Sweepstakes are taking the world by storm and have exploded in popularity in recent years. The premise is simple – you enter a raffle to win a range of objects such as cash or electronic goods, or even mega prizes like holidays and cars!
There is an entire online following dedicated to sweepstakes and there are plenty of opportunities to win prizes, have fun and socialize with other people. But what other things can you do if you like sweepstakes? After all, you can’t spend all your time entering them! Below, we take a look at some other fun online activities that you might enjoy if you like sweepstakes.
Sweepstakes casinos
While sweepstakes are incredibly popular, there is a new type of platform that is making waves in the industry – the sweepstakes casino. These are also known as social casinos.
These are different from traditional online casinos in that for the most part, they are free to play and are based more on having fun than winning cash. These platforms typically use a virtual currency called gold coins that you can accumulate in different ways, often via a login bonus or by entering social media competitions.
You can then spend these gold coins to play amazing games like slots and jackpots. Most of the platforms allow you to buy gold coin packages so you can play more, and some also have sweeps coins that act as a premium currency that you can redeem for real money. You can check out the Game Day for more information on sweepstakes casinos.
The great thing about sweepstakes casinos is that they are legal in every US state except Nevada, Idaho, and Washington. This is because they fall under US sweepstakes laws, which are generally more relaxed than online casino laws and regulations. They are much more accessible than online casinos, which are currently only legal in a handful of states such as Connecticut and New Jersey.
Online casinos
An obvious alternative to sweepstakes competitions is real online casinos! There are hundreds of platforms available and you can have incredible fun trying out the different games.
They have fun video slots that have different themes like ancient mythology and adventure, but you can also play classic card games like blackjack and baccarat, or casino classics like American roulette. There are usually some fantastic prizes up for grabs and many online casinos have epic progressive jackpots where you can potentially win millions.
Most online casinos have a variety of promotions, such as welcome offers that are exclusive to new customers. To choose suitable online platforms, make sure that you do your research beforehand so you don’t pick a poor-quality site.
For online casinos, always make sure that the platform has a gambling license and is regulated by a proper officiating body. Also, check where you can legally play on the online platform, as it could be restricted or illegal in your state.
After checking the legal aspect, look at the game selection to make sure they have a range of games you will enjoy. It’s also a great idea to make sure they support payment methods that you have access to – most platforms will support common payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, but some may also support Skrill, payment cards, and gift cards.
Sports betting
If you love popular sweepstakes, you will probably enjoy sports betting too! Sports betting sites allow you to place bets on many different sports, competitions, and leagues. For example, you can typically bet on basketball, football, tennis, golf, MMA, boxing, and American football.
Usually, the sportsbook covers the best leagues in the world, such as the NBA, NFL, and the English Premier League, and tournaments like Wimbledon and the Monaco Grand Prix. This can make watching sporting events that much more exciting, as you can place bets on your favorite teams or people and then watch the action live.
There is often a multitude of different bets you can place, too, if you have in-depth knowledge of the sport. For example, you might be able to bet on how many corners or yellow cards are given in a football match. Alternatively, if you just want to place a few small bets and aren’t a sporting genius, there are simple wagers like betting on the outcome of a game.
Always look out for special promotions and offers at sportsbooks, as they often have bonuses relating to specific sporting events like the FIFA World Cup or the NBA playoffs.
Online gaming
If you like the social aspect and competition of sweepstakes, then you will enjoy online gaming. Many games now have a multiplayer option and in some cases, the games are multiplayer only. Franchises like Call of Duty have built their success on multiplayer competition and allowing people from opposite ends of the world to face off against each other.
Regardless of what types of games you enjoy, you should be able to find some online competition. There are first-person shooters, role-playing games, and even MMORPGs in which you can explore massive open fantasy worlds with your friends.
First-person shooters such as Call of Duty Warzone and Modern Warfare put you in control of a single person who you must take into battle. You must use your skill, and reflexes, and aim to take down other players, typically using weapons. Warzone, for example, has a modern setting and kits you out with a variety of machine guns and pistols, but you can also access cool kill streaks to bring in things like helicopters and bombing runs.
Perhaps you like to be immersed in a world and enjoy stories? If so, role-playing games are perfect. These usually place you as the main character, embroiled in some quest or mission in a fantasy or alien world. You can typically find new gear, weapons, and items to help you progress and unlock while playing the main story missions.
MMORPGs are similar and allow you to level up and improve your character’s ability, but the difference is that you can play with other people from around the world. These games have a brilliant social aspect and many people have developed real friendships by playing these games!
Daily fantasy sports betting
Building on sports betting, there is a brand of online sportsbooks that concentrate on fantasy sports. We’ve all had a go at creating our own fantasy sports league and picking the best players who we think would be amazing, so why not put this into practice and see if you are any good as a GM?
Well, this is what fantasy sports betting is, essentially! You can create your own fantasy team for a specific league like the NBA and then enter competitions and face off against others. Depending on how your picks do, you can win prizes and even develop custom leagues with your friends.
Some well-known platforms feature daily fantasy sports and the prize pools are typically incredible. Normally, the entry fee for the daily competitions isn’t too much either, but you can usually opt to place a range of other bets too. If you have a group of friends who are all sports fans, you could put a fantasy league together and just play for fun, if you don’t want to gamble.
Lotteries
The US has some incredible state lotteries. These are fun things to play and give you the chance of winning some life-changing money. Together with your sweepstakes competitions, why not consider playing a lottery, if one is available in your state?
Currently, virtually all US states and territories except Utah, the Northern Mariana Islands, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, Alabama, Alaska, and American Samoa have a lottery of some type. The most common lottery games available are Mega Millions and Powerball, and these have some epic prizes and are fun to play. It’s pretty simple to buy a ticket and it’s fun to watch the results being revealed. The lotteries don’t cost much, so why not have a go? You never know – yours could be the winning ticket!
Social media competitions and giveaways
If you are active on social media then you can find loads of cool giveaways and competitions similar to sweepstakes. Many companies use giveaways as a way to gain a larger following and give their customers some positive engagement.
There are loads of dedicated groups on Facebook for raffles and competitions, and you can easily find more if you do a Google search. They are usually easy to join and the prizes can range from simple things like home appliances and electronics to amazing cash prizes, holidays, and more. Just make sure you check the authenticity of the competition organizers beforehand.
As you can see, there are some amazing activities you can take part in if you are a sweepstakes fan. With any online gambling or betting, please make sure that you act responsibly and only ever play within your limits. Also, remember to take frequent breaks and do your research beforehand on the best platforms and games to use!
