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

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

Requirements for Contests and Promotions in Washington

  1. No one under twenty-one years of age is allowed to participate, and no premiums, prizes, coupons, contests, or competitive events are targeted to persons under twenty-one years of age [1.1].
  2. Contests or sweepstakes that offer prizes or premiums to consumers through a game of chance or random drawing, shall not require proof of purchase, and must comply with the requirements of RCW 9.46.0356 regarding gambling [1.1][2.1][5.1].
  3. Liquor advertisements are prohibited by manufacturers, importers, or distributors that offer any premium or prize redeemable through a Washington state liquor store or any retail liquor outlet licensed by the state of Washington, such as “instant” or “in-store” redeemable offers [1.1].
  4. A business may offer a promotional contest of chance (PCOC) that is similar to bingo, commonly referred to as “no fee bingo.” The 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 [2.2].
  5. Licensees conducting raffles with gross gambling receipts of fifty thousand dollars or less in their previous license year and organizations conducting unlicensed raffles under the authority of RCW 9.46.0315 or 9.46.0321 must keep a record by month of the following: gross receipts, prizes paid, net income, documentation of expenses, and documentation of how the proceeds were used [5.2].
  6. Charitable or nonprofit licensees conducting enhanced raffles must have an independent audit conducted on each enhanced raffle and the associated smaller raffles. The licensee must submit the auditor’s report no later than sixty days following the date of the enhanced raffle grand prize drawing [5.4].

Additionally, promotional game cards similar to pull-tabs may be used as part of a promotional contest of chance if they comply with certain requirements [2.1].

Therefore, before offering a contest that involves website promotions in Washington, it is recommended to review the relevant regulations and ensure compliance with all requirements.

Please note that this response is not exhaustive and there may be additional requirements that need to be met.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Washington