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Sweepstakes Void in Florida, New York, and Rhode Island?
One question we hear frequently: Why are so many sweepstakes void in Florida, New York, and sometimes Rhode Island? The answer is simple: The states of Florida, New York, and Rhode Island require sweepstakes registration and Florida and New York also require bonding. Many Sponsors of sweepstakes either don’t want to deal with that requirement, don’t want to spend the extra money, or they have run out of time to
Promotion Laws by State
In the United States, promotion laws vary by state but are universally bound by the federal FTC Guidelines. To legally run a sweepstakes, you must provide a free alternate method of entry (AMOE), so you do not have an illegal lottery. State laws enforce different rules based on the size of the prize and whether they involve retail entry. Before you run a promotion in the United States, you might
How to Register a Sweepstakes or Obtain a Sweepstakes Waiver in Florida
Does the approximate retail value (ARV) of your sweepstakes prize structure exceed $5,000? And, is your sweepstakes open to residents of the State of Florida? If you’ve answered yes to both questions, then this blog is for you. Game promotions offering prizes totaling more than $5,000 must file with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) seven days prior to commencement of the game promotion. Even game promotions
How to Register a Sweepstakes in Rhode Island
When preparing to conduct a Sweepstakes, it is important to be aware of the regulations and laws that are unique to the states where your promotion will be running. One great example of this is the registration requirements that several states enforce. If you read our blogs or have worked with us in the past you may already have some knowledge of which States require registration… but if you don’t,
How to Register a Sweepstakes in New York
As you have read in previous blog posts, sometimes you have to register your sweepstakes with certain states if the approximate retail value “ARV” of all prizes offered is over a certain amount. The states of New York and Florida require registration and bonding when the total ARV exceeds $5,000; and the state of Rhode Island requires registration only if the ARV is over $500. You do not have
How Do I Know if a Sweepstakes is Legitimate?
To determine if a sweepstakes is legitimate, you have to look past the flashy “Win Big!” graphics and examine the underlying infrastructure. Real promotions are governed by strict legal frameworks, while scams rely on psychological pressure and your desire for a shortcut. Here is a checklist to help you verify a sweepstakes in seconds: 1. The “Golden Rule” of Sweeping If you have to pay, you didn’t win. This is