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Can I offer contests that involve a single game or event in Washington? What are the requirements?

Based on the context documents, it is possible to offer contests that involve a single game or event in Washington, but the requirements vary depending on the type of contest. Please see the details below:

Promotional Game Cards

A business may use promotional game cards similar to pull-tabs as part of a promotional contest of chance (PCOC) if the game cards:

  • Are readily distinguishable from other pull-tabs sold in the state of Washington;
  • Are designed and manufactured for a specific PCOC;
  • Clearly display the name of the sponsoring business or the promoted product(s);
  • Have no price per play on the card;
  • Have the official rules of play, including “no purchase necessary,” printed on the back. [1.1]

Promotional Contests of Chance Similar to Bingo

A business may offer a promotional contest of chance (PCOC) that is similar to bingo, commonly referred to as “no fee bingo.” A business must not:

  • Charge participants a direct or indirect fee to participate in the PCOC. Indirect fees include, but are not limited to, cover charges;
  • Operate the PCOC for no more than a total of three hours per day, twice per week. Participants must receive a bingo card immediately before the start of each game. A business must:
  • Award only merchandise items, such as food, nonalcoholic beverages, hats, shirts, or other promotional items valued at less than twenty-five dollars each. The business must:
  • Not substitute cash prizes for merchandise prizes;
  • Not award prizes worth more than one hundred dollars per week or five thousand dollars per year;
  • Record the names of winners and prize(s) won for each game;
  • Use recreational bingo cards that are not used in authorized bingo games. [1.2]

Raffle Prizes

Organizations must own the prizes offered to winners before the date of the drawing. However, if the winner has an option to receive a cash prize instead of the merchandise, the organization may enter into a contract to purchase the merchandise prize after the winner chooses his or her option. The organization must have the funds to make the purchase on account before the date of the drawing. At the time and date of any raffle drawing, the organization must have on deposit an unencumbered amount of money that is equal to or greater than all cash prizes being offered in the raffle. The organization must have these funds deposited in the gambling receipts account, if required, or in a recognized Washington state depository authorized to receive funds. The organization must not reduce the balance of funds available from this account below the required amount before awarding the prize(s). Raffle prizes must:

  • Be available at the time and place of the drawing;
  • If cash, be United States currency or an equivalent amount of negotiable instruments;
  • For licensees, not exceed forty thousand dollars per prize or three hundred thousand dollars in total raffle prizes in a license year, except as authorized in WAC 230-11-067. [3.2]

Based on the above information, it is possible to offer contests that involve a single game or event in Washington, but the requirements vary depending on the type of contest. If you have further questions or need more information, please consult a legal professional.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Washington