Texas sweepstakes: keep prize claims truthful and distinguish free online contests from the specific mail-promotion rules in chapter 622.
Planning a free giveaway or photo/video competition open to Texas 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.
Free entry and genuine prize claims
The Texas Attorney General warns that legitimate sweepstakes do not require upfront money to collect a prize. A real sponsor should identify the campaign and prize, and should not use a supposed win to demand a release fee.
For a free photo/video competition, explain judging or voting, eligibility and deadlines before entry. Make potential-winner verification clear without changing the prize into an undisclosed sales offer.
Sources: Texas AG lotteries and sweepstakes guidance.
Chapter 622 is not a checklist for every web giveaway
Texas Business & Commerce Code chapter 622 applies to a defined class of mail-conducted sweepstakes. It excludes promotions whose most valuable prize is below $50,000 and mail used only to return entries, among other exceptions. Its particular game-piece and disclosure rules should not automatically be applied to every free online contest.
If a campaign adds outbound prize mailings or a different sales-linked format, review chapter 622 and other applicable promotion laws for that format. Do not assume an online campaign stays unchanged legally when its solicitation method changes.
Sources: Texas Business & Commerce Code chapter 622.
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 Texas'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.
