Sweepstakes Serve as Promotional Tools

Do you remember the old Publisher Clearing House commercial promising people the chance to win Millions just for returning a letter? Maybe you have seen commercials by McDonalds promoting their Monopoly game. How about the HGTV "Dream Home Giveaway?" These are all forms of sweepstakes.

Sweepstakes are games of chance similar to real money blackjack that are offered by companies with the purpose of either promoting their company or to increase product awareness. These contests can be done either by mail or over the internet. Sweepstakes that are done via the mail usually require the player to either return something in the mail sent to them or even manually fill out a 4x6 postcard. Online sweepstakes will usually require a player to fill out a form to include personal information like their email and home address.

The types of prizes that can be won in these contest vary from contest to contest. Smaller prizes can include items such as gift cards, subscriptions to magazines, and small electronics like an ipod. Larger prizes range to large cash prizes, cars, trips, and even houses.

Sweepstakes can serve as both promotional tools and ways to boost business. McDonald's Monopoly games are usually ran to boost sales of food. However, players can play without making a purchase. Other sweepstakes are run to help promote a particular company. For instance, a new store in town may hold a drawing for $500 in groceries. The requirement is that customers come in and register. Naturally, not everyone is going to just come in the store without checking it out further. The contest serves as a form of cheap advertising.

Some people consider sweepstakes as a form of live or online gambling. The reality is that these contests are not gambling due to the fact that they can be played without cost. In fact, in the U.S. a sweepstakes must offer a way to enter the game for free or be considered a lottery.