Last updated: May 2026
PlayWithStakes.com is an independent review and recommendation site for sweepstakes casinos available to U.S. players. We do not own, operate, or have a financial stake in any of the platforms we review. This page explains exactly how we make money, why that doesn’t compromise our recommendations, and what you should know as a reader.
How We Earn
PlayWithStakes participates in affiliate marketing programs. When you click certain links on our site and then sign up, make a purchase, or play at a sweepstakes casino, we may receive a commission from that operator. This is the primary way we fund the site — there is no charge to you, and the offer or coin package you receive is not changed by clicking through us. The price the operator charges, the bonus you claim, and the games you play are identical whether you arrive through PlayWithStakes or directly.
Affiliate commissions are paid by the operator and may be a one-time payment, a share of revenue over time, or a flat fee per qualified signup. The amount varies by operator and changes from time to time. We disclose this here, in our footer, and in a clear notice at the top of any page where we link to an operator we have an affiliate relationship with.
What This Material Connection Does Not Affect
Our editorial decisions — what we cover, how we rate it, and what we recommend — are made independently of any commercial relationship. Specifically:
- Ratings. The score we assign a casino is determined by our published methodology (see our Editorial Policy). It is not negotiable, and operators do not see ratings before publication.
- Coverage. We review casinos based on what U.S. players are actually using and asking about, not based on which operators offer the highest commission.
- Recommendations. A “best of” placement reflects our hands-on testing and the criteria in our editorial framework, not a paid placement.
- Negative coverage. When we identify problems with an operator we work with — withdrawal delays, opaque terms, support issues, KYC friction — we publish that and adjust the rating, even when it costs us commissions.
How to Spot Affiliate Links on This Site
Most outbound links on our review pages, comparison tables, and “best of” hubs are affiliate links. Specifically:
- The “Visit Casino”, “Claim Bonus”, and “Play Now” buttons on operator review pages are affiliate links.
- Operator name links inside comparison tables and “best of” lists are affiliate links.
- Banner images that link to operators are affiliate links.
- Inline text mentions of an operator name with a hyperlink may be affiliate links.
All affiliate links carry the HTML attribute rel="sponsored" per Google’s link-attribute guidance, which clearly identifies the link as a paid placement to search engines. Links to publicly accessible resources — government websites, problem-gambling helplines, news articles, regulator sites — are not affiliate links and are not marked sponsored.
Your Options
You are never required to use our affiliate links. If you would prefer to access an operator directly, you can search for them by name and visit their site. Doing so does not affect the bonus you receive from the operator, your rating eligibility on PlayWithStakes, or any other aspect of your experience.
FTC Compliance
This disclosure is provided in accordance with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s “Endorsement Guides” and the 16 CFR Part 255 rules concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. Material connections between PlayWithStakes and the operators we review are disclosed here, in our site footer, and prominently on every page where an affiliate link appears.
Questions
If you have any questions about how we earn, our editorial independence, or any specific recommendation, contact us through our contact page and we will respond promptly.
