A
Account Balance Separation
Sweepstakes sites maintain separate wallets for different currencies (e.g., Gold Coins vs. Sweeps Coins). Mixing or converting between them is typically not allowed.
Account Limits
Optional controls that cap spend on coin purchases, session time, or other activity.
Achievements
In-game milestones that award small coin bundles, XP, or cosmetic badges.
Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE)
A “no purchase necessary” route to obtain entries/Sweeps Coins—commonly via mail-in requests or promo tasks.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Checks
Backend reviews of redemptions and unusual activity to prevent illicit use.
Autoplay
A game feature that spins or plays rounds automatically for a set number of turns. Use with care to avoid rapid coin loss.
B
Bankroll (Coins Bankroll)
Your playable coin balance for a session (usually Gold Coins for entertainment play).
Bet / Stake
The amount risked per round/spin, expressed in Gold Coins (GC) or, when playing for prizes, using Sweeps Coins (SC).
Bonus Abuse
Exploiting promos in ways forbidden by Terms (e.g., multi-accounting). Can lead to forfeits or bans.
Bonus Coins
Extra coins from offers, calendars, or events; usually non-redeemable GC unless specified.
Bonus Pack / Coin Bundle
A purchasable package of Gold Coins that may include “bonus” Sweeps Coins.
C
Cash Prize
The payout received for redeemed Sweeps Coins (often via bank transfer or e-wallets).
Cashback vs. Coinback
“Cashback” returns real currency; “coinback” returns coins based on losses or play volume.
Chargeback
A payment reversal through your bank. Often leads to account suspension and loss of eligibility.
Chat Ban / Mute
Loss of chat privileges due to spam, abuse, or Terms violations.
Coinback
A VIP-style perk returning a percentage of coins after play, usually weekly.
Coin Package
A purchasable GC bundle (sometimes with bonus SC). GC have no redemption value.
Compliance Review
Operator checks (KYC/AML/duplicate accounts) before approving redemptions.
Cooldown
Mandatory or optional rest periods that pause play or purchases.
Customer Support
Help via live chat, email, or ticketing for account, payment, or game issues.
Cyclic Volatility
Informal term players use for streaky win/loss patterns; distinct from formal volatility (see Volatility).
D
Daily Bonus
A once-per-day claim that grants free GC (and occasionally small SC).
Diamonds
A proprietary “other” currency used by some operators (e.g., to unlock features/rewards).
Dormant / Inactivity Policy
Rules about accounts with no activity for a set period; may include coin expiration.
Draw (Sweepstakes Draw)
The chance-based awarding of prizes/eligibility per sweepstakes rules. In many sites, SC function as entries.
E
Eligibility
Age and location requirements to play/redeem (e.g., 18+; some states/territories excluded).
Entry (Sweepstakes Entry)
A qualifying chance to win in a sweepstakes. SC often represent entries, subject to the site’s rules.
Exchange Rate (SC Redemption Rate)
Most operators redeem 1 SC ≈ $1 in prize value, but policies vary. Check each site’s Terms.
F
Fair Play Policy
Rules that prevent collusion, bots, or exploitative behaviors.
Feature Buy / Bonus Buy
Paying extra (with coins) to trigger a slot bonus immediately; availability varies.
Free Spins
Slot spins awarded by a feature or promo that do not reduce your coin balance.
Free-to-Play
Gameplay with non-redeemable coins (GC or equivalents).
Note: In real-money casinos “free play” often refers to bonus cash with wagering; here it means entertainment-only coins.
Friend Referral / Refer-A-Friend
Inviting others to join for bonus coins or perks.
Funrize Coins / Tournament Coins
Operator-specific free-play currency names; non-redeemable unless specified otherwise by the site’s rules.
G
Game Coins
Generic free-play coins (e.g., “Game Coins” at some sites). Non-redeemable.
Game Provider / Studio
Companies that build games (slots/table games) integrated into sweeps platforms.
Geolocation / Location Check
IP/device checks used to enforce location restrictions.
Note: Real-money casinos use strict geofencing; sweeps often use lighter checks but still enforce exclusions.
Gift Card Prize
Some sites allow redemption to gift cards rather than cash.
Gold Coins (GC)
Free-play entertainment currency with no cash value. May be earned or purchased.
H
High Volatility
Fewer hits, bigger potential wins; larger bankroll swings.
House Edge
Built-in mathematical advantage for the game/house, opposite of RTP.
Note: This is the same concept as real-money; specific percentages are not always published by sweeps sites.
I
ID Verification
Submitting government-issued ID to satisfy KYC before first redemption.
Instant Win
Outcomes are decided immediately upon play (scratchers, instant games, etc.).
J
Jackpot (Fixed / Progressive)
Top prize; “progressive” grows over time with play contributions.
Jackpot Contribution / Seed
The portion of each wager that feeds a progressive; seed is the base value after a jackpot is won.
K
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Legal identity checks (ID, proof of address; sometimes SSN/ITIN for tax forms) before redemption.
L
Ladder / Tiered VIP
Status levels that unlock perks (coinback, exclusive promos, faster service).
Leaderboard
Tournament ranking board; top positions earn prizes or coins.
License (Platform / Content)
Regulatory approvals or vendor licensing.
Note: Real-money casinos hold gambling licenses; sweeps operate under promotional/sweepstakes frameworks and content vendor agreements, not wagering licenses.
Live Dealer (Rare in Sweeps)
Real-time table games with dealers; uncommon in sweeps.
Location Restrictions
States/territories where a site does not operate or where SC redemptions are unavailable (varies by operator).
M
Mail-In Entry (AMOE)
A physical mail request for SC/entries without a purchase, compliant with the “no purchase necessary” rule.
Max Win (Game Cap)
The upper limit on a single game’s payout (often shown as “x” the bet).
Megaways / Ways-to-Win
Slot mechanics with changing reel heights and thousands of “ways” instead of fixed paylines.
Minimum Redemption
The least amount of SC needed to redeem (commonly 50 SC, but check the site).
Multiplier
A value that boosts a win amount (e.g., 2×, 5×, 10×).
N
Near-Miss (Myth)
Perception that outcomes are “close” to a win; in RNG games, each spin is independent.
No Purchase Necessary (NPN)
Legal principle enabling free participation via AMOE.
Non-Redeemable Currency
Coins strictly for entertainment (e.g., GC). Cannot be exchanged for prizes.
O
Offer Wall
Third-party tasks (surveys/app installs) that award coins. Read third-party T&Cs carefully.
Odds (Game Odds)
The probability of outcomes. In slots, usually abstracted into RTP/volatility rather than explicit odds.
Onboarding Bonus / Welcome Bonus
Coins granted on signup; may include GC and a small amount of SC.
P
Paylines
Specific symbol paths that trigger wins in traditional slots.
Paytable
The rules showing symbol values, features, and payouts.
Payout / Redemption
The process and result of converting SC to prizes/cash.
Playthrough (Sweeps Context)
Occasional minimal activity requirements before redemption (e.g., play each SC at least once).
Note: Not the same as real-money “wagering requirements” (e.g., 35×), which are uncommon in sweeps.
Prize
What you receive when redeeming SC (cash or gift cards, per policy).
Processing Time
Typical time to approve and send payouts (often 1-5 business days; varies).
Progressive Jackpot
Jackpot that increases with play until won, then resets to a seed.
Promo Code
A code that grants extra coins or access to a promotion.
Promotional Entries
Entries obtained via promos, tasks, or AMOE rather than purchase.
Purchase (GC Purchase)
Buying GC bundles (entertainment).
Note: Real-money “deposit” funds are cash for wagering; GC purchases are not deposits and have no redemption value.
Q
Qualification Period
Time window during which your activity counts toward a promo/tournament.
R
Random Number Generator (RNG)
Software that produces unpredictable outcomes for fair play; tested by third-party labs.
RNG Certificate / Testing Lab
Evidence of external testing (e.g., GLI, iTech Labs). Availability varies by operator.
Referral Bonus
Coins or perks for inviting new players who sign up and meet conditions.
Responsible Social Gaming
Guidelines and tools promoting healthy play (limits, time-outs, self-exclusion).
Return to Player (RTP)
Long-term expected return percentage to players.
Note: Real-money sites often publish RTP; sweeps sites may not disclose RTP publicly for all games.
Redemption (Cash-Out)
Converting SC to cash/prizes after meeting requirements and KYC.
Redemption Cap / Limits
Daily/weekly payout ceilings set by the operator.
Redemption Rate
The value per SC at redemption (commonly 1 SC ≈ $1; verify each site).
Residency Requirement
Location rules determining who can play or redeem.
S
Scatters / Wilds
Slot symbols that trigger features (scatters) or substitute for others (wilds).
Seed (Jackpot Seed)
Starting jackpot value after a win.
Self-Exclusion
A player-initiated ban for a set time to prevent harmful play.
Session Limit
A cap on total time or coins wagered in one session.
Shards / Gems
Example of proprietary dual currencies at some sites (free-play vs. prize-entry). Names vary by operator.
Social Casino
Play-for-fun only (no redemption).
Note: Sweepstakes casinos allow redemption via SC; social casinos do not.
Stake (Bet Size)
Your per-round coin amount.
Stake Cash / Other Proprietary Names
Operator-specific names for prize-entry currencies. Always check each site’s “How It Works.”
Sweeps Coins (SC)
Promotional/prize-entry currency eligible for redemption once requirements are met; not sold directly.
Sweepstakes
A promotion awarding prizes by chance with no purchase necessary.
T
Terms & Conditions (T&Cs)
The binding rules governing play, purchases, promos, and redemptions.
Third-Party Offer
Partner tasks that award coins (see Offer Wall). Completion/crediting is controlled by the partner.
Ticket (Entry Ticket)
Another name for sweepstakes entries; sometimes interchangeable with SC per site rules.
Tier (VIP Tier)
Status level unlocking perks (coinback rates, exclusive promos, faster support).
Time-to-Cash-Out
How long it typically takes to receive funds once a redemption is approved.
Tournament
Timed competitions using GC or SC play to climb a leaderboard for prizes.
Two-Currency Model
Standard sweeps framework separating free-play coins (GC) from prize-entry coins (SC).
U
Underage Play
Prohibited participation by those below the minimum age; results in closure and forfeits.
User ID / Username
Player identifier; sometimes required when submitting AMOE requests.
V
Verification (KYC)
Identity/address checks required before first payout; prevents fraud and ensures compliance.
VIP / Loyalty Program
A rewards system with tiers, coinback, exclusive promos, and service enhancements.
Volatility (Variance)
How swingy a game is; high volatility = rarer wins, bigger peaks.
W
W-9 / 1099-MISC (U.S. Taxes)
Tax forms that may be required/issued for large prize redemptions; consult a tax professional.
Wagering Requirement (Bonus Rollover)
Real-money term indicating how much you must bet before withdrawing bonus funds.
Note: In sweeps, “playthrough” is typically minimal or per-coin usage, not large rollover requirements.
Wallet
Your coin balances (separate for GC and SC).
Ways-to-Win
Slot format paying for symbol matches anywhere on adjacent reels (e.g., 243 ways).
Welcome Bonus
Signup reward of GC and sometimes small SC.
Withdrawal
Common synonym for Redemption in sweeps terminology, though “redemption” is preferred.
X
XP (Experience Points)
Points earned for activity in some sweepstakes casinos that unlock cosmetic levels or small coin rewards; not redeemable for cash.
Y
Year-to-Date (YTD) Winnings / Redemptions
Cumulative redemptions within the current calendar year, relevant for tax thresholds.
Z
Zero-Balance Safety
Some sites prevent wagers below a minimum stake to avoid accidental “dead spins” at near-zero balances.