Sweepstakes are linked to rules. They tell us how we should stay adhered to the specifics of any promotion. Without them sweepstakes would not be fair to everyone involved. In this blog article we'll go over some important aspects of sweepstakes rules to make sure you are playing fair and also to help secure a prize win.
Sponsors Have Sweepstakes Rules for a Reason
Why do sponsors have sweepstakes promotions? The main reason is that they want to introduce people to their products or service. Sweepstakes provide a perfect way to do that as usually the product or service is part of the prize. It's the sponsors brand that needs to be protected. Having sweepstakes rules that allow for cheating wouldn't look favorably on the sponsor.
Basic Categories Get You Started
Sweepstakes Advantage lists a ton of sweepstakes. We usually have several thousand listed on the website at any given time. We break down all the sweepstakes by category to make it easy for everyone to know how to enter. The categories are pretty basic. Daily, One Entry, Weekly or even Monthly entry. Beyond these basic categories there are extended entry options usually only available in the full sweepstakes rules listed directly on the sponsors website. Have you ever look at these in detail?
The Details of Sweepstakes Rules are a Roadmap to Winning
When you do a deep dive into the sweepstakes rules you can start to notice that some promotions have several ways to enter beyond just filling out a form. In some cases you can enter via internet and via postal mail for extra entries. Many people will just enter online and not take the extra effort to enter by mail. This could be an advantage in your favor if you are willing to put in a little extra effort.
Can I Enter for my Wife for an Extra Entry?
In some promotions the sweepstakes rules specifically call out the details behind how may people can enter from one household. When they do this they will say either say “one entry per household” or “one entry per email address”. While other times they will combine these two which means very strictly, only one entry per family home. If it is stated one entry per email address in most promotions it's usually ok to enter for a spouse along with your own entry. This will give you in the very least one extra entry for the sweepstakes you are trying to enter.
Cheating Ruins the Sweepstakes Hobby for All
In the many years we been listing sweepstakes there are always some people who get greedy and will find a way to exploit the rules. Sweepstakes entry is meant to be a free fun hobby and not a profession. The rules are meant to be adhered to standardly. They are not meant to be Bent. For example, I heard a story one time that people were still entering a sweepstakes after the official end date because the sweepstakes form was still active even though the rules officially closed the promotion. The people who kept entering won the sweepstakes prize. If this doesn't sound fair to you we understand.
Modern Era of Sweepstakes Helps with Adherence to Sweepstakes Rules
In the age of the internet and databases, secure sweepstakes forms have come a long way. Yes, the sweepstakes rules are still their in black and white. The systems collecting the entries are also defending the rules. These systems can detect duplicate entries, validate emails and addresses and even block submission spam. In the SweepWidget system I know many protocols that can be enabled to protect the sponsor from invalid entries. This allows for the sponsor to create a competition that is very strict if they choose.
Be Kind and Honorable
The sweepstakes sponsors don't have to provide free sweepstakes prizes. Try and appreciate how hard they must work to run their business, especially in these times. If we all play by the rules all of us can really enjoy a fun free hobby that should be around for a very long time. Good luck to all and thank you for reading the rules.