Running a Competition in Ireland

Here are some rules you need to follow (Taken from "The Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland").

You will need to make sure you follow these guidelines as well as any platform specific promotions (e.g. Facebook has their own rules).

Promotions with Prizes

3.27
Promotions involving prizes are subject to legal requirements and promoters are strongly advised to seek expert legal advice.

3.28
Entry conditions should be clearly worded and should set out the following details:

(a) the closing date;

(b) any age, eligibility or geographical restrictions;

(d) any requirements for proof of purchase;

(e) any permissions required (e.g. from parent or employer);

(f) the criteria for judging entries;

(g) a full and accurate description of the prizes;

(h) any limitations imposed on acceptance of the prizes and any duties or obligations on the part of the winners (e.g. in regard to post-event publicity);

(i) whether a cash alternative can be substituted for any prize;

(j) how and when winners will be notified of results;

(k) how and when results will be published (see 3.32);

(l) where appropriate, who owns the copyright of the entries;

(m) whether and how entries will be returned.

3.29
Complex rules should be avoided and promoters should not need to supplement conditions of entry with additional rules. If further rules cannot be avoided participants should be informed how to obtain them; the rules should contain nothing that would have influenced a consumer against making a purchase or participating. Participants should always be able to retain entry instructions and rules.

3.30
The closing date should be clearly stated in each advertisement, on each entry form and on the outer surface of any relevant pack, wrapper or label. This date should not be changed unless circumstances outside the reasonable control of the promoters make it unavoidable.

3.31
A poor response or a low level of entries is not an acceptable basis for extending the duration of a promotion or withholding prizes unless the promoters have explicitly reserved their right to do so at the outset. An exception to this is where, in a promotion involving a collection or redemption mechanic, a poor response may be an acceptable basis for extending the promotion for a reasonable duration.

3.32
Promoters should either publish or make available on request details of the name and county of residence of major prizewinners. Promoters should bear in mind the risk of theft or harassment that may arise if the details given are sufficient to allow the address of a winner of a prize of substantial value to be pinpointed.

3.33
Unless otherwise stated in advance, prizewinners should receive their prizes no more than six weeks after the promotion has ended.

3.34
If the selection of winning entries is open to subjective interpretation, an independent judge, or a panel including one member who is independent of the competition's promoters and intermediaries, should be appointed. Those appointed to act as judges should be competent to judge the subject matter of the competition. The identity of judges should be made available to the Authority on request.

3.35
Where a prize promotion involves any form of draw, promoters should ensure that tokens, tickets or numbers are allocated on a fair and random basis. An independent observer should supervise the draw to ensure that individual entries enjoy equal chances.

3.36
When prize promotions are widely advertised, promoters should ensure that entry forms and any goods needed to establish proof of purchase are widely available.

3.37
The distinction between a prize and a gift should always be clear to consumers. Gifts offered to all or most participants in a promotion should not be described as prizes. If promoters offer a gift to all entrants in addition to giving a prize to those who win, particular care is needed to avoid confusing the two.

3.38
Promoters should not exaggerate the likelihood of consumers winning a prize.