Are sweepstakes casinos legal in the US, and which states are excluded?
Last verified: · By Emma B., Senior Content Writer · How we rank
Yes, in most states. Sweepstakes casinos operate under US sweepstakes and promotional law rather than gambling law, because Sweeps Coins are always available free and no purchase is necessary to play or win. A small number of states exclude or restrict them: Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada and Montana are commonly excluded, and several operators also exclude states such as New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky and Louisiana. Each casino publishes its own list in its terms; the table shows the exclusions recorded in our reviews.
| Casino | Minimum age | Not available in (per our review) |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Bonanza | 21+ | AL, CA, CT, DE, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, TN, WA and WV |
| Lonestar | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| SpinBlitz | 18+ | Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Washington, Louisiana, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Connecticut |
| Crown Coins Casino | 19+ | See the operator's terms |
| Taofortune | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| HelloMillions | 18+ | Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Washington, Louisiana, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Connecticut |
| PlayFame | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| Spree | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| McLuck Casino | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| Baba Casino | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| Social Free Spins | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| Top10 Fun Casino | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
| FreeFun | See the operator's terms | See the operator's terms |
From our guide
Yes, in most states. Sweepstakes casinos operate under long-standing US sweepstakes and promotional law rather than gambling law. Because Sweeps Coins are always available for free, a purchase is never required to play or win, and prizes are awarded as part of a promotion, they are legal in the majority of states.
A small number of states exclude or restrict sweepstakes casinos. Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada and Montana are commonly excluded, and several operators also exclude states such as New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky and Louisiana. Each casino publishes its own list in its terms, and the fine print under each card above notes the exclusions we are aware of. Always check the current terms before registering.
Are prizes taxable? Cash prizes redeemed from sweepstakes casinos are considered income by the IRS. Operators may issue a tax form for larger amounts, and you are responsible for reporting winnings on your annual return. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure.
Frequently asked questions
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in the US?
Yes, in most states. They operate under sweepstakes law because a free method of entry is always available. A few states, including Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada and Montana, exclude them, and individual sites may exclude others. Check each casino's terms.
Why are sweepstakes casinos legal where real-money online casinos are not?
Because Sweeps Coins are always available for free and no purchase is necessary to play or win, these sites operate under US sweepstakes law rather than gambling law. That is why they are available in most states where traditional online casinos are not.
Are sweepstakes prizes taxable?
Cash prizes redeemed from sweepstakes casinos are considered income by the IRS. Operators may issue a tax form for larger amounts, and you are responsible for reporting winnings on your annual return. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure.
What if my state is excluded?
Each casino enforces its own state list, so check the operator's current terms before registering and use the table above to find a site that lists your state as eligible.
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Best sweepstakes casino right nowFastest redemptions (withdrawals)Sites that accept cryptoID verification (KYC) explainedBest no-purchase welcome bonusSites with a mobile appIs Mega Bonanza legit?Is Lonestar legit?Is SpinBlitz legit?Every fact on this page comes from our hands-on reviews and the current listings on this site, last updated October 19, 2026. Offers, terms and state lists change; the operator's website always takes precedence. Read our How We Rank, Scoring System and Editorial Policy pages. We are advertising-supported: compensation can affect ranking order but not scores (Advertising Disclosure). 21+ (18+ at some sites). No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.