Sweepstakes are very popular in the United States, UK, and other countries. They are essentially lotteries which are free to enter. In the UK, they are usually called prize draws.

Sweepstakes Prizes

The prizes you can win in sweepstakes are widely varied - every from cars to vacations to guns to cameras. The prizes will often be related to the industry of the entity sponsoring the sweepstakes.

The Economics Of Sweepstakes

Who pays for sweepstakes - and why? Usually sweepstakes are sponsored by a business or businesses who receive promotional benefits from the sweepstakes. For example, you might be joining a mailing list when you enter the sweepstakes. Other sweepstakes encourage you to opt-in to magazine subscriptions when you enter.

Legal issues of sweepstakes

Sweepstakes are highly regulated in most countries. In the United States, many states have their own rules for sweepstakes, and a national sweepstakes must comply with each states' laws. In Canada and other countries, Sweepstakes must be at least nominally a game of skill, to avoid being seen as gambling. Canadian sweepstakes will usually require entrants to solve a mathematical puzzle to enter.

Well known sweepstakes

In the united States there are many well known sweepstakes that are conducted in a regular basis. Probably the two largest sweepstakes in the United States are the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes, the American Family Publishers Sweepstakes, and the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. Other large sweepstakes include ones sponsored by Pepsi, McDonalds, and others.

Entering Sweepstakes

Most sweepstakes can be entered by mailing a postcard with your name and address to the specified location. Some contests require you to hand print your postcard. This is designed to stop automated entries. Other sweepstakes do not care and you can easily enter through various automated means. Other contests allow entry vie their website, which can be even more convenient.