Why are most merchandising contests "no purchase necessary"?

Question

Is there a law, or some kind of liability issue? If I were Coke, I'd think "Darn right you have to buy a coke to win our contest!" But there's always an address where you can send for a free gamepiece. Is that a requirement?

Answer 1

Maybe the contests are meant to be a form of advertisement and the companies are just HOPING that consumers will be motivated to buy their products by the contests.

Answer 2

Because if you are required to spend money to have a chance, it is gambling.

So your "chance" to win, cannot be tied to a purchase.  They must offer it to you for free.

Answer 3

so it isn't considered gambling.  If you have to buy to win that would be considered a gamble.

Answer 4

In the U.S., all games of chance are highly regulated.  Promotional contests must be open to all entrants without requiring purchase or other kinds of financial transactions--that would be a form of gambling that the government licenses.

You will notice in all of these contests, there are normally several ways to enter--online, via phone, or through the mail.  The federal government requires those options to be evident.