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Businesses in the United States spend approximately $17 billion annually on sweepstakes and giveaways. Professional sweepstakes players capitalize on this substantial investment by consistently winning prizes through various methods.
If you’re among the 55 million Americans who participate in sweepstakes and wish to improve your success, or if you’re new to this world, this guide is for you. We’ll explore renowned professional sweepstakes players, delve into the emerging trend of sweepstakes casinos, and offer tips to help you become a consistent winner.
What are Sweepstakes Casinos?
Traditional sweepstakes have been around for decades, and with the rise of the internet, their prevalence has grown rapidly. A modern evolution of this concept is the sweepstakes casino, which continues to gain popularity. These platforms blend elements of traditional sweepstakes with online casino-style gaming.
Online sweepstakes casinos closely resemble real-money online casinos in both appearance and functionality. Leading sites offer hundreds of RNG and live dealer games from top-tier software developers. Players can enjoy these games and even win real prizes, without wagering real money. The key difference lies in how players participate. Unlike traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casinos don’t require users to stake their own money to win.
Instead, players can receive free Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins either directly from the site or by submitting a mail-in request. While there is an option to purchase these coins, they are not required to play. Gold Coins are for entertainment, while Sweepstakes Coins (SC) can be used to play games to win cash or vouchers. Because participation is free, sweepstakes casinos fall under different legal guidelines and are permitted in most states in the US. In contrast, traditional online casinos are only legal in six U.S. states.
Famous Sweepstakes Players in 2025
For those who have never won a sweepstakes, it might seem like the odds are stacked against you. However, numerous individuals have turned sweepstaking into a rewarding hobby, with some winning hundreds or even thousands of prizes. Let’s explore some of the most notable professional sweepstakes winners who have amassed a staggering amount of prizes and cash.
Diana Coke
Diana “Di” Coke is one of the most famous recent sweepstakes winners. She entered her first sweepstakes in the early 1990s when she hoped to attend the Glastonbury music festival but couldn’t afford tickets. She discovered a mail-in contest offering tickets as the grand prize, entered, and won, sparking a lifelong passion for sweepstakes.
Since that initial victory, Di has amassed over $370,000 in prizes, including flying lessons, multiple phones, several holidays, more than $35,000 in cash, a year’s supply of free ice cream, and even a car. While she might appear to be the luckiest person in the world, she attributes her success to persistence. She enters approximately 3,600 contests annually (about 300 per month), focusing on “qualitative” contests where her creativity can help her stand out.
Carolyn Wilman
Carolyn Wilman, dubbed the “Contest Queen,” has won over $250,000 worth of prizes from multiple and single entry sweepstakes over the years. Her winnings range from a $40,000 vacation package, cash, gift cards, and Winter Olympics tickets to a meet-and-greet with Sting.
Despite her impressive track record, she estimates that she wins only about 0.1% of the contests she enters. This low win rate is due to the sheer volume of entries; Carolyn participates in hundreds of contests daily.
She streamlines this process by using software that autofills forms with her information, allowing her to enter efficiently. To help others achieve similar success, she has authored a book offering tips on winning sweepstakes and maintains a website where she shares additional strategies and insights.
Helen Hadsell
Helen Hadsell, also often referred to as the “Contest Queen,” is considered one of the first professional sweepstakes players. She began entering contests in 1948, primarily focusing on skill-based competitions that required creative writing.
Over her lifetime, Hadsell won more than 5,000 contests, securing prizes such as cash, household items, vacation packages, and, notably, a fully furnished house showcased at the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair.
Her remarkable success led her to lecture internationally and author several books on her techniques, including self-help works and a novella.
Carol Shaffer
Carol Shaffer is another person who has been dubbed the “Contest Queen”and even wrote a book with this title. A $10,000 shopping spree in the mid-1990s ignited her passion for sweepstakes. Over a seven-year period, she secured more than 450 contest wins, amassing prizes totaling around $150,000.
Shaffer attributes her success to entering as many contests as possible and employing creative tactics to make her entries stand out. Her strategies included dyeing entry forms, adding stickers, and affixing multiple stamps to envelopes.
Tips on How to Win Sweepstakes Online
Winning prizes at sweepstakes sites definitely involves luck, but there are several steps you can take to boost your chances of success. Below, we provide some top tips for winning sweepstakes, specifically at sweepstakes casinos.
- Log in Every Day: Persistence is a key trait among successful sweepstakes players. Most legit sweepstakes casinos offer daily login bonuses, small rewards granted simply for logging in each day. While these daily bonuses are small, they can quickly add up.
- Mail in: By law, sweepstakes casinos must provide an Alternate Method of Entry (AMoE). This allows players to mail in a handwritten request to receive bonuses at no cost.
- Understand the Difference between GC and SC: Real sweepstakes casinos use two types of currency: GC (Gold Coins) and SC (Sweepstakes Coins). Gold Coins are for fun and cannot be redeemed for prizes, while Sweepstakes Coins can be exchanged for real rewards.
- Practice for Free: When learning a new game or testing a strategy, use your Gold Coins instead of Sweepstakes Coins. Losing GC doesn’t affect your progress, but losing SC puts you further away from redeeming a prize.
- Opt for Vouchers: Many sweepstakes allow you to redeem SC for either cash or vouchers. Vouchers often require fewer coins than cash, making them a quicker and more accessible option.
Pros & Cons of Being a Pro Sweepstakes Player at Online Casinos
Winning prizes and cash without risking any of your own money might sound too good to be true, but it’s possible at sweepstakes casinos. However, that doesn’t mean there are no downsides. Below, we examine the pros and cons of being a professional sweepstakes player.
Pros:
- Don’t need to risk any money to win money
- More accessibility, as they are legal in most states
- Flexible gaming options, as you can play just for fun with GC or aim for prizes with SC
- Many bonuses and promotions, including sweepstakes no deposit bonuses
- Prize options
Cons:
- Can not redeem your coins until you have a minimum amount
- Can have smaller prize pools than real money casinos
Our Final Thoughts
Winning prizes from sweepstakes or earning money from sweepstakes casinos isn’t impossible. Many professional sweepstakes players have won hundreds of thousands of dollars without ever risking their own money.
While success is achievable, it requires dedication and persistence. If you only play occasionally, your chances of winning are low. However, with consistent effort, smart strategies, and practice, you can start seeing the benefits and work your way up to becoming a professional sweepstakes player.
FAQ
Who is the most famous sweepstakes player?
Do professional sweepstakes players play online?
How do I become a professional sweepstakes player?
Do professional sweepstakes players pay tax on winnings?
Resources
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-the-contest-queen/
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32455550-how-to-win-cash-cars-trips-more
- https://www.olshanlaw.com/sweepstakes-law-basics
Responsible Gambling
While playing at sweepstakes casinos doesn’t require you to spend any of your own money, it is still a form of gambling and still has risks associated with it.
It’s essential to always practice responsible gambling to protect yourself from developing a gambling addiction. If you believe you or a loved one has a problem, then you should seek professional help as soon as possible. Here are some links that you can reach out to for assistance.
