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Discover the contrasting realms of virtual gambling as we delve into the divergences between sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos.
Gambling is one of the favorite pastimes for Americans, with millions of people making a beeline for casinos every year. Statistics show that 84 million adults visited casinos in 2022 alone. That’s only the tip of the iceberg because an even larger number of gambling enthusiasts accessed online casinos after the trend gathered pace during the pandemic.
On the revenue front, a record-breaking amount of money went to casinos and mobile gaming apps in 2022. Both generated a revenue of $54.93 billion between January and November of the year. That was 13.5% more than the last record of $53.04 billion, with one month still to be tallied.
While online gambling is a big business in the country, beginners need to dig deep to understand the concept. You cannot dive in right away because many states have regulations in place regarding the use of real money in online casinos. Sweepstakes casinos were conceptualized to overcome the legal challenges of their real-money counterparts.
Before trying your luck with online gambling, you must understand the difference between real and sweepstakes casinos. Let us explain both concepts and their differences in detail.
How Do Real Money Casinos Work?
If you are an old-school online gambling enthusiast, you will probably have tried your luck with real-money online casinos. These traditional digital casinos date back to the 90s when the idea of gaming on the Internet initially came into existence. Casino lovers can access these platforms through their computers and mobile devices.
Players use real money to place bets on popular games such as slots, video poker, table games, and baccarat. Real money casinos require licenses from appropriate authorities to run legally. They also have to follow certain rules that ensure they do not cheat gamers. Additionally, they use random number generators to keep the games completely fair.
How Do You Play Casino Games in Sweepstakes Stores?
While real money casinos have been around for over two decades, sweepstakes casinos are a recent entry into the online gambling market. With these platforms, you play with virtual currency instead of real cash. But you can exchange virtual money for cash down the line, so there is hardly a reason to worry about your money.
Sweepstakes gaming is more like a social experience rather than betting with money. You get sweeps coins on signing up at these casinos. You can use them to play the games, and your winnings reflect in the form of coins you own. Once you accumulate enough sweeps coins, you can swap them for gifts. You can use real cash to buy coins if you exhaust them at some point.
Sweepstakes casinos [3] have legal status in more than 45 American states, which translates into a broader outreach compared to any other form of online gambling. Additionally, there are plenty of reliable platforms to access these casinos.
According to OddsSeeker, beginners and seasoned players should check a reputable platform to access a gaming website that works for them. With the surging popularity of sweeps, things will likely get bigger and better in the future. It means there will be more options than you expect.
Let’s Dig Deeper into the Differences
Now that you understand how real casinos and sweepstakes casinos work, it is time to take a closer look at the difference between the two. Here are the ways they differ:
Currency Type
The primary difference between a real and sweepstakes platform is the currency type. When playing in a real money casino, you create an account on a reliable platform, put in a deposit, and wager your own money to win real prizes. Conversely, sweeps coins are virtual money, but you still have a chance to win real cash.
You may purchase sweepstakes coins after exhausting your bonus coins. The rate is usually $1 per coin. You can later encash them. But some websites might have withdrawal conditions, so be sure to check them before you start playing. Sweepstakes casinos also use gold coins, which do not have monetary value but only suffice for social gaming.
Player Interactions
Player interactions are another factor differentiating these gaming options. When using a real money casino, you seldom interact with other users because these platforms are for solo players. The only time you may have interactions with others is while playing live casino games.
Conversely, sweepstakes casinos offer social experiences where you play for fun, interact with others, and foster connections with like-minded players. Not surprisingly, the popularity of these platforms witnessed a boom during the pandemic lockdowns.
Payout Expectations
Payouts in real money casinos can be large, depending on your stakes. If you are super-lucky, you may even hit a life-changing jackpot and win hard cash while spinning the reels in a slot game. But huge payouts often translate into big risks, so you need to be careful while staking your money.
Sweepstakes gaming is often about fun and social connections [4], and money may not be on your mind. But you can still earn handsome wins by using your sweeps coins wisely. Plus, the experience and connections are worth a good deal.
There Are a Few Similarities Too
While there are clear differences between real money casinos and sweepstakes platforms, both are similar in many ways. You can try your luck with all the popular games on both platforms. Additionally, you can get welcome bonuses and promo coins with both, which means you have a chance to play and win without spending anything in real or virtual cash. Playing regularly at a real or sweepstakes platform may entitle you to loyalty programs.
Ready to Test Your Luck?
Online gambling is a booming business in the US [5], and players have tons of options to explore. The only thing you need to do is find a reliable platform. Real-money casinos are for gaming with real cash, while sweepstakes casinos require virtual money and foster social connections.
You must understand both concepts before taking your pick, although playing with sweeps coins seems like a smart move for beginners. You have more control over your gameplay because buying virtual coins can keep you from making impulsive decisions. The best part is that you can cash out your coins when you want.