Sweepstakes and Contests

Sweepstakes and contests.  Chance to win a prize.

Listings of contests and sweepstakes.
Lots of Luck to you for each sweepstakes and contest you enter.

What is a "Contest"? - Traditionally, a contest can be defined as an event which involves competition in some form (ie. people compete against other people to see who is the fastest, the smartest, the prettiest, or the best at doing something), and the winner of the competition usually gets a prize or some kind of award.

What is a "Sweepstakes"? - Traditionally, a sweepstakes can be defined as an event where the winner is selected at random (by luck), and awarded a prize.

"Contests" and "sweepstakes" today - Currently, the terms "contests" and "sweepstakes" are often used interchangeably, with both terms usually inferring a random draw for someone to win a prize. There are still "contests" out there which involve a competition of some kind such as a beauty contest, a photo contest, a poetry contest, an essay contest, and so on. More and more "contests" over the years have incorporated the random draw (winner by luck) into their realm, such as many online newsletters. "Sweepstakes" seem to carry a connotation of fantastic prizes and availability to a wider audience to participate, compared to "contests".

What are "Sweeps" - "Sweeps" are another way to say "sweepstakes", usually also inferring "contests" in the word "sweeps".

What or who are "Sweepers"? - "Sweepers" are people who are passionate about entering sweepstakes and contests, and passionate about winning. Sweepers develop a keen sense in finding contests and sweepstakes to enter. Sweepers generally also enter lots of contests and sweepstakes.

Are you lucky? - Not sure? Consider your luck already increasing, just for visiting us. We provide a directory of various online contests and sweepstakes for you to enter, for your chance to win. Some contests only require a simple entry. Some contests may require a purchase in order to be entered. Some contests will require participation in a short survey in order to be entered.

What can you win? - There are a variety of prizes that are available to be won. Depending on the contest and the sponsor, grand prizes may be cash prizes, sports cars, luxury cars, trips, exotic vacations, TVs, or other awesome giveaways.

Why do companies offer prizes? - If you have never won anything before, you can still believe that some companies do actually give away awesome prizes for free. It's great advertising for those companies, as the concept of winning cash or prizes through a sponsored contest or sweepstakes does attract a lot more attention in people than normal basic product advertising. Generally it's a win-win, the company benefits, and the consumer benefits.

What to do if you win a prize you don't want? - It may be tempting, but please don't consider a prize insignificant or complain if you are lucky enough to win something you don't really need or want. Usually the prizes that people don't want are some of the subsidiary prizes, which are sometime various merchandise prizes. People normally want to keep the grand prizes, as that is generally the reason they enter the contest or sweepstake in the first place, in order to try to win the grand prize. A couple of options you may want to consider if you don't want to keep a prize include selling the prize, or giving the prize away as a gift.

What about taxes on winning a prize? - That depends on where you live. In the U.S., there are typically taxes to be paid by the winner on the value of the prize. In Canada, if the contest or sweepstakes has a skill-testing question, it is usually deemed to be a game of skill and not a game of chance, so there typically are no taxes to be paid. (The Province of Quebec generally has it's own regulations regarding contests and sweepstakes). No matter where you live, it is always best to check with your local tax office regarding potential taxes on winnings from a contest or sweepstakes.

What about scams? - Be careful, as there are lots of scams out there claiming that you may have won a prize but that in order to collect your prize they claim you need to send them money, or your financial information. Reputable companies and organizations that sponsor or run contests and sweepstakes, usually do not ask you for money in order for you to get your prize (check with your local tax office for any potential laws pertaining to withholding taxes, or payment of taxes on any prizes). Remember that in winning a contest or sweepstake, the idea is that the sponsor sends the winner a prize, and not the winner sending the sponsor money. You also should not be asked for bank accounts or other personal or financial information. You will probably need to confirm your identity, but just be careful of the information you provide.   Click here for a link to the FTC consumer alert on lottery scams.

Any hints or tips for entering contests and sweepstakes? - We provide some contest and sweepstakes hints and tips articles, to help increase your awareness of contests and sweepstakes. Each country/state/province may have specific laws or regulations, or other restrictions pertaining to contests and sweepstakes, so these hints and tips are provided as guidelines only.

Contest and Sweepstakes Hints and Tips

1. Always read and follow all the Rules and Regulations of any contest or sweepstakes.
   
2. Keep a journal of your entries into contests and sweepstakes.
   
3. More important things to be aware of.
   
4. Where to find contests and sweepstakes.
   
5. A trend in rules and regulations.
   
6. Original entry forms only.
   
7. The best time to enter contests and sweepstakes.
   
8. Be aware of scams.
   
9. Dedicated contest and sweepstakes sites.
   
10. Automated entries.
    
11. The 'UPC'.
12. The four leaf clover.

Important - Always read and follow the rules and regulations of the contest or sweepstakes that you are entering, to ensure that you don't get inadvertently disqualified. Don't waste your entry, or your time.

Make a wish - Don't forget that if you make a wish to win a particular contest or sweepstakes that you are entering, rumor has it that you shouldn't speak your wish out loud, or it won't come true.

Try out your luck - See what luck may bring your way. It might be you that's the lucky one and becomes a big winner... You can't win if you don't enter, so submit your entries through our directory for the sweepstakes and contests in order to have a chance at winning a prize! You might win a car. Maybe you'll win a vacation or a trip. How about winning some cash? Who knows what good luck you might have, and what you might win.

Enter to win today - Feeling lucky? Then with prizes galore, don't wait any longer, go ahead and enter lots of contests and sweepstakes now! ...and of course... Good Luck to you!

Click here for contests and sweepstakes for residents of the USA.

After you enter the various contests and sweepstakes from our site, if you still want to find more online contests, then go ahead and use the search box below to help you search the web for more...

Share this site with your friends - Sometimes... when you share your luck, you can actually attract more luck for yourself. Click here to tell your friends, family and colleagues about www.lots-of-luck.com to also give them a chance to enter the contests to also maybe win something fantastic.