Sweepstakes poker
Also: sweeps poker, social poker, Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins
Online poker played under sweepstakes law rather than gambling law, the model used by ClubWPT Gold in the United States and Canada. Players use a free play currency (Gold Coins) and a promotional currency (Sweeps Coins) that is obtained free and can be redeemed for prizes; because no purchase is necessary, it is lawful in most states that have no regulated online poker.
The mechanics matter legally: Gold Coins can be bought but have no cash value; Sweeps Coins are never sold, only given away with purchases, daily logins, promotions or a mail-in request; and prizes are paid only after identity verification and a play-through requirement. A handful of states exclude sweepstakes gaming and the operators geo-block them. For players it feels like ordinary online poker with a different cashier.