PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Sweepstakes and Contests
It’s that time of year again—Ad Law Symposium is back! Please join us in DC for this highly anticipated event focused on providing you with the information you need to promote your brand with confidence. Combining the...more
The second half of 2025 involved significant legal and regulatory activity across fantasy sports, event contracts, sweepstakes casinos and sports betting. The period was marked by a steady stream of new rulings, enforcement...more
Among the many changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is one relevant to brands and agencies running sweepstakes, contests, and other consumer promotions. ...more
From trademark prosecution reforms and copyright litigation milestones to tightening advertising substantiation standards, evolving trade secret risks, and the ongoing battle over product design “dupes,” 2026 presents a mix...more
Here are curated AG and federal regulatory news stories highlighting key areas in which state and federal regulators’ decisions are having an impact across the US: • AGs Drive Home $150M Deal With Mercedes Over Diesel...more
Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti announced that his office sent formal cease-and-desist letters to nearly 40 online sweepstakes casinos operating in Tennessee, and that recipients have either disabled the unlawful components of...more
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison sent letters to 14 operators of allegedly illegal gambling websites directing them to stop offering online gambling to Minnesota residents, citing potential violations of state consumer protection...more
Online sweepstakes have become a popular marketing tool for businesses looking to engage with audiences and build brand loyalty. In Canada, these contests are not only a fun way for participants to win prizes but also a...more
Smart phones and other mobile devices have become a significant part of everyday life. Consequently, businesses have sought to engage consumers through this popular medium by creating smart phone-based mobile applications...more
Last week, the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (or “CARU”) announced a decision involving MrBeastYouTube and its affiliate Feastables. The decision covers a range of issues that frequently come up for companies that...more
The internet is now the primary medium for operators to disseminate online gaming, sweepstakes, and contests to participants worldwide. Opposing moral viewpoints, conflicting statutory interpretations and legal challenges...more
Great news for brands operating consumer promotions, sweepstakes, and contests! Effective for the 2026 tax year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. No. 119-21) raises the threshold for issuance of a Form 1099-MISC from $600...more
We have seen dramatic evolution across the gaming industry throughout 2025. There have been noteworthy legal and regulatory developments for lottery couriers, prediction markets, sweepstakes casinos, and sports betting...more
“It’s just a giveaway. What could go wrong?” You’d be surprised. A fun marketing initiative can quickly become a legal headache. Behind every good sweepstakes is a legal minefield—one that many brands don’t recognize...more
Here are curated AG and federal regulatory news stories highlighting key areas in which state and federal regulators’ decisions are having an impact across the US: • Connecticut Law Aims to Weed Out Illegal Sales of...more
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) vetoed legislation that would have banned websites from conducting sweepstakes games that some say violate online gambling laws. Senate Bill 181, which was passed by the Louisiana State...more
New York AG Letitia James sent cease-and-desist letters to 26 online sweepstakes casino platforms alleging that they engage in prohibited gambling activity. In the letters, the AG demands that the virtual “sweepstakes...more
Maine’s Gambling Control Unit (GCU) has issued a formal warning regarding the proliferation of illegal interactive gaming (“iGaming”) platforms operating within the state. The warning emphasized that while certain forms of...more
We have previously posted on some of the recent legal issues with social casino sweepstakes. See Social Casino Sweepstakes Model is Under Fire – What Game Companies, Payment Processors and App Stores Need to Know. Various...more
Recent events around the country indicate that online sweepstakes are facing increasing scrutiny and concerns from legislatures, regulators and others. “Montana just criminalized everyday digital promotions with a law so...more
Earlier this week, Coinbase and its sweepstakes administrator agreed to the terms of a class action settlement in the matter of Suski v. Coinbase, Inc. After nearly four years of litigation, including a trip to the United...more
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