Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes are contests where you enter for a chance to win prizes purely by luck, with no skill required. You submit an entry, usually your name, email, and maybe some basic info, and winners are selected randomly. That's the legal requirement: the winner has to be picked by chance, not based on anything you did or answered. If a "contest" asks you to write an essay or vote, that's a skill-based contest, not a sweepstakes. Here's what we cover: cash prizes (gift cards, prepaid cards, PayPal transfers), physical goods (tech, home items, cars), experiences (vacations, concert tickets), and combinations of all three. We include sweepstakes from major brands, smaller companies, and independent creators. Some run weekly, some are one-time events. Eligibility varies, some are US-only, some accept Canada or other countries. We list the prize value, entry method, and deadline so you know what you're getting into. We skip anything that costs money to enter, illegal lotteries, or schemes that want you to recruit friends for commission (those are MLM territory). We also avoid entries that require you to download sketchy apps or hand over your Social Security number upfront. How we check them: I verify that each sweepstakes actually exists by finding the official rules or entry page. I confirm the prize is real and matches what's being promoted. I check the entry deadline, if it's already closed or the page is dead, we don't list it. I look at the eligibility (age, location, restrictions) and note if there are entry limits or skill components that would disqualify it as a sweepstakes. I also flag common red flags: fake-sounding URLs, no clear sponsor name, or rules that don't exist. One thing to know: the odds are always long. I've entered thousands of these since 2017 and have won a handful of gift cards and one prepaid Visa. Most people won't win most of the time. That's not a reason to skip them, it's just reality. Enter the ones that match what you'd actually use, keep your email organized so you see if you win, and don't expect anything. When something lands, it's a bonus. We update this section regularly, removing expired sweepstakes and adding new ones as they launch. If you spot one that's closed or find a new one worth entering, let us know.