Maryland prize promotions have specific rules for purchase conditions, written disclosures and chance versus nonchance offers.
Planning a free giveaway or photo/video competition open to Maryland residents? This guide focuses on ordinary commercial promotions with free entry, including random drawings and submission contests using judges or public voting. Paid entries or votes, purchase-linked promotions, charitable raffles and regulated prizes need separate analysis.
Editorial review: . Sources are linked beside the guidance they support. This is an informational overview, not legal advice for a particular campaign.
Maryland’s prize-promotion rules
Commercial Law §13-305 addresses prize representations and conditions involving purchases, payments and sales presentations. Its chance-promotion provisions call for written information about prize quantities and values, odds or entry-dependent odds, award timing, conditions and relevant no-payment statements.
The statute also addresses winners-list availability for prizes over $100 and places required disclosures on the first page of the prize notice. Read the conditions and exceptions before deciding which requirements apply to the communication you plan to send.
Sources: Maryland Commercial Law §13-305.
Nonchance contests still need accurate disclosures
Section 13-305(h) requires disclosures for covered nonchance promotions, while subsection (a)(4) exempts games of skill competition not involving sales promotion efforts. The selection method and promotional context determine which provisions apply.
For photos or videos, explain judging criteria or public voting, eligibility and the prize. Keep rules and notifications consistent with the actual process, and review any purchase or presentation condition against the statute before launch.
Sources: Maryland rules for chance and nonchance promotions.
Registration and campaigns open to other states
For ordinary free commercial sweepstakes, the familiar prize-value filing regimes are in New York, Florida and Rhode Island. That does not remove Maryland's disclosure and conduct rules described above, or special rules for a different industry or format. See the registration guide and its sources for that distinction.
The state-law directory links to all 50 states and DC. A “void where prohibited” line does not itself define your eligible audience or complete a required filing.
Before opening entries
Use these practical drafting and administration steps alongside the applicable state rules:
- Identify the sponsor, eligible entrants, entry period and advertised prize.
- Explain the free entry method and how winners are selected. For submissions, describe judging criteria or voting stages and tie handling.
- Make advertisements, the form and full rules agree; do not imply an entrant has already won.
- Plan verification, notification and fulfillment, and retain the rules and selection records.
Federal advertising standards also apply. The FTC warns against misleading purchase prompts and prize claims; see its advertising guidance. Tax reporting and channel-specific rules are covered in the national sweepstakes guide.
Nearby sweepstakes law guides
Planning a promotion across state lines? Review the guides for nearby jurisdictions.
Revup
Revup helps you collect entries and manage promotion workflows. Match your campaign settings and official rules to the requirements of your actual promotion.
