The legal sports betting industry raked in $11 billion last year, plus billions in tax revenues for states. You can’t get through a 30-second TV timeout without 90 seconds of commercials for legal gaming sites. Since 2018...more
This week Donald J. Trump announced that “Back by popular demand” he’s offering his new (Series 4) Trump Digital Trading Cards (NFTs). Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I went to the website to review the offer and...more
Wow, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a sweepstakes issue today.
Anyone who has ever drafted or looked at Official Rules typically notices some clause concerning how disputes are to be resolved. Often there is forum...more
“Slick Willie” Sutton knew why he robbed banks – “Because that’s where the money is.” Likewise, there is money to be made in running sweepstakes. The question arises for the intrepid entrepreneur – why not just sell anything...more
Maybe it’s just me, but I think when promotion lawyers see an innovative sweepstakes, they think about the legal issues raised. I’m sure the jurisconsults debated over whether Tali, Terni Lapilli and Ludus Latrunculorum could...more
Tis the season. Some people like to use the phrase “Doing Well by Doing Good.” Early U.S. business magnates knew that financial benefits can come from philanthropy. In 1888, Cornealius Vanderbilt donated $250,000 (that’s six...more
Being born and raised in Pennsylvania, let me start by saying that I love Reese Cups – a perfect mix of chocolate and peanut butter that just makes you so happy. And of course, Reese’s should not be sorry that they make you...more
Examining loyalty points used for chance promotions -
On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW:
Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know •...more
Hearing “O Canada” being proudly sung during the recent NHL playoffs reminded me to remind you that in June 2021, la province de québec somewhat quietly amended its publicity contest law in order to exempt international...more
The 94th Academy Awards might have had dramas you never heard of (subtext COVID), but it wasn’t lacking in drama. When Will smacked Chris, a collective “whoa” rocked the Dolby Theater. The drama intensified when the question...more
A custom PC company, Artesian Builds, who hyped its image by offering frequent giveaways ranging from $100 gift cards to t-shirts to custom built pcs, announced today (March 10) that it was suspending its business, following...more
Last month, a class action lawsuit was dismissed, in part, against plaintiffs who opted into Coinbase Global’s $1.2 Dogecoin sweepstakes. Dogecoin is an open source peer-to-peer digital currency (say that twice), with a cute...more
...You don’t have to go to Disney World and take a 10-minute boat ride down the Seven Seas Waterway to realize that people around the globe are interconnected in so many ways and that a company’s business is pretty much...more
With the current debt crisis looming and people tightening their belts, perhaps we’ll see more brands doubling down on sweepstakes promotions to increase sales. Before your company jumps into the fray, let’s consider some...more
Oh, Canada, you give us ice hockey, maple syrup, Tom Hortons, and one stubborn province that had a noted aversion to “publicity contests.” But no more. Quebec has amended its laws concerning mandatory registration and fees...more
Every six-year-old boy, at some time in his short life, comes up with the idea of running a raffle as an ingenious way of earning some easy money. It is then left to his sardonic stuffed animal friend to counsel him on the...more
I love it when there are new and innovative approaches to sweepstakes. That’s been the genesis and driving force behind sweepstakes promotions since they began. The term “sweepstakes” itself originated in the late 14th...more
Sometimes doing good isn’t easy. Say you’re a company that wants to run a sweepstakes by asking entrants for donations to charity. Sounds simple. Everyone will think you’re an A-1, socially conscious brand that isn’t even...more
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” Muhammad Ali -
We are seeing a nation pitching in to flatten the curve and countless unsung heroes on the front lines trying to help those infected by...more
We did not start the fire, but it’s still burning. And for the foreseeable future, sponsors will want to pay special attention to how to handle currently running and upcoming planned sweepstakes and contests. Here are some...more
I came across an interesting article in USA Today about how it’s really easy for miscreants to change the dates on documents abbreviating the New Year as “20.”
For instance, say your “free” offer “Ends 1/2/20.” Some hacker...more
2018 brought us the type of lawsuits you would expect in the world of sweepstakes, contests and giveaways. From “The Annoyance Lawyer” to Bobbleheads to “You’re Probably Never Going to Be A Winner.” The most depressing thing...more
12/14/2018
/ Casinos ,
Class Action ,
Contests & Promotions ,
Eligibility ,
False Advertising ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Foreign Students ,
Gambling ,
Games of Chance ,
Motion for Summary Judgment ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
OH Supreme Court ,
Private Right of Action ,
Prizes ,
Promotional Items ,
Sales Tax ,
School Districts ,
Settlement ,
Sweepstakes ,
Tax Litigation ,
Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices ,
Websites
Prop 215 was enacted in California twenty-two years today on November 5, 1996. This law was the first of its kind in the U.S. to legalize medical marijuana use. Since then 30 states have approved medical marijuana use and 9...more
11/5/2018
/ Advertising ,
Contests & Promotions ,
Dispensaries ,
Interstate Commerce ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Marketing ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Retailers ,
State and Local Government ,
Sweepstakes
Remember that song in the ‘90s from the C+C Music Factory called “Things That Make You Go Hmmm….” I guess I did when I came across some recent promotions. Perhaps these practice tips will stay with you longer than C+C’s 15...more
6/13/2018
/ Advertising ,
Commercial Co-Ventures (CCVs) ,
Contests & Promotions ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Opt-Outs ,
Prior Express Consent ,
Social Media ,
Sweepstakes ,
TCPA ,
Trump Administration ,
Young Lawyers
On April 23, 2018, 13 disgruntled senior citizens, led by a retired and disabled veteran who for seven years purchased hundreds of items from Publishers Clearing House (PCH) believing this would increase his chance of winning...more