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Can I offer contests that involve social media promotions in Washington? What are the requirements?

Contests that involve social media promotions in Washington

Based on the context documents, it is possible to offer contests that involve social media promotions in Washington. However, there are certain requirements that must be met.

According to WAAC 315-06-095 [2.1], the director has the authority to conduct promotional contests of chance for the enhancement of ticket sales. This suggests that contests involving social media promotions may be allowed as long as they are conducted as promotional contests of chance.

Additionally, WAAC 230-18-010 [3.1] allows businesses to offer a promotional contest of chance (PCOC) that is similar to bingo, commonly referred to as “no fee bingo.” While this may not directly apply to social media promotions, it does provide an example of a promotional contest of chance that is allowed in Washington.

It is important to note that businesses offering PCOCs must follow certain requirements, such as not charging participants a direct or indirect fee to participate, awarding only merchandise items valued at less than twenty-five dollars each, and not awarding prizes worth more than one hundred dollars per week or five thousand dollars per year.

Furthermore, WAAC 230-18-015 [3.2] allows businesses to use promotional game cards similar to pull-tabs as part of a promotional contest of chance (PCOC) if certain restrictions are met. These restrictions include ensuring that the game cards are readily distinguishable from other pull-tabs sold in the state of Washington, are designed and manufactured for a specific PCOC, and have the official rules of play, including “no purchase necessary,” printed on the back.

Overall, while the context documents do not explicitly mention contests that involve social media promotions, it is possible to offer such contests in Washington as long as they are conducted as promotional contests of chance and follow the requirements outlined in the relevant regulations.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Washington