The following is not meant to be legal advice, and is provided for information purposes only.
All sweepstakes should be accompanied by official rules, which form the contract between the sponsor and the participant. The following elements should be considered when formulating rules:
1. Methods of entry - email, postal mail, telephone
2. Limitations on the number of entries
3. Prohibition on facsimile entries
4. Method of determining winners - random drawing, present at a certain place to claim the prizes
5. Notification of winners by mail
6. Prize description, cash substitute options, retail values
7. Odds of winning
8. Eligibility - age, residence, exclusion of employees and family members of sponsor
9. Whether it is No Purchase Necessary
10. Limitation on sponsor's liability
11. Canceling sweepstakes if not enough entries generated
12. Minors clause - delivering prizes only to parent or guardian
13. Void where prohibited clause
14. Taxes on prizes
15. Judges decisions are final
16. Unclaimed prizes not awarded, second chance drawings
17. Entries become property of sponsor
18. Winners' list - availability date, where posted
19. Duration - commencement and termination dates, postmarks required
20. Publicity releases - use of name, photograph, privacy concerns
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