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There have been recent media reports of several sizable sweepstakes wins across different sites and sweepstake casino platforms. But do people actually win sweepstakes, and what are the biggest prizes ever claimed?
We’ll explore the answers to these questions below, while asking how you can create a viable strategy that improves your chances of being a winner.
What is Sweeping?
Broadly speaking, ‘sweeping’ describes the act of playing sweepstakes, allowing you to enter contests or play games in a bid to win prizes at random. Approximately 55 million Americans participate in sweepstakes and contests every year, while the US market is expected to achieve a value of $6.9 billion by the end of 2025.
Legit sweepstakes and contests should always be free to enter with no obligation to buy. There are also different types of sweepstakes available, from sweepstake casino brands to free giveaway sites.
What are the Chances of Winning a Sweepstakes?
Generally, the answer to the question “Do people really win sweepstakes?” is ‘yes’. However, it’s more pertinent to assess your chances of winning a particular sweepstakes or contest, based on factors such as the number of entrants, the value of the prize, and the organizational structure used by operators.
According to one poll about the average size of sweepstakes wins, some 52% of regular sweepers claim to win over $1,250 per year. However, just 4% of the 585 respondents polled reported winning more than $1,250 during a typical 12-month period, which may reflect the average value of sweepstakes prizes in the US.
How to Enter a Giveaway or Sweepstakes Contest?
Before you can calculate what the chances of winning a sweepstakes are, you’ll first need to enter and confirm your participation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:
- 1. Search the Available Sweepstakes: You should start by identifying the available sweepstakes, casinos, and mystery box style contests, and games. To help expedite this process, consider using an independent sweepstakes aggregator that details thousands of legitimate options within your jurisdiction.
- 2. Fill in the Entry Form: Next, fill in the relevant entry form, or complete the registration process at a sweepstakes casino. The key thing here is to enter your details as accurately and honestly as possible, as you may otherwise find yourself ineligible to receive a reward.
- 3. Create a New Email Specifically for Sweepstakes: To track their applications, professional sweepstakes winners often create a separate email for sweepstakes. This can make the registration process simpler and make it easier to find out if you’ve won.
- 4. Read the T&Cs: Remember, sweepstakes should be free to enter with absolutely no obligation to spend money. We’d also recommend that you read the casino’s or contest’s T&Cs in full, paying particular attention to the entry period or any prize expiration dates.
Professional Sweepstakes Winners
As the market for sweepstakes casinos and contests has grown, participants are increasingly inclined to enter as a professional sweepstakes player. Among the 4% who earn more than $12,500 per year from sweepstakes, some have managed to accumulate significant wealth and incredibly high-value prizes. Here’s a selection of the biggest sweepstakes winners!
Winner 1 – Diana “Di” Coke has Won More than $376k in Lifetime Prizes
- Year: 1990 – Present Day
- Value of Prize: $376,000 total, including $35k in cash and a brand new VW Beetle
- Sweepstake Contest Name: Various – Enters 300+ contests each month
- Type of Sweepstakes Contest: Free Giveaways
Diana “Di” Coke has been participating in sweepstakes since the early 1990s, while her 20-year career has seen her win prizes with a cumulative cash value of over $376,000. Her first prize was a ticket to the UK’s Glastonbury Festival, after she decided to participate in a mail-in ticket giveaway that she spotted in a magazine. She plays a high number of entries and adopts a volume-driven strategy to winning, entering an average of 300 contests each month.
Winner 2 – Don Cruz Won a HGTV Dream Home Worth $1.5 Million
- Year: 2005
- Value of Prize: $1.5 million+
- Sweepstakes Contest Name: HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes
- Type of Sweepstakes Contest: Free Contest
The HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes is one of the biggest giveaways globally, as 2005 winner Don Cruz can testify. Having signed up and entered for free, he subsequently won a lakefront property in Tyler, Texas, with an estimated real estate value of $1.5 million. He subsequently moved his family there from suburban Chicago, before selling the property and claiming its cash value three years later. Many successful sweepers are highly selective when choosing giveaways and prioritize maximising entries into a high-value draw.
Winner 3 – Natalie Bostelman Won the Lucrative PCH SuperPrize Draw
- Year: 2008
- Value of Prize: $1 million
- Sweepstake Contest Name: PCH SuperPrize
- Type of Sweepstakes Contest: Free Prize Draw
Entry to the PCH SuperPrize draw is a national sweepstakes restricted to United States residents, while the odds of winning a sweepstakes under this particular brand are akin to the Powerball Jackpot. However, this didn’t stop Natalie Bostelman from winning and becoming an instant millionaire in 2008, while Publishers Clearing House also made her a PCH grand prize winner ambassador. She subsequently travelled the world promoting the company’s free giveaways and sweepstakes contests.
Winner 4 – Michele B. Won $100,000 Through the McDonald’s Monopoly Sweepstakes
- Year: 2008
- Value of Prize: $100,000
- Sweepstakes Contest Name: McDonald’s Monopoly Sweepstakes
- Type of Sweepstakes Contest: Free Giveaway
2008 was also a great year for Michele B., who wasn’t an avid sweepstakes enthusiast when she walked into the local McDonald’s branch in Beaumont, Texas. However, she randomly received a game code for the free McDonald’s Monopoly Sweepstakes, which ended up winning her a cash prize of $100,000. This underlines the chance element of sweepstakes and how you can win simply by being in the right place at the right time.
Winner 5 – Kyria Henry Won $128,000 Through the Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest
- Year: 2010
- Value of Prize: $128,000
- Sweepstakes Contest Name: Ikea’s Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest
- Type of Sweepstakes Contest: Free Writing Contest
This type of contest requires a formal written proposal or submission, which means that it can be strategically targeted by entrants with a specific focus or skill. In 2010, Kyria Henry entered the contest in a bid to expand her charitable organization, Paws4People, with her compelling essay securing a top prize of $128,000. She had launched the organization at the age of just 12 and used the money to provide further assistance for pets with physical and neurological problems.
How to Win a Sweepstakes Contest?
By now, we should have answered the question “Does anyone ever win sweepstakes?”. This can undoubtedly be a thrilling experience, but the most successful sweepers can remove any emotion and operate in a completely strategic manner. Below, you’ll find some tips on how to win a sweepstakes, depending on the type of contest you enter.
- Enter Legitimate and Relevant Contests: Firstly, you’ll need to identify which sweepstakes are legitimate and accessible in your jurisdiction. Next, streamline your options further by targeting contests that may require a skill that you have, such as formal proposal writing. This affords you a far greater chance of being successful.
- Read the Rules in Full: To determine legitimacy, you’ll also have to read each contest’s rules in full, to ensure they don’t charge entry fees or ask for sensitive financial data. Be sure to also verify the entry period and prize expiry dates (if applicable), and any further rules that will impact your eligibility.
- Adopt a Volume-Based Strategy: Diana “Di” Coke’s success as a sweeper is based on volume, as she regularly enters more than 300 contests and sweepstakes per month. This not only increases her exposure and chances of winning prizes, but it also helps her leverage the fact that legitimate sweepstakes are free to enter. This strategy also lets you combine daily, weekly, and monthly contests.
- Organize Your Entries: If you do adopt a volume-drive approach that’s also built on diversification, you must organize your entries. Keep a simple spreadsheet detailing each contest and your entry data, alongside the key rules and any information pertaining to limits and timeframes.
- Engage Directly in Sweepstakes Communities: When entering sweepstakes you can actually win, you’ll often come across a large and engaged community. This will be home to dedicated sweepers who have a wealth of experience, and engaging with these individuals can unlock exceptional insights, tips, and advice. It may also help you to uncover new sweepstakes opportunities.
What are Sweepstakes Aggregators?
Now that you know how to win giveaways, the next step is to find the best sweepstakes and contests for you. The best and most efficient way to do this is by using sweepstakes aggregators, which unlock a huge number of potential contests that can be easily filtered and categorized.
The Top 5 Sweepstakes Aggregators?
We’ve spent some time researching the best sweepstakes sites and aggregators, so that you can gain a crucial head start when searching for free giveaways. Here’s a summary of our top five picks:
| Aggregator | Favorite for | Number of Contests | Subscription Y/N | Contest Listing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweepstakes Fanatics | Variety of Prizes | 1,000+ | Y | Daily |
| Contest Girl | Brand Giveaways | 1,580 | Y | Daily |
| The Freebie Guy | Instant Win Games | 800+ | N | Daily |
| Sweepsheet | Mail-in Contests | 1,000+ | Y | Daily |
| The Giveaway Fairy | Sweepstakes Travel Prizes | 200+ | Y | Weekly |
Is it Legit to Play Sweepstakes and Contests in the USA?
Sweepstakes casinos and giveaway sites are legal and legitimate in the US, so long as they adhere to certain rules and guidelines. For example, they should provide sweepstakes that don’t charge entry fees to players. Also, casinos should not mandate real money deposits or bets.
Although the rules may vary slightly from one state to another, there are some universal sweepstakes guidelines that operators should adhere to. These include:
- Law 1 – Sweepstakes should be free to enter and guarantee randomized outcomes. However, contests can require you to demonstrate some form of skill or perform a specified action, meaning that winners can be selected according to more specific criteria.
- Law 2 – Sweepstakes operators don’t require you to provide financial or personal banking information. Sites that do may be operating outside of US law or may be potentially fraudulent or sweepstakes scams.
- Law 3 – Sweepstake prizes should also be awarded free of charge. This includes all potential add-ons, including shipping fees and handling charges. If these are charged, you may not be dealing with a reputable site, so check out the T&Cs as a matter of urgency.
Comparison of Giveaway vs Sweepstakes Sites
As we’ve touched on, there are some differences between giveaways and sweepstakes sites (including casinos). Below, you’ll find a concise summary of the core giveaway vs sweepstakes pros and cons, so that you can determine which type of site is best for you.
| Giveaway Sites | Sweepstakes Sites |
|---|---|
| Giveaway sites often require entrants to complete a specific action, such as following a social media account | Sweepstake sites and casinos can be accessed simply by completing an entry form or opening an account |
| Giveaway prizes are typically small and nominal | Prizes can be much larger overall |
| Giveaways have fewer legal restrictions as they usually require an element of skill | Sweepstakes sites and casinos are heavily regulated and must adhere to a larger selection of laws |
| There may be more restrictions and entry requirements imposed | Sweepstakes sites are subject to the ‘No Purchase Necessary’ law |
| Winners can be determined according to predetermined criteria, based on the qualifying skill or action involved | Wins must be completely randomized and determined by chance |
How to Sign Up for Online Sweepstakes and Contests
The process of registering with a sweepstakes platform and determining what is a sweepstakes entry, varies between different types of sites. However, we’ve prepared a step-by-step signup guide, using the Stake.us site as an example.
Step 1: Hit the ‘Register’ Button
Start by navigating your way to the Stake.us homepage and hit the ‘Register’ button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Step 2: Create an Account
Next, enter a verifiable email and unique username when creating your account. You can secure this with a password. Then, confirm your state and date of birth, while you can also provide your mobile number if you wish.Step 3: Accept the Site’s Terms and Conditions
You can now read the site’s unique T&Cs. Scroll down to the bottom before clicking the box to accept these terms.Step 4: Verify Your Details
You’ll now have to verify your age and identity. You can do this by attaching physical documentation, including a passport or driver’s license. Once approved, you can start browsing the available games and bonuses.
Conclusion
Sweepstakes and giveaway sites are not only highly rewarding, but they also deliver various types of prizes and gameplay. From free sweepstakes draws and contests to sweepstakes casino platforms, legitimate entities are free to enter and tend to boast highly engaged communities, too.
The statistics show that people who sweep regularly tend to win frequently over time, while some have even claimed life-changing prizes or made a career out of sweeping. Of course, you’ll have to check the legality and precise T&Cs before determining whether specific sweepstakes are worth it, but there are plenty of options available online.
Responsible Gambling
When making a non-obligated coin purchase at a sweepstakes site or social casino, you’re essentially gambling your hard-earned cash. Even sweepstakes giveaways which are free to enter, can lead to potential gambling addiction as you experience the thrill of taking part.
If you struggle to manage your time spent on sweepstakes sites or sweepstakes casinos, then using our own responsible gambling guide or the resources below, can help and mystery box sites, you may want to seek out independent advice and support. Here are some responsible gambling resources in the US:
