Sweepstakes Law Archives

30 Sep, 2026

Alcohol Sweepstakes: Compliance Guide for Beer, Wine & Spirits Brands

2026-09-30T10:22:18-04:00September 30th, 2026|Articles, Legal Compliance, Sweepstakes Law|

Alcohol sweepstakes require more than the standard legal review behind a consumer promotion. Alcohol sweepstakes compliance can involve both the laws governing chance-based promotions and the federal and state alcohol regulations that apply to beer, wine and spirits brands. Beer, wine and spirits brands operate in a regulated industry, [...]

29 May, 2026

Sweepstakes vs Contest: What’s the Legal Difference?

2026-05-29T16:26:51-04:00May 29th, 2026|Articles, Legal Compliance, Sweepstakes Law|

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 [...]

28 Oct, 2020

Northern U.S. States Sweepstakes Laws

2023-01-12T13:59:04-05:00October 28th, 2020|Articles, Sweepstakes Law|

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 [...]

23 Apr, 2020

How to Run a Legal Giveaway

2026-10-16T16:55:12-04:00April 23rd, 2020|Articles, Sweepstakes Law|

Updated October 2026 Understanding how to run a legal giveaway starts with your entry methods, winner selection, eligible locations and prizes. These decisions determine which official rules, state filings and administrative requirements apply to your promotion. For brands and agencies, reviewing these requirements during planning can prevent problems later. [...]

27 Feb, 2017

Sweepstakes 101: Prize, Chance and Consideration

2025-11-20T15:36:04-05:00February 27th, 2017|Articles, Sweepstakes Law|

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, [...]

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