A sweepstakes mail-in bonus is one of the most ubiquitous promotions at sweepstakes casinos, as it is a legal requirement for any casino to be able to function as a sweepstakes platform in the first place.
How Mail‑In Bonuses Work at Sweepstakes Casinos (AMOE Guide)
It’s typically small but is one you can claim repeatedly with few restrictions, always by sending a physical letter. For the uninitiated, it sounds strange, but it’s actually an excellent offer for casual and patient sweepstakes players.
What exactly is this bonus, and how does it work? Does it have a catch? This is precisely what I aim to explain in this guide, giving you all the information you need about the AMOE bonus, how it works, its pros and cons, how it’s claimed, and what the best offers are.
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What Is a Mail‑In (AMOE) Bonus?
A sweepstakes mail-in bonus, or the Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE) bonus, is one of the main promotions you can get at a sweepstakes casino.
It’s effectively the only bonus you can claim at every legitimate sweepstakes casino, as it’s a legal requirement for these platforms. It enables them to meet the “no purchase needed” requirement and to comply with AMOE rules.
The guaranteed bonus is typically small, from 1 SC to 5 SC in most cases, and it’s always a mail-in promotion, meaning you have to send a physical letter to get it. Most sweepstakes casinos have specific rules you must follow, typically requiring you to send a handwritten letter per given instructions and with the necessary information.
In most cases, you’ll get one bonus per letter, but there’s no limit to how many you can send. However, you can’t abuse this rule by sending too many at once, and you must wait for each envelope to be processed before receiving the corresponding bonus.
The postal entry Sweeps Coins are always free (excluding the cost of the stamp), but they can be tedious due to slow processing times and the effort needed to receive a single bonus.
What You Can Expect from Mail‑In Bonuses
To receive an AMOE sweepstakes casino bonus, you generally need to:
After this, you only need to wait to get the bonus. However, there are a few additional important things you need to know.
Typical Sweeps Coin amounts per request
As mentioned, you generally receive a small amount of free sweeps by mail for each envelope you send. Most sweepstakes casinos offer $1–$5 worth of SC, or 1–5 SC, since most have a 1:1 exchange rate for Sweeps Coins.
The more you get, the better, since receiving this promotion is a slow process. Plus, you need to account for the stamp cost ($0.78), which makes smaller bonuses of just 1 SC not worth the effort.
Frequency and limits
In general, there’s no limit to how many mail-in bonuses you can receive, as this would defeat the “no purchases required” policy. You typically receive one bonus per sent envelope, and you can send as many envelopes as you want. However, you can’t abuse this by spamming the casino’s mailbox in a short amount of time.
Most sweepstakes casinos prevent this by requiring you to include a unique code with each request, and you get to generate that code on the site after specific intervals.
Timeframes and processing delays
The unfortunate reality of sweepstakes mail bonus offers is that they take a long time to get processed. Casinos typically need 1–4 weeks to process each request, sometimes even longer. Delays are common, especially at popular casinos where many players constantly send AMOE requests.
When the casino’s done, you’ll usually receive an email telling you your request was approved, and you’ll see the free SC in your account. In some cases, the casino will simply award you with the bonus SC without telling you.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Submit a Mail‑In Request
The method for submitting a mail-in request is always specific to a casino, so you should check the sweepstakes or AMOE rules on the site you’re on to avoid making a mistake. However, I wanted to give you a general idea of what to expect and how the process typically works, since most sweepstakes casinos follow the same procedure with minor variations.
Where to find the official mail‑in instructions
Sweepstakes casinos don’t usually advertise that you can get mail-in Sweeps Coins, and the instructions are typically tucked away in the casino’s T&Cs or Sweepstakes Rules pages.
You’ll likely need to search the extensive rules, but you’ll typically find them by merely searching the page for terms like “Alternative Mode of Entry”, “mail in”, or “postcard”.
It’s essential to read the complete instructions and to follow them to the letter to avoid the casino refusing your request. You’ll need to use the exact wording outlined in legible handwriting.
Information you typically need to include
Most sweepstakes casinos require you to include the following information in your request:
- The casino name and wording like “Sweeps Coins” on the envelope.
- Your personal details, typically including the full name, your address, and the username and email address you used to register at the casino, on one side of the card.
- The unique code you obtained from the site, usually coupled with the personal information on the card.
- A statement along the lines of “I would like to receive free Sweeps Coins from…” on the main part of the card.
- Signature and date at the bottom of the card.
Bear in mind that the casino will likely include additional details, such as the location on the card where each piece of information must be written. Everything must be eligible and handwritten. Typed letters are generally discarded.
Addressing, postage, and proof of mailing
Sweepstakes casinos typically include the address to which you need to send the envelope in the same section of the AMOE rules. Make sure you write it correctly.
You’ll typically need a standard #10 envelope to hold the card with the information, and you’ll need to apply the correct postage for your location. Bear in mind that some casinos require you to send mail from the same state you’ve provided on the site.
Lastly, you can keep a record of the envelopes you’ve sent, along with proof such as a receipt and a photo of the envelope and card.
Pros and Cons of Mail‑In Bonuses
From all you’ve seen so far, you’ll agree that the sweepstakes mail-in bonus comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s review both.
Advantages
The main advantage of the mail-in bonus is that it’s an entirely free way to obtain a guaranteed number of SC. Naturally, this is not counting the cost of postage.
Outside of that, it’s beneficial if you’re not interested in buying coin packs, as this should keep your balance topped up as long as you’re actively sending letters to the casino.
As long as you’ve chosen a casino with a mail-in bonus of 4 SC or 5 SC, it’s also a good value promo relative to the low cost of postage.
Drawbacks
The main drawback of this bonus is that obtaining it is a slow and tedious process. You need to spend time writing and sending a letter, and you typically need to wait weeks for the letter to reach the casino, for the brand to process it, and for you to receive the free SC.
Staying compliant with all the rules of requesting this promotion can also be a hassle. Many sweepstakes casinos have strict requirements and are not hesitant to refuse your request if you don’t follow them.
Lastly, the amounts you receive are modest and might not be worth the effort, especially if you’re playing at a casino with a mail-in bonus of 1 SC or 2 SC.
Who mail‑in is best for
The mail-in bonus isn’t for everyone, primarily because it’s slow and tedious. If you want to get real value from it, you’ll need to send many envelopes consistently to receive enough SC to keep you playing and hitting that minimum redemption threshold. For all of you gamers, it’s much like grinding for resources or experience in various online games.
If you’re patient and detail-oriented, and comfortable sending letters and waiting long periods to receive SC, the sweepstakes mail-in bonus is ideal for you. Plus, if you send letters regularly, once you start receiving your free SC, you’ll receive them regularly too, making it worth the effort.
Common Mistakes When Using Mail‑In Bonuses
You can make many mistakes with these mail-in promos in any sweepstakes casino, and it’s typically because of the various rules they come with. Here are the most common mistakes you should try to avoid:
- Writing incomplete or incorrect personal information in the letter
- Not using the exact wording or format the casino requires
- Writing the wrong address on the envelope
- Using the wrong envelope and paper/card for your request
- Writing illegible requests
- Not checking the instructions regularly to see if the casino has changed them
- Sending too many letters to the casino in a short time
- Putting more than one mail-in bonus request in a single envelope
- Expecting instant SC or guaranteed wins from them
How Mail‑In Fits Into a Broader Bonus Strategy
Mail-in bonuses, thanks to the fact that you can claim them repeatedly by regularly sending requests, can fit nicely into an overall low-spend or no-spend approach to sweepstakes casinos.
You can claim this offer repeatedly, just as you do with daily bonuses, turning sending letters into a habit. You can also write many in advance and send a few each day, or whenever you have a moment. Don’t wait too long to send them, though, as most sweepstakes casinos use request codes that expire after a set period, usually 30 days.
However, you still need to evaluate whether this is worth the effort, especially given the bonus’s size relative to the cost of postage. I suggest focusing on casinos with 4 SC or 5 SC mail-in bonuses, as these are worth the effort for most players.
FAQs
Do I need an online account before sending a mail‑in entry?
Yes, you need a casino account to submit a sweepstakes mail-in bonus request. You usually need to provide your username and the generated code from the site, which can’t be obtained without a registered account.
Can I send multiple entries in one envelope?
No, you can’t. No sweepstakes casino allows multiple letter requests per envelope. All have a max limit of one request per envelope, which offers one mail-in bonus.
How will I know when my mail‑in request has been processed?
Most sweepstakes casinos notify players via email that the request has been accepted and that the SC are or will soon be added to your account. If not, you’ll automatically receive the SC in your account.
Do mail‑in Sweeps Coins have the same rules as other SC?
Mail-in SC acts like all other free SC you collect in the sweepstakes casino. This also means that it is subject to playthrough requirements, 1x on most platforms.
Do mail-in SC expire?
Yes, they generally expire; most casinos impose rules under which unused Sweeps Coins expire after a set period, typically 60 days.
What is a postal request code?
The postal request code is the unique code you need to generate in most sweepstakes casinos and include in your letter for the mail-in bonus. You’ll typically be able to generate a code every few minutes, and each code will correspond to one mail-in request and a subsequent bonus.
How many mail-in bonus cards can I send to a sweepstakes casino?
There’s no clear limit to how many letters you’re allowed to mail, and yet if you go too far, the casino might flag your account and stop processing your letters. Many players send up to a few dozen a week, and some even surpass 100.
Author: Oliver Dickinson
Updated:
Oliver Dickinson is the head of strategy and serves as Lead Editor for Freaky Gaming. He has a lot of experience with sweepstakes casino style gaming and website publishing being part of many sweepstakes projects over the years. Oliver oversees editorial direction, review standards, and compliance, ensuring all content meets high standards of accuracy and transparency so that our users trust that our content is reliable.
Oliver Dickinson is the head of strategy and Lead Editor of Freaky Gaming, where he oversees content quality, and review standards across the site. With extensive experience in sweepstakes casino-style gaming and digital publishing, Oliver leads the development of Freaky Gaming’s review methodology and ensures every page is created with accuracy, transparency, and player value in mind.
Over the years, Oliver has worked across multiple sweepstakes gaming projects, giving him a strong understanding of how platforms operate, how offers are presented, and what players actually need to know before signing up. His work focuses on turning complex information into clear, practical guidance — whether that’s reviewing casino features, explaining bonus terms, or helping readers understand the differences between platforms.
As Lead Editor, Oliver is responsible for maintaining editorial consistency and ensuring content aligns with Freaky Gaming’s standards for factual accuracy, responsible messaging, and legal/compliance awareness for a U.S. audience. He works closely with reviewers, writers, and editors to make sure content is regularly checked, updated, and easy to trust.
Oliver’s editorial approach is rooted in a simple principle: readers should be able to make informed decisions based on honest, well-structured information not hype. That philosophy continues to shape Freaky Gaming’s voice and content standards across reviews, guides, and educational pages.
