Sponsors are starting to specify more requirements about online entries. When we surveyed 25 different sweepstakes sponsors back in November, one of the questions we asked was whether they approved of people entering sweepstakes using free e-mail accounts, such as Hotmail, Juno, Yahoo, and so forth. Many sponsors (14 out of 16 who responded to this question) frowned upon the use of free e-mail accounts. They further clarified it by stating that the ease of setting up a free e-mail account makes it too easy for people to cheat by entering a sweepstakes more than once. Some sponsors are now specifically stating in the rules that the use of free e-mail accounts is prohibited.

Recently, we found another rule for online entries that we think is worth noting. It read: "If winning entry is sent via the Internet, the person submitting the winning entry, not the registered account subscriber, will be deemed the winner."

We sent e-mail to the sponsor asking for some clarification, and what they wanted to accomplish with this rule. The response was that, for example, if Mary Green enters herself into a sweepstakes, but Bob Green set up the e-mail account, then Mary Green would win the prize. Why? Easier administration. If the sponsor stated that the registered account subscriber was deemed the winner instead, the sponsor would have to find Bob Green to claim the prize, who may not be accessible at that time. In order for Mary Green to claim the prize, Bob Green would have to sign the affidavit, too. Mary Green obviously entered, and is therefore more accessible.

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