Sweepstakes vs. Contest — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
"Sweepstakes" are promotional drawings where prizes are given away at no charge to participants, while "Contests" require participants to perform a task or skill to win.
Difference Between Sweepstakes and Contest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Sweepstakes" are primarily based on chance, with no purchase or fee typically required to enter. Conversely, "Contests" are competitions that necessitate participants to exhibit a specific skill or complete a certain activity to be considered for a prize.
When participating in "Sweepstakes," entrants rely on luck since winners are selected at random. However, in "Contests," the outcome is generally based on the participant's ability, creativity, or performance.
Legally, "Sweepstakes" must ensure no purchase is necessary to participate, preventing them from becoming lotteries. On the other hand, "Contests" may have guidelines, criteria, or requirements that entrants must meet or fulfill.
Businesses and brands might host "Sweepstakes" to increase their reach or gather consumer data. "Contests," however, are often utilized to engage users more deeply, potentially generating content or highlighting skills related to the brand.
Both "Sweepstakes" and "Contests" are popular marketing strategies, but while "Sweepstakes" often aim for broad participation, "Contests" might seek quality engagement.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Chance
Skill or Task
Requirement
Typically none
Performance or Entry
Legal Concern
No purchase necessary
May have specific criteria
Engagement
Broad participation
Quality interaction
Outcome
Randomly selected
Judged based on guidelines
Compare with Definitions
Sweepstakes
Not requiring purchase for entry.
The rules stated that no purchase was necessary for the sweepstakes.
Contest
Engaging participants in a challenge.
The puzzle contest drew enthusiasts from all over the state.
Sweepstakes
A chance-based giveaway.
The company's sweepstakes attracted thousands of participants.
Contest
Requiring skill or performance for entry.
The photography contest had specific themes each month.
Sweepstakes
A promotional drawing with free entry.
She entered the sweepstakes hoping to win the grand prize.
Contest
Judged based on specific guidelines or criteria.
Entries in the songwriting contest were evaluated on lyrics and melody.
Sweepstakes
A marketing strategy with random winners.
The online sweepstakes boosted the brand's social media presence.
Contest
Often having multiple rounds or levels.
The debate contest had regional, state, and national rounds.
Sweepstakes
Random selection of prize winners.
Luck was on his side during the sweepstakes draw.
Contest
An event in which people compete for supremacy in a sport or other activity, or in a quality
A tennis contest
Sweepstakes
Plural of sweepstake
Contest
Engage in competition to attain (a position of power)
She declared her intention to contest the presidency
Sweepstakes
Synonym of sweepstake
Contest
Oppose (an action or theory) as mistaken or wrong
The former chairman contests his dismissal
Sweepstakes
A winning of all the stakes or prizes; a sweepstake.
Contest
A struggle for superiority or victory between rivals
England's contest with Spain for domination of the seas.
Sweepstakes
The whole money or other things staked at a horse race, a given sum being put up for each horse, all of which goes to the winner, or is divided among several, as may be previously agreed.
Contest
A competition, especially one in which entrants perform separately and are rated by judges
A spelling contest.
Sweepstakes
A race for all the sums staked or prizes offered.
Contest
To compete or strive for; struggle to gain or control
Trade routes that were contested by competing cultures.
Sweepstakes
A lottery in which the prize consists of the money paid by the participants
Contest
To call into question and take an active stand against; dispute or challenge
Contest a will.
Contest
(Sports) To defend against (a shot), as in basketball.
Contest
To struggle or compete; contend
Contested with other bidders for the antique.
Contest
(uncountable) Controversy; debate.
No contest
Contest
(uncountable) Struggle for superiority; combat.
Contest
(countable) A competition.
The child entered the spelling contest.
Contest
(intransitive) To contend.
I will contest for the open seat on the board.
Contest
(transitive) To call into question; to oppose.
The rival contested the dictator's re-election because of claims of voting irregularities.
Contest
(transitive) To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to defend.
The troops contested every inch of ground.
Contest
(law) To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit; to dispute or resist, as a claim, by course of law.
Contest
To make a subject of dispute, contention, litigation, or emulation; to contend for; to call in question; to controvert; to oppose; to dispute.
The people . . . contested not what was done.
Few philosophical aphorisms have been more frequenty repeated, few more contested than this.
Contest
To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to defend; as, the troops contested every inch of ground.
Contest
To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit; to dispute or resist; as a claim, by course of law; to controvert.
Contest
To engage in contention, or emulation; to contend; to strive; to vie; to emulate; - followed usually by with.
The difficulty of an argument adds to the pleasure of contesting with it, when there are hopes of victory.
Of man, who dares in pomp with Jove contest?
Contest
Earnest dispute; strife in argument; controversy; debate; altercation.
Leave all noisy contests, all immodest clamors and brawling language.
Contest
Earnest struggle for superiority, victory, defense, etc.; competition; emulation; strife in arms; conflict; combat; encounter.
The late battle had, in effect, been a contest between one usurper and another.
It was fully expected that the contest there would be long and fierce.
Contest
An occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
Contest
A struggle between rivals
Contest
To make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation;
They contested the outcome of the race
Contest
A competition where participants vie for a prize.
The baking contest showcased many talented chefs.
Common Curiosities
Do all contests have prizes?
Most contests offer prizes to incentivize participation, but it's not always mandatory.
Are contests always about talent?
Not always. Contests can be based on skills, creativity, knowledge, or other criteria.
Do I always need to buy something to enter a sweepstakes?
No, sweepstakes typically emphasize "no purchase necessary" to avoid legal complications.
Can anyone win in a sweepstakes?
Winners in sweepstakes are usually chosen randomly, so anyone who enters has a chance.
Can contests have multiple winners?
Yes, contests can have multiple winners or prize tiers based on rankings.
Are sweepstakes and contests the same?
No, sweepstakes are based on chance, while contests require skill or performance.
Can a company charge for entering a sweepstakes?
Typically, no. Charging can make it a lottery, which has different legal considerations.
Do all contests require physical skills?
No, contests can be based on intellectual, creative, or other non-physical skills.
How are contest rules typically displayed?
Contest rules are often detailed in official documentation or websites to ensure clarity.
How are contest winners chosen?
Contest winners are often chosen based on guidelines, by judges or public voting.
What are the odds of winning a sweepstakes?
The odds depend on the number of entries and how many prizes are available.
Can sweepstakes have a skill component?
While the primary component of sweepstakes is chance, some may incorporate minor skill elements.
Do sweepstakes always have large prizes?
No, sweepstakes can offer a range of prizes, from small items to large cash amounts.
Why do brands conduct sweepstakes?
Brands use sweepstakes as a promotional tool to increase visibility and gather data.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
