In parts of the U.S., real-money sports betting is still off-limits. But that hasn’t stopped bettors from getting in on the action. That’s where sweepstakes sportsbooks come in. Sometimes referred to as social sportsbooks, these are a growing trend that’s changing how people bet on sports without technically placing real-money wagers as you would with sportsbooks such as DraftKings, BetMGM, and Bet365. These platforms are popping up everywhere, and a few are clearly leading the pack.
Think of it like betting without actually betting.
Like traditional sports betting, sweepstakes sportsbooks let users predict sports outcomes, however, they do this using virtual currency. Some of that currency can be redeemed for real cash prizes, and some is just for fun and has no monetary value. These platforms aren’t casinos, and they aren’t licensed sportsbooks in the traditional sense, and they’re not DFS platforms — instead, they use a sweepstakes model similar to contests run by major brands such as Chumba and Jackpota.
The reason this works in most U.S. states is that you’re not actually gambling with real money, and that’s how they get around the strict betting laws. You're either using free coins given to you or purchases, which are totally optional, that come bundled with bonus sweepstakes coins. And thanks to this setup, they can legally operate in 40+ states — even where regular sports betting is banned, such as California and Texas.
Here’s a quick run-through of how sweepstakes sportsbooks operate—
You’ll see two types of currency: one for fun, one redeemable for prizes. Most places call these Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC) respectively.
You get the redeemable coins through bonuses, daily logins, or mail-in entries (that’s right, actual snail mail — it’s a legal requirement to keep things fair).
You can then use those redeemable coins to bet on real sports outcomes just as you could at any other sportsbook. We’re talking NFL spreads, NBA props, college football moneylines, and more.
If your picks win, your redeemable coin balance goes up. If your picks lose, well, those virtual coins are gone.
Once you hit a certain threshold, usually around $20–$50 worth, depending on the sweepstakes sportsbook, you can cash out to a bank account, PayPal, or gift cards.
Some sites even offer leaderboards, team features, and social competitions to keep things a little more interactive and fun.
One of the best things about these sites is that there’s no need to spend a cent if you don’t want to — though you’ll see the usual prompts to buy coin packages if you want more action, but it’s not a requirement.
Given that the industry is booming right now, plenty of sites are competing for attention in this space, but 3 names keep coming up again and again in 2025 — Thrillzz, Legendz, and Fliff. Each has its own strengths, quirks, and crowd, but all of them let you get into the sports betting action.
Legal States: AK, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, KS, MA, ME, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WY
If there’s a gold standard for sweepstakes sportsbooks right now, Thrillzz is probably it. It’s earned top marks for its solid odds, which is quite rare for a sweeps site, plus all the extras that keep users coming back for more.
Thrillzz blends traditional sportsbook features with a fairly strong social angle. You can track your stats, compete on leaderboards against other bettors, and see how your picks stack up against friends. The platform is mobile-only, which means the app experience is smooth, but desktop users will have to break out their phones if they want to start betting.
Their welcome bonus tends to be larger than average, often including a decent chunk of redeemable coins just for signing up. That gives new users a real shot at cash prizes without spending anything. They also have regular promotions on their purchases, but as we mentioned, that’s not a requirement.
Live betting is also a strong point here, as not every sweeps sportsbook does it well, but Thrillzz gives users a decent selection of live markets and real-time stats to go with it. They’ve done a great job at making their platform as close to a traditional sportsbook as possible.
The only downside we found with them is that the registration process can be a little much. You can expect a few more steps than usual, but once you’re in, the rewards start flowing quickly. On the bright side, redemptions usually process in 1–2 days, which is fast for the industry.
Legal States: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NH, NM, NC, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY
Next up on our list of the best sweepstakes sportsbooks is Legendz, a fan favorite thanks to its huge sports coverage and incredibly fast payout system. This one leans more into the traditional sportsbook feel, with 35+ sports available — from the typical big markets such as NFL and NBA to more niche markets like darts, cricket, and even eSports.
Legendz also includes casino-style games, which some users love, and others ignore. This is where they blend the sweepstakes casino model with sports betting, so it caters to a wider range of users. Whether you want to stick to sports or mix in some slots, you’ll find options here.
But what really sets Legendz apart is how quickly they approve and process prize redemptions. In many cases, users report getting paid out within hours, sometimes instantly. That’s a major win when most competitors take several days to pay out your redemptions.
They offer regular jackpots, VIP perks, and daily bonuses that keep players coming back for more, so even if you don’t win your first few bets, you’re still earning rewards along the way just for logging in and staying active.
The one area where we feel that Legendz gets knocked a bit is its welcome bonus. It’s not terrible, as you can still get 500 GC and 3 SC just for signing up — it just doesn’t feel as generous compared to Thrillzz or others in the space.
Still, for sheer variety and speed, Legendz is a top-tier pick that you’ll want to give a shot.
Legal States: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Fliff has been around longer than most of its competition, and that experience shows in its highly polished product. It doesn’t try to be the flashiest or a jack of all trades like Legendz, but Fliff nails the basics — and sometimes that’s what matters most when you want to throw some bets down.
The mobile app is one of the best in the sweepstakes betting scene. It’s clean, fast, and definitely easy to navigate. You won’t be lost in menus trying to find tonight’s NBA line or next week’s bowl game odds because everything is where it should be.
Fliff also makes it super easy to switch between fun mode and real-prize mode. You can pick games with either “Fliff Coins,” similar to GC, as these are just for play, or use “Fliff Cash,” which is the redeemable version, to make real picks for real prizes.
Sports coverage is undoubtedly solid as you’ll get all the major U.S. leagues — NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA — along with some international soccer and UFC cards. It’s not the most extensive list of markets out there, but it covers enough for most casual fans.
Redemptions are smooth, usually taking 2–3 days. The minimum to cash out is on the lower end compared to some other sites, and there’s only a 1x playthrough requirement — which is generous by most standards in this industry.
There are a few limitations. Like Thrillz, there’s no desktop version, which may annoy some users who prefer betting on a computer. Also, niche sports are underrepresented, and the odds often skew worse than what you’d find on a real-money book. But again, you're playing legally in places where that isn't even an option, so take what you can get.
For newcomers, especially, Fliff is often the first stop, and it still holds up as one of the best overall sweepstakes sportsbooks today.
Yes, they’re legal in most U.S. states because they’re classified as sweepstakes promotions, not gambling. They operate under rules similar to traditional sweepstakes — meaning they must offer a way to play for free, no purchase required.
Of course, it’s still smart to read each site’s terms and check if it’s available in your state. Places like Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Connecticut may still block these platforms, and state laws are constantly evolving.
Also, keep in mind that while you’re not betting real money directly, the risk of losing track of time or spending is still real. Just because it's a sweepstakes doesn’t mean it's harmless, and you can’t get wrapped up in an addiction. These platforms are designed to be engaging — and sometimes addicting.
Sweepstakes sportsbooks have undeniably carved out a real space in the sports betting ecosystem. They’re not just workarounds as you might have expected, instead, they’ve become their own category, with loyal users, real payouts, and competitive features. Even in states where sports betting is legal, these sites are taking off like wildfire.
However, the best part is that if you’re in a state where traditional sports betting is off the table, these 3 options offer a legit and free way to still get in on the action.
Try one, grab the free coins, and see how far you can take your picks.