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I recently received an unusual request from the sponsor of a sweepstakes. The sponsor was one month into a three-month entry period stated in their sweepstake’s rules. Now the sponsor wanted to add a few new prizes to increase the number of entrants. The sponsor asked me what would happen if they changed the rules. READ MORE
“How did we have sweepstakes before Facebook?” That question, which I heard during a call last week, summarizes the tremendous impact that social media has had on the use of sweepstakes and contests. READ MORE
One little-understood aspect of sweepstakes law are surety bonds, which are required to conduct sweepstakes in New York and Florida. For more insight on why sweepstakes sponsors need bonds and how the bonding process works, I turned to Marcia Cesafsky, a highly experienced bond broker who serves as Senior Broker of Specialty Surety for Aon Risk Solutions. READ MORE
You couldn’t live in the United States very long without at some point seeing abbreviated rules for a sweepstakes. They are usually found in the fine print at the bottom of an ad, sign, email message, bottle top, or banner, and almost always begin with the words “NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.” READ MORE
Most people would think that giving the prizes away in a sweepstakes or contest would be the easiest and most enjoyable part of being a sponsor. While in most instances that is correct, there are times when giving a prize away can be very difficult or maybe even impossible. READ MORE
Effective April 10, 2013, the state of Florida made changes to its Game Promotion Statute. The changes were made partly in response to the state’s recent ban of so-called Internet sweepstakes cafes. READ MORE
I thought I’d take a break from our Sweepstakes Boot Camp series to look back at the most popular Sweepstakes Law Blog posts over the last year. I ran the analytics on our site, and the results are illuminating. READ MORE
“Swept Away" is a two-page comic that follows the colorful misadventures of a marketing team that makes a questionable choice on their official rules and ends up paying the price (literally). READ MORE
This week we’ve been chatting with Liz Compton, the chief of the Bureau of Compliance at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. READ MORE
In yesterday’s post, we met Liz Compton, the chief of the Bureau of Compliance at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. READ MORE
Florida is a recognized leader in the development and enforcement of sweepstakes laws and regulations in the United States. READ MORE
In sports, as in sweepstakes: Sometimes trying to do the right thing at the wrong time can lead to trouble. READ MORE
Three elements must be present — chance, prize, and consideration — for a sweepstakes to be illegal. In most instances, sweepstakes sponsors can avoid concerns about illegal gambling by eliminating consideration. READ MORE
There are three states that require certain types of sweepstakes be registered before they can be implemented in their state. These states’ regulations include significant fines for companies that fail to comply. READ MORE
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