Sweepstakes casinos are immensely popular these days, with more options than anyone can reasonably count, (we’re trying). With this volume comes a fair share of sites that don’t operate with players in mind. The unfortunate truth is that some social and sweepstakes casinos are rogue and/or untrustworthy for various reasons.
On this page, we’ll walk you through detailed red flags and explain how to identify unreliable social casinos.
Why you can trust Sweepsy
At Sweepsy, we thoroughly investigate every sweepstakes and social casino we review. Our experts have logged thousands of collective hours playing at these sites and reviewing them against strict criteria. We know what to look for, and we check for any signs that a sweepstakes casino is trustworthy.
If we notice any red flags, we clearly note them in our review and warn users to steer clear. We go one step further, though, and note any beige flags — signs that may not be outwardly negative but could be cause for concern — so you can make your own decisions based on the information we provide.
Our goal? Show you the best and most trusted sweepstakes casinos so you don’t lose money to a scam site or a site that looks legit but has red flags worth noting. When you read our reviews, you’ll know whether a site is worth your time.
📋 Sweepsy’s avoid list
Below, you’ll find a list of all sweepstakes sites we have found to be untrustworthy, rogue, or otherwise not worth your time. Our criteria vary, so we’ll clearly outline the reason(s) we recommend avoiding these casinos. Rigged games, community complaints, banking issues, and lack of transparency are among the top reasons a sweepstakes casino can make this list.
We regularly update this list as we review new sites or find any that you should avoid based on player feedback.
| Sweepstakes casino | Date added | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 🌆 FunzCity | July 1, 2025 | Redemptions restricted to paying customers only; not compliant with “no purchase necessary” rules. |
| 🐷 SweepSlots | June 15, 2025 | Frequent reports of unpaid winnings; multiple shutdowns. |
| 🛎️ Ding Ding Ding | May 2025 | Changed terms overnight to disallow redemptions; stopped paying out requests for prizes. |
| 🇺🇸 SpinsAmerica | May 2025 | Nonexistent support; no payouts for prize requests. |
The problem with sketchy sites
The obvious problem with some sweepstakes casinos is that they don’t provide a safe and honest gaming environment. But why? What factors can drag an otherwise legitimate sweepstakes site into the rogue arena? Here are some key things we look for as signs of an untrustworthy site.
Unpaid redemptions
This is one of the biggest signs that a sweepstakes casino isn’t above board. Redemptions need to be paid, and they should be paid in a timely manner. Any site that has widespread and confirmable reports of not paying redemption requests earns an instant spot on our untrustworthy list.Poor or nonexistent customer support
You should be able to get help for any issue at a sweepstakes casino. Sites with limited or no customer support get a one-way ticket to our “avoid” list. This includes sites that have customer support but do not provide help (e.g., they don’t respond or they keep rerouting you to different agents).No-purchase-necessary violations
To operate legally, sweepstakes casinos must offer a no-purchase method to get Sweeps Coins (or their equivalent premium currency). This usually takes the form of a mail-in request. Sites that don’t offer such an option are in violation of sweepstakes laws, and you should avoid them.Operating in barred states
This one’s simple. Some states outright prohibit sweepstakes gaming. If you see a site operating in one of those states (for instance, Washington or New York), stay away.Game fairness
If games at a sweepstakes or social casino turn out to be rigged, unfair, or even reasonably suspicious, that’s a big sign not to trust the site.Community feedback
One way to check a site’s reputation is to look at its reviews. We peruse Trustpilot, Reddit, and other platforms to find reports of sites with red flags. We then do our own testing to verify the claims.Convoluted platform requirements
A trustworthy sweepstakes casino won’t make you download anything or sign up for multiple third-party platforms to play the games. If you feel like the sign-up process is overcomplicated, consider that a reason to play elsewhere.
Untrusted vs. trusted sweepstakes casinos
We went into a fair amount of detail above, but the list here is a quick-start guide to help you determine whether a site is trustworthy. If more than a few of the factors on the left are true of a sweepstakes site, you should avoid it.
| Feature | ❌ Problematic Casinos | ✅ Trusted Casinos (Approved by Sweepsy) |
|---|---|---|
| No purchase necessary (AMOE) | Often missing or hidden | Always available and clearly disclosed |
| Redemption methods | Often blocked, delayed, or nonexistent | Transparent, timely redemptions via secure methods |
| State restrictions | Operate illegally in restricted states | Block access where sweepstakes casinos are prohibited |
| Registration process | May require texting or social media sign-up | Simple on-site sign-up with visible terms |
| Game fairness | Unregulated, possibly rigged | Uses licensed providers and published rules |
| Bonus terms | Misleading or buried in fine print | Clear, honest, and player-friendly |
| Brand behavior | Mimics or clones legitimate sites | Operates transparently with original branding |
| User feedback | Lacks reputation or shows repeated complaints | Positive reviews, active community presence |
| Payment methods | Limited to risky methods (e.g., Cash App) | Accepts major cards, e-wallets, or trusted crypto |
| Customer support | Poor or unreachable | Responsive and documented |
Red flags that make a sweepstakes casino untrustworthy
We discussed a handful of red flags earlier, but there are other issues to look out for. The ones above were fairly easy and obvious to anyone using a site. These are slightly less clear from the get-go, but can still be helpful in flagging a site to avoid.
- Sketchy payment methods: Reputable sweepstakes sites will, at a minimum, accept credit cards. They may also offer additional trusted methods like Skrill, Trustly, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If your only payment option isn’t one of these, that could be a sign to avoid the site. For example, some sites only accept Cash App. That’s a red flag.
- Lack of transparency: We don’t expect you to read the terms and conditions in detail, but you can still use them as a good barometer for a site’s trustworthiness. One way to do this is by copying and pasting the terms into an AI tool and asking for a summary that notes any red flags. Additionally, you can use a vibe check. Do the terms and conditions change frequently? Are they difficult to find and even harder to understand? These can all be signs to avoid the site.
- Something is “off” test: At the end of the day, your gut can be a helpful way to determine whether a site is legitimate. If you get the feeling that something just isn’t right, stay away. We have reviews of plenty of trusted and vetted sites at Sweepsy; you can play at those instead.
👀 What to watch out for
We don’t have reviews of every sweepstakes casino in existence. This means that sometimes, you’ll have to make a call on your own. Use this list to flag any issues with a sweepstakes casino. One or two is cause for concern, but more than that should be a hard pass.
- Requires purchases before you can redeem prizes.
- Sketchy payment methods.
- Reports of unpaid redemptions.
- Multiple shutdowns or rebrands.
- Operating in restricted states (Washington, for instance).
- Reports of rigged or unfair games.
- Poor or nonexistent customer support.
- Overwhelmingly negative community feedback.
- Requires a download (outside of a native app, if available).
How Sweepsy reviews sweepstakes casinos
- Legal compliance:The casino follows sweepstakes law and does not operate in restricted states.
- AMOE verification:Offers and clearly discloses a valid no-purchase-necessary method.
- Terms review:The site’s terms, bonus policies, and redemption requirements contain no fine-print traps.
- Redemption testing:You can claim funds securely and in a reasonable time frame.
- Gameplay fairness:The casino uses recognizable software and does not show signs of manipulation.
- Support:Responsive and effective customer service.
- Community feedback:Forums are clear of complaints about patterns of scam-like behavior or user dissatisfaction.
🛡️ Casinos must pass all categories. Those that fail any critical check may appear on the avoid list.
FAQ
Yes. Sweepstakes casinos are legal in most US states as long as they comply with sweepstakes law, specifically by offering a free entry method and not requiring purchases to win.
Warning signs include failing to meet legal requirements, offering rigged or unverified games, obscuring terms and conditions, or delaying or denying redemptions.
Each site is reviewed by Sweepsy’s editorial team and reevaluated within 60 days. We check for legal compliance, examine the terms, test the bonus mechanics, verify redemption processes, and monitor player feedback before making any recommendations.
Each state has different rules. Most sweepstakes casinos are legal in the majority of US states, but a few states (such as Washington and New York) do not allow them at all. Always check the terms and conditions of the site and consult Sweepsy’s bill tracker page for state-specific guidance.
Unfortunately, no. Since many of these sites operate outside US jurisdiction or are unlicensed, unhappy customers have little to no legal recourse. This is why research and avoiding unverified casinos is so important.
Not necessarily. While offering a no-purchase-necessary method is necessary for legality, that alone doesn’t guarantee fairness or trustworthiness. Some sites list an AMOE but still engage in shady practices. Sweepsy evaluates more than just compliance.
We review new sites on a rolling basis and update the avoid list as soon as a platform fails our review standards. We typically publish major updates monthly and make individual additions as necessary.
No. The avoid list is about protecting players or providing warnings so you can do your due diligence.
Yes, but only if it demonstrates consistent improvement. This includes fixing its AMOE, resolving player complaints, and becoming compliant. Sweepsy re-reviews flagged sites at a minimum of once every 60 days.
Sweepsy may earn affiliate commissions from some sweepstakes casinos, but we conduct all reviews independently, regardless of whether we have a partnership. Casinos cannot pay for us to recommend them or remove them from the avoid list.