A simple concept separates a sweepstakes from a contest: sweepstakes rely on random chance to determine winners, while contests rely on skill-based judging criteria. Although the terms are often used interchangeably in marketing, the legal and operational differences between the two promotional formats can significantly affect campaign structure, official [...]
The Super Bowl creates a rare window in promotions marketing: a national moment where millions are tuned in and ready to engage. Fans actively look for ways to get involved - enter a sweepstakes, vote on matchups, or share watch-party content - and many brands see a surge in [...]
Although you may or may not be familiar with the general premise of a sweepstakes, it’s important to always be conscious of the specific laws that apply to your state. Often, businesses will be in violation of sweepstakes laws without even realizing it. In this article, we’ll dive into [...]
There is no debate: legal is better than illegal when it comes to sweepstakes. You might think that this is an obvious statement, but it’s actually not that uncommon to run an illegal sweepstakes. Typically, this is not because companies have any desire to ‘scam’ customers, but because many [...]
Updated November 2025 You know about the benefits of running a sweepstakes or contest. But there’s a lot of confusion in the marketing world about federal and state regulations, IRS reporting requirements, social media policies, and all the other requirements needed to run a successful campaign. Because of this confusion, [...]
Businessman holding two blank white puzzle pieces in his hands Thinking about hiring a sweepstakes management company for the first time? As a digital marketer, maybe you want to increase your followers. Or perhaps you want to increase your leads for your email database. Either way, the [...]
Updated November 2025 Sweepstakes are powerful for acquisition and engagement, but they sit at the intersection of sweepstakes law and marketing. The 3 elements that determine whether your promotion is compliant or an illegal lottery are prize, chance, and consideration – often referred to together as sweepstakes prize, chance, [...]
If your primary goal when executing a sweepstakes is to drive sales, you’re in luck: Sweepstakes offer a unique opportunity to incentivize the sale of products and services. However, if you do ask consumers to make a purchase for a chance to win a prize, you must also offer [...]