Every US sweepstakes casino has to offer a free way to enter its sweepstakes. It is the legal heart of the whole model, written in the rules as "no purchase necessary". In practice, that free way is usually a mail-in request: you write a card by hand, post it, and the casino credits free Sweeps Coins. Players call it AMOE (alternative method of entry) or simply "write-ins". It is slow and fiddly, and for some players it is the main source of their free SC.
How a mail-in request works
- Verify your account first. Several casinos, including Spree, require ID and address verification before they credit mail-in requests.
- Get your request code. Most casinos generate a unique code in your account. At High 5 it is under My Account, then Get Mail-In Code.
- Write the request by hand. On a card or sheet of paper, in the format the rules give: usually your full legal name, account email, address, the request code and an exact sentence asking for free coins.
- Address the envelope by hand. Return address and, often, the request code on the outside too. #10 envelopes are the usual size.
- Post it and wait. Credits arrive in batches, from weeks to many months later.
What a request is worth
| Casino | Per accepted request | Notes from the rules and players |
|---|---|---|
| Stake.us | 5 SC | Players report credits 6 to 12 months after posting |
| Spree | 4 Spree Coins | Non-black ink; ID and address verified first |
| High 5 Casino | 3 SC | 4 x 6 inch card, any ink colour, date on the card |
| Casinio | 2 SC | One request a day |
| Roxy Moxy | 2 SC | One review recorded 4 SC; check current rules |
| Rollza | 1 to 5 SC | Random amount per request |
| Crashmania | 1 SC | Among the lower rates |
| Lucky Bunny | Not published | Follow the sweepstakes rules exactly |
Each request costs roughly a dollar in stamp, envelope and card, plus your time. A 1 SC request barely covers that before playthrough; a 5 SC request is clearly worth it if you can wait.
The details that get requests rejected
- Wrong ink. Some casinos want blue or any non-black ink; others specify black. Spree's instructions call for non-black ink.
- Name not as on ID. Use your full legal name, the same as your verified account.
- Address mismatch. The return address must match the address on your account.
- Paraphrased statement. Copy the required sentence word for word.
- Expired codes. Some request codes expire after a set time; others do not. Players on the SweepsKings forum keep lists of casinos whose codes do not expire.
- Several requests in one envelope. Usually one request per envelope.
Waiting for "drops"
Casinos process mail in batches, and players call the moment credits land a "drop". The forums keep running threads where players post when a casino's drop arrives. Timing varies enormously. Stake.us credits have been reported six to twelve months after posting. One Spree player said ten months of letters had not been credited, and was told to email support. Keep a simple log: casino, date posted, code used. It makes follow-ups possible.
Is it worth it?
Experienced writers on the SweepsCasinos.US forum describe it as worth it "if you have the time and endurance", and some say they collect hundreds of dollars' worth of entries a month across many casinos. For most players, a few requests a week to the casinos that pay 3 to 5 SC is a sensible middle ground. It also suits anyone who wants to play without ever buying coins, which is exactly what the system exists for.
Practical kit
- A box of #10 envelopes. Forum regulars like security-tint envelopes, which are cheap online.
- Index cards or plain paper cut to the size each casino asks for.
- Blue and black pens, so you can match each casino's ink rule.
- Stamps bought in bulk.
- A spreadsheet or notebook for your log.
Rules change. Always read the casino's current sweepstakes rules before writing, rather than relying on an old template. For the casinos we track, each review on our main site includes the current mail-in value.
Quick answers
What is AMOE at a sweepstakes casino?
An alternative method of entry: a free way to get Sweeps Coins without buying anything, usually a handwritten mail-in request. US sweepstakes law requires it.
How long does a sweepstakes mail-in request take?
From a few weeks to many months. Players report Stake.us credits arriving 6 to 12 months after posting.
How many Sweeps Coins do you get per mail-in?
Usually 1 to 5 SC per accepted request, depending on the casino.