This post may contain affiliate links. The Review Wire may collect a share of sales if you decide to shop from them. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Have you ever wondered what the difference between sweepstakes, a lottery, raffle, contest, or giveaway is? While many use these terms interchangeably, understanding the distinction between them is essential, primarily if you work in promotion, advertising, and public relations. Those who enjoy giveaways should also be aware of the differences between these terms. Then you can enter sweepstakes with knowledge!
This article will explain the differences between contests, sweepstakes, giveaways, raffles, and lotteries. Let’s take a closer look at each of the terms discussed above.
Enter Sweepstakes or Giveaways: What’s the Difference?
To better understand the difference between a contest and sweepstakes, let’s revisit the meaning of “giveaway.”
Giveaway is an umbrella term that refers to sweepstakes, contests, and lotteries – all of which give participants a chance to win. Even though these words are related, their meanings are different. Don’t miss our current giveaways.
Sweepstakes vs. Contests
When you enter sweepstakes, prizes are given out to participants for free. What makes this type of contest so appealing is the fact that there is no purchase required to enter sweepstakes. In simple words, you don’t have to pay to enter.
Entry into sweepstakes requires following the rules. No skill is involved in choosing winners; they are randomly selected from all the entries. The prizes can range from souvenirs and baseball caps to houses, cars, trips, and big cash prizes. Typically, sweepstakes offer additional entries for sharing posts on social media, referring friends, visiting a specific website, or watching a promotional video.
Sweepstakes are considered a game of chance by experts.
Competitors try to win a contest by doing something better than others. Winners of contests are determined by merit. Even though contests do not retain entry fees, this type of giveaway removes luck from the equation. The entry with the most striking portrait, most moving poem, tastiest cherry pie, or anything else that fits the contest’s theme will win. A public vote can also be used to determine contest winners.
According to experts, a contest can be viewed as a game of skill.
What About Lottery or Raffles?
Now that you understand what sweepstakes means, let’s define a lottery. Lotteries are usually prize drawings where entrants must pay money to be eligible to win. Three elements are common to all lotteries: luck, an entry fee, and a prize.
Today, Powerball is one of the most popular American lottery games. If you have ever participated in a paid raffle, this is another game of chance with an entry fee! The winner is selected at random, even though you pay to play.
It is suggested to think of a lottery as an entry-fee-based game of chance.
There’s a Whole World of Winning, so Enter Sweepstakes!
Hopefully, this article has been helpful, and you now know the difference between contests, sweepstakes, lotteries, and other terms mentioned above. We wish you the best of luck on your prize-winning journey!
Thanks for the explanation! The only one I was sure about was lotteries. Now I know all the differences.
I’ve been entering sweepstakes and giveaways for many, many years and have won many nice prizes. It’s a fun hobby!
Been entering all of these for decades …. it’s so much fun when you win!
This article was very informative and interesting! I didn’t think that there may be a difference. I like free to win! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the valuable explanations!