Sweepstakes & Contest Compliance Check
A go/no-go against the three legal elements and the special-state registration triggers — before you spend on rules, ads, or prizes.
Your promotion
Educational check — not legal advice. Confirm with a qualified attorney and the state Attorney General before running any promotion.
Compliance verdict
| Element 1 — Prize | Present (something of value is awarded) |
| Element 2 — Chance vs Skill | Chance (sweepstakes — winners by random draw) |
| Element 3 — Consideration | Removed — free entry with AMOE required |
| New York registration trigger | ARV $10,000 > $5,000 — Total announced prize value over $5,000 (cumulative across all prizes). · Bond/trust required |
| Federal baseline | No-purchase-necessary statement, equal-dignity AMOE, published rules with ARV + odds + dates, tax statement (1099 for prizes ≥ $600) |
Source: N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 369-e — DOS Games of Chance Registration · Under U.S. law a promotion is an illegal lottery only when it combines three elements: a Prize, Chance, and Consideration (a purchase or something of value to enter). A "sweepstake…
How the check works
U.S. promotion law turns on three elements: Prize + Chance + Consideration = illegal lottery. A sweepstakes removes consideration (free entry + equal-dignity AMOE). A contest removes chance (real skill judging). On top of that baseline, a handful of states add registration or bonding when the prize value crosses a threshold — New York and Florida at $5,000 total ARV, Rhode Island at $500 for retail-store promotions, and Arizona for skill contests tied to a purchase.
| State | Trigger | Bond/Trust | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | ARV > $5,000 | Yes | Before launch |
| Florida | ARV > $5,000 | Yes (or waiver) | 7 days |
| Rhode Island | ARV > $500 (retail only) | No | Before launch |
| Arizona | Skill contest tied to purchase | No | Before conduct |
Every state page carries the full citation and agency link — browse by state →