Sweepstakes Glossary: Official Rules Terms

Contest

A promotion that selects a winner using stated skill, creativity, knowledge, or judging criteria instead of a random drawing. The rules should explain what is judged and how entries are scored.

Why it matters: Read the judging criteria before you invest time in an entry.

Giveaway

A broad everyday label for a promotion that offers a prize. A giveaway can be a sweepstakes, a contest, or another type of promotion, so the official rules tell you which one it is.

Why it matters: The casual label alone does not explain the entry or winner-selection method.

Lottery

A term commonly used for a prize promotion involving chance and payment to participate. Laws and definitions can vary, so use the official rules and applicable sources rather than assuming that every giveaway is a lottery.

Why it matters: It helps distinguish a chance-based sweepstakes from a paid game or drawing.

Sweepstakes

A promotion that offers prizes and selects winners by chance. Its official rules set the actual entry method, eligibility requirements, timing, prizes, and winner process.

Why it matters: The rules—not the promotion’s headline—are the source for the terms that apply to you.

Administrator

The company or organization that may handle parts of a promotion for the sponsor, such as entry processing, winner selection, or prize fulfillment. It is often named near the beginning of the official rules.

Eligibility

The conditions a person must meet to enter or win. Rules commonly cover age, residence, timing, employee or household exclusions, and other promotion-specific limits.

Entrant

A person who submits an entry or otherwise takes part in a promotion. The rules may use this term when explaining entry limits, eligibility, and responsibilities.

Why it matters: Rules can apply different requirements before and after a person becomes a potential winner.

Official rules

The sponsor’s governing document for a promotion. It should state the dates, who may enter, how to enter, prize details, and the winner process. When a listing and the rules differ, follow the rules.

Sponsor

The organization responsible for running or offering a promotion. The sponsor is usually identified in the official rules, even when another company administers parts of the promotion.

Void where prohibited

A notice that a promotion may not be available in every place. Eligibility, registration, and promotion rules can vary by location, so confirm the geographic terms in the official rules.

Why it matters: Never assume a nationwide-looking promotion is open where you live.

AMOE (alternative method of entry)

A rules-defined way to enter that is different from the main promotional path. It may use an online form, mail, or another method, and the instructions can be precise about format, timing, and limits.

Bonus entry

An additional entry opportunity described in the rules. It may have separate timing, limits, or conditions, so it should not be treated as automatic or unlimited.

Why it matters: Check whether a bonus entry changes the number of entries allowed for you.

Daily entry

A promotion that allows an eligible person to enter again on a daily cadence. The official rules define what counts as a day, when the window resets, and any overall limit.

Entry limit

The maximum number of entries a person, household, email address, phone number, or other identifier may submit. Limits can apply per day, per promotion period, or per drawing.

Why it matters: Exceeding a stated limit can make extra entries ineligible.

Entry period

The window in which the sponsor accepts entries. Rules may describe a start date, end date, time zone, and separate periods for recurring or multi-drawing promotions.

Why it matters: A date without the applicable time and time zone can be misleading.

No purchase necessary

A phrase indicating that no purchase or payment is required to enter or win. The rules should explain the free entry route and any material conditions that still apply.

Why it matters: A purchase should not be treated as a requirement or a way to improve your odds.

Source: FTC consumer guidance on prize promotions

ARV (approximate retail value)

The value assigned to a prize in the official rules. ARV can help you understand the sponsor’s stated prize value, but it is separate from the exact item, delivery terms, substitutions, and your personal circumstances.

Why it matters: Compare the ARV with the prize description and any costs or restrictions in the rules.

Alternate winner

A person selected after an initial potential winner does not meet the rules, cannot be reached, does not respond on time, or otherwise cannot receive the prize under the stated process.

Why it matters: A winner notice is not necessarily final until the verification steps are complete.

Odds of winning

The stated likelihood of receiving a prize. For many sweepstakes, the rules say odds depend on the number of eligible entries received rather than giving a fixed number.

Why it matters: Read the exact odds language instead of inferring a chance from the number of prizes alone.

Potential winner

A person selected as a possible winner before eligibility and rule compliance are confirmed. Rules often require a response, verification, or paperwork before a prize is awarded.

Prize

What a selected winner may receive under the official rules. The prize section should distinguish the item or experience itself from its stated value, quantity, substitutions, taxes, shipping, and delivery terms.

Random drawing

A method of selecting potential winners by chance from eligible entries. The rules should identify the drawing period, the number of winners, and what happens if a selected entrant is not eligible.

Why it matters: It distinguishes a chance-based winner process from a judged contest.

Affidavit of eligibility

A document a potential winner may be asked to complete to confirm that they meet the promotion’s stated requirements. The rules should describe any response deadline and documents the sponsor may request.

Why it matters: Read the request and the official rules carefully before sharing sensitive information.

Liability release

A document that may be included in a winner-verification package. It can address conditions connected with accepting or using a prize, so read it alongside the official rules before signing.

Why it matters: It is a document-specific term, not a substitute for reading the promotion’s rules.

Publicity release

A permission or agreement that may address how a sponsor can use a winner’s name, likeness, or hometown if allowed by the rules and applicable law.

Why it matters: Check the promotion-specific wording and any stated exceptions.

Winner notification

The method a sponsor says it will use to contact a potential winner, such as email, phone, direct message, or mail. The rules should also state the response window.

W-9

An IRS form used to provide a taxpayer identification number to a requester. A sponsor may request it as part of prize fulfillment; tax treatment depends on the prize and the recipient’s circumstances.

Why it matters: Use the sponsor’s official instructions and seek qualified advice for personal tax questions.

Source: IRS: About Form W-9