What Is a Random Drawing vs a Judged Giveaway?
Learn how random drawings and judged contests pick winners, and what to check before you enter.
A random-drawing giveaway is a sweepstakes. Winners are picked by chance from eligible entries. A judged giveaway is a contest.
Winners are picked by skill or merit, not luck. Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP explains this chance-versus-skill split in Sweepstakes Law Basics. The label matters because it changes how you enter and how winners are chosen.
Chance entries ask for equal treatment in the draw. Skill entries ask for work that meets stated standards.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
Why the legal labels matter
A sweepstakes keeps prize and chance but must remove consideration. The LegalClarity Team describes that fix as no purchase necessary plus a free alternate entry with equal odds in how to run a legal promotion. A judged contest instead removes chance.
Entries are scored against published objective criteria. That structure changes what the sponsor can require for entry. For readers, the practical split is simple.
Ask whether luck or scores decide the prize. Then read the entry terms with that answer in mind.
How random drawings pick winners
Random drawings give every eligible entry the same shot. No judge ranks the entries. The draw decides.
Fetch Rewards LLC states it will select 180 potential winners in a random drawing from eligible app entries, with one entry per person and no purchase needed, on its Official Rules help page. That is the random model in plain form. Your task is to stay eligible for the draw.
Submit the allowed entry on time. Keep to the entry limit.
How judged giveaways score entries
Judged giveaways score skill against set weights. Ferox US Inc./Medal says two judges score each clip on comedic timing at 40%, originality at 30%, and entertainment value at 30%, with no random drawing, on its Worlds 2026 page. Fit the stated weights when you create.
A funny clip still needs originality and entertainment value under those numbers. A polished clip still needs comedic timing. Expect judge decisions to control the outcome.
Save a copy of your entry and the criteria.
What to check before you enter
Start with the win method. Chance means review eligibility, dates, entry method, and entry limits. Skill means review the criteria, format, length, and submission rules.
Then check cost and access in plain terms: Enter only when the dates, limits, and judging or drawing method suit you.
- No purchase necessary means you can enter without paying.
- It does not always mean free of other steps, such as creating an account or using an app.
- A chance to win is not a prize.
- A skill prize still depends on scores, not effort alone.