Unlike a sweepstakes, a lottery is a promotional device by which items of value (prizes) are awarded to members of the public by chance—but some form of payment is required to participate. Lotteries are illegal, except when conducted by states and certain exempt charitable organizations. If you believe you have received a solicitation characterized as a sweepstakes that is in fact an illegal lottery, you should contact your local Post Office or state Attorney General’s consumer protection office.
In Wisconsin, lotteries are generally illegal unless they are conducted by the state or certain exempt charitable organizations. A lottery is defined as a form of gambling where participants pay to play for the chance to win prizes. The state of Wisconsin operates its own lottery, offering various games of chance to the public. Charitable organizations may also be allowed to conduct raffles and other gaming events under specific circumstances and with the proper licenses. If an individual in Wisconsin encounters what appears to be an illegal lottery disguised as a sweepstakes, they are encouraged to report it to the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Protection or the local Post Office. Sweepstakes, on the other hand, do not require payment to enter and are legal promotional tools used by companies to advertise their products or services.