PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Sweepstakes and Contests
Legal sweepstakes are an effective means for brands to attract consumer attention and interaction through the allure of possible prize winnings. Some sweepstakes operators, however, have attempted to create business models...more
Sweepstakes casinos have become a force in online gaming, offering casino-style games without navigating the complex regulatory scrutiny of gaming regulators or legislators. Sweepstakes casinos use creative business models,...more
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission sent more than $18 million in refunds to U.S. consumers who entered a Publishers Clearing House (PCH) sweepstakes in recent years. The refund represents a significant remedy to...more
Earlier this month, members of the New York State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee unanimously voted to advance bill S5935, which, if signed into law, would (a) forbid the operation and promotion of certain online...more
We recently wrote about the flurry of legal issues with the social casino sweepstakes model. Now, the New York State Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee passed S5935, a bill that, if fully approved and enacted,...more
With March Madness approaching, some employers may wish to get in on the action by sponsoring bracket pools to boost employee camaraderie or strengthen relationships with customers or clients. ...more
Social casino games remain incredibly popular and profitable. This success has drawn attacks from plaintiffs’ class action lawyers in the form of gambling loss recovery lawsuits and other consumer-based actions. Some have...more
The culmination of every successful sweepstakes promotion involves the picking of a winner, or multiple winners, as applicable. Winner selection also provides the sweepstakes operator with the opportunity to generate positive...more
Join 100+ cross-industry advertising practitioners for comprehensive panel discussions, practical case studies and valuable insights on how to successfully navigate today’s new era of advertising at ACI's 8th Annual Legal,...more
Social media can be a powerful business tool to connect with customers, but improperly managing your social media platforms can lead to costly mistakes, PR nightmares, and even legal troubles. Whether you’re a small business...more
As a whirlwind 2024 draws to a close, we here at BakerHostetler are reflecting on the promotions trends we’ve seen this year and what we predict you will see more of in 2025. Below, we pinpoint those trends and share some...more
Earlier this year, Coinbase ran a Bitcoin sweepstakes promotion offering the chance to win one of six prizes, with the top two prizes amounting to the equivalent of $1,000 USD in Bitcoin (along with merchandise and event...more
Last month, Philadelphia’s District Attorney sued Elon Musk over his political action committee’s sweepstakes to award a $1 million daily prize to swing-state voters who pledged to support the Constitution, alleging that the...more
In today’s digital marketing landscape, brands frequently leverage promotions like sweepstakes and contests to engage consumers, build brand loyalty, and expand their audiences. While both are popular strategies, the legal...more
Elon Musk's Surprising Defense to $1MM Election Giveaway - In a stunning argument to the PA Attorney General’s claim that Elon Musk’s $1MM Election Giveaway is an illegal lottery, yesterday Musk’s lawyer’s argued that it...more
Earlier this week, Philadelphia’s District Attorney sued Elon Musk over his political action committee’s sweepstakes to award a $1 million daily prize to swing-state voters who pledge to support the Constitution. The lawsuit...more
In a follow up to my previous post Who Needs Rules? Elon’s Election $1MM A Day Giveaway, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a Civil Action today in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County seeking an injunction to...more
Recently, Elon Musk launched a promotion on X (formerly Twitter). The promotion, however, doesn’t follow the rules that are typically required with promotions. Here’s the ad:...more
This week, 14 Attorneys General have sued TikTok challenging its practices. If you are a sponsor who currently has a sweepstakes or contest running on TikTok, or if you’re considering one, you may be asking yourself what can...more
Unique and highly coveted prizes provide an effective means for brands to drive consumer engagement with sweepstakes and promotional contests. Because prizes serve as the lure to entice consumers, sweepstakes operators have...more
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
Conducting a sweepstakes promotion through a social media venue provides businesses with a potent marketing combination: Sweepstakes sponsors can increase engagement with their social media accounts, while increasing brand...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
Welcome to Wiley’s update on recent developments and what’s next in consumer protection at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In this newsletter, we analyze recent regulatory...more
By awarding prizes in connection with a sweepstakes promotion, a business can generate valuable publicity and goodwill. This is especially true when the sweepstakes sponsor is able to publish the name and/or likeness of the...more