Can I Require a Purchase in a Game of Skill?
In many places, yes. Requiring a purchase is what can turn a random draw into an illegal lottery, and a genuine skill contest has no chance in it. Some countries and US states still restrict paid skill contests, so check the rules where your entrants live. This isn't legal advice.
To keep a paid contest on the skill side:
- Publish your judging criteria, such as creativity or accuracy, in your rules, and apply them the same way to every entry.
- Judge the entries and choose winners yourself. Gleam's Manual Winners option is on the Pro Plan and above.
- If chance creeps in, such as a random tiebreak or a draw among finalists, treat it as a sweepstakes and offer a free way to enter.
Not sure where you stand? On the How to Enter tab, tick A Purchase or Donation is Required to Complete This Action on each paid Action. Gleam then adds a free alternate method of entry to your Terms & Conditions in countries where No Purchase Necessary laws apply.
Our No Purchase Necessary guide covers the rules country by country.