The Difference Between Sweepstakes And Contests
Many websites online offer huge winnings thru sweepstakes, contests, instant games and lottos. That ’s why it is simple to puzzle 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 adequate. Of course, the product you deliver is normally employed by the promoter; failing which there could be an entry fee for collusion.
Sweepstakes on the other hand give away prizes only on chance. They’re prize of luck; no part of skill comes in. A random winner is picked from the entries and offered anything from a TV set to an opportunity to tour a favored holiday destination or huge cash payments. Prizes depend on the promoter and the item they ‘re promoting and may alter from basic items like t-shirts or scents to vehicles, houses, travel deals and massive cash rewards.
In the US, sweepstakes are legal while lotteries are not. Three common elements define both sweepstakes and lotteries. They’re : Prizes/Chance winners/Compensation
To avoid becoming an illegal lottery, a sweepstake must ensure that it doesn’t have all of the 3 elements. It can have any two, but not all of them. Obviously, the first two elements cannot be avoided so the third one is left out. That ’s why bonafide sweepstakes NEVER ask for an entry fee or compensation. In brief free sweepstakes are legitimate, paid ones are fraudulent! Sweepstakes cannot even demand a little of your prize.
So, what are just some of the things you want to keep an eye out for while entering sweepstakes? First, check out if the sweepstake applies to your location. Some locations like Quebec, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Florida are regarded as void locations, meaning if you belong to this locality, you cannot enter.
Secondly, find if your age fits the criteria of the particular sweepstake. Most sweepstakes are open to the over 18 and over 21 categories. Neverthless some promoters allow youngsters over the age of 13 to participate under adult supervision.
Finally, see whether there is any limit on the number of entries you can send in. For instance, some promotions are single-entry contests; others allow you to 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, itis important to check out the guidelines ruling it. Why? It would be a pain to fill out all of the information and then discover at the base of the page ( or when you hit the submit button ) that you are not eligible for who knows what reason, isn’t it?