legal

No-Purchase Necessary

The legal principle that a sweepstakes must offer a free way to enter and win, with no purchase required to participate.

No-purchase-necessary is the core legal requirement that separates a lawful sweepstakes from illegal gambling. It mandates that every participant can enter and win prizes without spending money.

Sweepstakes casinos satisfy this rule by offering free Sweeps Coins through daily bonuses, social media giveaways, and the mail-in Alternative Means of Entry. Players who buy Gold Coins receive the same chance to win as those who enter for free, which keeps the model compliant.

Example usage

  • No-purchase-necessary rules require a free mail-in entry option.
  • Daily free SC bonuses help meet the no-purchase-necessary standard.