforms believe they are operating legally, some politicians and government bodies in NY disagree. Then it becomes a matter of legal argument and enforcing either viewpoint. This is why we often say that sweepstakes casinos operate in a gray area, and in New York, it’s more of a hostile environment than you might find elsewhere.
For example, the Attorney General Letitia James recently sent cease and desist letters to 26 sweeps casinos operating in NY, and all 26 apparently complied. This is why VGW pulled out of the Empire State in 2025, along with a host of other platforms. However, this action did not clear all sweepstakes casinos from NY, and that’s why there are still options left for us to recommend.
Notably, the AG also mentioned in the cease and desist letters that state Penal Law “imposes no criminal liability on individual bettors, focusing instead on bookmakers and other operations that advance or profit from illegal gambling activity.” So as a player you don’t have anything to worry about – only the operators can be held accountable.
We also have Senators like Joseph Addabbo submitting proposals (e.g., SB5935 and A6745) to ban the sweeps format. The landscape is always changing, but we work around the clock to provide you with the best NY social/sweepstakes casinos based on the current options. If in doubt, you can always double-check with a specific platform’s support team.
Let’s also bear in mind that the minimum age requirement for sweepstakes casinos in New York is typically deemed to be 21 years old.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that NY, like Florida, puts a limit on the amount that you can redeem at sweeps casinos: real cash prizes cannot exceed $5,000. Anything redeemed for more than this figure would be liable for federal tax. Therefore, there is a five grand cap in place at any legal, social casino catering to New Yorkers per round or hand.
UPDATE: Both chambers of the legislature recently passed a stark anti-sweeps bill, so if the Governor signs it into law, New York will basically become off-limits and we’ll update this page accordingly.
Sweepstakes/social casinos don’t use USD, and they don’t require you to deposit money to play. Instead, they provide free coins to members, allowing them to continually play games without ever having to risk money of their own – it’s ‘no purchase necessary’.
Each sweepstakes casino provides you with two types of virtual currencies. The first, usually known as GC (Gold Coins), is gifted to players via promotions or when they sign in daily. GC can be used to play games for free at a sweeps casino and they have no cash value and cannot be withdrawn – they’re the equivalent of allowing you to play for fun. You can always buy more if you like too.
The second currency is often known as Sweeps Coins (SC). These can be obtained when you purchase Gold Coins, or they can be acquired via promos, bonuses, and as winnings when playing games. Unlike GC, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real cash prizes.
As touched on above, there is a cap of $5,000 in place when it comes to redeeming SC in New York sweep casinos.
When you register as a new member of any legal social casino operating in New York, you’ll typically be given a wad of GC and SC for gameplay. You can then purchase additional GC (if you wish) to claim a first purchase offer, and this will typically include a small sum of SC.
Registering at sweeps casinos in New York is easy enough. Head over to one of our recommended sites and use the form to sign up. You can also typically use accounts such as Google, Facebook, and others to register instantly. New members are required to provide a government-issued ID for verification purposes, then you’ll receive your free coins to play with, and can make your first purchase to boost your balance if you like.
New York sweepstake casinos are sites where you can play online casino games for free, without having to purchase or deposit and risk your own money. Therefore, they aren’t considered gambling in the traditional sense. Because there is no purchase necessary, and Sweeps Coins can only be won – not purchased directly – social and sweepstakes casinos operate under sweepstakes laws, rather than traditional gambling laws.
There are plenty of sweeps casinos in New York for you to choose from, but some rise above others on closer inspection. We’ve put together a list of five of the best, and each has been chosen for a specific reason. So without further ado, our top five NY sweeps casinos are:
WOW Vegas has been around since 2022 and is available in New York. This very popular sweeps casino hosts over 2,000Â games – a massive amount – from established providers such as Pragmatic Play and Betsoft Gaming. There’s plenty of fun in store with the latest slots and other games.
Players can access an ample selection of payment methods, combined with several top-level promos. For example, as a newcomer, you can claim 250,000 Wow Coins (GC equivalent) and 5 SC over the first three days after registering your new account.
Casino.click has garnered a lot of attention in the past year. Fully available in New York, the platform is crypto-friendly, and that’s something of a rarity in the sweepstakes casino world. If you want, you can still use the traditional payment options, too.Â
The gaming selection counts over 400 titles, with Relax Gaming standing strong as a SweepsKings team favorite. If you’re new to the site, you will be awarded a no-deposit bonus of 100,000 GC + 2 SC upon sign-up.
LuckyBird.io is another sweepstakes casino that’s catered to players who use cryptocurrencies. However, unlike Casino.click, you are limited to crypto here.
That said, the game choice is excellent, with LuckyBird Originals and games from providers like 3 Oaks, BGaming, and ICONIC21 (live dealer titles). There’s a good variety of promotions for existing users, and essentially an infinite supply of free coins. Plus, check out the Android app if you’re that way inclined.
Despite recently letting go of crypto support, Moonspin has a solid reputation and actually some great original games in its portfolio. The sheer number of them, 1,300, is proof that you won’t get bored playing in this sweeps casino.
Beyond a library with exclusive originals, Moonspin offers a generous no deposit bonus and one of the best AMOE bonuses, at 3 SC and 10 SC, respectively. You can also take advantage of game-specific bonuses they roll out quite regularly.
Kickr stands out for offering sweepstakes sports betting and combining this with casino gaming. So you can play slots from providers like Relax Gaming and Hacksaw, while also having access to social sports predictions – it’s the best of both worlds! The market coverage includes the major US leagues, like NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, and MLS, as well as international leagues like the English Premier League.
On this platform, GC are referred to as Bits and SC referred to as Bucks, and the signup bonus is pretty decent at 150,000 Bits +Â 4 Free Bucks. Yes, we know traditional sports betting is legal in NY, but here you can do it within the sweepstakes format, which will certainly attract many players.
We didn’t just pick random sweeps casinos for New Yorkers. Our NY sweepstakes casinos have been chosen because they fulfill our strict requirements that help us discern the most trustworthy and reliable sites:
That being said, the sites featured here offer much more besides, which helped them land a spot in the top five NY sweeps casinos.
All our recommended New York sweepstakes casinos offer free gameplay via an array of promos with no purchase necessary. However, you can still choose to purchase coin packages if you want to play longer or boost your balance.
Expect these bundles to offer you a batch of Gold Coins for reasonable prices, along with a small number of Sweeps Coins to boot.
To give you an example of the options you might have, let’s take a quick look at the coins packages at one of our favorite sites, WOW Vegas:
| Cost | WOW Coins | Sweeps Coins |
|---|---|---|
| $1.99 | 50,000 | 0 |
| $2.49 - Double Up Deal | 250,000 | 5 |
| $5.99 - 150% extra | 850,000 | 15 |
| $9.99 - First Purchase offer - 200% extra | 1,500,000 | 30 |
| $12.99 | 650,000 | 0 |
| $19.99 | 1,030,000 | 20 |
| $29.99 | 1,500,000 | 30 |
| $99.99 | 5,000,000 | 100 |
| $199.99 | 10,000,000 | 200 |
| $449.99 | 25,000,000 | 500 |
| $674.99 | 37,500,000 | 750 |
| $899.99 | 50,000,000 | 1000 |
After finding the Gold Coin package that you want, select it and choose one of the platform’s payment methods. Enter your details and complete the transaction by following the instructions that appear on the screen. Common payment methods include credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, notable e-wallets like Skrill, bank transfers, prepaid vouchers, and more.
It’s good to remember you have access to The New York Council on Problem Gaming, New York State Gaming Commission, Office of Addiction Services and Support, and the National Council on Problem Gambling if you start to feel things are getting out of hand. In fact, most sweeps casinos offer responsible social gameplay tools, including deposit caps.
SC and their variants can be redeemed for real cash prizes at a rate determined by the sweep casino in question. In most cases the rate will be 1 SC to $1. Redemptions usually take between 1 and 5 business days, although this is subject to the platform in question. Our reviews can help you pick out the faster sites when it comes to redemptions.
The selection of games you’ll have at your disposal at NY sweepstakes online casinos will depend on the site you choose too. Some excel at offering in-house, original titles found nowhere else. Others provide table games, scratchcards, crash games, fish games from an array of great providers, or even sports betting.
At some of our selected NY sweeps casino sites you’ll also be able to play progressive jackpot games. These tend to operate on in-house jackpot networks and can result in immense wins; WOW Vegas is a great option for this type of play.
Sweepstakes casinos in New York support bonuses and promotions that work a little differently than those found at offshore NY online casinos. To begin with, all promos and bonuses at sweeps New York online casino sites are free to claim. This is in stark contrast to NY online casino bonuses, where you must often deposit to claim them.
There will be a playthrough rate attached to any SC you land, but that’s often just 1x, while at real money sites, this may be upwards of 35x or higher.
Our trusted NY sweeps casinos are known for offering many of the following deals:
All NY sweepstakes casinos we’ve listed will give you free SC after creating, and in some cases verifying, your account. Use our links to begin!
| New York Sweepstakes Casino | Welcome Bonus | Games | Best Feature | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOW Vegas | 1.75 million WC + 35 Free SC for $9.99 | 2,000+ | Massive game catalog | No |
| Casino.click | 200,000 GC + 20 SC for $9.99 | 400+ | Crypto banking support | No |
| Moonspin | 60,000 Gold Coins + 3 SC | 1,300+ | Original arcade games | No |
| LuckyBird.io | 50,000 GC + 5 SC extra on any first purchase over $20 | 800+ | Infinite freebies | Android |
| Kickr | 150,000 Bits + 4 Free Bucks | 400+ | Sports betting also available | Yes |
As you can see, given the gambling laws of New York, there are certainly benefits to playing at sweeps casinos, including winning real cash prizes. If this interests you, don’t hesitate to head over to one of our recommended New York sweepstake casinos to sign up and play today.
While NY sweepstakes online casinos make for an excellent way to potentially win real cash prizes, they aren’t the only way that you can do so. Lotteries, land-based commercial casinos (via tribal compacts), retail and online sports betting options are also legal in the Empire State.
Some of the top land-based casinos available include Rivers Casino & Resort, the Del Lago Resort, and the three Seneca casino establishments (Allegany, Niagara, and Buffalo Creek). The most reputable online sportsbooks in the US are also now in operation in the state.
Some state lawmakers are hard at work finding ways to legalize traditional online casinos, while looking to limit sweepstakes casinos. But for now, there are plenty of options available, as detailed on this page.
Head over to one of our expert-approved and recommended NY social casinos and sign up to claim generous bonuses to start playing today. Then you can purchase your first coin package to claim even more Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins!
Author: Damjan Jugovicspajic
Updated:
