A contest that requires a purchase to be made in order to qualify for a random drawing. In contrast to sweepstakes, lotteries are considered a form of gambling and are therefore not legal under U.S. Postal Service regulations governing direct mail promotions.
Sweepstakes are a popular type of sales promotion where lavish prizes are offered to entrants who have only to submit entries with their name and address by return mail or at a location determined by the sweepstakes sponsor, usually in a retail outlet where the sponsor's products are sold.
