I play at sweepstakes casinos daily and have tested AMOE methods on a number of different sites, including industry leaders like Chumba and new operators like JefeBet. I can tell you that understanding Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE) is key to maximizing your sweepstakes casino experience.
This often-overlooked feature is actually the legal backbone that allows these sites to operate in most US states.
Alternate Method of Entry, or AMOE, is a free way to enter a sweepstakes promotion without making a purchase. In the context of sweepstakes casinos, it’s the way to get Sweeps Coins (SC) without buying Gold Coins (GC) packages.
This isn’t just a nice feature – it’s a legal requirement. Under US sweepstakes laws, any legitimate sweepstakes promotion must offer a completely free method of entry. Without AMOE, these sites would be considered gambling operations and would need to have proper gambling licenses to operate legally.
The most common AMOE at sweepstakes casinos is the mail-in request, which I’ve personally used dozens of times. Other AMOEs include daily login bonuses, social media contests, and special promotional events.
The legal framework for sweepstakes in the US is built around preventing companies from running illegal lotteries. According to federal law and most state regulations, a lottery has three components:
Prize (something of value to be won)
Chance (winners determined by random selection)
Consideration (requiring a purchase or payment to enter)
If a promotion has all three elements, it’s legally considered a lottery, which is heavily regulated and only permitted for state-run organizations.
By offering an AMOE, sweepstakes casinos remove the “consideration” element, thus avoiding being considered a lottery. This legal distinction is why you can play at a sweepstakes casino in states where online gambling is prohibited.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and various state agencies enforce these regulations. A legitimate AMOE must:
Be completely free to use (though reasonable postage costs are allowed)
Provide equal chances of winning compared to paid entries
Be clearly disclosed to participants
Not be unnecessarily burdensome to complete
I’ve tested multiple sweepstakes casinos and can confirm that reputable operators like McLuck and Jackpota strictly adhere to these requirements.
The mail-in AMOE is the industry standard for sweepstakes casinos and here’s how it works:
Finding the Instructions: First you’ll need to find the mail-in instructions. These are usually found in the Terms & Conditions or in a specific “Free Sweeps Coins” section. Look for phrases like “No Purchase Necessary” or “Mail-In Entry.”
Preparing Your Request: You’ll need to send a handwritten request (yes, it must be handwritten) on a 3×5 or 4×6 inch paper or index card. The request must include:
Your full name as it appears on your account
Your email address associated with your account
Your physical mailing address
Your date of birth
Sometimes your phone number
A specific statement requesting Sweeps Coins (e.g., “Please send me free Sweeps Coins”)
Mailing Your Request: Place your handwritten request in a standard #10 envelope with proper postage and mail it to the address provided by the sweepstakes casino.
Receiving Your Sweeps Coins: Once the operator receives and processes your request, they’ll credit your account with Sweeps Coins. The standard amount ranges from 2 to 5 SC per mail-in request.
From personal experience testing AMOE at various sites, I’ve found that it usually takes 7-14 days from the time I mail my request until the Sweeps Coins appear in my account.
There are usually limitations on how frequently you can submit mail-in requests. Most sites allow one request per day, with a maximum of 3-5 requests per month or sometimes per calendar week.
While mail-in requests are the standard AMOE option, sweepstakes casinos offer additional free methods to obtain Sweeps Coins:
Daily Login Bonuses: Most sites offer small amounts of SC (0.1-1 SC) for logging in daily
Social Media Contests: Following and engaging with a casino’s social media can earn you free SC
Friend Referrals: Referring friends to join the platform often rewards both parties with free SC
Special Promotions: Seasonal events and tournaments can provide opportunities to earn SC without purchase
I’ve found that combining these methods with strategic mail-in requests can significantly boost your playing power without spending a penny.
For us strategic players, AMOE isn’t just a legal technicality – it’s a value generator. By using mail-in requests and other free methods consistently, I’ve been able to build up a large Sweeps Coin balance without spending a dime.
For example, at McLuck I accumulated over 50 SC (worth $50 in redemption value) in 2 months using only their mail-in AMOE and daily login bonuses. That’s a 0% return on investment since my only cost was postage.
Yes. Writing letters may seem old school in this digital age but the value is undeniable. For the cost of a stamp (currently $0.68) you can get 3-5 SC worth $3-5 in redemption value. That’s a 400% return on investment.
Yes, legitimate operators honor these requests. I’ve personally tested the mail-in process at McLuck, Jackpota, JefeBet and several others and have always received my Sweeps Coins as promised, though processing times vary by operator.
Yes, if you don’t follow the instructions. Common mistakes include using printed text instead of handwriting, missing required information or sending multiple requests in the same envelope. I recommend taking a photo of each request before sending it as proof if any issues arise.
Yes, all operators have limits. These vary by site but typically range from 3-5 requests per month. Some sites like Jackpota use a calendar week system instead. Exceeding these limits will result in your additional requests being denied.
By understanding and using AMOE correctly you can maximize your sweepstakes casino experience while staying fully within the legal framework that makes these platforms possible. Whether you want to supplement your purchased coins or play entirely for free, AMOE is an essential tool in your sweepstakes strategy.