Since 2025, three kinds of "online casino" have been competing for the same US players who cannot use licensed real-money casinos: sweepstakes casinos, social casinos and, newest of all, single-currency platforms such as Card Crush. They look almost the same on a phone screen. Legally and financially, they are very different, and the differences decide whether you can play at all in states like California and New York.
Social casinos: play for fun only
Social casinos sell coins for entertainment with no way to win money or prizes. Because there is no prize, they are legal almost everywhere. Several big sweepstakes brands switched to social-only mode in states that banned sweepstakes: New York's attorney general announced an $8 million settlement with VGW in September 2026 under which it keeps Gold Coin-only play in New York.
Sweepstakes casinos: free entry, real prizes
Sweepstakes casinos use two currencies. Gold Coins are sold and have no cash value; Sweeps Coins are always given away free, including as a bonus with Gold Coin purchases, and can be redeemed at $1 each. A free mail-in entry is required. The model rests on sweepstakes promotion law, and it is exactly this dual-currency structure that ten states have now banned.
Single-currency and mystery-box platforms
These sell a digital item, such as a mystery box of collectible battle cards or a pack of digital posters, with a redeemable coin included as a promotional benefit. There is only one balance, used for slots and table games and redeemable at $1 per coin after a 1x playthrough. Operators argue the new laws target dual-currency systems and so do not apply to them.
| Platform | Operator | Launched | Model | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Crush | Vision NL Limited | Dec 29, 2025 | Mystery boxes of battle cards | 48 states (not NV, WA) |
| ZumbaCards | Thinkway Ltd | May 2026 | Mystery boxes, daily tournaments | 48 states (not NV, WA) |
| Amazon Jackpots Posters | Mamba Limited | Sept 2026 | Digital poster packs | CA and NY only |
| Spinsly Posters | Mamba Limited | Sept 22, 2026 | Digital poster packs, mail-in entry | CA and NY only |
Source: RG.org's October 2026 overview of single-currency platforms, cross-checked with SweepsKings.
The money difference
This is what matters most for players. At a sweepstakes casino, a $10 pack typically includes about 10 free Sweeps Coins worth $10 at redemption, plus Gold Coins. At a single-currency platform, standard packs work out at around $2 per redeemable coin, with first-purchase offers at about $0.40 to $0.50. Sweepstakes casinos also give daily coins and mail-in entries; Card Crush gives neither.
The legal difference
Sweepstakes casinos rely on "no purchase necessary". Single-currency platforms rely on the argument that a coin bundled with a purchased collectible is a promotion, not a wager, and that card battles are not one of the games the new statutes list. As of late September 2026, no state regulator or attorney general had acted against them, but the model has not been tested in court. Industry lawyers have singled out the absence of a free mail-in route at Card Crush as the weakest point.
Which suits you?
- You live where sweepstakes casinos are open: they are usually the better value. See the list of sweepstakes casinos that accept your state.
- You are in California or New York: sweepstakes casinos will not accept you. Card platforms and poster platforms are the main prize options; social casinos are the no-prize option.
- You just want to play for fun: a social casino, or Gold Coins at a sweepstakes casino, costs nothing.
Quick answers
What is the difference between a social casino and a sweepstakes casino?
A social casino has no prizes. A sweepstakes casino gives free Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for prizes, with a free mail-in entry.
Is Card Crush a social casino?
No. Card Crush pays prizes. It is a single-currency mystery-box platform where Mystery Coins redeem for $1 each.
Are mystery-box casinos legal?
Operators argue they fall outside the new sweepstakes bans. As of late September 2026 no regulator had acted against them, but the model is legally untested.