What’s more exciting than getting some free cash and merchandise?
Contests and prize giveaways are some of the best gimmicks for UK companies. These games allow you to win cash prizes, flights, hotel or spa stays!
Although both sweepstakes and traditional prize draws provide essentially the same number of rewards, they’re not the same.
Take a seat while we show you why instant win sweepstakes are not like other prize drawings.
What Is an Instant Win Sweepstake and How Does it Work?
An instant win sweepstakes is a promotion where one enters for a chance to win something without needing to purchase anything or use any form of payment. The vast majority of sweepstakes events will involve you viewing a video, a social media page, or some other minor Internet activity.
It’s called “instant” because you don’t have to wait until the end of the contest before finding out if you’ve been awarded a prize or not. From the moment you enter, you’ll get your results right away. Most sweepstakes operate online on websites and mobile apps, while others run in an in-store kiosk.
Instant win sweepstakes usually consist of small prizes and a few larger prizes that are randomised. The promoters do this so participants have no idea what to expect, keeping the contest exciting for the most part.
In the UK, the Government regulates all sweepstakes promotions by mandating that companies follow the “Gambling Act” of 2005 and the “Consumer Protection Unfair Trading Regulations” of 2008. Some sweepstakes are casino-based, even though these casinos function under the sweepstakes rules. According to sweepstakes specialist Rhianna Padman, sweepstakes casinos represent an innovative avenue for players to win big using sweep coins and other in-game currencies.
Companies use sweepstakes as a marketing tool to promote their products and attract new customers. Sometimes, brands also use sweepstakes as a means to reward their existing customers.
You have probably stumbled on the “Win a Dream Vacation” sweepstakes campaigns that many travel agencies run. The idea is to feature prizes that tally with the business’s concept to drive engagement, awareness, and, down the line, revenue.
What is a Traditional Prize Draw and How Does it Work?
Unlike sweepstakes, which are relatively modern-day promotions, traditional prize draws have been around for centuries. A traditional prize draw is a contest where participants enter for a chance to win a grand prize by submitting an entry form, purchasing a product, or completing a task.
Compared to an instant win sweepstakes, where you get your result instantly, traditional prize draws will require you to wait weeks or months before you find out whether you’ve won or not.
Traditional prize draws usually feature a grand prize or, at other times, smaller prizes leading up to the grand prize. The grand prize is usually revealed before the promotion starts but given away at the end.
You can enter a traditional prize draw by mailing your entry form, entering in person at a physical store, or even calling a telephone number. Some prize draws are now done online, so you can participate from the comfort of your home.
Most traditional prize draws are government- or private-based lotteries, retail promotions, or charity or magazine prize draws.
Differences Between Instant Win Sweepstakes and Traditional Prize Draws
| Instant Win Sweepstake | Traditional Prize Draws | |
| Winning notification time | Instant | Can take days to months |
| Entry method | Completing simple tasks | Submitting an entry form/ buying a product |
| Prize options | Multiple prizes | Usually one grand prize |
| Engagement | More engaging and interactive | Engaging but less interactive due to lower perceptions of winning |
| Winner selection | Uses a random number generator | Relies on random drawing from a pool of entries |
How To Make the Most of Sweepstakes and Prize Draws
If you’re ready to grab a share of the freebies and prizes several companies have to offer, heads up! Here are the most important details to note
- Read the rules. Read the rules at least twice. You want to ensure you understand the instructions for entering and qualification. You don’t want to overlook a tiny detail.
- If you win a prize, don’t get carried away with the euphoria of winning, ensure you save the confirmation text or email. Follow the instructions for any next steps and accurately provide whatever details are required. You may need to drop a shipping address if you won a physical prize. Whichever prize you win, make sure you correctly fill in your details to claim your prize.
- If you’re in doubt about the legitimacy of a sweepstakes or prize draw, check the source. Check what others are saying about the event host on social media and review sites. This will give you an idea of how trustworthy the promotion source is.
Wrapping Up
Whether the idea of instant wins sounds enticing or the grand prize draw offers are too tempting to ignore, understanding how both promotions work is key to making the most of them. While instant win sweepstakes offer an extensive range of prizes where you can instantly learn if you’ve won or not, traditional prize draws feature grand ultimate prizes that can take months to produce a winner. The good thing about both offers is that you can enter a good number of them online in your free time, so why not?
