The Michigan Attorney General announced a settlement regarding the "Save Our Heritage Sweepstakes" that had been operated by the Citizens for Wildlife Conservation.
The official rules for the sweepstakes stated that no donation was necessary to enter the sweepstakes and tickets referred to a "$5.00 contribution." However, other promotional materials asked people to "buy" tickets at $5.00 per ticket without mention that a donation was not necessary to enter. Furthermore the South Bend Tribune reported that, "A sample copy of the entry ticket said "no purchase necessary" in small print and included the phrase "$5.00 contribution" in larger print."
The Michigan AG, Mike Cox stated, "This agreement will halt the sale of tickets under any guise, and moreover provide refunds to those who thought they were entering a raffle, not making a contribution."
The Settlement requires organization to immediately cancel the sweepstakes and to provide ticket holders with written notice of the cancellation along with a postage paid card for them to request a refund if they had not intended to make a contribution to Citizens For Wildlife Conservation, except for the raffle.
This settlement is a reminder that all sweepstakes must have a no purchase method to enter. Furthermore, all materials that advertise or promote the sweepstakes must not give a false sense that a purchase (or contribution) is required to enter. Additionally, these materials must contain abbreviated sweepstakes rules.
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