Best Sweepstakes Social Casinos in Kentucky
Sweepstakes are a legal alternative to real-money casino sites. These platforms offer casino-style games and use digital currencies with no real monetary value – Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC), but you can redeem your coin wins (SC) for prizes, including cash directly into your bank account.
Gold Coins are used for entertainment only, allowing you to play games for free. You receive GCs when you sign up, as daily log-in rewards, or through different promotions. Although no purchase necessary rule must be in place, sweepstakes casinos allow you to purchase GC packages and get free Sweepstakes Coins. However, keep in mind that you are not required to make any purchases to enjoy free slots, table games, or even live dealer titles. The decision to do so is entirely up to you.
On the other hand, you can’t buy Sweepstakes Coins. You can only receive them in GC packages or through promotions. You can’t purchase SC because you can redeem them for cash prizes or gift cards when you reach the redemption minimum set by the sweepstakes casino.
Unlike standard online casinos, sweepstakes casinos don’t offer deposit bonuses. Instead, you receive free GC bundles for logging in, get discounted rates for GC packages, and win them in different social media campaigns or tournaments. Some sites will reward you for referring friends or sending an email.
Top-rated sweepstakes casinos in Kentucky are WOW Vegas, and Crown Coins.
Mega Bonanza, Stake.us, Hello Millions, McLuck, Spree, and Jackpota don’t accept Kentuckians.
Top Kentucky sweepstakes:
- Crown Coins Casino (2 SC + 100,000 Crown Coins)
- Wow Vegas (5 Free SC + 250,000 WOW Coins)
Are sweepstakes social casinos legal in Kentucky?
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in Kentucky if they meet the no-purchase-necessary model and comply with the state’s legal requirements. For example, these sites must accept players who are at least 18 years old.
Can I win real money playing at Kentucky social sweepstake casinos?
No, you can’t win real money at Kentucky sweepstakes casinos. However, if you play with Sweepstakes Coins and win, you can redeem SC for cash prizes and gift vouchers when you meet the minimum redemption rate.
Can I claim bonuses at Kentucky sweepstakes casinos?
No, you can’t. Sweepstakes casinos in Kentucky don’t offer real-money bonuses like standard casinos. Instead, they provide different promotions that award free Gold Coins and allow players to purchase GC packages and get free Sweepstakes Coins at discounted rates if they want to. Also, you can participate in tournaments and social media competitions and claim free GC or SC if you refer a friend.
Kentucky Sweepstakes Social Casinos: Regulations and History
In March 2023, Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law, which officially legalized sports betting in Kentucky, making the Bluegrass State the 38th state to allow sports betting in the country. The law was enacted in June and authorized three types of sports betting: online sportsbooks, retail sportsbooks, and sportsbooks at off-track betting establishments or OTBs. Today, the sports betting industry in Kentucky is thriving.
But what about online casinos in Kentucky? Are they legal? Unfortunately, they are not. The good news is that some initiatives from January 2025 propose the legalization of land-based casinos in the state. However, online casinos are again off the map. Although iGaming sites are not available, players can still enjoy casino-style games at popular sweepstakes casinos, which are allowed in Kentucky.
Keep reading to learn all about the legal framework allowing sweepstakes casinos to operate in Kentucky, their history, and popular social casinos you can join.
Sweepstakes Laws in Kentucky
In the US, sweepstakes casinos are overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). However, each state is allowed to have its rules about sweepstakes contests and sweepstakes online casinos. Some states, like Idaho or Washington, ban these sites.
Although Kentucky laws prohibit casino gambling, social sweepstakes casinos are governed by federal sweepstakes laws rather than state-specific gambling regulations. Furthermore, the state has no specific law that explicitly bans sweepstakes platforms. As a result, these sites are legal in the Bluegrass State. However, you must be at least 18 years old to join sweepstakes casinos, and they must meet the “no purchase necessary” rule.
We’ve already mentioned that Kentucky has regulated online and offline sports betting. Other types of legal gambling are horse racing betting, historical racing machines, and lottery.
Casinos are still illegal, but Kentucky lawmakers introduced House Bill 33 in January 2025 aiming to authorize the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation to license and regulate casino gaming and fantasy contests. Will this bill yield results is yet to be seen.
History of Sweepstakes in Kentucky
The history of gambling in the Bluegrass State can be traced back to the 19th century. Some records say that private organizations were allowed to organize lotteries to fund public works, like building roads and schools.
In 1875, the famous Kentucky Derby was held for the first time at Louisville Jockey Club, establishing Kentucky as a horse racing hub. The Kentucky Racing Commission was created in 1906 to oversee the horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering that replaced the practice of bookmaking.
Fast forward to the 20th century, the Kentucky Lottery was founded in April 1989, introducing multi-state lotteries and scratch-off games. Kentuckians have been able to purchase tickets online since 2016, which makes Kentucky the third state to sell lottery tickets online.
The concept of sweepstakes emerged in the early 20th century, but online social casinos with sweepstakes model started booming during the pandemic, offering a legal form of social gaming in states where online casinos are prohibited.
