Rhode Island requires a $150 filing for chance promotions run by retail establishments in the state when prizes total more than $500. Online-only promotions are not covered.
Planning a free giveaway or photo/video competition open to Rhode Island 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.
Filing at a glance
- Prize threshold
- More than $500, in-state retail promotions only
- Timing
- Before launch; no fixed advance deadline
- Filing fee
- $150
- Prize security
- None required
These details apply within the scope explained below; prize value alone does not determine whether every promotion is covered.
The retail-business registration rule
Rhode Island General Laws §11-50-1 requires a filing for covered promotions in which a retail establishment offers chance-based prizes to promote its retail business and total announced prizes exceed $500. The filing fee is $150.
The filing describes prize quantities and values, the opportunity to win, rules, promotion period and geographic area. File before launching a covered promotion; the statute and form do not set a fixed seven- or thirty-day advance deadline.
Sources: Rhode Island §11-50-1; Department of State form 660.
Online and national promotions
The filing applies only to chance promotions run by a retail establishment to promote its retail business in Rhode Island, such as in-store sweepstakes. Online or national promotions that are open to Rhode Island residents but are not run through a Rhode Island retail establishment do not file under §11-50-1.
A purely judged submission contest is not automatically a chance promotion. Public voting and mixed judging/drawing formats should be described accurately so the relevant classification can be assessed.
Sources: Rhode Island §11-50-1.
Postings and award records
Covered promotions have store-posting and recordkeeping duties under §§11-50-2 and 11-50-3. Keep the rules, winner information and prize-delivery records with your campaign files.
The statute specifies six months of records after completion, while form 660 instructs sponsors to retain the winners list for at least one year. Plan for the longer agency instruction and obtain clarification if your campaign needs a different retention schedule.
Sources: Posting requirements; Statutory records requirement; Agency recordkeeping instructions.
Registration and campaigns open to other states
A campaign open beyond Rhode Island may also trigger other states' requirements. Compare the New York, Florida and Rhode Island filing rules before finalizing eligibility and launch dates.
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.
