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Giveaway terms and conditions template

Terms and conditions, official rules: same document. Here are the clauses every US giveaway needs, plus a generator that writes them all.

Generate your full official rules

A template, not legal advice. Check your state's rules.

The giveaway
Sponsor
Dates
Who can enter

Open to the 50 states and DC. Tick any state you want to leave out.

Exclude states
How to enter

Everyone needs a way in without a purchase or a social account.

Picking winners
Platforms and privacy

Running it on social? We add the platform release.

[Giveaway title] Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. Eligibility

[Giveaway title] (the "Giveaway") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees, officers and directors of [Sponsor name], its affiliates and agencies, and their immediate family members and people living in the same household, are not eligible. The Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2. Entry period

The Giveaway begins on [start date and time] and ends on [end date and time] (the "Entry Period"). Entries received outside the Entry Period will not be accepted. Sponsor's clock is the official timekeeper.

3. How to enter

To enter for free during the Entry Period, follow these steps:

  • [how to enter, one step per line]

Alternate method of entry: To enter without using social media, email [contact email] with the subject line "[Giveaway title] Entry" and include your full name, mailing address, email address and date of birth. Alternate entries have the same chance of winning as all other entries.

Limit one (1) entry per person, regardless of entry method. Entries generated by script, bot or other automated means are void.

4. Winner selection and notification

On or about [drawing date], Sponsor will select one (1) potential winner in a random drawing from all eligible entries received. Sponsor's decisions are final and binding on all matters relating to the Giveaway.

Potential winners will be notified by email or direct message on the platform used to enter within three (3) days of the drawing. A potential winner must respond within seven (7) days of notification and may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release. If a potential winner does not respond in time, cannot accept the prize or is found ineligible, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

5. Prizes and approximate retail value

Approximate retail value ("ARV") of all prizes: [total prize value]. Prizes are not transferable, and no cash or other substitution is allowed, except that Sponsor may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if a prize becomes unavailable. Winners are responsible for all federal, state and local taxes on their prize. A winner whose prizes are valued at $600 or more will receive an IRS Form 1099.

  • [prize, one per line]

6. Odds

Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period.

7. General conditions

Sponsor may disqualify anyone who tampers with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway, or who acts in violation of these Official Rules. If the Giveaway cannot run as planned because of fraud, technical failure or any other cause beyond Sponsor's control, Sponsor may cancel, end or modify the Giveaway and select winners from eligible entries received before the action was taken. Except where prohibited, by accepting a prize a winner agrees that Sponsor may use their name, city, state and likeness for promotional purposes without further payment.

8. Release and limitation of liability

By entering, entrants agree to release and hold harmless [Sponsor name] and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents from any claims, losses or damages arising from participation in the Giveaway or the acceptance, use or misuse of any prize. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete or misdirected entries, or for technical failures of any kind.

9. Privacy

Sponsor will use information collected from entrants to administer the Giveaway and award prizes. Sponsor will not use it for other purposes unless an entrant agrees.

10. Governing law

These Official Rules are governed by the laws of [Sponsor's state], without regard to its conflict of law rules.

11. Sponsor

The Sponsor of the Giveaway is [Sponsor name], [Sponsor mailing address]. Questions can be sent to [contact email]. For a list of winners, email [contact email] with the subject line "Winners List" within thirty (30) days after the Entry Period ends.

11 blanks left to fill

Clauses every giveaway needs

Adapt these, or let the generator above write the whole set for you.

Sponsor
The Giveaway is sponsored by [Business name], [street address, city, state ZIP] ("Sponsor"). Sponsor's decisions on all matters relating to the Giveaway are final.
Eligibility
Open to legal residents of the United States, excluding [states], who are at least 18 years old on the date of entry. Employees, officers and agents of Sponsor, and members of their immediate families and households, are not eligible.
Entry
Entry period: [start date and time] to [end date and time, time zone]. Enter by [method]. Limit [1] entry per person. Entries generated by script, bot or any automated means are void.
Winner selection
The winner will be chosen in a random draw from all eligible entries on [date]. The draw will use a publicly verifiable source of randomness and the result will be published at a link anyone can view.
Prize, odds and taxes
[Number] winner(s) will receive [prize description]. Approximate retail value: $[amount]. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered. Winners are responsible for all taxes; winners of prizes valued above the IRS reporting threshold may need to provide a tax ID for a Form 1099.
Limitation of liability
By entering, entrants agree to release Sponsor and any social platform used to run the Giveaway from any liability for injury, loss or damage arising from participation in the Giveaway or use of the prize.
Privacy
Information collected from entrants is used to administer the Giveaway and is handled as described in Sponsor's privacy policy at [URL]. Entrants will not be added to marketing lists without separate consent.

Before you post

  • A real sponsor name and physical address appear at the top or bottom.
  • There's an exact start and end, with time zone.
  • The terms include 'no purchase necessary' and 'void where prohibited'.
  • The prize has a description, quantity and approximate retail value.
  • Odds are explained, usually 'depend on the number of eligible entries'.
  • States are excluded if you can't meet their rules, such as New York and Florida registration for prizes over $5,000.
  • Your privacy clause links to a real privacy policy.

Make it work harder

  1. Generate, then edit

    Fill in the generator above with your dates, prize and ARV. It writes all 12 sections in about two minutes. Then read every line against what you're actually doing.

  2. Host the terms on your own site

    A page on your domain looks more trustworthy than a shared doc link and won't disappear if someone changes doc permissions.

  3. Keep a dated copy

    Save a PDF of the terms on launch day. If anyone disputes the rules later, you can show exactly what was live.

Questions people ask

Are giveaway terms and conditions the same as official rules?

Yes, in practice. US sweepstakes law calls them official rules; many businesses call the same document terms and conditions or T&Cs.

Do small giveaways need terms and conditions?

Even a $25 gift card giveaway should have written terms. They answer who can enter, when it ends and how you pick, which prevents most disputes.

When do I need a lawyer for a giveaway?

For large prizes (New York and Florida require registration and bonding over $5,000), giveaways tied to purchases or ones that run outside the US. This template is not legal advice.

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