Why are sweepstakes no purchase necessary? How AMOE works
Summarize this post
Key takeaways
- “No purchase necessary” means you can take part without buying anything.
- Buying coins never improves your chances of winning.
- AMOE stands for Alternative Method of Entry. It’s the free way to get SC.
- The most common AMOE is a handwritten mail-in request.
- SC from a mail-in request work exactly like SC from any other source.
- Every site has its own AMOE rules, so always read them first.
If you’ve looked at a sweepstakes casino, you’ve probably seen the words “No Purchase Necessary.” It’s easy to skip past, but it’s one of the most important parts of how sweepstakes work.
In this guide, we explain what it means, why it’s there, and how to get free Sweeps Coins (SC) through a mail-in request.
The short answer: A sweepstakes has to be free to enter. That’s what makes it a sweepstakes. Buying something can be an option, but it can never be required, and it can’t improve your chances of winning. At sweepstakes casinos, the free way in is called an Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE), usually a handwritten mail-in request for free SC.
Why sweepstakes are no purchase necessary
The idea behind a sweepstakes is simple: everyone gets a fair, free chance to win. If you had to pay to take part, it wouldn’t be a sweepstakes anymore.
That’s why every sweepstakes, from a cereal box promotion to a sweepstakes casino, offers a free way to enter, and buying something never gives you a better chance of winning.
In short, a purchase can be offered, but it has to stay optional. The free route is what makes the promise of “no purchase necessary” real.
How it works at sweepstakes casinos
Sweepstakes casinos use two virtual currencies:
- Gold Coins (GC): for fun play. You can buy GC packages if you want to, but you never have to. GC can’t be redeemed for prizes.
- Sweeps Coins (SC): for sweepstakes play. SC can be redeemed for prizes once you meet the site’s playthrough and verification rules.
You can’t buy SC. They come free as a bonus with GC packages, through daily and promotional offers, or through an AMOE. So there are two ways to reach the same sweepstakes play:
- With a purchase: buy GC → get free bonus SC → sweepstakes play
- Without a purchase: send an AMOE request → get free SC → sweepstakes play
An SC from a mail-in request plays exactly the same as one that came with a coin package.
What is an AMOE?
AMOE stands for Alternative Method of Entry. It’s the official free way to take part in a sweepstakes, and it’s open to every eligible player on the same terms.
At sweepstakes casinos, the AMOE is almost always a mail-in request. You’ll find the details in the site’s Sweepstakes Rules.
AMOE vs other free offers
Sweepstakes casinos also hand out free Sweeps Coins in other ways, such as daily login rewards, social media giveaways and sign-up offers. These are free, but they’re promotions, not the AMOE. The AMOE is the free entry method written into the site’s rules.
How to send a mail-in request
A mail-in request is a short handwritten note asking the site for free SC. It may feel old-fashioned, but it’s simple once you know the steps.
What you’ll need
- A card or sheet of paper (often a 4″ × 6″ index card)
- A pen in the ink color the site asks for (some want blue)
- An envelope and a stamp
- Your account details and, at many sites, a request code
Step by step
- Check you’re eligible. Make sure the site is available in your state and that your account is verified.
- Find the rules. Open the site’s Sweepstakes Rules (usually linked at the bottom of the page) and look for “Alternative Method of Entry.”
- Get your request code. Many sites give you a unique code in your account. Some codes expire, so get it right before you write.
- Write your card by hand. Add your full name, address, account email or user ID, your code, and the statement the rules ask for, copied word for word.
- Address the envelope. Copy the site’s mailing address exactly, and write your return address in the top-left corner. It must match the address on your account.
- Mail it. Add a stamp and post it like a regular letter.
- Wait. Requests are checked by hand, so it can take a few weeks.
- Check your balance. Once approved, the free SC appear in your account.
Examples: McLuck and Fortune Wins
At McLuck, you start by getting a 13-digit request code from your account. You then write your request by hand in non-black ink (blue is recommended), with one card per envelope. Each approved request gives you 4 free SC.
Fortune Wins, which was called Fortune Coins until 2026, works in a similar way. Your handwritten request needs your full name, email address, home address, account user ID and the statement from the site’s rules. Each approved request adds free Fortune Coins (FC), the site’s version of SC, to your account.
Tips to avoid a rejected request
- Write by hand. Printed cards are often rejected.
- Use the right ink color.
- Copy the statement exactly. Don’t reword it.
- Double-check your code before you mail it.
- Make sure your name and address match your account.
- Send one card per envelope.
What happens next?
Once your SC arrive, you can use them for sweepstakes play. To redeem prizes, you’ll usually need to:
- Meet the playthrough (often 1x)
- Reach the minimum redemption amount
- Have a verified account
These rules are the same for all SC, wherever they came from.
Keep in mind that mail-in rewards are small, usually just a few SC per request, and you’ll pay for the stamp. If you want more free coins in one go, no-purchase sign-up bonuses usually give you a bigger start.
Sweepstakes casinos also aren’t available in every state, so check that a site accepts players where you live before you send anything.
The bottom line
So, why are sweepstakes no purchase necessary? Because a sweepstakes is built to give everyone a free, fair chance to take part. Buying coins can be an option, but it’s never required and never improves your odds.
At sweepstakes casinos, the AMOE makes that possible, most often through a simple handwritten mail-in request. Follow the site’s rules carefully and you’ll get free SC without spending anything beyond a stamp.
FAQs
What does “no purchase necessary” mean?
It means you can take part in a sweepstakes for free. Buying something is optional and won’t improve your chances of winning.
What does AMOE stand for?
AMOE stands for Alternative Method of Entry. It’s the free way to enter a sweepstakes. At sweepstakes casinos, it’s usually a mail-in request for free SC.
How many SC do I get from a mail-in request?
It depends on the site, but usually a few SC per request. McLuck, for example, gives 4 SC.
How long does a mail-in request take?
Usually a few weeks, since the letter has to arrive and be checked by hand.
Does buying Gold Coins improve my chances?
No. Free SC and SC from a purchase work exactly the same way.
Can I redeem SC from a mail-in request?
Yes, once you meet the site’s playthrough and redemption rules.
