Comprehensive Contest Laws and Regulation Support
From the Most Trusted Experts
Work with a partner invested in the success of your contest and brand. Our team of in-house contest lawyers and project managers are here to help support your next program.
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Trusted by Top Brands to Create Sweepstakes that are Engaging, Compliant, and Secure:
Keep Your Contest Compliant in All 50 States
We’re here to handle legal compliance, promotion administration, and winner outreach.
State-Specific Promotion Law
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Alabama
Colorado
Hawaii
Kansas
Massachusetts
Montana
New Mexico
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Virginia
Alaska
Connecticut
Idaho
Kentucky
Michigan
Nebraska
New York
Oregon
Tennessee
Washington
Arizona
Delaware
Illinois
Louisiana
Minnesota
Nevada
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Texas
West Virginia
Arkansas
Florida
Indiana
Maine
Mississippi
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Rhode Island
Utah
Wisconsin
California
Georgia
Iowa
Maryland
Missouri
New Jersey
Ohio
South Carolina
Vermont
Wyoming
Alabama
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Alaska
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Arizona
additional requirements
Additional registration requirements for certain Contests. Otherwise, contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Arkansas
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
California
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Colorado
additional requirements
In Colorado, contests and sweepstakes are prohibited from requiring entrants to make a purchase or forms of consideration to enter a promotion. Most states allow purchase requirements within contests where winners are chosen based on skill or criteria. Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Connecticut
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Delaware
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Florida
additional requirements
For sweepstakes offering total prize values that exceed $5,000, the sweepstakes final rules must be bonded and registered 7 days prior to the start of the sweepstakes. In some instances, the Sponsor may have the right to a waiver in lieu of obtaining a bond. In addition, sponsors are required to file a final winners list with the state.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Georgia
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Hawaii
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Idaho
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Illinois
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Indiana
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Iowa
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Kansas
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Kentucky
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Louisiana
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Maine
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Maryland
additional requirements
Contests and sweepstakes are prohibited from requiring entrants to make a purchase or forms of consideration to enter a promotion. Most states allow purchase requirements within contests where winners are chosen based on skill or criteria. Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Massachusetts
additional requirements
Specialized trade practices apply for tobacco-related promotions. Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Michigan
additional requirements
Asking entrants to visit a store is technically classified as consideration and is prohibited for sweepstakes.Specialized trade practices apply for tobacco-related promotions.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Minnesota
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Mississippi
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Missouri
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Montana
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Nebraska
additional requirements
Contests and sweepstakes are prohibited from requiring entrants to make a purchase or forms of consideration to enter a promotion. Most states allow purchase requirements within contests where winners are chosen based on skill or criteria.Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Nevada
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
New Hampshire
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
New Jersey
additional requirements
Specialized trade practices apply for tobacco alcohol-related promotions. Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
New Mexico
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
New York
additional requirements
For sweepstakes offering total prize values that exceed $5,000, the sweepstakes final rules must be bonded and registered (technically 30 days) prior to the start of the sweepstakes. In addition, sponsors are required to provide a final winners list.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
North Carolina
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
North Dakota
additional requirements
Contests and sweepstakes are prohibited from requiring entrants to make a purchase or forms of consideration to enter a promotion. Most states allow purchase requirements within contests where winners are chosen based on skill or criteria.
Outside of this contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Outside of this contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Ohio
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Oklahoma
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Oregon
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Pennsylvania
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Rhode Island
additional requirements
Sweepstakes in which a retail establishment offers a prize in order to promote its retail business, where the total value of the prize offered is more than $500, must be registered. No bond is required.Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
South Carolina
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
South Dakota
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Tennessee
additional requirements
Prohibits requiring any sweepstakes winner to submit a publicity release.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Texas
additional requirements
A sponsor may not automatically enter a consumer into a promotion when making a purchase without a clear, free, alternate method of entry.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Utah
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Vermont
additional requirements
Contests and sweepstakes are prohibited from requiring entrants to make a purchase or forms of consideration to enter a promotion. In addition, sponsors cannot require consumers to pay for return postage if they request information about your promotion, such as a list of winners. Outside of this contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States
Virginia
additional requirements
Asking entrants to visit a store is classified as consideration and is prohibited for sweepstakes. Specialized trade practices apply for tobacco-related promotions.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Outside of this, contests and sweepstakes are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Washington
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
West Virginia
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Wisconsin
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Wyoming
general federal guidelines
Contests and sweepstakes for this state are required to follow the same laws found throughout the United States.
Select a state to view specific laws for that area.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
general federal guidelines
Realtime Media is More Than Just a Contest Lawyer
Why Leading Brands Trust Realtime Media for Legal Compliance and Digital Execution:
Expert Support in Promotion Administration
Every project is supported by in-house sweepstakes lawyers, project managers, and fulfillment managers for seamless execution.
Quick-to-Market Solution-Oriented Approach
Our teams collaborate on creative solutions that align with your goals so promotions launch on time and exceed expectations.
Superior Value Pricing with Cost-Effective Solutions
We provide unmatched value flexible, quick-turn, cost-effective support solutions tailored to your brand’s needs and identity.
Focus on Data Security, Fraud Mitigation, and Privacy
Data security and the privacy of your customers is our priority. Safegaurd your promotion and prizes to ensure clean first-party data capture.
Streamline Promotions with a Level of Expertise that a Standalone Attorney Can’t Match
Legal Compliance is More Than Just Contest Official Rules
We Offer End-to-End Promotion Administration
From drafting official rules, to selecting winners and fulfilling prizes, we expertly manage every step for you.
Bonding and Registration
We know state-by-state sweepstakes law, so you don’t have to.
Winner Administration
Winner Selection, Content Moderation and Unbiased Judging - contests made easy.
Alternative Means of Entry (AMOE)
Run a purchase-to-enter sweepstakes with ease.
Prize Sourcing and Fulfillment
Secure, deliver, and track prizes efficiently while protecting your brand.
Winner Drawings, Outreach, and Redemption
Transparent random drawings, winner notification, and prize claim management.
A Single Partner with Comprehensive Services to Make Your Next Contest a Complete Success
Legal Compliance and Administration
- Full & Abbreviated Official Rules
- State Bonding and Registration
- Alternate (Free) Means of Entry
Development of Microsite and Digital Entry Methods
- Turnkey or Custom Development
- Social Media Post and Comment Entries
- Text-to-Enter SMS Entries
Prize Fulfillment and Winner Management
- Prize Procurement and Shipping
- Winner Outreach and Verification
- 1099 Tax Filing and Coordination
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal requirements do I need to meet for a promotion?
Running a sweepstakes requires careful adherence to federal and state laws to ensure
compliance and avoid legal risk. This includes drafting clear official rules, offering an alternative means of entry (AMOE) when purchases are required, securing any necessary state bonds and registering where applicable, and ensuring marketing materials follow advertising and disclosure regulations.
Our in-house legal team manages these requirements end-to-end, helping brands launch sweepstakes that are compliant, properly structured, and legally sound.
compliance and avoid legal risk. This includes drafting clear official rules, offering an alternative means of entry (AMOE) when purchases are required, securing any necessary state bonds and registering where applicable, and ensuring marketing materials follow advertising and disclosure regulations.
Our in-house legal team manages these requirements end-to-end, helping brands launch sweepstakes that are compliant, properly structured, and legally sound.
Are sweepstakes laws different in each state?
Sweepstakes are subject to both federal and state law, and while many states follow the same general requirements, some states impose additional rules that brands must follow. This may include minimum age of entry thresholds, bonding and registration requirements, prize value thresholds, or state-specific disclosures.
Realtime Media identifies and manages any applicable state-level requirements to help ensure your sweepstakes remains compliant nationwide, including important state-specific distinctions:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/contests-and-sweepstakes-laws-by-state
Realtime Media identifies and manages any applicable state-level requirements to help ensure your sweepstakes remains compliant nationwide, including important state-specific distinctions:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/contests-and-sweepstakes-laws-by-state
Can a sweepstakes involve a purchase?
Sweepstakes can be promoted as “purchase to enter”, but a free alternative means of entry (AMOE) must also be available and appropriately disclosed. This ensures compliance with “No Purchase Necessary” laws and avoids classification as an illegal lottery.
We help brands with AMOE options that are structured correctly and administered in compliance with legal requirements. Explore the full details in our guide:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/amoe-guide-to-alternate-methods-of-entry
We help brands with AMOE options that are structured correctly and administered in compliance with legal requirements. Explore the full details in our guide:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/amoe-guide-to-alternate-methods-of-entry
Can Realtime Media help with international promotions?
Yes. We support international sweepstakes and promotions by coordinating with trusted external counsel to ensure compliance with country-specific laws and regulations.
How does Realtime Media help with winner selection and prize fulfillment?
Realtime Media helps brands efficiently manage the winner experience, from fair and transparent winner selection through prize redemption, procurement and fulfillment. We provide support across winner outreach and administration, as well as prize procurement, warehousing, shipping, and delivery—ensuring a smooth, reliable experience for both you and your winners.
How does Realtime Media ensure compliance with data security regulations?
Realtime Media takes data security and privacy seriously, implementing strong encryption practices to protect personal and promotional data both in transit and at rest. Our systems and processes are designed to align with global data protection regulations, including GDPR and CCPA, and support secure data handling, transparent consent, and appropriate data access controls—helping brands confidently meet privacy requirements.
All promotions built by Realtime Media are also protected by our fraud mitigation and security engine.
Learn more about data privacy and security in our blog:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/yours-mine-and-ours-which-privacy-policy-governs-a-sweepstakes-administered-by-a-third-party
All promotions built by Realtime Media are also protected by our fraud mitigation and security engine.
Learn more about data privacy and security in our blog:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/yours-mine-and-ours-which-privacy-policy-governs-a-sweepstakes-administered-by-a-third-party
How quickly can you launch my promotion?
Depending on the details of your promotion, we can work with you to draft the official rules for your promotion, enabling go-to-market in as few as 5 business days. With our quick start digital checklists and dedicated team for drafting official rules and managing promotion administration services, our agile approach allows us to move quickly when timelines are tight.
For promotions that include entry collection via social media or a microsite, our proven processes and cutting-edge technology can bring a promotion to market in as little as 2–3 weeks. Fast launches depend on timely approvals and clear timelines, and we work closely with your team to align on deliverables and key decision-makers early—helping you get to market faster than expected.
How much does it cost to work with Realtime Media?
Our services are scalable to your needs, whether you need full-service support or a-la-carte services like legal compliance and winner fulfillment. We offer cost-effective solutions for promotions of any size, ensuring value at every stage. Here’s a blog to consider:
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/the-cost-value-equation-for-digital-microsite-promotions-template-vs-custom-solutions
- https://www.rtm.com/blog/the-cost-value-equation-for-digital-microsite-promotions-template-vs-custom-solutions
Stay Ahead: Sweepstakes Trends and Best Practices
Discover the Latest at RTM
1/29/2026
For promotions to make an impact, consumers need a clear reason to notice them, care, and take action at the right time. An especially effective tactic for increasing awareness and relevance to consumers is to launch promotions when audiences are already paying attention,
12/22/2025
In 2025, marketers leaned into promotion strategies that sparked action, deepened engagement, and turned everyday interactions into measurable results. Across industries, four trends proved especially impactful in how brands motivated participation and achieved their goals:
12/10/2025
Winner outreach, notification, and management is a crucial yet frequently overlooked stage in the promotion lifecycle. Brands focus on front-end engagement, but once winners are selected, the experience often shifts to manual emails, scattered follow-ups, and inconsistent communication—a touchpoint with high-impact potential that often goes underleveraged.
