Sweeps Slots Explained
Software providers like NetEnt and Big Time Gaming have brought a whole new flavor to slot games over the past few decades. Innovations like the Megaways engine and numerous bonus features consistently attract new players. With progressive jackpot potential, exciting themes, and increasingly impressive graphics, it’s no wonder online slots are the most played casino games worldwide.
The only problem for US players is that only six states currently offer legal online casino gaming. However, sweepstakes sites have recently changed the narrative by offering free gameplay with no purchase required via innovative virtual currency systems. Crucially, this makes sweeps slots legal in most US states besides Washington and Idaho.
Unlike conventional slot games, playing sweep slots doesn’t require you to make deposits or verify your financial information. In fact, you cannot deposit money in the traditional sense at sweeps slots casinos even if you wanted to. Instead, operators offer free gold coins via daily login bonuses and other regular promotions. You can also purchase gold coins in packages if you need more.
Most sweep slots casinos like Fortune Coins and Pulsz also offer real money prizes when gambling with sweeps coins, another virtual currency you can receive as bonuses or rewards but cannot actually buy. For example, Pulsz lets users play sweeps slots with gold coins (no inherent value) or sweepstakes coins (a redeemable but rarer currency).
Types of Sweeps Slots
Sweepstakes casino platforms generally have a slightly smaller collection of slots than conventional real money casinos, although industry frontrunners are rapidly unveiling fruitful partnerships with the best developers. As a result, you can enjoy some of the following types of sweeps slots:
- Classic Slots
- Video Slots
- Megaways
- Avalanche Reels
- Hold & Wins
- Progressive Jackpot Slots
- Free Spins Slots
- Cluster Pays Slots
RTP and Volatility of Sweeps Slots
Return To Player (RTP) and volatility are important concepts to understand before playing slot games. We’ll outline the basics below:
- RTP: RTP indicates the average payout players can expect while playing an online slot game. The percentage value shows how much you would theoretically receive on average from 100 gold coins. Anything above 96% is considered favorable, with slots like White Rabbit Megaways hitting highs of 97.77%.
- Volatility: Slot volatility is another important metric that dictates the optimal way to bet while playing sweeps slots. Low volatility (also known as variance) games, for example, tend to payout in smaller amounts but with more frequency. Sweeps slots with high volatility, on the other hand, may take a lengthy number of spins before a win is triggered, but these wins are usually more substantial when they do occur. With that in mind, high volatility slots are better suited to those who have plenty of gold coins to spare.
Try These Top Sweeps Slots
Some of the best sweeps slots available at sweepstakes casino platforms include:
Gonzo’s Quest
NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest is widely recognised as one of the greatest slots of all time. The El Dorado-inspired game features 95.97% RTP, medium-to-high volatility, and a 37,500x maximum multiplier. Gonzo’s Quest is also notable for being one of the first slots to popularize the Avalanche Reels system (also known as cascading reels), where winning symbols disappear from the grid to allow new icons to fall in their place and potentially create more wins on the same spin.
Big Bass Splash
Big Bass Splash is a recent addition to Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass series that launched in 2022. Players enjoy an above-average 96.71% RTP and high volatility, making this game a particularly enticing proposition at sweeps slots casino platforms. Our favorite highlight is the upgraded free spins feature, where five different modifiers can lead to various bonuses like extra fish symbols and added free spins. A top-rated 5-reel and 10-payline sweeps slot not to miss.
Starburst
Perhaps the most famous online slot ever made, Starburst is a bona fide classic underpinned by its simple yet effective 5×3 grid and 10 paylines. This low volatility game is perfect for low-stakes spinning, with the slightly above 96.09% RTP also generating nice win potential. NetEnt’s landmark title doesn’t have a free spins round, but landing a wild symbol anywhere on the middle three reels triggers a respins feature where the wild expands to cover a whole reel and turns sticky. Starburst offers a maximum 500x multiplier that triggers more often than other sweeps slots with higher volatility.
Buffalo King Megaways
Buffalo King Megaways is an upgraded version of Pragmatic Play’s original Buffalo King slot, upping the ante with an impressive 200,704 ways-to-win. It’s one of the most powerful Megaways slots on the market, far surpassing the common 117,649 ways to win benchmark. Players can also enjoy above-average 96.52% RTP on the 6-reel slot and a 5,000x maximum multiplier. Buffalo King Megaways has very high volatility, so be prepared to wait for your winning spins.
Shield of Sparta
Ancient Greek-inspired slots like Shield of Sparta have historically been some of the most popular, especially when it comes to Pragmatic Play.Loosely inspired by the legendary Spartan’s last stand at Thermopylae, the 5-reel game with 20 paylines has several enticing selling points. Aside from the above-average 96.5% RTP and very high volatility, US players at sweeps slots casino platforms can also enjoy a 3,000x maximum multiplier via the cool bonus magnet feature.
Book of Helios
Betsoft’s Book of Helios is another top-rated Ancient Greek slot available at sweepstakes casino platforms. Players use a conventional 5×3 grid with 10 paylines in the base mode, with the developer opting for a rich array of expanding wilds, free spins, and huge multipliers up to 20,168x. The 95.58% RTP slot favors high-rollers due to its high volatility, so bear this in mind.
Black Wolf
Black Wolf is one of the best examples of Betsoft’s trailblazing Hold and Win bonus mechanic. Booongo is the provider behind Black Wolf, offering suped-up gameplay with an immersive set of bonus features underpinned by sticky jackpot symbols that can deliver Mini, Minor, or Major prizes. If you’re after a Hold and Win game with 96% volatility and familiar 5-reel, 25-payline gameplay, look no further.
Diamond Strike
Diamond Strike is a brilliant option if you’re after vintage-style sweeps slots. The fantastic 5-reel jackpot slot comes courtesy of Pragmatic Play and offers 15 paylines in the base mode. Players can enjoy classic fruit machine visuals, free spins, and a jackpot bonus with a 1,000x maximum multiplier.
Claim a Sweeps Slots Bonus
One of the main reasons behind sweeps slot casino platforms’ success is their rich range of welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions. Due to their nature, sweepstakes sites must offer regular opportunities to gather free sweeps coins and gold coins. Some of the main bonus types include:
- Daily Login Promotions – Most sweepstakes sites offer daily free gold coins simply for logging into your account.
- Social Media Bonuses – Players can regularly score free gold coins and sweeps coins via social media bonuses.
- Referral Offers – Got a friend you think might enjoy sweeps slots? Refer them to get a reward.
- Sweeps Coins Tournaments – Some operators offer sweeps slots tournaments where the winner can win free sweeps coins and gold coins.
- Gold Coin Package Offers – Most sites also offer discounts or extra gold coins when making a purchase.
Get Started Playing Sweeps Slots
Now you know everything about sweeps slots, you’re in the perfect position to enjoy the sweepstakes casino experience. Use our best sweepstakes casino guide to find your preferred platform and sign-up via our links.
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