Sites Like Luckyland Slots
Visit: Luckyland Slots. LuckyLand Slots is a slots-only social online casino that offers cash prizes. It is one of several US sweepstakes casinos, which employ a clever business model to fall under sweepstakes law, rather than gambling law, while still offering the chance to win real money prizes. LuckyLand also has two promotional sweepstakes-based sister sites: Chumba Casino and Global Poker. Jun 09, 2021 If you don’t happen to live in NJ, PA, or WV your best bet is a sweepstakes online casino like Funzpoints, Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots where you can play your favorite online casinos for real cash prizes. Sweepstakes poker sites allow players an opportunity play online poker for cash prizes. How Sweepstakes Casinos Work.
Prior to online casinos, if you wanted to get away for a gambling weekend you would probably book a trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey or Las Vegas, Nevada. Today, legal real money online casinos allow you the comfort and pleasure of gambling from your very own home.
Typically, legal online casinos offer options that are similar to those at retail casinos, as many offer table games, video poker, slots, and poker. In fact, some even offer live dealer games, where games with a real dealer are live-streamed and offer a casino-floor type atmosphere.
Online casinos are frequented by both experienced players and new players. They have broad appeal mainly due to their convenience but also because of the variety of games available. Whether you are an experienced poker player, interested in trying slots, or looking to play table games, online casinos have you covered.
In the past, online gambling was considered taboo, particularly due to the rise of sketchy offshore casinos. However, with more and more states legalizing online gambling and implementing regulations, online casinos are more secure, trustworthy, and more popular than ever.
Best Online Casinos In The United States
- Chumba Casino – Best US Online Casino
- LuckyLand Slots – Best Online Slots Casino
- Golden Nugget Casino – Best Michigan Online Casino
- DraftKings Casino – Best Pennsylvania Online Casino
- BetMGM Casino – Best West Virginia Online Casino
Best US Online Casino Sites For February 2021
Best US Online Casino
on Chumba Casino's Website
Available on Web Browser - No Download Necessary
Best US Online Casino
Chumba Casino
4.9
Chumba Casino ReviewSign-up Offer
Purchase Offer
Chumba Casino is available in almost every state and is our editor’s choice for best US online casino. Their unique sweepstakes model gives players the ability to play their favorite online casino games and win real cash prizes.
Pros
- 2 Sweeps Coins Free!
- Over 100 casino games
- Real Cash Prizes
Cons
Best US Online Slots
on LuckyLand Slots' Website
Available on Web Browser & Android
Best US Online Slots
LuckyLand Slots
4.8
LuckyLand Slots ReviewSign-up Offer
Purchase Offer
LuckyLand is a favorite online casino among slot players. LuckyLand Slots allows players to win real cash prizes using the sweepstakes online casino model. LuckyLand offers over 50 unique slot games.
Pros
- 10 Sweeps Coins Free!
- Over 50 Slots Games
- Real Cash Prizes
Cons
Best Michigan Online Casino
on Golden Nuggets' Website
Available on Web Browser, iOS & Android
Best Michigan Online Casino
Golden Nugget Online Casino
4.7
Golden Nugget ReviewNo Deposit Offer
Deposit Offer
Golden Nugget is the very best online casino in Michigan. It’s also a top online casino in New Jersey, where they already offer live dealer casino games. Live dealer games will launch in Michigan soon. Golden Nugget has an amazing assortment of online slots with many of the same titles as you would find in las Vegas. In total, they offer over 1,000 casino games.
Best Pennsylvania Online Casino
on DraftKings Casino's Website
Available on Web Browser, iOS & Android
States Accepted Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia
Best Pennsylvania Online Casino
DraftKings Online Casino
4.7
DraftKings Casino ReviewDeposit Match
DraftKings Casino is one of the fastest-growing online casinos in the United States. DraftKings Casino has live dealer games along with many of your favorite casino games including online slots, blackjack, roulette, and more!
Best West Virginia Online Casino
on BetMGM Casino's Website
Available on Web Browser, iOS & Android
Best West Virginia Online Casino
BetMGM Online Casino
4.6
BetMGM Casino ReviewNo Deposit Offer
Deposit Offer
BetMGM casino is brought to you by the same company that operates MGM casinos across the United States including Las Vegas. BetMGM offers over 100 casino games including slots, blackjack, roulette, and more! All of your Las Vegas favorites are there.
Which States Have Legal Online Casinos for Real Money?
Currently, very few states offer both online casinos and online sports betting. However, online gambling is trending upwards and we expect to see many states jump on board in the coming years. Below we highlight include states that offer both online casino apps and online sportsbook apps. These states include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.
One form of gaming that is allowed in 49 states is sweepstakes gaming. Sweepstakes casino sites allow players in most states to play online casino games for cash prizes.
- Sweepstakes Online Casinos (All US States but Washington)
Online Casino Games At Online Sweepstakes Casinos (Best Option For Most States)
Available in: All states except Washington state.
If you don’t happen to live in NJ, PA, or WV your best bet is a sweepstakes online casino like Funzpoints, Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots where you can play your favorite online casinos for real cash prizes. Sweepstakes poker sites allow players an opportunity play online poker for cash prizes.
How Sweepstakes Casinos Work
Sweepstakes casinos use digital coins instead of real money as currency. Players accumulate digital coins by winning games and can later exchange them for cash prizes. Because sweepstakes casinos are not legally classified as gambling, they are popular among players who live in states that have not yet legalized real money online gambling. The sweepstakes format provides a similar, but legal alternative to the online casino experience.
In order to participate in a sweepstakes casino’s games, you must first buy their coins (or whatever they label as their sweepstakes currency). Your purchased coins typically come with a set number of free sweeps coins. You cannot directly deposit money into an account or withdraw money.
Your purchased coins are valid only for recreational gaming at the sweepstakes casino. Your free sweeps coins can be played on sweepstakes games, and your winnings can then be exchanged for real prizes.
The Best Sweepstakes Casino And Poker Sites
Here are three of the most popular sweepstakes casinos in the US:
Chumba Casino
Licensed by Malta Gaming Authority, Chumba Casino is arguably the most popular sweepstakes casino on the market. It has a large selection of slot games, blackjack, roulette, and video poker.
New players can take advantage of their no purchase bonus of 2,000,000 gold coins and two sweep coins. Additionally, the casino offers a first purchase deal of $30 gold coin package for only $10.
Chumba Casino is a great option as it offers both slots and table games. Its variety is what makes it a unique sweepstakes casino.
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots is a sweepstakes casino that specializes in online slot games. It offers 20 different slot games, including Buffalo Rush and Dragon’s Den.
LuckyLand Slots offers new players a no purchase bonus of 10 free sweep coins upon signing up. Also, it has a first purchase offer where you can receive 50,000 gold coins for $4.99 and get 10 bonus Sweeps Coins.
Global Poker
Global Poker is a sweepstakes website that only offers poker games. You can find Jackpot Sit & Go, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Omaha at Global Poker. It offers regular table games around the clock as well as tournaments.
The verification bonus at Global Poker gives new players a free $20 gold coin package. Additionally, its first purchase bonus is 200,000 gold coins for $40 and get 40 bonus Sweeps Coins.
FunzPoints
FunzPoints is another sweepstakes site like Chumba and LuckyLand. They are strongest in their offering of online slots. They don’t offer table games, but their slot selection holds its own.
FunzPoints Online Casino offers a no-purchase bonus of $2.50 and an additional bonus match up to $20 on your first purchase.
New Jersey Online Casinos
New Jersey paved the way for regulated online gambling in the US. Since 2013, online casinos and online sportsbooks have been legal in New Jersey as long as gamblers are at least 21-years-old and playing within state lines. New Jersey gamblers can choose from online table games, slots, and sporting betting options for events around the world.
By 2018, nearly all of the casinos located in Atlantic City offered some form of online gaming. Here’s an overview of the top five online casinos in New Jersey:
Golden Nugget Online Casino
The Golden Nugget offers over 400 online options ranging from table games, slots, live dealer games, and sports betting. However, there is no online poker.
New players receive a 100 percent matched deposit bonus of up to $1,000. They can also receive a sign-up bonus of $10, which does not require a deposit, using the promo code PLAYBONUS.
Tropicana Online Casino
Tropicana’s online casino is home to over 140 games, most of which are slots. However, the casino does offer table games including poker, blackjack, roulette, and keno.
New players can register using the promo code PLAY25 and instantly receive $25. Additionally, there is a new player deposit bonus offer of $100 cash back, which is available on their website.
Virgin Casino Online
Virgin Casino has hundreds of online casino games to choose from, including slots and table games. It does not offer poker.
New players can use the promo code 30BUCKS to receive a $30 sign-up bonus, which does not require a deposit. Additionally, Virgin offers a $100 cash back deposit bonus, where you can receive cash back based on your potential net losses.
Caesars Casino Online
Caesars, which has a presence in New Jersey, PA, and Las Vegas, offers more than 400 online games. The options include several popular slots, poker, and table games.
New players in NJ are eligible for a 100 percent matched deposit bonus of up to $300. In addition, they may obtain $25 worth of free credit with the promo code PLAYFREE25.
In PA, new players won’t receive a sign-up bonus, but they can take advantage of a fantastic deposit bonus that offers a 100 percent match up to $500 with the promo code PLAY500.
Pennsylvania Online Casinos
Gambling is relatively new in Pennsylvania as the state first legalized casinos in 2004. It took another 13 years for the state to legalize online gambling, which includes online casinos, online sportsbooks, and online poker. By doing so, PA became the fourth state to legalize online gambling, following New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada.
In 2019, two years after formal legislation made online gaming legal, the first online casinos went live in PA. These casinos included popular names such as DraftKings Casino and FanDuel Casino. Today, there are several options to choose from. Below we list some of the top online casinos available to Pennsylvania gamblers.
DraftKings Casino
DraftKings might be known for its Daily Fantasy Sports and sports betting apps, but they’re making great strides in the online casino market. Available now in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, the online casino will also be launching in Michigan. DraftKings Casino launched in Pennsylvania in May 2020. The platform operates under the license of Penn National Gaming, in collaboration with Penn National properties Hollywood Casino and Meadows Casino.
DraftKings offers over 200 different game options, including live dealer games in New Jersey. Live dealer games should be launched in the near future in Pennsylvania.
Visit DraftKings Casino to claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,500.
Unibet Online Casino
Unibet offers players many game titles to choose from including over 600 slot games along with table games, poker, and live dealer games.
New players are eligible to claim a sign-up bonus of $10 in free play using the promo code UBCASINO10. They can also receive a 100 percent matched deposit bonus up to $500 with the promo code UBCASINO500.
PokerStars
If you are a poker player who lives in PA, look no further than PokerStars Casino. The site offers a wide range of poker games including Omaha, Stud, Razz, and more.
When you sign-up, you can claim a sign-up bonus for $30 in free play (without having to deposit) by entering the promo code FREE30. The deposit bonus at PokerStars is 100 percent matched up to $500 on your first three deposits, for a total of maximum of $1500. Even better, you can get an additional bonus of 100% matched up to $500 on your second and third deposits to use on slots.
This means that the total amount available to players in bonus credit exceeds $2500.
Sugarhouse Online Casino
Sugarhouse is both a retail and online casino in Pennsylvania. Its online casino includes bingo, video poker, slot games, table games, and a sportsbook.
New players can use the promo code PLAY250 to claim Sugarhouse’s 100 percent matched deposit bonus up to $250.
FOX Bet
FOX Bet is an up-and-coming online sportsbook available to sports bettors in Pennsylvania. It offers lines on all major sports leagues along with various bet types, including prop bets, future bets, parlays, and more. You can also wager sports live as the game unfolds in real-time.
Currently, FoxBet offers two bonuses to new players in PA. The first bonus is a $500 risk-free bet for the sportsbook. Essentially, your account will be credited with your wager amount (up to $500) if your first bet is not a winner. The second bonus is a 100 percent match on your first deposit up to $500.
FanDuel Casino
FanDuel has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2019. Its online sportsbook offers lines on all major sports as well as live sports betting.
There is a solid new player bonus available to Pennsylvania casino bettors at FanDuel. It offers a risk-free 24 hours up to $200, allowing players to try out the site without losing any money.
Michigan Online Casinos
In December 2019, Michigan’s governor approved a law that fully legalized online gaming in the state, which includes both online casino gaming and online sports betting. The first online casino apps launched in Michigan in January 2021.
Check out our full guide to Michigan Online Casino Apps.
Golden Nugget Casino
Michan marked the second Golden Nugget Online Casino launch in the US, after its earlier launch in New Jersey. Michigan players have access to one of the widest selections of slots and table games as well as access to sports betting through the same app.
Visit: Golden Nugget Michigan to claim $30 Free Play + $1000 Deposit Match Bonus with code SHARP30
BetRivers Casino
BetRivers might not be as well known in casino gaming as MGM or Golden Nugget, but they are making great strides in online gambling across the US. With online sportsbooks launching across the US, Michigan was the third state with a BetRivers Casino app. Currently, BetRivers operates in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey under the SugarHouse Brand.
Visit: BetRivers Michigan to claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250 with a 1x playthrough.
West Virginia Online Casinos
The Mountaineer State is one of the next in line to fully legalize online gambling. In 2018, the state approved a bill to legalize online casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms, and live sports betting. This includes online casino websites powered by existing land-based casinos as well as sports betting sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
State officials in West Virginia took longer than expected to develop rules and regulations. The first online casino in West Virginia, DraftKings, launched during the summer of 2020. BetMGM Casino launched shortly after. More are expected we head into 2021.
BetMGM Online Casino
BetMGM’s online casino has over 400 online games to choose from, including over 300 online slot games. In addition to the slots, video poker, and table games. Operating in West Virginia in partnership with the Casino Club at the Greenbrier, BetMGM has a promising future in West Virginia.
BetMGM offers a 100 percent matched deposit bonus up to $1,000.
Visit BetMGM to claim a $1000 bonus offer.
Which States Will Have Legal Real Money Online Casinos In The Future?
Currently, there are a couple of states weighing the option of legalizing online gambling within their borders. With West Virginia having launched online casinos in 2020 and Michigan having launched in 2021, it is unclear at this point whether others will join the list. Online sports betting is expanding a lot quicker than online casinos and poker.
It is possible that some states, like Colorado, Illinois, or Indiana, could see attempts to legalize online casinos after seeing the success of online sports betting.
How Do Online Casino Bonuses Work? Are They Worth The Time?
Online casinos use bonuses as a tactic for player acquisition and player retention.
In order to reap the full benefits of a casino bonus, you must fulfill playthrough requirements or the terms and conditions. Playthrough requirements, or wager requirements, are quite standard across all the different types of bonuses. They require you to wager a multiple of the no deposit bonus, which usually depends on the amount of the bonus (e.g. 5x, 10x, 20x, etc.)
Nevertheless, there is likely a bonus out there tailored to your gaming interests. In short, we highly recommend that you take advantage of casino bonuses. Below we discuss the differences between them.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no deposit bonus is a type of bonus that requires no upfront investment from the player. Effectively, upon a player’s registration, the casino provides a small amount of free money for testing games. However, there may be restrictions for what games you’re allowed to play.
Example:BetMGM offers new players $25 upon signing up and does not require a deposit.
You most certainly cannot claim a bonus and cash out immediately. Casinos enforce certain terms and conditions, such as a playthrough requirement, before you can cash out. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a high maximum as typically no deposit bonuses are no larger than $50. However, some casinos do offer sizable no deposit bonuses from time to time.
Deposit or Match Bonuses
A deposit or match bonus is a type of bonus in which a casino matches your deposit amount. Typically, you will see the bonus advertised as a 100 percent match (meaning they will match your deposit dollar for dollar) and up to a certain amount (e.g. up to $500 or $1,000). However, sometimes casinos offer less than a 100 percent match, so be sure to read the terms carefully.
Example: FOX Bet offers a 100 percent deposit bonus of up to $500. So, if you were to deposit $200, FOX Bet would match your deposit with another $200 for a total fund of $400.
Loss Rebates or Risk-free Bets
If you see a casino advertising a risk-free bet, it is willing to refund you a portion of your losses almost exclusively in the form of free play or credit.
Many land-based casinos used to implement this practice for high rollers who would bet big and often. Online casinos are a bit more generous in the sense that they typically offer rebate offers to anyone but the stakes are quite low. For example, you will likely find a 10 percent rebate bonus available meaning you will receive 10 percent of your losses back.
VIP Programs
VIP or loyalty programs are very common at online casinos. The way each casino structures its VIP program or qualifications varies. However, typically you can sign-up for a casino’s VIP program and earn points by wagering, playing certain games, and taking advantage of promotions.
Earning VIP points oftentimes means you can redeem prizes and offers at the casino. All-in-all, VIP programs are a way for online casinos to retain players by keeping them happy.
Example: At DraftKings, you can use your VIP points on free bets, merchandise, and enter contests to win tickets to a professional sporting event.
What Kinds Of Games Do Online Casinos Offer?
Today’s online casinos rival land-based casinos in almost every category. A typical online casino offers blackjack, table games, slots, video poker, a live dealer casino, and a handful of other games.
The main difference between a land-based casino and an online casino is that online casinos are way more convenient. In other words, you don’t have to travel to a casino, arrange to stay overnight, pay premium prices for food and drinks, etc.
Furthermore, online casinos tend to have lower minimum bets, better paybacks, and overall compete with land-based casinos in terms of games available and varieties.
Blackjack
If you walk into a brick-and-mortar casino, you will most likely see several players sitting at the many blackjack tables. It shouldn’t come as a surprise as blackjack is the most popular table game.
You can also play blackjack at online casinos, and most online casinos make it a point to offer several different varieties. In addition to Six-Deck blackjack you may find Super 21, Zappit, European, Single-Deck, Double-Deck, Face Up, Perfect Pairs, and Shut ‘Em Up blackjack.
Online blackjack tends to have more lower-limit games ($1 or $5 minimums versus $10 to $25 at casinos). Additionally, most players can play faster and play more hands per hour online versus at a physical table. These are just a few reasons why you may enjoy playing online blackjack.
Slots
In general, online slots function the same as they do in land-based casinos as they both use a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of each spin. The game selection is also relatively equal.
Typically, online slots offer lower limits relative to land-based casinos and don’t offer as many high-limit options. However, you may enjoy playing online slots more as you can most likely faster.
Progressive Slots
If you’ve visited a land-based casino, you’ve likely seen progressive slots such as Wheel of Fortune and Megabucks as they are two of the most popular progressives. Like land-based casinos, online casinos offer progressives.
Progressives are very much the same online as they are at brick-and-mortar casinos. However, playing online does allow you to play faster and the experience is accessible from just about anywhere.
There is a wide variety of online progressives, including Wheel of Fortune, Treasure Island, and dozens more. If you are looking to play progressives online you won’t be hard-pressed to find options.
Live Dealer Games
Essentially, live dealer games at online casinos bring the casino floor to you in the comfort of your own home. Rather than playing table games that use a RNG you have the option to stream live dealers who play out hands in a controlled setting live on a real game table.
It’s a great way to experience a live casino atmosphere without having to travel. You can chat with the dealers, tip them, and also chat with other players at the table. Additionally, many online casinos have live dealer games with lower limits relative to the minimum bets at land-based casinos.
Video Poker
In general, video poker is one of the most popular games at casinos and it’s no different at online casinos. Nowadays, the majority of online casinos offer at least a few different video poker games.
Playing video poker online is essentially the same as playing at a casino. The screen layout is virtually the same, the game is digital, and many of the graphics are similar as well.
If you opt to play video poker online, you may find that casinos offer more game types. That is because online casinos do not have to worry about the space that the game machine is taking up, whereas land-based casinos do. Additionally, playing online is more convenient, less distracting, and you can find lower limit games (e.g $0.01).
Table Games
Along with slots, table games are the main staple at every online casino. Table games at online casinos are very similar to games found at land-based casinos. You will likely find versions of blackjack, roulette, craps, three card poker, pai gow poker, and others at online casinos.
Because there are no physical tables, online casinos have the luxury of offering more tables for individual games along with different varieties of games. For example, a land-based casino typically offers six-deck blackjack and perhaps one or two tables of double-deck. But online casinos offer those options and then some.
Additionally, online casinos offer tables with lower limits compared to land-based casinos. Another difference between land-based casinos and online casinos is that online casinos use RNG’s for their games unless, of course, you are playing a table game via their live casino.
You may enjoy playing at online casinos more as there are no distractions, long waits for a seat at the table, and you simply have access to more variety.
Why You Should Try US Online Casinos
There are many reasons why some gamblers prefer online casinos over retail casinos. Online casinos, for example, offer a measure of convenience. If you’re bored at home or looking to switch up your sports betting routine, why not log into your favorite gambling website and put down a few dollars for a chance to win big?
Potential for Higher Payout
Some experts contend that gamblers are actually more likely to take home winnings from an online casino in comparison to a brick-and-mortar location. Higher rates of competition online and a lower overhead cost translate to payouts that can exceed 95%.
Take Advantage of Online Gambling Incentives From Home
Gambling online from a remote location is not only a comfortable (and highly customizable) experience, it’s also a great decision for practical reasons.
The same games that you’d find at retail casinos are often available online and you can play for free or for real money. The big difference is that online casinos, because they tend to target the same demographic pool, must compete vigorously to attract new players. This means players can enjoy sizable bonus offers, additional wagering options, and greater bet size flexibility that they wouldn’t necessarily receive in person.
Are Legal Online Casinos Safe And Fair?
In short, online casinos are safe and fair. However, due to the online gaming space being so popular there are many offshore online casinos popping each year vying for space in the market. It’s important to ensure the online casino you plan to visit is legal in your state and not operating without a license. Below are a few of the top reasons why legal online casinos are safe and fair.
Government Regulations
Each casino who wishes to operate in America must adhere to regulations outlined in each state where online gaming is legal. These regulations are written by local lawmakers and require online casinos to be licensed.
Because of these strict regulations, you should be confident that any legal online casino was carefully vetted by local governments and successfully met all the requirements, including gaming licenses.
Game Testing
Every casino game that is developed and made available at legal online casinos must be tested to ensure it is fair and functions properly. There are several third-party companies responsible for testing games so you can rest assured that each game has been thoroughly tested.
Regulators Pursue Disputes
In the event that you cannot resolve an issue directly with the online casino, you can opt to use a regulator to help you navigate a dispute. For example, the state of New Jersey offers a form that you can access on the Office of Attorney General’s website which helps you jumpstart the process with a regulator and the overall investigation. In general, it’s rather simple to find a regulator or more information on your state’s process should you need it.
Customer Service
Another reason why you should feel confident gaming at online casinos is the fact that they offer accessible customer service agents 24/7 via phone, email, or live chat. You should not have any trouble contacting support should you need to ask a question or file a complaint.
Banking
The fact that major banking institutions allow you to transact with online casinos is another reason why you should feel confident that playing online is safe and fair. Many banking institutions have safeguards in place if they feel a merchant is fraudulent, and that is not the case with legal online casinos.
How We Choose Which Online Casino To List
We ensure each casino we list on our site is trustworthy and a viable option for you to game at. Below are a few factors we consider:
- Properly Licensed – Each casino we list must be properly licensed to operate. If it isn’t, we don’t trust it and neither should you. If a license is present that means it’s reputable in the eyes of the government.
- Reliable Support Channels – Legal online casinos should allow you to contact them. That’s why we only list casinos that have accessible support channels such as live chat, phone, or email.
- Reputation – Brand authority is important as it demonstrates credibility and trustworthiness. We tend to list casinos that have an established brand and a good reputation.
- Game Selection – We want to provide you access to the best games available. We focus on listing casinos with a large selection of games so you can find what you’re looking for.
- Promotions And Bonuses – Our goal is to let you know about the best promotions available on the market. Promos and bonuses are important factors we consider when choosing to list a casino, as free bets, free play, and prizes are beneficial to every player.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In the US, each state is responsible for making its own laws regarding online gaming. If your state doesn’t allow online casinos yet, this likely means your local lawmakers haven’t introduced a bill for its legalization.
Legal casinos ask for your SSN because if you win they will need to report the amount for tax purposes. Additionally, they ask for your SSN to protect your identity and account as each person’s SSN is unique to them. Should you ever need to recover your account, your SSN can help you verify your identity.
In the US, the federal government and the state government both have the ability to regulate online casinos. Currently, there is no clear cut federal law prohibiting online casinos. Therefore, the bulk of the regulation occurs at the state level.
You can deposit funds into online casinos using credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover. PayPal and other e-wallets are also often accepted as methods of payment.
Yes. The bonus portion of any deposit bonus is free money given to you as a result of your deposit. However, in order to cash out your potential winnings, you must adhere to the deposit terms and conditions, which typically requires you to wager a certain amount before you’re eligible to withdraw.
No. You cannot withdraw money from online casinos in-person. You can withdraw funds via check, PayPal, and sometimes wire transfer.
Yes. It is 100 percent safe and secure to play online. However, you should only play at online casinos that are licensed and regulated by your state.
California is lagging behind many other states in the US when it comes to legalizing online gambling. However, if you currently live in California and don’t want to drive down to one of the tribal casinos, you still have options for online gaming in the form of sweepstakes casino sites.
Basically, sweepstakes casino sites are totally legal in California even though regular online casinos are not. These sweepstakes sites offer fun casino action, allowing you to play with digital currency instead of real money. Once you’ve accumulated a certain number of Sweeps Coins, you can exchange them for cash prizes.
Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about sweepstakes casinos in California.
Best Online Casino Sites In California 2021
While California law is pretty anti-gambling in general, it does allow sweepstakes gaming. Online sweepstakes sites, of which two are particularly notable, can be enjoyed from anywhere within California borders. The two notable sites are Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.
| Online Casino | Sign-up Offer | Purchase Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Chumba Casino | Two free Sweeps Coins on sign up | $30 Gold Coin package when you spend $10 |
| Luckyland Slots | Ten free Sweeps Coins on sign up | 10 Gold Coins when you spend $4.99 |
Chumba Casino provides slots and table games, while LuckyLand Slots offers a good selection of slots. Both sites use Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins as currency for games. Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots are similar to Funzpoints, b spot, and Zitobox Slots which are all incredibly popular in California and throughout the rest of the US because of their excellent user interfaces and diverse game selections.
In a nutshell, sweepstakes casino sites are legal because players don’t put real money on the line. Instead, games are played with digital Sweeps or Gold Coins, which operate as digital currencies without a real-world monetary equivalent.
What Are The Bonuses At Sweepstakes Casinos In California?
Like most online casino sites, both Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots provide opening bonuses for new players to get people to try out their sites. Both sites also provide daily bonuses to encourage regular players to keep signing in. Thus, the opening bonuses here keep on giving. They aren’t one-and-done offerings only to draw in new players. Regular players also benefit.
Both sites, to start, provide daily free Gold Coins when you log in. These are automatically placed into your account balance for use with whatever games you please. However, you only get these daily free coins once per day. You can’t log in multiple times per day to claim the daily bonus repeatedly, even if you swap between different devices.
Chumba Casino offers an opening bonus of two free Sweeps Coins when you sign up for the site. Make an account, verify your information and you’ll get the free Sweeps Coins once you enter the site. Furthermore, it provides a $30 package of Gold Coins when you spend $10 on the site for Gold Coins.
LuckyLand Slots offers the same daily bonus, plus you get 10 free Sweeps Coins when you sign up. An additional 10 Sweeps Coins will be placed in your account when you spend $4.99 on other Gold Coins or merchandise.
| Chumba Casino | Luckyland Slots |
|---|---|
| Free Sweeps Coins for logging in daily | 200+ Gold Coins for logging in daily |
| Two free Sweeps Coins on sign up | 10 free Sweeps Coins on sign up |
| $30 Gold Coin package when you spend $10 | 10 Gold Coins when you spend $4.99 |
| Mobile Web App | Android App |
Quick Guide To Sweepstakes Casinos In California
How Do Sweepstakes Casinos Work In California?
As mentioned, sweepstakes casinos work in California because they don’t actually require you to put any real money on the line. These games do not require that people play with anything of real-world value, so gaming with these sites is totally legal.
There are two types of digital currencies with which players can participate with the various games on Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, or other online sweepstakes sites.
The first currency is called Sweeps Coins. This is a free digital currency and players can earn more coins from participating in email challenges, signing up for free giveaways, or by getting a bonus every day just for logging in. You spend these coins at games the same way you would real money at a brick-and-mortar casino.
Gold Coins are the second digital currency. Players can purchase packages of Gold Coins and use these at the various games on any sweepstakes site. They have no exchangeable value so they are not redeemable for cash prizes. Many times, online sweepstakes sites provide players with extra Sweeps Coins when they spend money on Gold Coin packages or bundles.
How Do You Win Cash Prizes By Playing Online?
Most sweepstakes casinos work by giving you free Sweeps Coins at a proportionately smaller rate than the Gold Coins you can purchase. You cannot exchange Gold Coins for money prizes, but you can use them to play casino games.
However, players can use their Sweeps Coins and eventually win some of the online casino games. Those Sweeps Coins can later be redeemed for monetary prizes. Because players don’t get nearly as many Sweeps Coins as they can get Gold Coins, sweepstakes casinos don’t usually offer the opportunity to win big in most cases compared to other online casinos.
Still, these sites are a good alternative if you want to play online casino games but aren’t allowed to in your state because of anti-gambling legislation.
How Do You Access Sweepstakes Casino Sites In California?
In California, players must access Chumba Casino through a normal web browser, as it does not provide a mobile app. However, the website is also mobile-friendly for easy access. LuckyLand Slots is accessible through a standard desktop or mobile web browser. There’s also an app for Android.
Both sites operate 24/7 and provide browser and mobile-friendly interfaces for your device.
How Do Purchases Work At California’s Sweepstakes Casino Sites?
You are required to provide some banking information to sign up for both major sweepstakes sites, and you’re required to provide your email to get Sweeps Coins for free. Both Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots also make it incredibly easy to purchase Gold Coins.
You normally purchase Gold Coins in bundles for real-world cash values. For instance, $4.99 worth of Gold Coins could be several thousand, allowing you to play multiple games over the course of a day before needing to buy more.
What Are The Sweepstakes Casino Purchase And Redemption Options?
Sites like Chumba and LuckyLand offer two main ways to purchase Gold Coins (remember, you can’t purchase Sweeps Coins). The main version involves opening the browser website or mobile app and purchasing Gold Coins directly in packages. For instance, purchasing $30 worth of Gold Coins from Chumba will give you roughly 2 million Gold Coins to play with, plus some Sweeps Coins that you might be able to redeem for cash prizes later.
Redemption is only an option if you win with Sweeps Coins on one of the games you decide to play. In this case, both sweepstakes sites offer you the opportunity to exchange your Sweeps Coins for cash prizes. The prizes are wired to an attached bank account and should show up within three to four business days.
Alternatively, players can obtain Sweeps Coins by mailing-in to either site.
How Does Entry By Mail Work At Sweepstakes Casino Sites In California?
Practically every sweepstakes casino site offers free Sweeps Coins whenever you send in a request by mail. The sites themselves provide the mailing address and require you to include your account information and your name in certain places specified. The tradeoff is that those sites (or associated advertisers) might then send you advertising mail, but you get free Sweeps Coins out of the deal.
To receive Sweeps Coins from Chumba Casino by sending a mail-in request, use a 4″ x 6″ postcard or piece of white paper inside a #10 envelope, then address the envelope in your own handwriting to: VGW Games Limited, Chumba Casino Sweepstakes Department, PO Box #8486, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Then, all you have to do is handwrite the return address on the front of the envelope along with the words “Sweepstakes Credits”. On the enclosed paper, make sure to handwrite your full name, email address, and a statement explaining that you want to receive Sweeps Coins from Chumba.
For LuckyLand Slot, the procedure is exactly the same. Mail the postcard or envelope to: VGW LuckyLand, Inc., LuckyLand Slots Sweepstakes Department, PO Box #8486, Portsmouth, NH 03801
What Is The Difference Between Sweepstakes Casinos And Online Casino Sites
The primary difference between sweepstakes casino sites and regular online casino sites is the replacement of real-world money with digital currencies that cannot normally be exchanged for cash.
Online sweepstakes casino sites use Sweeps Coins, which can be exchanged for cash sweeps prizes. But these are so infrequently handed out compared to their main Gold Coin currency that it’s rare for players to win big on these sites.
Sweepstakes casino sites are more often used as recreational gaming activities for people who like these types of games but don’t necessarily want to put real-world cash on the line. They’re also a good gaming alternative for people who live in states like California, which make it difficult to enjoy casino activities outside of Indian casinos.
Online casino sites, in contrast, use real-world money for gambling activities. California may yet eventually legalize online gambling to the same extent as states like Pennsylvania. However, such a development is likely still quite far off.
In terms of available games, you won’t be able to find much of a difference between sweepstakes casino sites and traditional casino sites except in terms of variety. Chumba and LuckyLand Slots both have good catalogs of games. But most traditional casino sites offer more games simply by virtue of there being more real money slots and digital casino games in general.
Beyond those major differences, things are pretty similar. Sign-up processes are the same, as are the opening bonuses to attract new players.
Status Of Online Gambling In California
In California, online gambling is fairly limited, despite there being many in-person gambling activities throughout the state. At the time of this writing, it’s legal to gamble at racetracks, visit tribal casinos, enjoy legal poker card rooms, and play the lottery.
However, online gambling lags behind. To date, California does not have any legal online gambling save for horse racing and daily fantasy sports. The former is mostly because of California’s rich horse racing history while the latter is because daily fantasy sports technically counts as an activity of skill or strategy instead of chance (and thus is not considered gambling).
Sweepstakes casino and gaming sites like Chumba and LuckyLand Slots represent an excellent alternative as do sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker.
Is It Safe To Use Sweepstakes Casinos In California?
Are Sweepstakes Sites Legal In California?
Yes. Sweepstakes sites are completely legal to use in California because they do not violate the letter of the law. They do not require that users play with real-world money, and the currency you play with does not hold any real-world value.
Both Chumba and LuckyLand, the two most popular sweepstakes sites in California, use 100 percent legal sweepstakes models to avoid incurring any fines.
Is My Information Safe On Sweepstakes Apps In California?
Yes. Both sweepstakes sites use security software and well-developed online sweepstakes platforms to ensure that player banking and financial information are not vulnerable to hacking attacks. Furthermore, both organizations are well regulated by the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC).
The CGCC oversees sites like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. It keeps a close eye on their activities and ensures that they follow regulations to the letter. They are also available to take complaints if any user ever has a problem with either site.
What Are The Types Of Games Available At California’s Sweepstakes Casinos?
Chumba Casino
Chumba Casino currently offers over 70 titles. In comparison to LuckyLand Slots, this site provides a larger variety of online casino games, including several casino titles that you can’t find at traditional casino sites. It also includes table games.
Specifically, there are three card-based games. Blackjack and Jacks or Better video poker were its main offerings before, although it recently added roulette. The other games are all slots.
Most of the slot games have spin/plays that start with the values of 250 Gold Coins, although you can find other high-stakes slots that go up to 1 million Gold Coins or 100 Sweeps Coins per hand or spin. The highest slot games demand 50 Sweeps Coins or five million Gold Coins.
Players can find three progressive Jackpot slots at Chumba Casino, including Triple Double Fever, Reelin N Rockin, and Stampede Fury. These are potentially worth cash prize redemptions of up to $1 million if you win with Sweeps Coins instead of Gold Coins.
The biggest draw to Chumba’s online slot offerings is that the games are designed in-house, so you won’t be able to play them anywhere else. This is particularly nice for online casino enthusiasts who might eventually get bored with seeing the same online slots everywhere.
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots is the sister site to Chumba Casino, and both websites are run by the same parent company. Despite this similarity in organization and oversight, LuckyLand provides over 30 unique slot games that you cannot find anywhere else. As a result, it’s very worthwhile to sign up for both websites since you’ll get different gaming experiences at each location.
Most of the slots use established casino themes, so the majority of the games feel familiar even if they are technically totally new. This is a positive, overall, because new players will get the hang of how games play and feel fairly quickly.
Some of the slots titles include:
- King of the Jungle
- Mayan Gold
- Pirates Bounty
- Buffalo Rush
- Dragon’s Den
- Fashion Frenzy
- Enchanted Fairy
Even better, the majority of LuckyLand’s slot games feature great 3D graphics and flashy animations. The resulting gameplay is enjoyable and interesting, even to online slot gaming veterans.
LuckyLand does provide some progressive jackpots as well for potentially huge redeemable sweeps prizes. For instance, Neon Valley is a progressive slot that can go as high as 177,000 Sweeps Coins.
In addition to the range of slot games offered here, players will also be able to enjoy some instant win and scratcher games. However, LuckyLand does not offer any video poker or table games and has not indicated any plans to provide these games in the future.
California Sweepstakes Casinos FAQ
Yes. Using Sweeps Coins, one of the two digital currencies usable on these sites, you can play slots or other types of games. When accumulate Sweeps Coins as you win games, and you can redeem these Sweeps Coins for a cash prize. You can make the exchange through the sweepstakes casino website, and the money will be wired to your bank account within a few business days.
How old do I have to be to play at sweepstakes casino sites in California?
You have to be 18-years-old to play at sweepstakes casino sites within the state. This is the age at which a person becomes a legal adult and can provide personal identifying information on their own.
What Is Luckyland Slots
Yes. Both Chumba and LuckyLand, the two most popular sweepstakes online casinos in California, offer progressive jackpots. Both of these progressive jackpots are built up using Sweeps Coins instead of real coins so that they’re eventually redeemable by a player for a cash prize. In some cases, the cash prizes can get up to over $1 million in value.
This is one of the few ways where sweepstakes casino players can win “big” compared to players of regular online casinos.
One of the other biggest sweepstakes gaming sites is Global Poker. This is the best sweepstakes poker site if your state doesn’t allow legal online gambling. It’s a very viable alternative to regular poker rooms.
Luckyland Slots Free Sc
There’s also FunzPoints, a new sweepstakes casino available in California. It offers slots games. “Standard FunzPoints” are used in place of Gold Coins and “Premium FunzPoints” in place of Sweeps Coins.
No. While there’s nothing explicitly forbidding live dealer games with sweepstakes casinos, you can currently only find these games at regular online casino sites that allow wagering with real money. Since California doesn’t allow these sites anyway, you also won’t find live dealer games legally accessible online in the state.
There are currently 77 slot games at Chumba Casino. It also offers three card-based table games for a total of 80 titles to choose from. Because Chumba produces its games in-house for the most part, it doesn’t come out with new slot games all that often. But the games that it does produce are generally high quality and either feature excellent graphics or are built on well-tested slot game designs and themes.