Alabama
Contests and sweepstakes in Alabama are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion involves alcoholic beverages.
For alcoholic beverage based sweepstakes and contests in Alabama, the state alcohol control board must pre approve the promotion as submitted on a prescribed form including official rules and advertising materials.
Alaska
Contests and sweepstakes in Alaska are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Arizona
Contests and sweepstakes in Alabama are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion involves alcoholic beverages.
For alcoholic beverage based sweepstakes and contests in Alabama, the state alcohol control board must pre approve the promotion as submitted on a prescribed form including official rules and advertising materials.
Arkansas
Contests and sweepstakes in Arkansas are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
California
For contests and sweepstakes in California, a prize winner cannot be required to pay or purchase a product in order to claim their prize. Additionally, sweepstakes and contest promotions in support of alcohol beverages cannot condition entry on visiting a licensed premise and all alcohol beverage sweepstakes must be open to residents of the entire state. In addition to the above, contests and sweepstakes in California are subject to general promotion law.
- Read more about California compliance here
Colorado
Contests and sweepstakes offered via mailing are closely regulated. Certain comprehensive disclosures must be made in a prescribed format, including clearly advising the recipient of the mailing that he/she has not yet won, that a purchase or payment is not required and will not increase his/her chances of winning, the value of each prize and the odds of winning in a stipulated format. In addition to the above, contests and sweepstakes inColorado are subject to general promotion law.
- Read more about Colorado compliance here
Connecticut
Sweepstakes in Connecticut are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Skill based contests requiring an entry fee for participation, should be looked at on a case by case basis. Otherwise, contests are subject to general promotion law.
- Read more about Connecticut compliance here
Delaware
Contests and sweepstakes in Delaware are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Florida
Sweepstakes and other chance promotions with a prize pool valued at over $5,000 must be registered and bonded. Bond waivers are available for sponsors who have conducted registered promotions in the state for five consecutive years without incident. Filing a certified winners list upon completion of the promotion is required. In addition to the above, contests and sweepstakes in Florida are subject to general promotion law.
- Read more about Florida compliance here
Georgia
Contests and sweepstakes in Georgia are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Hawaii
Contests and sweepstakes in Hawaii are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Idaho
Contests and sweepstakes in Idaho are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legalrequirements specific to the state.
Illinois
Contests and sweepstakes in Illinois are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
- Read more about Illinois compliance here
Indiana
Contests and sweepstakes in Indiana are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion involves alcoholic beverages.
For alcoholic beverage based sweepstakes and contests in Indiana, the state alcohol control board must pre approve the promotion as submitted on a prescribed form including official rules and advertising materials.
Iowa
Contests and sweepstakes in Iowa are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Kansas
Contests and sweepstakes in Kansas are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Kentucky
Contests and sweepstakes in Kentucky are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Louisiana
Contests and sweepstakes in Louisiana are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Maine
Contests and sweepstakes in Maine are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion is marketed to minors.
For sweepstakes and contests marked to minors in Maine, sponsors may not collect health related or personal information from anyone under the age of 18 without first obtaining verifiable consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Maryland
Sweepstakes in Maryland are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state. For skill based contests, a purchase cannot be required in conjunction with entry into the contest.
Massachusetts
Contest and sweepstakes in Massachusetts are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion is related to Tobacco.
Tobacco related promotions are prohibited in Massachusetts.
- Read more about Illinois compliance here
Michigan
Contests and sweepstakes in Michigan are subject to general promotion law. A store visit (without a purchase or attendance at a sales presentation being required) may be viewed as consideration deeming a chance promotion an illegal lottery. Tobacco related promotions are prohibited in Michigan.
- Read more about Illinois compliance here
Minnesota
Contests and sweepstakes in Minnesota are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Mississippi
Contests and sweepstakes in Mississippi are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Missouri
Contests and sweepstakes in Missouri are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Montana
Contests and sweepstakes in Montana are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Nebraska
Contests and sweepstakes in Nebraska are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Nevada
Contests and sweepstakes in Nevada are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
New Hampshire
Contests and sweepstakes in New Hampshire are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
New Jersey
For contests and sweepstakes in New Jersey, a prize winner cannot be required to pay or purchase a product in order to claim their prize. In addition to the above, contests and sweepstakes in New Jersey are subject to general promotion law.
New Mexico
Contests and sweepstakes in New Mexico are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
New York
Sweepstakes and other chance promotions with a prize pool valued at over $5,000 must be registered and bonded. Filing a certified winners list upon completion of the promotion is required.
In addition to the above, contests and sweepstakes in New York are subject to general promotion law.
- Read more about New York compliance here
North Carolina
Contests and sweepstakes in North Carolina are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
- Read more about North Carolina compliance here
North Dakota
Sweepstakes in North Dakota are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
For skill based contests, a purchase cannot be required in conjunction with entry into the contest.
Ohio
Contests and sweepstakes in Ohio are subject to general promotion law. A store visit (without a purchase or attendance at a sales presentation being required) may be viewed as consideration deeming a chance promotion an illegal lottery.
- Read more about Ohio compliance here
Oklahoma
Contests and sweepstakes in Oklahoma are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Oregon
Contests and sweepstakes in Oregon are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Pennsylvania
Contests and sweepstakes in Pennsylvania are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
- Read more about Pennsylvania compliance here
Rhode Island
Sweepstakes and other chance promotions with a prize pool valued at over $500 must be registered with the state if there is a retail outlet in the state. Bonding is not required. In addition to the above, contests and sweepstakes in Rhode Island are subject to general promotion law.
- Read more about Pennsylvania compliance here
South Carolina
Contests and sweepstakes in South Carolina are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
South Dakota
Contests and sweepstakes in South Dakota are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legalrequirements specific to the state.
Tennessee
Sponsors cannot require a winner to sign a publicity release in the state of Tennessee. Otherwise, contests and sweepstakes in Tennessee are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
- Read more about Tennessee compliance here
Texas
Contests and sweepstakes in Texas are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
- Read more about Tennessee compliance here
Utah
Contests and sweepstakes in Utah are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
- Read more about Tennessee compliance here
Vermont
Contests and sweepstakes in Vermont are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion involves alcoholic beverages.
For alcoholic beverage based sweepstakes and contests in Vermont, the state alcohol control board must pre approve the promotion as submitted on a prescribed form including official rules and advertising materials.
Virginia
Contests and sweepstakes in Virginia are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state unless the promotion is related to Tobacco. Tobacco related promotions are prohibited in Virginia.
Washington
Contests and sweepstakes in Washington are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
West Virginia
Contests and sweepstakes in West Virginia are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Wisconsin
Contests and sweepstakes in Wisconsin are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
Wyoming
Contests and sweepstakes in Wyoming are subject to general promotion law and have no additional legal requirements specific to the state.
FAQs
What are the legalities around sweepstakes? ›
General Sweepstakes Law Requirements
Among other considerations, the following factors should be kept in mind when setting up a sweepstakes promotion: Consumers must not be required to pay to enter. There must be a free, alternative means of entry (“AMOE”). Eligibility requirements must be spelled out.
A sweepstakes or giveaway is all about chance: after everyone has entered, a winner is chosen randomly. A contest is more than a random chance to win: each entrant has to demonstrate some sort of skill or talent and judges pick a winner based on pre-set criteria.
Are sweepstakes legal in the US? ›Unlike a lottery, sweepstakes can be run by individual corporations and are not required to be federally or state sanctioned. Also dissimilar to lotteries, sweepstakes require no purchase to enter. In fact, it is illegal to require purchase to enter.
Why are sweepstakes illegal in NC? ›In 2013, the General Assembly outlawed video sweepstakes in an effort to shut down sweepstakes parlors, which operated in a legal gray area by offering patrons chances to win prizes when they bought something — usually internet or phone access.
What is the difference between a sweepstakes and a raffle? ›One of the most important differences is that raffles are a type of lottery in which prizes are awarded to people who pay for a chance to win. By contrast, sweepstakes entrants must not be required to pay to enter. Another significant distinction concerns the type of organizations that may legally conduct raffles.
Can anyone start a sweepstakes? ›In the United States, with very few exceptions, lotteries must be state or federally sanctioned. Think state lottos, powerball, etc. A sweepstakes, also known as a “giveaway”, is a game of chance as well, but it can be run by individual corporations without profiting the state.
Which entities regulate the fairness of sweepstakes and contests? ›The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”).
What is considered a contest? ›Contests: Unlike lotteries and sweepstakes ― games of chance ― a contest awards prizes based on skill or merit, such as art contests, cookoffs or trivia contests. Because the element of chance is eliminated, companies can require consideration for entry into a contest (although some state laws prohibit this).
What is the difference between sweepstakes and giveaways? ›A giveaway is a blanket term for sweepstakes, contests, and lotteries, as all three of these categories give participants a chance to win prizes. When saying something is a “giveaway,” it can refer to any of the three types listed.
How do you know if a sweepstakes is legitimate? ›Sweepstakes Scams Require You Pay to Receive the Prize.
Legitimate sweepstakes will never ask you to pay fees to participate or to receive a prize. You should never have to pay handling charges, service fees, or any other kind of charges up front to receive a win - those are sure signs of sweepstakes scams.
Can you sell a house you won from sweepstakes? ›
Selling the Property
Then, the person will need to pay federal and state taxes for the winnings. This leads to the sale of the property to potential buyers in the area. To provide a better monetary opportunity, the seller will either accept a cash award or sell the property quickly to ensure a profit from the contest.
Officially, sweepstakes are not considered gambling, and laws clearly distinguish between the two forms. In order for any game of chance (sweepstakes are games of chance) to be considered gambling, participants would need to use their own money. Sweepstakes do not ask consumers to use their own money.
Who regulates sweepstakes? ›The FTC, FCC, and USPS enforce these federal laws. Both federal and state law ban the use of lotteries for marketing purposes. Companies need to design their promotions to avoid being classified as a lottery. Most states also heavily regulate contests and sweepstakes, though rules vary from state to state.
Why is Florida excluded from sweepstakes? ›Each state has its own rules governing sweepstakes, occasionally making it more difficult for a sponsor to offer a promotion in a particular state. Florida, New York and Rhode Island often are excluded because they have more restrictive laws governing prizes of high value.
What to do if you win a sweepstakes? ›Sometimes a win notification will tell you the prize is on its way, and you don't have to do anything else. But you'll usually need to take action to claim your prize, like responding to the winning email or getting a notary to witness you filling out your claim form, and you'll have a limited amount of time to react.
Do you have to pay to win sweepstakes? ›Legitimate sweepstakes do not require you to pay anything to receive the prize you have won. If you are told that you must pre-pay taxes, you are probably being scammed.