Sweepstakes - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition sweepstakes

Definition :

Sweepstakes. The (English) Betting and Lotteries Act, 1934 (24 & 25 Geo. 5, c. 58), subject to the provisions of the Act, all lotteries are illegal, but certain lotteries are exempted (s. 23) small lotteries incidental to certain entertainments; (s. 24) private lotteries; (s. 25) lotteries of Art Unions.

A sweepstake as usually run is a lottery [see Allport v. Nutt, (1845) 14 LJCP 272; Hardwick v. Lanes, (1904) 1 KB 204]; as to the scheme promoted by the Duke of Atholl, see 97 J.P. 778. See Lush on Betting and Lotteries, and see LOTTERY.