Sweepstakes casinos are online platforms that offer casino-style games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and more. They operate under a different legal framework than traditional online casinos, which are unavailable in most US states.
Sweepstakes casinos use a dual-currency system, where players can use virtual or sweeps coins to play the games. Virtual coins have no monetary value and are used for fun, while sweeps coins can be redeemed for cash prizes.
How Much Money Sweepstakes Casinos Make?
The amount of money sweepstakes casinos make is not publicly disclosed, but we can estimate it based on some industry statistics and figures.
One factor is the revenue of the gambling industry in the United Kingdom, which is a similar market to the US. According to , the gross gambling yield (GGY) in Great Britain amounted to a little over 14 billion British pounds in March 2022, up from 12.7 billion pounds in the previous year. This includes online gambling, which accounted for 5.7 billion pounds of the GGY.
Sweepstakes casinos offer generous welcome bonuses, daily login bonuses, social media contests, and other promotions to attract and retain players. For example, offers 2,000,000 free gold coins and 2 free sweeps coins for new players and 10,000,000 gold coins and 30 sweeps coins for a first purchase of $30. offers 7,777 gold coins and 10 sweeps coins for free upon signup and 50,000 gold coins and 10 sweeps coins for a first purchase of $4.99. offers 1 million gold hearts and 10 sweeps hearts for free upon signup and donates a percentage of every coin purchase to a charity of the player's choice.
Sweepstakes casinos make significant money from selling virtual coins and retaining some of the sweeps coins that players do not redeem. The exact amount is unknown and may vary depending on each sweepstakes casino operator's popularity, reputation, and legality. are popular and may generate more revenue than niche sweepstakes platforms, so giving an estimate across such a wide spectrum of operators is bound to be inaccurate.
Income Streams of Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos make money through virtual currency sales, advertising, in-app purchases, partnerships, VIP memberships, branded merchandise, and data monetization. Each casino will favor its own set of revenue streams and will only engage in some of them.
Selling Virtual Currency
Selling virtual currency forms the backbone of the sweepstakes casino model. Players purchase this form of currency, which often goes by different names depending on the platform, to participate in casino games. The currency allows players to enjoy various games just like they would at a traditional online casino. However, it's important to note that, unlike traditional casinos, the virtual currency in a sweepstakes casino does not represent real money directly but is used to simulate the casino gaming experience. This purchased virtual currency often comes with an added benefit - free entries into sweepstakes games. These games allow players to win real money prizes, which is a significant draw for players.
For example, when players purchase $10 worth of virtual currency on a platform, they might receive an equivalent number of sweepstakes game entries. The more they purchase, the more entries they receive, thus increasing their chances of winning sweepstakes games. In this way, while players enjoy their favorite casino games with virtual currency, the real thrill lies in the potential real cash prizes they could win through the free sweepstakes entries that come with their purchase.
Advertisement Revenue
Sweepstake casinos, like many online platforms, have the potential to generate revenue through advertising. They can lease out advertising space on their websites or in their games, allowing other businesses to reach the casino's audience with targeted ads. This can be a significant source of income, especially for casinos with large, active user bases.
For instance, a casino may display banner ads from a beverage company, creating an additional income stream while offering added value to the advertiser.
Selling Game Enhancements
In addition to basic gameplay, sweepstake casinos may offer game enhancements for sale. These enhancements, which can range from advanced features to power-ups, offer players a chance to enhance their gaming experience or increase their odds of winning.
These upgrades can significantly augment the gaming experience or boost the player's odds of winning. For instance, in a popular sweepstake slot game, players could have the option to buy an enhancement that unlocks special bonus rounds or unique symbols that offer higher payouts.
These enhancements not only generate direct revenue through their sales, but they also have the added benefit of improving player engagement and retention. Players who have invested in-game enhancements will likely spend more time playing the games, immersing themselves in the enhanced experience. This heightened engagement can lead to higher overall revenue for the casino, as engaged players may also be more likely to make further purchases of virtual currency or other items. Thus, selling game enhancements presents a multifaceted approach to revenue generation for sweepstake casinos.
In-app Purchases
Sweepstake casinos often resort to in-app purchases to boost their revenue, especially on smartphones and tablets. These purchases may encompass game power-ups, bonus entries, cosmetic add-ons, and access to special features that surpass the initial virtual currency.
A player, for example, might purchase a power-up that helps them advance more quickly in a game or a cosmetic enhancement to personalise their gaming experience. These add-on purchases provide an additional revenue stream for the casino and can significantly enhance the gaming experience for players, making it more engaging and personalised.
Partnerships and Sponsorships
Another important revenue stream for sweepstake casinos lies in forging strategic partnerships and sponsorships. In contrast to direct advertisements, these partnerships may involve more integrated collaborations and cross-promotions. For example, a sweepstake casino might partner with a video game developer to create unique games exclusive to their platform.
These exclusives attract a larger player base and generate revenue for the casino. Additionally, sponsorships from companies can add extra revenue. For instance, an electronics brand may sponsor a high-profile sweepstakes event, offering their products as prizes. This brings attention to the brand's products, creates excitement among the players, and generates additional income for the casino. These partnerships and sponsorships allow casinos to increase their revenues while offering enhanced experiences and additional value to their players.
VIP or Premium Memberships
VIP or Premium Memberships are a very common way sweepstake casinos generate additional revenue. These memberships, usually available through a subscription-based model, offer players an elevated gaming experience. Members might enjoy benefits like additional sweepstakes entries, early access to new games, or increased odds of winning.
Let's see this with an example. A premium member could be granted 500 extra sweepstakes entries monthly or exclusive access to a newly launched game before it's available to the wider player base. This exclusivity and perceived value motivate players to subscribe, generating a consistent revenue stream for the casino.
Selling Merchandise
Aside from selling virtual currency, some sweepstake casinos further diversify their income by offering physical products or services. This merchandise could include items like branded clothing, accessories, or digital products related to casino games. Customers who purchase these products typically receive an added bonus: free sweepstakes entries.
As an example, if a player purchases a t-shirt branded with the casino's logo, they may also receive 100 entries into the sweepstakes games. This approach encourages players to make purchases while promoting the casino's brand and enhancing the gaming experience.
Data Monetization
presents yet another revenue opportunity for sweepstake casinos. With appropriate permissions, casinos can collect and analyze player data to gain insights into player behavior, preferences, and trends. This valuable information can then be sold to third-party advertisers who are keen to tailor their advertising to a specific demographic. Alternatively, casinos can use this data to fine-tune their own marketing strategies, leading to improved player acquisition and retention.
For instance, based on player data, a casino might identify that a specific demographic prefers slot games, which can inform the development of new games or the tailoring of promotional campaigns. This practice not only helps to optimize business operations but also provides an additional revenue source.
Do Sweepstakes Casinos Have a House Edge or Vig?
The house edge or vig (short for vigorish) is a primary revenue source in traditional physical and online casinos. The house edge refers to the statistical advantage that the casino has in every game. The built-in advantage allows the casino to profit in the long run, even though players may have individual wins.
However, sweepstakes casinos operate differently from traditional casinos. They function under a different legal framework and business model designed to comply with various . In these sweepstakes models, players are technically not making a direct wager. Instead, they purchase virtual currency or products and receive "free" sweepstakes entries. This crucial distinction allows sweepstakes casinos to operate in many jurisdictions where traditional online gambling may be restricted.
This model does not directly incorporate a house edge or vig. The casinos profit from selling virtual currency or products rather than the games themselves. That said, the games in a sweepstakes casino are still typically designed to provide a certain return-to-player (RTP) percentage, which can be considered similar to a house edge but isn't the direct source of the casino's profit.
So, while a traditional casino makes its money primarily from the house edge on the games it offers, a sweepstakes casino generates revenue mainly by selling its virtual currency or products, with the games serving as a method of distributing prizes from the sweepstakes.
This article was published on July 13, 2023, and last updated on July 13, 2023.