I've seen some sweepstakes where people can earn entries for buying a product from a website, using a credit card, or making a donation. Are companies allowed to give better odds or better prizes to people who make purchases from them?
No. Sweepstakes sponsors are allowed to give people entries into sweepstakes for making a purchase from their company or a donation to their cause. But every sweepstakes must offer a non-purchase method of entry that has the exact same chances of winning as an entry with purchase or a donation.
That means that companies can't have separate prize pools, cut-off dates, or number of entries for people who make a purchase. They can't offer one prize for people who make a purchase and one for people who don't, even if the prizes are exactly the same. All of the entries, both with and without purchase, must be treated exactly the same.
But while a non-purchase method of entry is required, it can sometimes be more difficult to enter. For example, you might be able to enter online with a code from a candy bar or a frozen dinner you purchased, but have to enter by mail for the non-purchase entry method.
Do you think this is fair? Share your opinion in this easy poll: Should Companies Have to Offer a Non-Purchase Method of Entry Online if There is an Online Entry Method with Purchase?
