It was an opportunity for players who live in areas where it was illegal to play online casino games. As they saw the promotions, bonus offers, and other advantages of playing sweepstakes games, they rarely returned to online casinos again. In this article, we will discuss those perks that sweepstakes sites offer and analyze the games in depth. Sweepstakes casinos are also among the lowest minimum deposit casinos for opening a new account – either $4.99 or $5. Sweeps Casino Games Sweeps casino games are similar to traditional live or online casino play – whether you’re into table games or slot machines.

You can now enjoy online casino games safely and legally in a growing number of states. Regulation and licensing pairs big casino brands with local live venues. You get the best of both worlds with all your favorite games on established platforms and apps.

With so many new online casinos to choose from, this guide shows you what to look out for to make the best choice of where to play. As long as you are 21+ and inside state lines in a regulated state, you can enjoy slots, table games and live dealer casinos. The competition between the brands means you’ll be able to take advantage of no-deposit bonuses, matched welcome deals and more.

Below you’ll find out about which states have new online casinos – including the biggest brands in your state. After that the different ways you can compare these casino sites is covered in a detail.

Newest Online Gambling Sites for 2020

States with new online casinos

Regulation for online gambling is sweeping across the country. Most states have started with online sports betting. Other have taken a more comprehensive approach. At the time of writing 4 states have real money online casinos in addition to sportsbooks (and in some cases online poker rooms too).

Legislative efforts are underway from coast to coast. More states are expected to allow online gambling in both 2020 and 2021. The successful roll-out of online sports betting could see calls for gambling to be expanded in states which have regulated for this. If the four states with new online casino regulation make significant tax revenue, then this could well expedite regulation in other jurisdictions.

New online casinos in New Jersey

New Jersey was the first major state to implement online gambling. Their first casinos opened back in 2013. Each brick and mortar casino can hold multiple online casino licenses. This has made it easy for new online casinos to open. As you’ll see below, many of the biggest global casino brands are active in the Garden state.

Big competition means big opportunities to grab bonuses from these casinos. New casinos in New Jersey offer no-deposit/free play bonuses simply for registering. If these are not enough to give your bankroll a boost, then you can take advantage of matched welcome bonuses and other promotions.

Here are the leading New Jersey Online Casinos:

• Golden Nugget: This is the single most popular NJ online casino. Check out the huge range of slots (many of which are live casino favorites), table games including a live dealer studio and novelty games like Slingo and virtual racing. New players get $10 completely free to check out the games. If you like what you find, there is a giant $1500 matched welcome offer waiting for you.
• BetFair Casino NJ: This brand is better known for sports betting, though have one of the best selections of slots (including many from IGT), and a busy live dealer area for table games. New players get to play ‘risk free’ with a rebate up to $200 on your first day. Look out for a long list of rewards. These are based on game of the week, a tiered loyalty scheme and plenty of one-off promotions.
• Virgin Casino: This brand has partnered with the Tropicana to bring you apps and a desktop casino powered by GameSys. New players get $30 completely free (no deposit needed). This casino features more than 200 games, including online bingo, online slots, table games and video poker. You’ll also get up to $100 cash back if you lose after making that initial deposit.

New online casinos in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania passed a comprehensive online gambling bill in 2019, with the first new online casinos opening in 2020. These include many of the biggest brands – some of which were already active in New Jersey. There is no better time to take advantage of bonuses than when the casinos are new. Look out for no-deposit bonuses, loss rebates and matched deposit offers.

Here are some of the biggest and best new casinos opening in Pennsylvania:

• SugarHouse Casino: This brand is created by Rush Street Interactive. They are up and running in NJ – though the live SugarHouse Casino is in Philadelphia. Expect plenty of slots, table games and other popular casino games. Free play plus a $250 welcome (matched) bonus will be available for new players.
• Hollywood Casino: This brand, owned by Penn National Gaming, were fast to get involved in online sports betting. They are also among the first wave of PA online casinos too. You’ll find a huge list of slots and casino games to choose from, as you would at any of their live venues. Bonuses on offer include a $10 free on sign up plus 100% up to $502 on deposit.
• Unibet Casino: This huge brand has announced a partnership with Mohegan Sun in PA. They are known for their impressive apps. Unibet’s international casino has the biggest range of slots anywhere. New players to the site receive $10 free as well as 100% up to $500 on deposit.

New online casinos in Michigan and West Virginia

The next two states that will have new online casinos are Michigan and West Virginia. Both have passed laws allowing sports betting and casinos to operate online. At the time of writing the details of the licensing process is underway in both states.

Reasons to choose new online casinos

When online casinos come to your state, all the casinos will be new. These may be operated by some big brands (many of them have been operating for decades). When each state kicks off online gambling, the casinos will compete for new players. The aim of each new casino is to attract, then impress and retain longer-term players.

Here are the pros and cons for choosing a new online casino:

Pros

• Big marketing budgets mean plenty of special offers (no-deposit, free spins and more)
• Enjoy the latest games, including innovative ‘Slingo’ style titles, real money slots and live dealer rooms
• Leaderboard style contests and promotions will have fewer players competing for the prizes

Cons

• May not have a big a game selection as the longer running casinos
• Harder to get an approved app for iPhones (can be delayed for brand new brands)

Bonuses and promotions to look out for at new online casinos

If you are going to play at a new casino, then you should take advantage of as many bonuses and welcome offers as you can. All casinos have deals for new players. While these are always worth taking – it does pay to look longer term. If you enjoy a casino, you’ll want to make sure they keep your bankroll topped up with plenty of ongoing offers and promotions.

When you compare casino bonuses, there is more than just the dollar amount to consider. All bonuses will have terms and conditions. What you want to see is easy play-though requirement, fair ‘weightings’ for table games and no tricky terms which could see you lose your bonus before you are able to cash it out. By sticking to big, reputable brands in your state, you will be able to avoid many of these bonus issues.

Here are the types of bonus offer that you’ll find at new online casinos:

• Free Play/No Deposit: Most new casinos offer free play bonuses in the $10 to $30 range. These are a great way to check out an app, and hopefully win some money. It can pay to check the play-through requirement (if any) in your winnings. You should also check whether you are restricted to certain games and whether you are eligible for progressive jackpots.
• Matched Welcome Bonuses: This is the most frequent offer at all online casinos. They will match your initial deposit at a 100%+ rate. The amount they will match can vary quite a lot. Some casinos have $100 caps, while others go as high as $1500. Play-through requirements and game restrictions can make the difference between a good offer and an average one.
• Loss Rebates: These deals work by making your first deposit lower risk. If you play and lose, then you get a refund (as a bonus) which you can use to try again. These popular bonuses can help players feel more relaxed about making a deposit. They might also let you try out new casino games you would not otherwise have considered.
• Loyalty Schemes: You’ll find a lot of variation in the loyalty rewards programs at new online casinos. Some brands tie these to their live casino rewards programs. Others have tiered clubs, where your rewards and bonuses get bigger as you play more. Still others have a social aspect, with leaderboards, daily wheel spins and other entertaining aspects.
• Regular and One-Time Promotions: The frequency and size of player promotions will make a big difference over time. Look out for casinos with a long list of offers and a track record of generous deals for existing players. Enhanced points deals, rebates, reload bonuses and free spins can all appear in this category.

How to access online casinos

If you are new to the world of online casinos, then the technology than runs them will not be familiar to you. The days of needing to download software onto your desktop computer are long gone. These days, you can choose from playing at online casinos via your web browser, or downloading an app.

Apps are device specific. Android and iOS (Apple) apps are available for most of the newer online casinos. You will not always find the same list of games available on apps as you do from the web versions of the casino. What you will find is that these casinos make sure that the best games are included – and that they are optimized for your smaller screen.

Android phone and tablet users will need to download the apps directly from the casino websites. Google doesn’t allow any US gambling apps, and until that changes the only way you can get them is by dismissing any ‘unknown source’ messages on your phone and downloading direct.

Apple users should get the apps by first going to the casinos, then following their download instructions. While you can get the apps from the App Store, this way will ensure you get the correct one for your state.

Apps have the advantage of having geolocation software included. The legal status of online casinos means they need to be strict about your location. Games can’t be played legally outside of state lines. By using casino apps, you can prove you are inside your state.

Browser based online casinos have advantages too. If you are playing on your desktop at home, these are the way to go. You’ll get access to 100’s of games not available on the apps, including many slots and live dealer casino rooms.

What games to expect at new online casinos?

You’ll be able to enjoy many of the same slots and table game found at live casinos when you check out the apps and websites. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the years the worldwide online casino industry has built a huge portfolio of innovative and entertaining casino games.

Most of them are slots. In addition to live slot titles from IGT, Aristocrat and others, you’ll find 100’s which were designed for online use. Many of these online slots are every bit as entertaining as the live casino equivalents. Slots with progressive jackpots, second screen bonus features, innovative reel setups and wilds that behave in unexpected ways are now found at every new online casino.

Your experience playing table games will also be different at legal state licensed casinos. Many of them offer live dealer games (in addition to the player vs software tables). These are streamed from studios – usually inside the casinos. You bet on hands dealt in real time by a real dealer. Games include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Casino Hold’em, 3-Card poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. When you look at the list of software-based games, you’ll find plenty of variations, entertaining side bets and brand-new titles.

Games don’t stop there. You can also enjoy Slingo games (a hybrid slot/keno setup), video poker, virtual betting games, 90 ball bingo, keno and novelty games too. Many of these titles are available in demo mode. This allows you to check out several new casinos and find the games you enjoy the best before you make a deposit.

New online casinos: Making a deposit

A big advantage of state by state regulation of online casinos is that depositing becomes just another online transaction. You can pay into a casino (and get your wins back out) in the same way you’d make any online purchase.

Options include credit cards, with Visa, Discover and MasterCard the most commonly accepted brands. You can also use bank transfers via ACH, Wire or (sometimes) Bill Pay. Electronic wallet services are a popular option for security conscious players. They include PayPal, Skrill and Neteller. If you prefer cash, then you can often take this to the cashier of the license holding brick and mortar casino. PayNearMe works in conjunction with 7-Eleven stores.

New sweepstakes casinos: An alternative outside the regulated states

If you don’t live in a state where casinos are individually licensed, then you still have an option to enjoy slots and some table games. This is via a new type of online casino that uses laws first created for sweepstakes contests.

There are several popular new casinos in this category. They operate legally, in some cases covering the majority of states. These casinos work by turning every spin or hand into a short sweepstakes contest. From the player’s perspective, they are just regular games. To stay legal these casinos won’t charge you directly to play – instead giving you chips for ‘free’ when you purchase play-money chips.

Brands to look out for include: Chumba Casino, FunzPoints and Luckyland Slots.

Final thoughts on playing at newer casinos

With so many new online casinos appearing in the regulated states, there are a lot of bonus deals to take advantage of. With just a little planning, you could receive free play from several different casinos. If you don’t win at them all, then you might well build a bankroll for free at one or two of them.

In the 25+ years since online gambling started, casinos have changed massively. New online casinos today can bring you table games with real dealers, online versions of the most popular live slots and games which are created specifically for apps and online play.

As more states legalize online gambling, the early experience of casinos in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will allow for quick roll-outs. The question is: Will you be ready to take advantage of everything these new online casinos have to offer?

Sweepstakes casinos are very similar to social casino games or apps you’ve played on your phone or computer—but with a major side benefit. You can actually play these games for real cash prizes. And you can do it in 49 states.

Sweeps casino games aren’t much different from real money online casino play and are available to players throughout the US and Canada. Spin the slot reels, hit the Blackjack tables, or play some video poker for free or for “sweeps coins” — coins you can cash out for real cash prizes later.

Even poker players can get in on it at Global Poker, a sweepstakes poker site with ring games and even major online poker tournament series. Check our list of the best sweeps casinos online and their no deposit casino offers right here:

Are Sweeps Cash Casinos Legal?

The simple answer is yes—online sweepstakes casinos are accessible in 49 states (only Washington is excluded) and operate under US sweepstakes law.

Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Funzpoints are the biggest brands in the sweeps cash casino space and operate entirely above board under US sweepstakes laws. These are the same laws that cover lots of popular sweepstakes games you likely already know, including McDonald’s Monopoly, Publisher’s Clearinghouse, Taco Bell’s Xbox giveaway and more.

Sweeps casinos are legal because there’s no purchase necessary. Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slotsoffer free sweeps coins on sign up and you can receive additional coins by sending a request via regular mail. This is essential to being able to operate under the law.

In a sweepstakes casino, you don’t play with real money you’ve deposited into an account. When you create an account, you’re given free virtual coins or chips called Gold Coins. These don’t have a real cash value. Any games with Gold Coins are not considered traditional gaming – whether at slots, blackjack, or in a poker tournament.

When you choose to buy more of this virtual currency, you’re then given what are called “Sweeps Coins,” (or Premium points), which can be used for games at specific, designated “SC” tables. These coins (and those you win at the Sweeps Coins tables) can then ultimately be swapped for cash prizes.

The chance to redeem some of that virtual currency for cash prizes is what draws many players back again and again to sweeps coin casinos. Sweepstakes casinos are also among the lowest minimum deposit casinos for opening a new account – either $4.99 or $5.

Sweeps Casino Games

Sweeps casino games are similar to traditional live or online casino play – whether you’re into table games or slot machines. You can use what are called “Gold Coins” on Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots or Global Poker. At Funzpoints Casino, you use “Standard” points to play various free slot games.

These are virtual currencies and absolutely free. Players can get or accumulate these free coins through:

• Initial gold coins awarded for creating a new account
• New Gold Coins awarded every day for logging into account
• Winnings from Gold Coins tables or games

Free-to-play gamers will find these games to use their Gold Coins at:

• Slot machines (Chumba, LuckyLand)
• Video poker (Chumba)
• Roulette (Chumba)
• Blackjack (Chumba)
• Poker Ring Games, SnGs, MTTs (Global Poker)
• Caribbean Poker (Global Poker)

The selection of sweeps casino games and sweepstakes slots open to you with Gold Coins is more limited than the full menu of games, which you can open up by buying more Gold Coins in packages that award free Sweeps Coins.

How to Get Free Sweeps Coins

If you want to fast track your accumulation of the free-to-play virtual currency, you can buy packages of Gold Coins at various prices (anywhere from $4.99 and up). As a bonus for doing so, you will then get Sweeps Coins (or Premium Funzpoints).

You earn Sweeps Coins or Premium Funzpoints simply for logging into your account daily. You can also send away by mail for free Sweeps Coins (required by sweepstakes law).

Sweeps Coins at Chumba, LuckyLand and Global are used for separate, exclusive SC games and events. Sweeps Coins slots and table games are extensive on Chumba and LuckyLand. At Global Poker you’ll find plenty of Sweeps Coins ring games, sit & go’s, tournaments, and major tournament series.

A similar setup can be found at Funzpoints Casino. The free-to-play virtual points are known as “Standard” points and these can be played in many free games. When buying more Standard points, you’ll also earn “Premium” points, which can be used in even more games. Premium Funzpoints can be used for exclusive game options and also redeemed for real cash prizes.

All the Sweeps Coins you earn in the games are yours to keep for further play or redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards.

To get free sweeps coins when you register a new account, be sure to use the no deposit bonus codes listed for each casino.

How Can you Cash Out at Sweepstakes Casinos?

All the sweeps casinos mentioned here offer the option to buy packages of virtual currency to receive either free Sweeps Coins or Premium Funzpoints. If you want to go this route, you’ll find an easy but secure process.

You’ll be asked to provide all the normal personal information like name, address, phone number, etc. With licensing and monitoring properly administered by the Malta Gaming Authority for all VGW properties, you can feel secure that your personal details will remain safe. Making a payment for coins and points is also secure and players can make use of:

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, MC etc)
• Bank transfer
• Skrill and other e-wallets

Players looking to redeem virtual currency for cash or gift cards will find an added layer of security. You’ll have to provide a valid, government ID (a passport or driver’s license, for example) and a proof of residence. The latter can be a utility bill, bank statement, or notarized lease agreement.

You’ll only have to go through this on your first withdrawal however. This insures an added layer of account protection. Cash outs from all the above sweeps casinos have been reported to be consistent and fast, averaging 5-10 days for the entire process.

Chumba Sweeps Casino

This popular sweepstakes casino mimics a traditional casino by offering both slots and table games. The site is extremely user friendly and makes it easy to cycle through all the game offerings. At the top of the game lobby, players can easily select:

• Slot games
• Jackpot games
• Table games

Sweepstakes Slot Machines

There are numerous slots and jackpot slots to choose from including:

• Golden Oz
• Dancing Gold
• The Great Slottini
• Wild Roads
• Outer Space Invaders
• Gustavo El Luchador
• The Sand Princess
• Bombshell Jackpots
• Super Hot 7s
• Celtic Goddess
• Stampede Fury

Table games fans are also in luck. You’ll find a few of the games you might expect to find in a Las Vegas Strip casino including:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Jacks or Better Video Poker

Games start for as little at just 0.01 Sweeps Coin.

Chumba offers a more complete gaming experience than other sweepstakes casinos with some table games not found on other sites. That makes for a nice option and a bit more like an online casino.

Navigating around the browser-based system is easy and that includes visiting the banking and account areas. While there isn’t a mobile app, using the platform in a browser on a phone or tablet is still a nice experience. The games and lobby are resized to fit on your phone to keep the slot or table game action easy to follow and to flip between games.

While it may not be exactly like a real money online casino in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, Chumba has plenty of charm and entertainment value. Use the Chumba Casino promo code in our review or below to access your new player bonus:

LuckyLand Sweepstakes Slots

LuckyLand Slots, which is also owned by VGW Holdings, is browser-based as well (no app) and similar to other free-to-play slots casinos. You can play a wide range of online slots either for free with Gold Coins or for real cash prizes with Sweeps Coins.

The Sweeps Coin opportunity at cash prizes and gifts cards make it different from other free-to-play social casino apps. But the menu of sweepstakes slots at LuckyLand is still quite varied with unique and varied themes.

Luckyland only offers sweepstakes slots; no casino table games are found here.

Sweepstakes slots available include:

• School Days
• Schnitz-n-Giggles
• Ghoul Day
• Lucky Duck
• Dr. Amazing
• Revved Up Reels
• Dragon Key
• Mayan Gold
• Pirates Bounty
• Lucky Wheel Galactic Blast
• Buffalo Rush
• Mardi Gras Money

You’ll find the gameplay very comparable to a real online casino slot game, with lots of traditional reel slots and multi-payline slots. Use the LuckyLand Casino bonus code in our review or below to claim your new player bonus.

Funzpoints Sweepstakes Casino

Funzpoints Casino features a model similar to the other sweeps casinos mentioned here. Funzpoints makes use of two sweeps currencies as well:

Sweepstakes Slots Machine Games

• Standard Funzpoints
• Premium Funzpoints

The Standard variety are for free, play money games while the Premium Funzpoints are used for specific games and ultimately redeemable for cash prizes.

Funzpoints features a substantial menu of slot games, although Standard players will find a more limited selection. Those who sign up get $2.50 in Premium Funzpoints to get started and check out the more expanded game menu on that side.

Those who purchase additional Standard points will earn Premium points as a reward – double for the first deposit up to $20. The Premium points can be used and redeemed for cash.

An added promotion allows players to spin the Funzwheel every three hours for more Standard points or tickets to a daily drawing. Those who snag some tickets then have a shot at winning some Premium Funzpoints – up to $350 with other points awarded as well.

The site is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Players will find slots like they might expect to find in a traditional casino with numerous themes and styles. Some of the most popular sweeps slots include:

• Queen of the Mermaids
• Start Your Engine
• Criminal Cash
• Buckaroo Bronco
• The Big Dive
• Game of Crowns

Use the Funzpoints promo code below or in our review to access your bonus:

Sweepstakes Casinos with Video Poker

Chumba Casino offers players some Jacks or Better Video Poker. This is the most popular form of the game and is found in most casinos around the country.

It’s a fun and easy version of the game with nice sounds effects like at a real casino on the Vegas Strip. Whether playing for Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, the game is quite fun and a really nice version of this traditional game.

For those new to video poker, this offers a great way to learn the game without losing any real money. Feeling lucky? You can then advance up to Sweeps Coin play.

What is Sweepstakes Poker?

Whether you’re a cash game player or enjoy jumping in big tournaments, sweepstakes poker offers plenty of fun in a social gaming environment. Unlike free play games and apps, this social gaming environment offers players a chance to battle it out at the tables with the possibility of redeeming virtual currency winnings for cash prizes and gift cards.

How does sweeps poker work, then?

Global Poker, likes sweeps casinos, starts you off with a virtual currency called Gold Coins. You can use these in GC ring games, tournaments, sit & go’s, and more. These are fun ways to work on your poker skills in a free-play environment without the possibility of losing any money – similar to the play-money tables at a traditional real money online poker site.

Players can accumulate Gold Coins through winning at the tables. You can also purchase additional Gold Coins at any time. Players who take this second option earn a bonus virtual currency called Sweeps Coins. These can then be used in completely separate “SC” tournaments, sit & go’s, and ring games.

Sweeps coins give you some extra incentive. They can be accumulated and redeemed for cash prizes and gift cards. It’s the next best thing to real money online poker for those who like to have a little skin in the game.

Sweepstakes poker players at Global Poker will also find major tournament series like the GOAT, Bounty Series, Rattlesnake, and others. These offer Sweeps Coin and Gold Coin players alike plenty of tournament options.

Another plus for Global is the ability to play anywhere. While the site doesn’t have a mobile app, it is browser-friendly and the platform functions well on iPhones, Android phones and tablets. Like Chumba and LuckyLand, Global Poker is owned by VGW Holdings, a publicly-traded Australian-based corporation regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority.

As far as safe and secure online poker sites available in non-legalized US states, sweepstakes poker is one of the best options for US poker players. Find our exclusive Global Poker bonus code in our review and below:

Global Poker Casino Games

The Global Poker platform also offers players some other options for those looking to get in some table games. The right side of the player lobby allows you to select some other traditional casino table games including:

• Classic Blackjack
• Premium Blackjack
• Caribbean Poker

Online Sweepstakes Casino Games

These are traditional games you’d in a brick and mortar casino. Game play is surprisingly smooth for all of them and the action can move as quick or slow as you’d like. The premium version of the Blackjack game allows you to play for higher stakes and offers some better odds for the player, such as standing on soft 17.

Players looking to spin some reels will even find two sweepstakes slots options:

• Diamond Panther
• Lightning Nudge

Lightning Nudge is a traditional-style slot game with lucky 7 and bar symbols. Diamond Panther features jungle theme with panthers, frogs, toucans, moneys, and diamonds.

Newest Slots Sweepstakes Casino Online Casino

While Global Poker doesn’t offer the deep variety of games seen at full sweepstakes casinos, it does offer an opportunity for someone looking to dabble in casino games when not at the poker tables.