Contest & Sweepstakes Laws In Every U.S. State
Take a look at the laws and regulations that effect contests and sweepstakes in every state in the U.S.
Anytime you run a contest and sweepstakes it's vital that you're complying with all relevant laws, rules and regulations.
To help you get your own promotion off the ground we're going to show you the U.S. laws you need to know to put together a regulation compliant giveaway, and then we'll take you through every U.S. and highlight any special laws and exceptions that may impact you.
Prize promotions in the U.S. are broken down into two categories: contests and sweepstakes.
Sweepstakes are luck-based promotions where winners are chosen at random, while contests are skill-based promotions where winners are chosen on merit.
The main laws you need to be aware of when you run a contest or sweepstakes in any U.S. state are no purchase necessary laws. These laws state that you cannot require users to make a purchase or provide other forms of consideration to enter a sweepstakes where winners are randomly drawn. However, you can generally incentivise purchases as part of a contest where winners are chosen on merit (some states still prohibit this though).
Other important U.S. laws and regulations require you to:
- Provide free alternate means of entry if you allow users to enter sweepstakes with a purchase.
- Announce the opening and closing dates for entries.
- Disclose when and how winners will be selected.
- Announce when prizes will be awarded.
- Contact all winning entrants.
- Follow through with all prizes.
Anytime you run a contest or sweepstakes in any U.S. state you need to follow these laws.
Everything you need to know about contest & sweepstakes laws and regulations and how you can run your own legal giveaway.
There are some states which also have certain exceptions, or slightly different laws. You can find the contest and sweepstakes laws in your state below:
States written in bold have laws or exceptions that differ from general U.S. contest & sweepstakes law.
Contests and sweepstakes in Alabama must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Alabama, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Alaska must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Alaska, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Arizona must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Arizona, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Arkansas must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Arkansas, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in California must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in California, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In Colorado, no contest or sweepstakes is allowed to require people to make a purchase or provide other forms of consideration in order to enter the promotion.
This differs from the laws found in most U.S. states which allow purchase requirements in contests where winners are chosen on merit or skill.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Colorado must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Connecticut must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Connecticut, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Delaware must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Delaware, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
When running a sweepstakes where winners are randomly drawn in Florida, if the total value of your prizes is over $5,000 they must be bonded and registered 7 days before your sweepstakes begin.
When your sweepstakes is over you have to file a winners list with the state and be able to provide it to anyone who requests it.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Florida must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Georgia must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Georgia, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Hawaii must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Hawaii, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Idaho must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Idaho, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Illinois must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Illinois, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Indiana must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Indiana, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Iowa must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Iowa, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Kansas must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Kansas, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Kentucky must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Kentucky, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Louisiana must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Louisiana, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Maine must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Maine, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In Maryland, no contest or sweepstakes is allowed to require people to make a purchase or provide other forms of consideration in order to enter the promotion.
This differs from the laws found in most U.S. states which allow purchase requirements in contests where winners are chosen on merit or skill.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Maryland must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
All tobacco related sweepstakes are prohibited in Massachusetts.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Massachusetts must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
In Michigan, requiring promotion entrants to visit a store is classified as consideration, and is prohibited in sweepstakes where winners are randomly selected.
All tobacco related sweepstakes are also prohibited in Michigan.
Other than these deviations, contests and sweepstakes in Michigan must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Minnesota must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Minnesota, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Mississippi must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Mississippi, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Missouri must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Missouri, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Montana must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Montana, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In Nebraska, no contest or sweepstakes is allowed to require people to make a purchase or provide other forms of consideration in order to enter the promotion.
This differs from the laws found in most U.S. states which allow purchase requirements in contests where winners are chosen on merit or skill.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Nebraska must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Nevada must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Nevada, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in New Hampshire must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in New Hampshire, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in New Jersey must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in New Jersey, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in New Mexico must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in New Mexico, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
When you run a sweepstakes in New York, if the total value of the prizes is over $5,000 you must bond and register them 30 days before your sweepstakes begins.
When your sweepstakes is over you also have to post a list of the winners.
Other than these deviations, contests and sweepstakes in New York must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in North Carolina must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in North Carolina, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In North Dakota, no contest or sweepstakes is allowed to require people to make a purchase or provide other forms of consideration in order to enter the promotion.
This differs from the laws found in most U.S. states which allow purchase requirements in contests where winners are chosen on merit or skill.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in North Dakota must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Ohio must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Ohio, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Oklahoma must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Oklahoma, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Oregon must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Oregon, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Pennsylvania must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In Rhode Island, any promotion that is offered at a retail location and has a prize pool valued at over $500 must register the promotion with the state.
This means that if you are asking users to visit your store to enter you must register the promotion, even if you are also offering an alternate method of entry.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Rhode Island must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in South Carolina must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in South Carolina, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in South Dakota must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in South Dakota, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In Tennessee, it is prohibited for sweepstakes to require winners to submit "in perpetuity" public releases.
Other than this deviation, contests and sweepstakes in Tennessee must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
If you run a sweepstakes in Texas with prizes valued over $50,000 it is prohibited to automatically enter individuals into the promotion when they make a purchase.
Other than these deviations, contests and sweepstakes in Texas must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Utah must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Utah, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
In Vermont, no contest or sweepstakes is allowed to require people to make a purchase or provide other forms of consideration in order to enter the promotion.
This differs from the laws found in most U.S. states which allow purchase requirements in contests where winners are chosen on merit or skill.
You also cannot require people to pay for return postage if they request information about your sweepstakes such as the official rules or a list of the winners.
Other than these deviations, contests and sweepstakes in Vermont must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
In Virginia, requiring entrants to visit a store is classified as consideration, and is prohibited in sweepstakes where winners are randomly selected.
All tobacco related sweepstakes are also prohibited in Virginia.
Other than these deviations, contests and sweepstakes in Virginia must follow the same laws found across the U.S. You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Washington must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Washington, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in West Virginia must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in West Virginia, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Wisconsin must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Wisconsin, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in Wyoming must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in Wyoming, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
Contests and sweepstakes in the District of Columbia must follow the same laws that are found across the U.S. There are no major differences between contest and sweepstakes laws in the District of Columbia, and the U.S. contest and sweepstakes laws we outlined above.
You can read more about these laws here:
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Ahron Burstin
Ahron is a Growth Marketer at Gleam. Shoot him a Tweet if you got something out of this post ☺