As an alcohol brand, you are already well aware of the fact that there are a ton of regulations when it comes to the sale of your products. However, what are the rules when it comes to alcohol sweepstakes prizes?
Before you launch your next text to win, you’ll need to do a lot of research and preparation to ensure that your wine, beer, or spirits brand is in compliance with the law. Here is why alcohol brands must take care with their sweepstakes prizes.
Don’t Give Away Alcohol As a Prize
Every state has strict regulations when it comes to sweepstakes and alcohol brands. While it’s well-known that there are age limitations on using alcohol, as a sweepstakes prize, no state allows you to use alcohol as the sweepstakes prize being awarded.
You Can’t Require The Purchase of Alcohol for Entry
As with any other text to win, you can’t require a purchase in order to enter your sweepstakes. As a result, your entrants must be given an alternative method of entry (AMOE) that will allow them to enter the sweepstakes without making a purchase. We recommend using a web entry form as the AMOE.
Also Read: Why We’re the #1 Provider of Text to Wins for Breweries
Make Sure That Winners Are 21+
While your official rules specify that entrants need to be 21+ in order to enter your sweepstakes, there is no way to prove the actual ages of the entrants are since they only self-report their ages by entering a date of birth.
However, once you select the winners for your sweepstakes, all winners must be verified and show proof of age with a state ID or valid driver’s license.
Winners Must Be 21+ to Enter Events Where Alcohol Is Served
In addition to verifying that the actual winners of the sweepstakes are 21+, you must also make sure that any winners and their guests that attend events where alcohol is served are of age.
Again, requiring the necessary proof of age identification for entry is the only way to comply with the law.
Check State and Local Alcohol Laws
In addition to the general regulations outlined here that apply to all states, some of the following states have special laws regarding alcohol: Alabama, California, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Utah.
To ensure compliance for your sweepstakes, make sure to thoroughly review all state and local laws when it comes to sweepstakes and alcohol brands.
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