Prize promotions, which are regulated by state law in the United States and by national law elsewhere. A sweepstakes (chance) must offer a free method of entry to avoid being an illegal lottery; a contest (skill) may charge. Official rules, bonding in some states, and platform promotion policies apply to social media giveaways.
Related terms
Cite this entry:
Agency Echelon. "Sweepstakes and Contests." Agency Echelon Reference, reviewed September 2026. https://agencyechelon.com/reference/glossary/sweepstakes-and-contests/