Plain definitions of the terms that appear most often across the category and in our coverage. Use as a reference.
AMOE / Mail-in entry
Alternative Method of Entry. The no-purchase route to receiving Sweeps Coins required by US sweepstakes law. Write to the operator’s stated address with a stamped envelope or postcard, receive a free Sweeps Coin allocation. Specific terms vary by operator.
Daily login bonus
A small Gold Coin and/or Sweeps Coin allocation awarded for opening the platform once per day. Streak multipliers on some platforms add value for consecutive-day logins. Cumulative daily-login value is one of the differentiators worth tracking.
Effective Sweeps Coin rate
The number of Sweeps Coins a player receives per dollar of Gold Coin purchase, calculated against the headline Gold Coin pack pricing. The most important single value metric for comparing platforms.
Gold Coins / GC
The entertainment currency. No cash value, not redeemable. Bought, earned, or awarded through promotions.
Headline vs effective value
Headline value is the nominal offer figure a platform advertises. Effective value adjusts for playthrough, redemption threshold, RTP haircut, and realistic redeemability. The two can differ substantially. We publish both for every welcome offer we cover.
KYC / Identity verification
Know Your Customer. The platform confirms the account holder’s identity before processing redemptions. Photo ID and proof of address are standard requests.
Playthrough / Wagering requirement
A requirement that Sweeps Coins received as bonuses (purchases, promotions, logins) be wagered at least once before they qualify for redemption. Sweeps Coins won during play typically count toward playthrough as wagered.
Provider / Software studio
The company that produces the games stocked on a platform. Major providers include Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Relax Gaming, Pulse 8 Studios, and many others. Provider mix correlates with library quality.
Redemption
Converting Sweeps Coins to cash or other prizes. Requires minimum balance, completed playthrough, verified identity.
Redemption threshold / minimum
The minimum Sweeps Coin balance required before redemption is available. Commonly $20–$100 equivalent. A meaningful value variable — lower thresholds are materially better, especially for lighter players.
Redemption efficiency
How much of the value you accumulate can actually be redeemed in a reasonable timeframe. Function of threshold, playthrough requirements, verification process, payment method, and operator-side friction. One of the largest single weights in TacticGamerz scoring.
Responsible gaming tools
Platform controls — deposit limits, session-time limits, self-exclusion, reality-check prompts. Their depth and prominence is a quality signal.
RTP / Return to player
Theoretical long-run percentage of wagered currency a game returns. Useful for comparison; says nothing predictive about any single session.
Self-exclusion
A platform feature blocking account access for a chosen period — from 24 hours to permanent. Core responsible-gaming tool.
Sweeps Coins / SC
Sweepstakes-entry currency. Not bought directly. Arrives via purchase bundles, daily logins, promotions, mail-in entry. Redeemable for prizes when conditions met.
Sweepstakes casino / Social casino
A site or app offering casino-style games under US promotional-sweepstakes law. Dual-currency model: Gold Coins for play, Sweeps Coins for sweepstakes entries.
Volatility / Variance
A game’s tendency toward larger-and-rarer wins (high) or smaller-and-frequent wins (low). Most providers publish volatility ratings.
Welcome offer
The bonus structure for new accounts. Usually free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins on signup, often with a first-purchase bonus. Headline and effective value can differ materially — both are documented in every review.