Find out where sweepstakes casinos are legal in the United States. Full list of legal states, restricted states, and why some states block sweepstakes casino play.
At SweepsCasinoRatings.com, one of the most common questions we get is:
“Are sweepstakes casinos legal where I live?”
The short answer is: Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in most of the United States. They operate under sweepstakes laws rather than traditional gambling laws, allowing players to win real cash prizes without directly wagering real money. However, there are a few exceptions based on state-specific regulations.
Here’s a full breakdown of where you can (and can’t) legally play.
If you live in one of these states, you can freely sign up, play casino games with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, and redeem prizes for cash or gift cards:
👉 Good news: Over 45 U.S. states currently allow access to sweepstakes casinos like Chumba Casino, WOW Vegas, Stake.us, McLuck Casino, and more.
In a few states, sweepstakes casinos are either fully restricted or individual platforms choose not to operate due to legal complexities.
Here are the states where sweepstakes casinos are generally not available, along with a quick explanation:
State | Why It’s Restricted |
Washington | Strict sweepstakes and online gambling laws ban many promotional models. |
Idaho | State sweepstakes regulations impose tighter restrictions on prize awarding structures. |
Nevada | As a traditional casino hub, Nevada heavily regulates any real-prize gaming, including sweepstakes. |
Michigan | State law views sweepstakes-based gaming with real prizes similarly to gambling, limiting participation. |
Important: Some platforms might allow limited access (like free play only) in these states, but real cash prize redemption is typically restricted.
Sweepstakes casinos follow a free-to-play model:
Because of these elements, sweepstakes casinos fall under sweepstakes promotion laws instead of online gambling laws.
If you’re in the United States and want to play casino games for real cash prizes, chances are you’re legally allowed to enjoy sweepstakes casinos!
Just make sure to:
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