united-states internet sweepstakes
Can Sweepstakes Require a Survey to Enter?
<p>In the USA, can sweepstakes require that users fill out a survey to enter? I understand that users obviously cannot be made to pay to enter but the concept of a mandatory survey seems less clear. Is this considered to be 'consideration'?</p>

<p>According to <a href="http://www.targetmarketingmag.com/article/key-legal-compliance-considerations-before-administering-a-contest-sweepstakes/all/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">TargetMarketingMag</a>, special legal advice is necessary when </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>a survey, questionnaire or repeat visits to a website or location are
  required to enter the promotion.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://blog.rafflecopter.com/2015/04/no-purchase-necessary-giveaways/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">RaffleCopter</a> says that surveys are included in the definition of 'consideration':</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>When you hear the word consideration, it’s referring to [...] or
  engaging in activities that require a considerable amount of time
  (like filling out an in-depth survey for example or making multiple
  in-store visits).</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So are surveys always a form of consideration? What constitutes if a survey is 'in depth' or not?</p>

<p>It seems to me that there are scenarios in which it is legal. For example, in order to enter the Alaska Airlines Sweepstakes, their <a href="https://survey.alaskalistens.com/company_res/alaskalistens/survey/officialrules/OfficialRules.html?v=20160126" rel="nofollow noreferrer">rules</a> state: </p>

<blockquote>
  <ol start="6">
  <li>To enter the Sweepstakes, complete the survey at
  www.alaskalistens.com</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>Thus, my question is when is it legal to ask for a survey entry that <em>is</em> mandatory?</p>

<p>Consideration in a contract is the <em>obligatory</em> giving something of value in return for something of value.</p>

<p>Objectively, the sweepstakes ticket is valuable and so is the data in a survey. If the completion of the survey is <em>required</em> this this makes it a raffle, not a sweepstakes. You can ask someone to complete an <em>optional</em> survey providing they get the ticket either way. You can also collect data that is <em>necessary</em> to give effect to the sweepstake such as contact details even though these have value.</p>
