How Do Online Sweepstakes Work?

An online sweepstakes is a prize draw. Here's how yours would work from start to finish:

1. A sponsor sets a prize, an entry period and official rules.
2. Entrants complete actions, such as joining a mailing list or following an account. Each action earns entries, so more actions mean more chances.
3. Entry stays free. In the US, a sweepstakes can't require a purchase ("no purchase necessary"), and if any action involves paying, there has to be a free way to enter. Other countries have their own rules.
4. When the period ends, the sponsor removes invalid or duplicate entries.
5. A winner is picked at random. Gleam uses Random.org for the random draw.
6. The sponsor contacts the winner, who has to claim the prize within the time set in the rules.

A contest is different. It picks the winner on skill, such as the best photo, and in many US states that means it can ask for a purchase. That isn't true everywhere, so check the law where you're running it. This isn't legal advice.

Read Contests, Sweepstakes and Lotteries for the full comparison, and our guide to online sweepstakes for the rules.