Guides

The things worth knowing before you enter anything.

• What is an AMOE, and why does it matter?

  AMOE means Alternate Method of Entry — the free route into a sweepstakes that would otherwise require a purchase. US law effectively requires one.

• How to spot a fake sweepstakes

  Real sweepstakes never ask a winner for money. Here are the signals that separate a legitimate promotion from a scam, before you enter and after.

• Do you pay taxes on sweepstakes prizes in the US?

  Generally yes — US prizes are taxable income at fair market value, and sponsors issue a 1099 above $600. What that means in practice.

• How sweepstakes odds actually work

  Odds depend on entry count, entry frequency and prize tiers — not on luck, streaks, or anything a service can improve for you.