No Purchase Necessary Policy: Guide, Benefits, and Applications

If you have played or are planning to play at sweepstakes casinos, or any type of giveaway and contest, you will encounter the term no purchase necessary. This rule applies to all brands promoted by SWC365. We do not promote online casinos, sportsbooks, or operators who require a purchase to participate. Such services are regulated at a state level or are illegal under US law.

As a disclaimer, we are not lawyers or legal experts. This page, nonetheless, aims to highlight the meaning of no purchase at social and sweepstakes gaming sites and what its implications are for you.

No Purchase Necessary Rules

The no purchase necessary rule was born because of lotteries and has since been adopted by giveaways, sweepstakes, contests, and social casinos that want to operate on the right side of the law across states. It is enforced and overseen by the FCC, FTC, and the USPS.

This rule was devised in the mid-1800s in regard to lotteries conducted on a national level to raise money for various purposes. Since, the no purchase policy has been applied by private citizens and massive US corporations to run all types of contests without being limited by individual state laws.

As long as no purchase is required, there is an alternative mode method of entry (AMOE), and the prizes are given at random, the term sweepstakes applies; be it casinos, McDonald’s giveaways, or else, the model is legit, and legal.

Sweepstakes Casino Application of the No Purchase Necessary Policy

So, how do the above rules apply in a social casino setting? Players can sign up from most states, since some explicitly forbid sweepstakes, and play casino games using two virtual tokens. Gold coins and sweeps coins are the usual terms employed by brands to label them. One currency is for entertainment purposes only, while the other can be exchanged for real cash prizes or gift cards.

The no purchase necessary rule is met by sweepstakes casinos through welcome and regular bonuses. These must include both forms of currency since only one of the two can lead to prizes. The alternative method of entry is satisfied through mail-in requests through which you can ask the gaming operator for free sweeps coins.

Ultimately, players must use the sweepstakes coins on the games which randomly determine the winners. Direct sale of sweepstakes coins is not supported, yet buying the other currency results in free entries.

Is The No Purchase Necessary Sweepstakes Model Legit?

The no purchase necessary model has been contested for decades since the prizes will likely end up with those who made the most side purchases to receive extra sweepstakes entries. The same applies to sweepstakes casinos since the number of free sweeps coins you earn through gold coin purchases is proportional to your spending.

Now, although someone who has acquired 1,000 SC by spending $1,000 to buy GC bundles is most likely to win big compared to the average Joe who claimed a 2.5 SC sign up bonus or a 5 SC AMOE gift – the random number generator apparent in all legit sweepstakes casinos ultimately determines the winner. The chance to win a 1 million jackpot is always there, even if you are just living by the free daily tokens. And this is why all social casinos state two things as disclaimersno purchase is necessary and purchases won’t increase your chances of winning prizes.

It’s arguably a sketchy way to circumvent online gambling laws, yet it is a 100% legal way to play free casino games and still stand a chance at winning prizes in 45+ states.

In a Nutshell

SWC365 only promotes free online casinos operating under the no purchase necessary policy making them legal in the US. Some operators also include sweepstakes prizes. All must abide by the following rules to receive our seal of approval:

  • No purchase is supported via bonuses and AMOE.
  • The game’s RNG ensures all outcomes are fair and random, providing everyone an equal chance of winning prizes without making a purchase.

The implementation of this policy makes sweepstakes casinos we recommend free with optional purchases, legal for players over 18 years old in 47 states (MI, WA, ID excluded), and potentially rewarding (cash prizes or gift cards).

Each operator might enforce additional restrictions, and you can browse our website to learn more about the market.

If you have played or are planning to play at sweepstakes casinos, or any type of giveaway and contest, you will encounter the term no purchase necessary. This rule applies to all brands promoted by SWC365. We do not promote online casinos, sportsbooks, or operators who require a purchase to participate. Such services are regulated at a state level or are illegal under US law.

As a disclaimer, we are not lawyers or legal experts. This page, nonetheless, aims to highlight the meaning of no purchase at social and sweepstakes gaming sites and what its implications are for you.

No Purchase Necessary Rules

The no purchase necessary rule was born because of lotteries and has since been adopted by giveaways, sweepstakes, contests, and social casinos that want to operate on the right side of the law across states. It is enforced and overseen by the FCCFTC, and the USPS.

This rule was devised in the mid-1800s in regard to lotteries conducted on a national level to raise money for various purposes. Since, the no purchase policy has been applied by private citizens and massive US corporations to run all types of contests without being limited by individual state laws.

As long as no purchase is required, there is an alternative mode method of entry (AMOE), and the prizes are given at random, the term sweepstakes applies; be it casinos, McDonald’s giveaways, or else, the model is legit, and legal.

Sweepstakes Casino Application of the No Purchase Necessary Policy

So, how do the above rules apply in a social casino setting? Players can sign up from most states, since some explicitly forbid sweepstakes, and play casino games using two virtual tokens. Gold coins and sweeps coins are the usual terms employed by brands to label them. One currency is for entertainment purposes only, while the other can be exchanged for real cash prizes or gift cards.

The no purchase necessary rule is met by sweepstakes casinos through welcome and regular bonuses. These must include both forms of currency since only one of the two can lead to prizes. The alternative method of entry is satisfied through mail-in requests through which you can ask the gaming operator for free sweeps coins.

Ultimately, players must use the sweepstakes coins on the games which randomly determine the winners. Direct sale of sweepstakes coins is not supported, yet buying the other currency results in free entries.

Is The No Purchase Necessary Sweepstakes Model Legit?

The no purchase necessary model has been contested for decades since the prizes will likely end up with those who made the most side purchases to receive extra sweepstakes entries. The same applies to sweepstakes casinos since the number of free sweeps coins you earn through gold coin purchases is proportional to your spending.

Now, although someone who has acquired 1,000 SC by spending $1,000 to buy GC bundles is most likely to win big compared to the average Joe who claimed a 2.5 SC sign up bonus or a 5 SC AMOE gift – the random number generator apparent in all legit sweepstakes casinos ultimately determines the winner. The chance to win a 1 million jackpot is always there, even if you are just living by the free daily tokens. And this is why all social casinos state two things as disclaimers – no purchase is necessary and purchases won’t increase your chances of winning prizes.

It’s arguably a sketchy way to circumvent online gambling laws, yet it is a 100% legal way to play free casino games and still stand a chance at winning prizes in 45+ states.

In a Nutshell

SWC365 only promotes free online casinos operating under the no purchase necessary policy making them legal in the US. Some operators also include sweepstakes prizes. All must abide by the following rules to receive our seal of approval:

  • No purchase is supported via bonuses and AMOE.
  • The game’s RNG ensures all outcomes are fair and random, providing everyone an equal chance of winning prizes without making a purchase.

The implementation of this policy makes sweepstakes casinos we recommend free with optional purchases, legal for players over 18 years old in 47 states (MI, WA, ID excluded), and potentially rewarding (cash prizes or gift cards).

Each operator might enforce additional restrictions, and you can browse our website to learn more about the market.