Learn on Gold Coins
Try a new slot on GC first to see how its bonus rounds work before you use any SC on it.
Short answer
Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins in one sentence
Quick answer
Gold Coins (GC) are for playing just for fun and can never be cashed out. Sweeps Coins (SC) are free sweepstakes entries: SC you win through play can be redeemed for cash prizes at Zula, where 100 SC = $100. You buy Gold Coins; Sweeps Coins always come free.
Source: Zula Casino sweepstakes rules. Checked September 30, 2026.
Comparison
Side by side
| Gold Coins (GC) | Sweeps Coins (SC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Entertainment only | Sweepstakes play for prizes |
| Cash value | None | 100 SC = $100 when redeemed |
| Can you buy them? | Yes, packages from $4.99 to $99.99 in the app | No, only given free |
| Free sources | Sign-up, daily bonus, referrals, social links | Sign-up (10 SC), daily bonus (1 SC), mail-in (5 SC), referrals, bonus with GC packages |
| Redeemable? | Never | Yes, if won through play, from 50 SC |
| Playthrough | Not applicable | Bonus SC must be played through first |
| Expiry | Not set in the rules | 60 days after your last login |
| VIP points | 1 point per 1,000,000 GC played | 1 point per 1 SC played |
| Welcome bonus | 120,000 GC | 10 SC |
How it works
Why two coins? The legal bit, simply
U.S. law generally treats "pay money for a chance to win money" as gambling. Sweepstakes casinos avoid that by splitting things up. You pay for Gold Coins, which can't win you anything. Sweeps Coins, the ones tied to prizes, are always free: given at sign-up, every day, by mail, or thrown in as a bonus with a Gold Coin purchase.
Because there's always a free way to get Sweeps Coins (Zula's mail-in request gives 5 SC per letter), it counts as a promotional sweepstakes rather than a bet. That's also why some states have now passed laws to close the gap. See Zula Casino Legal States for where that's happened.
Tips
Getting the most from both coins
Check the toggle
It's easy to play a session in the wrong coin. Glance at the selector before every game.
Log in to keep your SC
Sweeps Coins vanish after 60 days without a login. A quick daily check-in also earns 1 more SC.
FAQ
Coins FAQ
Gold Coins (GC) are for fun and have no cash value. Sweeps Coins (SC) are sweepstakes entries: SC you win through gameplay can be redeemed for cash prizes, at 100 SC = $100 at Zula Casino.
No. You buy Gold Coin packages, and Sweeps Coins come free as a bonus with them. You can also get SC free from the sign-up bonus, the daily login bonus and mail-in requests.
Zula's sweepstakes rules value 100 SC at $100 in prizes, so 1 SC is worth $1 when redeemed.
No. Gold Coins can't be converted, exchanged or redeemed.
Sweeps Coins are forfeited 60 days after your last login. Zula's rules don't set the same expiry for Gold Coins.
Use Gold Coins to try new games and learn how they work. Switch to Sweeps Coins when you want a shot at prizes.
There's a coin toggle in the Zula lobby and inside games. Check which one is selected before you spin.
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