Wisconsin prize-offer rules address unsolicited prize notices and their disclosures. Explain the prize and selection method accurately.
Planning a free giveaway or photo/video competition open to Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin’s unsolicited prize-notice rules
Wisconsin DATCP identifies §100.171 as governing unsolicited prize notices, with requirements for the information and presentation in covered offers. That is more specific than a general instruction to avoid deceptive advertising.
Check whether the message is a covered prize notice before applying its detailed rules. An invitation to submit an entry and an unsolicited message saying someone has won are different communications and should be written accordingly.
Sources: Wisconsin DATCP prize-offer guidance.
Make the entry and award process understandable
For a free drawing, describe the prize, eligibility and how an entrant can win. For a free photo/video contest, explain judging or public voting and disclose the relevant dates and tie handling as practical rules guidance.
Keep the published process consistent with the result. If a campaign adds a purchase, paid vote or prize-claim sales condition, reassess its scope instead of relying on the original free-contest wording.
Sources: Wisconsin prize offers and disclosure guidance.
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 Wisconsin'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.
