Sweepstakes casinos vs real money casinos
A real money casino licensed in New Jersey runs under rules the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) sets for your account, your funds and your limits. California's sweepstakes law describes those games as running on two kinds of token instead. We list only sites on the DGE's list, and this page shows why, quoting the rules themselves.
Licensed real money site
You play from an account the casino licensee opens for you. Your deposits go into it and your withdrawals come out of it.
"Internet gaming account" means an account established by a casino licensee that a patron shall use for the deposit and withdrawal of funds used for Internet wagering.
N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.1, New Jersey, read
Sweepstakes site
California's law on online sweepstakes games describes two kinds of token: one a player can buy or get through a bonus, and one that can be exchanged for a prize or cash.
“Direct consideration” means a coin, token, or other representation of value that may be purchased by a player or received through a bonus or promotion and that is used for playing or participating in the online sweepstakes game. (2) “Indirect consideration” means a coin, token, or other representation of value that may be exchanged for a prize, award, cash, or cash equivalents or a chance to win a prize, award, cash, or cash equivalents.
Cal. Penal Code § 337o(c)(1) and (2), added by AB 831, California, read
What New Jersey requires of a licensed site
These rules apply to the sites the DGE licenses. Each quote is the text of the rule or of the DGE's own page.
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The site is on the DGE list
The DGE publishes the list of sites it has approved for internet gaming in New Jersey. Our license checker compares any address with it.
Any site not included on this list is NOT approved to offer Internet gaming in the State of New Jersey.
DGE, Internet gaming sites, New Jersey, read
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Your balance sits in a separate New Jersey account
The casino must keep players' funds in a New Jersey bank account apart from its operating accounts.
A casino licensee shall maintain a New Jersey bank account separate from all other operating accounts to ensure the security of funds held in patron Internet gaming accounts.
N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.3(j), New Jersey, read
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Deposit, spend and time limits you set
The site must let you set a deposit limit and a spend limit by day, week or month, and a daily time limit. Lowering a limit takes effect by your next log in.
An Internet or mobile gaming system shall be capable of allowing a patron to establish the following responsible gaming limits. Any decrease to these limits shall be effective no later than the patron's next log in. [...] 1. A deposit limit shall be offered on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis [...] 2. A spend limit shall be offered on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis [...] 3. A time-based limit shall be offered on a daily basis
N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.4(n), New Jersey, read
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Underage and self-excluded players are blocked
The system must stop underage players and people on the self-exclusion lists from placing a wager.
An Internet or mobile gaming system shall implement automated procedures to identify and prevent the following persons from placing a wager: 1. Persons under the age of 21; 2. Persons on the self-exclusion list; 3. Persons on the Internet self-exclusion list;
N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.4(o), New Jersey, read
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Complaints go to the casino first
A dispute goes to the casino first, through the procedure on its website. The DGE's page explains the next step.
You must first file a complaint directly with the casino following the procedure identified on their website.
DGE, Internet gaming information, New Jersey, read
Where state law names sweepstakes promoters
Three state laws we read in their official text. Each quote is the section itself, followed by what the same source says about approval, signature or effect.
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California
California makes it unlawful to offer an online sweepstakes game in the state, and for a media affiliate to knowingly and willfully support its promotion.
(a) It is unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, or offer an online sweepstakes game in this state. (b) It is unlawful for any entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate to knowingly and willfully support directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game within this state.
Cal. Penal Code § 337o(a) and (b), added by AB 831 (Chapter 623), California, read
In the source: “Approved by Governor October 11, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State October 11, 2025.” AB 831, Chapter 623, read
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New York
New York makes it unlawful to operate, conduct or promote online sweepstakes games in the state, and for a media affiliate to support their promotion.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any applicant, licensed entity, gaming employee, key employee, individual investor or investment firm, board member, or any other person or entity to operate, conduct, or promote online sweepstakes games within the state of New York. (b) It shall be unlawful for any applicant, licensed entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate to support the operation, conduct, or promotion of online sweepstakes games within the state of New York.
N.Y. Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law § 912(2), added by Senate Bill S5935-A, New York, read
In the source: “§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.” S5935-A, § 3, read
In the source: “12/05/2025 SIGNED CHAP.605” S5935-A, bill actions, read
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Connecticut
Connecticut bars anyone without the license its law names from conducting or promoting a sweepstakes or promotional drawing covered by this section that is not tied to a bona fide sale, uses a simulated gambling device, or facilitates real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering.
(a) No person shall conduct or promote a sweepstakes or a promotional drawing authorized by the provisions of section 53-278g that (1) is not related to the bona fide sale of goods, services or property, (2) uses a simulated gambling device, or (3) allows or facilitates participation in any real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering, unless such person is licensed under chapter 229b.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-301(a), as amended by Public Act 25-112, Sec. 14 (read as enacted: the act's bracketed, struck words left out), Connecticut, read
In the source: “(Effective October 1, 2025): (a) No person shall conduct or promote a sweepstakes” Public Act 25-112, Sec. 14, read
This list is not complete: we quote only laws we could read in their official text, and laws change. This is not legal advice.
Why we list licensed sites only
We review and link only sites on the DGE list, where the New Jersey rules above apply. We may earn a commission when you sign up at a licensed casino through our links, as our affiliate disclosure explains. The California and New York laws above both name media affiliates among those who may not support the promotion of online sweepstakes games.
Not sure about a site? Paste its address in our license checker. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, help is free at 1-800-GAMBLER.