How do I organize a trustworthy sweepstake?

Fake sweepstakes are popping up everywhere. Often, they’re designed to collect personal data or mislead people — which makes participants increasingly cautious. That’s why organizations with honest intentions must go the extra mile to run their campaigns the right way.

Want to set up a sweepstake that’s truly reliable? In this blog, you’ll learn what to watch out for, what to avoid, and how to prevent reputational damage by using the right tools.

What exactly is a sweepstake?

A sweepstake is a promotional campaign where participants have a chance to win a prize — usually in exchange for an action, such as:

• Filling out a form

• Spending a certain amount of money

• Purchasing a product

Important: If your sweepstake involves both a random winner selection and a participation fee, it may fall under gambling law. In that case, strict regulations apply.

Why are there so many fake sweepstakes?

Unfortunately, fake sweepstakes are still very common. Social media is full of them: false promises, misleading accounts, and campaigns with no real winner. These scams not only deceive participants, but also damage the reputation of organizations with good intentions.

Scammers often use fake sweepstakes to quickly collect data or gain followers through deception. Examples include:

• Sweepstakes impersonating well-known brands, complete with logos and branding

• Messages announcing a winner who never actually entered

• No visible draw or verified winner

According to the Dutch Consumers' Association, these scams are often hard to distinguish from the real thing. They cleverly use recognizable brands and offer “prizes” in exchange for your data or a small payment — with potentially serious consequences.

Source: Consumentenbond – Fake sweepstakes via email, WhatsApp and social media

4 signs of a reliable sweepstake

A trustworthy sweepstake always meets at least these four requirements:

1. Transparent rules

• Clearly describe what participants need to do

• Explain how and when the draw will take place

• Specify the prizes

  
  

2. Objective draw process

• Use a certified and recognized draw system

• Ensure the process is independent and verifiable

  
  

💡 Lotify uses the only GLI-certified draw mechanism in the Netherlands. This guarantees a 100% fair and auditable process — ensuring the winner is selected randomly and transparently.

3. Clear communication

• Announce the winner(s) publicly via a relevant channel

• Avoid vague or hidden information

  
  

4. Legally valid terms and conditions

• Use terms and conditions that comply with the guidelines for promotional games of chance from the Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa)

  
  

Source: Ksa – Promotional Games of Chance Guidelines

Example: how does a reliable sweepstake work with Lotify?

Imagine you want to reward existing customers and encourage repeat purchases. You set up a sweepstake where customers who spend €50 or more automatically receive a voucher that enters them into the draw.

With Lotify, you can:

• Easily generate unique voucher codes for in-store distribution

• Set up a branded landing page that explains your campaign and builds customer trust

• Automatically select fair winners using our GLI-certified draw system

The result: you reward customer behavior, strengthen brand loyalty, and do it all in a transparent and legally sound way.

Reliable sweepstake checklist

Use this quick checklist:

• ✅ Clear game rules

• ✅ Independent draw system

• ✅ Transparent communication

• ✅ Legally compliant

• ✅ Secure data processing

How Lotify helps you run a successful sweepstake

Want to be sure your campaign meets all the legal and ethical standards?
Schedule a free consultation with us — we’ll show you how to quickly and easily set up a reliable, tailored sweepstake.