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Sweepstakes Law

U.S. Sweepstakes Laws: Real Compliance Failures That Led to Penalties

February 2, 2026
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights FTC sweepstakes enforcement actions against major brands and operators How misleading entry paths triggered multimillion-dollar penalties When paid entry methods converted promotions into illegal lotteries Why state and federal regulators focus on consumer perception How compliant sweepstakes promotions avoid enforcement risk Sweepstakes promotions are common across digital marketing, retail, and social media campaigns. […]

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Holiday Giveaway Rules and Regulations: Legal Guide for Seasonal Promotions

January 28, 2026
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights Why holiday giveaways require heightened legal scrutiny Core holiday giveaway rules and regulations under U.S. law Planning timelines for seasonal promotions Platform-specific compliance issues during peak traffic periods Common legal mistakes brands make when rushing holiday campaigns Holiday giveaways are powerful engagement tools, but they also present elevated legal risk. Increased participation, higher […]

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Giveaway Entry Requirements: A Legal Guide for Brands

January 26, 2026
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Giveaways and sweepstakes are widely used by brands to increase engagement, grow audiences, and promote products or services. However, improperly structured giveaway entry requirements can expose a brand to regulatory risk, platform enforcement, and consumer complaints. Clear, compliant entry rules are essential to ensuring that a promotion is lawful and enforceable. This guide explains how […]

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Sweepstakes Laws by State: Registration and Bonding Requirements Across All 50 States

January 22, 2026
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Note: Sweepstakes laws vary by jurisdiction and fact pattern. Schedule a consultation before launching any promotion. Sweepstakes are effective marketing tools, but they are governed by a complex framework of federal and state laws. This pillar guide explains sweepstakes laws by state, with a detailed focus on registration and bonding requirements in New York, Florida, […]

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Car Giveaway Rules and Regulations: A Comprehensive Legal Compliance Guide

January 14, 2026
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights How federal and state laws regulate vehicle giveaways Required disclosures and provisions in car giveaway contest rules Registration and bonding obligations in regulated states Tax implications for sponsors and winners Winner selection standards and participant protections Car giveaways are powerful promotional tools, but they carry heightened legal risk because a vehicle is considered […]

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Legal Contest Rules: How to Run Skill-Based Promotions

August 12, 2025
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights Understand the legal difference between contests, sweepstakes, and lotteries Learn the essential elements of legal contest rules See what makes a contest “skill-based” under U.S. law Discover judging criteria best practices and legal red flags Know when to consult a promotions attorney Contests can boost engagement, generate user content, and help brands connect […]

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Sweepstakes Compliance: Your Legal Checklist for Running a Giveaway

August 5, 2025
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights Understand U.S. sweepstakes laws and compliance frameworks Learn how to write official sweepstakes rules that hold up legally Know which states require bonding and registration Discover platform-specific guidelines for social media sweepstakes See examples of real sweepstakes compliance mistakes Get actionable tips for businesses running their first promotion Sweepstakes are powerful tools for […]

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Social Media Contest Terms and Legal Requirements

July 22, 2025
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights Why brands use social media contest companies for legal promotions What to include in your contest terms and conditions The laws and regulations every contest must follow Key differences between contests and sweepstakes When to involve a sweepstakes attorney Running a contest on Instagram or TikTok might sound easy—until you realize you need […]

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Giveaway Legal Rules: Avoid Fines and Stay Compliant

July 8, 2025
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Key Highlights Understand the legal difference between giveaways, sweepstakes, contests, and lotteries Learn the essential federal and state giveaway rules and regulations for 2025 Discover common legal mistakes to avoid in online giveaways Ensure compliance with social media platform promotion policies Get expert guidance from The Social Media Law Firm to protect your brand Running […]

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Top 5 Legal Tips for Running a Sweepstakes on Instagram

June 25, 2025
Ethan Wall

Posted in: Sweepstakes Law

Instagram is one of the most effective platforms for running sweepstakes and giveaways—but before you launch that next “like, follow, and tag” contest, it’s important to make sure your promotion is legally compliant. With consumer protection laws, platform policies, and state regulations in the mix, a misstep can quickly turn a marketing win into a […]

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