FAQ (new)
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you probably have lots of questions. So, we've gathered the most common ones and are sharing the answers below. Feel free to contact us if you'd like to discuss or ask about something you don't see listed here.
Promotion Basics
No matter the size of your promotion or the prize pool, Official Rules are always necessary, as legally, they are the sponsor´s “contract with the public”. Official Rules are the only document that allows state regulators and other legal entities to ensure you are structuring your promotion in compliance with the applicable laws.
Cash
Cars
Trips
…in that order.
Your Official Rules must clearly state the conditions of awarding prizes.
With a sweepstakes (a random drawing) and contests of skill, it is generally accepted that all prizes will be awarded. However, in many instant win games or contingency insurance promotions, prizes may not be awarded if the winning game pieces are not found or claimed or if the contingent prize remains un-awarded at an insured event.
Per the Children´s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), you are not allowed to ask or obtain personal information online from children under the age of thirteen (13).
We have found that the best way to comply with COPPA is to make simple modifications to the standard entry form to ensure receipt of parent’s information as well as minimal information from the child when entering an online sweepstakes.
Then, we can send the winner notification to the parent’s e-mail address directly to obtain permission and request any additional personal child Information.
AMOE stands for “Alternate Method of Entry”. You will see AMOE referenced when running games of chance as having a free method (other than a purchase or the requirement to put forth too much effort) is required by law.
Sweepstakes (Chance)
A game of chance is a promotion whereby the Sponsor gives away a prize (or prizes) to prize winners. The prize winners are chosen by a random event (such as a random drawing or pre-seeded instant win prize). A sample game of chance is a Sweepstakes or an Instant Win Game.
There are three elements that define a sweepstakes and a lottery:
- Prizes
- Chance
- Consideration
A sweepstakes is a promotional event that must exclude the consideration element in order to be classified as a sweepstakes.
A lottery is different in that the third element “consideration” is required to participate and win.
Consideration can be described as any effort on the part of the consumer that must be given in order to be entered into the sweepstakes. For example, the purchase of a product or membership requirement would be defined as “monetary consideration” whereby asking a consumer to take a long survey or spend an absorbent amount of time or effort in order to receive a sweepstakes entry would be defined as “non-monetary consideration”.
In a sweepstakes where consideration is present, a free alternate method of entry (AMOE) must also be offered. The AMOE can be a simple online entry form or a write-in entry method.
Some states require formal registrations (accompanying fees must be paid), as well as surety bonds or escrow agreements that must be established before the promotion begins (those fees depend upon the total prize pool).
There must always be a “No Purchase Requirement” or AMOE for all sweepstakes and games of chance as the element of consideration must be removed before the sponsor can lawfully proceed.
For most games of chance and industries, New York and Florida are the only states that currently require formal registration and filing of surety bonds, with Florida being the most active in the enforcement of compliance with its registration policies.
Rhode Island requires registration only.
Alcoholic beverage and some other regulated industry promotions are a separate consideration which are handled on a case by case basis depending upon the nature of the promotion.
No. The requirements for bonding and registration vary depending upon the structure of the promotion. Generally, New York, Florida, and Rhode Island require registration and/or bonding only when the total prize pool (the total retail value of all prizes being offered) is more than $5,000 (for NY and FL), or $500 or more (for RI).
Contests of Skill
Contests are different from games of chance in that there can be no chance element included in the promotion structure. Contestants earn entry into the contest by putting forth some level of skill or merit (such as writing an essay or submitting a recipe). Winners are chosen based upon a pre-set judging criteria and all entries must be judged equally based upon the same pre-set judging criteria in order to determine the winners.
Like games of chance, the contest must have a definitive start and end date. Entrants must put forth skill or merit to earn the entry and all entries must be judged equally based upon a pre-set criteria. There can be no randomness when it comes to selecting prize winners.
In general, monetary consideration (the purchase of a product or entry fee) is allowed when running contests. Although, certain states (such as VT, MD, ND, AZ & CT) can become problematic when monetary consideration is present.
Generally, no, except in AZ, and only when an entry fee is required.
Promotional Offers
An offer is different than a sweepstakes, game of chance or contest of skill in that the recipient automatically receives the intended incentive (while supplies last) as long as he or she completes the required action of participation or purchase (such as participating in a webinar or purchasing a product).
When running a promotional offer the Sponsor must ensure there is enough incentive to meet the consumer demand.
For example, if a Sponsor is aware that they will have 1,000 webinar participants, they must have 1,000 incentives to provide. If more than 1,000 webinar participants, the “while supplies last” language would be applicable. However, if a Sponsor knows they will have 1,000 webinar participants and only has 500 incentives to provide, the Sponsor would not be compliant.
Incentives cannot be awarded at random for a promotional offer.
When running a promotional offer the Sponsor must ensure there is enough incentive to meet the consumer demand.
For example, if a Sponsor is aware that they will have 1,000 webinar participants, they must have 1,000 incentives to provide. If more than 1,000 webinar participants, the “while supplies last” language would be applicable. However, if a Sponsor knows they will have 1,000 webinar participants and only has 500 incentives to provide, the Sponsor would not be compliant.
Incentives cannot be awarded at random for a promotional offer.