Can I Offer a Contest Based on Skill to Avoid Lottery Laws?
Often, yes. A skill contest picks winners on merit, so chance doesn't decide the result, and that takes it outside most lottery definitions. That holds in most places, though the details vary by country and state.
To keep it a skill contest:
- Publish clear judging criteria in your Terms & Conditions.
- Judge the entries and pick winners manually (Pro Plan and above). We audit manual draws to make sure they aren't used to manipulate results.
- Don't add a random draw, even as a tie-breaker.
Requiring a purchase is a separate question, with different rules in different places. If you're not sure, offer a free way to enter. In Australia, games of skill don't need a permit in any state (see our permits guide and our 2020 legal update).
This isn't legal advice. Check the rules in every country or state you're open to before you launch.
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Can I Require a Purchase in a Game of Skill?
Often yes, if skill alone picks the winner, but some countries and US states restrict paid skill contests. Check your rules first. This isn't legal advice.