Many websites on the web offer huge loot thru sweepstakes, contests, instant games and lottos. That is why it is straightforward to confuse them and use these terms indistinguishably. But sweepstakes are n’t the same as contests. The difference is kind of easy.
Contests require an element of skill. You deliver the goods, be it a poem, an essay or a recipe and you win if you ‘re ok. Of course, the product you deliver is generally employed by the promoter; failing which there could be an entry fee for collaboration.
Sweepstakes on the other hand give away prizes only on chance. They are prize of luck; no element of ability comes in. A random winner is picked from the entries and offered anything from a television set to an opportunity to tour a favored holiday destination or big cash payments. Prizes rely on the promoter and the item they ‘re promoting and may change from basic items like t-shirts or scents to vehicles, homes, travel deals and massive cash rewards.
In the U. S. , sweepstakes are legal while lotteries are not. Three common elements define both sweepstakes and lotteries. They are : Prizes/Chance winners/Compensation
To avoid becoming an illegal lottery, a sweepstake must ensure that it doesn’t have all the three elements. It can have any 2, but not every one of them. Obviously, the 1st 2 elements cannot be evaded so that the 3rd one is left out. That is why bonafide sweepstakes NEVER ask for an entry fee or compensation. In brief free sweepstakes are legit, paid ones are fraudulent! Sweepstakes can’t even demand a part of your prize.
So, what are just some of the things you need to watch out for while entering sweepstakes? First, check out if the sweepstake is applicable to your location. Some locations like Quebec, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Florida are considered void locations, meaning if you belong to this locality, you can’t enter.
Secondly, find if your age fits the standards of the particular sweepstake. Most sweepstakes are open to the over 18 and over 21 categories. However some promoters allow kids over the age of 13 to take part under adult supervision.
Ultimately, see whether there’s any restriction on the quantity of entries you can send in. For instance, some promotions are single-entry contests; others let you enter once daily. Many allow unlimited entries. Frequency depends entirely on the sponsor. You can ascertain it by going thru the Rules section.
Remember, before you enter any contest, it’s important to test out the rules governing it. Why? It would be a pain to fill out all the information and then discover at the base of the page ( or when you hit the submit button ) that you are not eligible for whatever reason, isn’t it?
