1. Read the Rules and Regulations before you enter
One of the most important things about entering contests and sweepstakes, is to ensure that you do not disqualify your entry. After all, why go through the time, expense, and effort of entering a contest or sweepstakes, if your entry may be invalid? You can't win if you have been disqualified.
How can you help avoid getting your entry disqualified? By being familiar with and following the "Rules and Regulations" of the contest or sweepstakes you are entering (sometimes also referred to as the "Terms and Conditions" or even just the "Rules"). Don't do something that the rules and regulations say you are not allowed to do.
2. Eligibility Requirements
Residency requirements - The most common requirement in contests and sweepstakes, is the residency requirement. This residency requirement can apply not only to countries, but can also apply to states/provinces (and with smaller contests and sweepstakes even locally to regions or cities). Most rules state clearly "only open to residents of " and then they name the country or states/provinces that residents can participate from.
Two reasons for residency requirements are: First; government regulations and bureaucracy, and second; the higher costs associated with administering a larger geographical contest or sweepstakes and the costs of delivering the prizes.
So if you don't fit into the residency requirement as set in the "Rules and Regulations", then don't enter, as your entry would be disqualified and you would be wasting your efforts.
Age requirements - Each contest and sweepstakes usually lists the age requirements for the entrants, in order to ensure candidacy for potential winners.
Usually this stated as the minimum age requirement being the 'age of majority'. This 'age of majority' may vary from country to country, or by different states/provinces. The 'age of majority' is typically the age when a person is considered an adult and would typically indicate the age at which someone is considered legally capable of signing contracts. The winner of a sweepstakes/contest is typically expected to sign a release or a waiver of liability. This signature on the release or waiver of liability, is to release the company that runs or sponsors the contest or sweepstakes from any liability that may arise from the winner receiving, or using the prize.
Some contests and sweepstakes have a specific age requirement, for example '12 years old and older', or 'between the ages of 6 and 10'. This is as the contest or sweepstakes is specifically targeted and marketed at that age group (teens/kids), and the prizes are typically consistent or in theme with the age group. In these instances, the "Rules and Regulations" may state that in the event that the winner is under the 'age of majority', the parent or guardian must sign the waiver releasing the company of any liability with regards to the prize.
So if you don't fit into the age requirement as set in the "Rules and Regulations", then don't enter, as your entry would be disqualified and you would be wasting your efforts.
3. Closing Date
Don’t submit your entries after the closing date of any contest or sweepstakes. Late entries are disqualified, so don't waste your time and effort.
Don't submit your mail-in entry if your mail-in entry does not have a reasonable chance of being delivered by the closing date. Late entries are disqualified, so don't waste your efforts.
If you are entering online and the closing date has already passed, but the entry page is still accessible, don’t bother as your entry would be late. Sometimes the online contests and sweepstakes require a manual update, which may be late in being administered. Regardless of the reason why if the entry page may be accessible after the closing date, it would still be considered a late entry and would be disqualified.
4. Method of Entry
Adhere to the method of entry for the contest or sweepstakes.
This is a tricky rule. Tricky in the sense that unless you read the "Rules and Regulations", you may not understand the requirement.
There may be some mail-in contests and sweepstakes rules that state that entries would only be accepted on a postcard, or on a 3"x5" white piece of paper, or only on an original entry form, or requiring you to write something specific on the outside of the envelope of the entry.
There may be some rules that require a 'fully completed' survey. Not half complete, not mostly complete, but fully completed.
Some rules allow for an 'alternate entry'. For example, the rules may state that you get an entry by making a purchase of a specific product, but the rules may also state how you can submit an 'alternate entry' without a purchase.
The above are only a few examples of methods of entry that are a little out of the ordinary.
5. Number of Entries Allowed
Single Entries - If the rules state that "only one entry per person", don't enter more than once, as often additional entries from the same person not only disqualify their additional entries, but also their first original entry.
Sometimes the rules may state that "only one entry per email address", or "only one entry per household". Again, don't enter more than once, so that you don't get totally disqualified from the contest or sweepstakes.
Multiple Entries - Some contests and sweepstakes allow for multiple entries, by stating something like "only one entry per person per day". If you have the time and patience, and really desire and value the prize, by all means enter as often as you wish as long as it is not more than what the rules allow.
It is generally not good practice, to enter contests and sweepstakes on behalf of someone else, or with someone else’s name and information. You may not be aware that they have or will enter themselves, in which case you may have put that person at risk of being disqualified if entries are limited. The other person may also not be aware of your entry made on their behalf, and if they get a winner’s notification, they may disregard it as they may consider it unsolicited spam as they can’t remember entering in the first place, and in so doing may lose the prize.
Summary of Course:
Luck 103 - Contest and Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations
- Read the Rules and Regulations before entering, so you know what to avoid in getting disqualified.
- Don't enter if you do not meet the residency requirements, or the age requirements.
- Don't enter if the closing date has passed, or if your entry will not be delivered by the closing date.
- Understand any special requirements on "how" to enter.
- Don't enter more often than the rules allow.
End of Course "Luck 103".
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