Category: Administration & Compliance

Promoting “Singles Day” in the U.S.A.

Singles Day originated in China during the 1990’s and is still celebrated on November 11th (11/11) each year. As you can see, the date corresponds with four “ones”, representing four singles. Similar to China’s Singles Day on 11/11, the UK celebrates that day on 3/11 and the U.S.A. on 9/22…this of course is above and beyond our Singles Awareness Day on 2/15, that follows our national Valentine’s Day. According to

September 21, 2020

Can You Use a Coupon as a Prize?

Question: Can you offer a coupon as a prize in a sweepstakes or contest? Answer: It depends. If the coupon or voucher value covers the entire full priced item without any hidden fees (like shipping & handling, etc.) then you can offer it as a prize coupon. But if the coupon offered is for savings on a purchase, or if it does not cover the shipping and handling necessary to

September 17, 2020

Federal Lottery Laws Explained

According to Federal Lottery Laws, it is illegal to operate a lottery through the mail or over the telephone. Let’s begin by explaining what a lottery is…A lottery is generally defined as a promotion in which all three of the following elements are present: prize, chance, and consideration (otherwise known as, the “Standard Lottery Rule”). Most states follow this Standard Lottery Rule; and all 50 states and the District of

July 24, 2020

How Do I Run a Text to Win Sweepstakes?

A text to win sweepstakes provides your customers with a quick, easy way to enter a sweepstakes from a mobile phone. A text to win can be set up in days instead of weeks. This type of promotions is fast to enter. And it provides a way to collect minimal private, personal information if your brand is privacy focused. Here are 6 best practices to consider when running a text

June 26, 2020

Mexico Sweepstakes Basics

Are you thinking of running a sweepstakes in Mexico? If the answer is yes, then you should note that the Mexico sweepstakes laws and regulations regarding promotions (e.g., games of chance and/or contests of skill) differ from US law and other countries. We compiled a list of frequently asked questions we typically receive regarding promotions in Mexico that should provide you with some general information during your planning stages. Is

May 13, 2020

Prize Fulfillment Considerations for Your Next Sweepstakes or Contest

Prize fulfillment is the part of the sweepstakes or contest that consumers may love the best, but for the promotion administrator there is a lot more involved than putting a prize in the mail. Here are 6 things to consider when putting together a plan for prize fulfillment for your next sweepstakes, contest or instant win game. 1. Prize sourcing Giving away the latest goods, services, and experiences takes planning

March 11, 2020

McMillion$ and the Importance of Instant Win Game Security

If you aren’t sure why instant win game security is that big of a deal, you might want to watch the new HBO docuseries called McMillion$. It details the strange, and almost unbelievable, true story of how an employee at a promotional marketing company called Simon Marketing, a former competitor of Marden-Kane’s, committed fraud in the McDonald’s Monopoly games between 1989 and 2001, bilking McDonald’s and their customers out of

February 13, 2020

No Purchase Necessary for Running a Sweepstakes

In the United States, No Purchase Necessary is a term associated with all sweepstakes. Legally, in order to run a sweepstakes you cannot require a purchase in order to enter. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t ask entrants to make a purchase – it just means that anyone entering without purchase must have the same chance as someone entering with purchase. Here are two ways to use a sweepstakes

January 13, 2020

Can You Run an Instagram Stories Sweepstakes?

Clients have been asking us lately if they can run an Instagram Stories sweepstakes or contest. Here are the facts. What are Instagram Stories? Instagram Stories are a feature of Instagram that allows users to post short videos or photos of their day in a sort of “highlight reel” that disappears in 24 hours. Similar to Snapchat, you can add text or animation or effects to your posts, as well

January 3, 2020

Sweepstakes Rules Generator vs Custom Sweepstakes Rules

The allure of a sweepstakes rules generator is that you can create a set of sweepstakes rules for less money and less time. In fact, back in the day, Marden-Kane had an online sweepstakes rules generator of our own. Clients at that time could easily and cost-effectively create their own sweepstakes rules without legal fees or lengthy review times. The reality, however, was that most of our clients actually needed

September 19, 2019