Florida's top sweepstakes regulator details businesses' most common promotions mistakes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tardy filings and unclear language about the actual operator of a promotion are the most frequent mistakes businesses make when promoting sweepstakes and contests in Florida.

The state's top sweepstakes regulator, Liz Compton, revealed these and other promotion blunders seen by her office in an exclusive interview this week with the Sweepstakes Law Blog.

"An 'operator' is any person, firm, corporation, or association ... who promotes, operates, or conducts a game promotion, except any charitable nonprofit organization," said Compton, chief of the Bureau of Compliance at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. "The operator noted in the rules is not always the operator noted on all other filing documents."

Correct, timely documentation is essential for any U.S. business marketing a promotion, contest or sweepstakes in Florida. As detailed previously on the Sweepstakes Law Blog, Florida regulators are among the most assertive in the country at enforcing sweepstakes laws. They won't hesitate to lodge administrative actions and impose fines on sponsors that fail to comply with the state's requirements.

But the staff at the state's Division of Consumer Services are equally assertive in responding to questions and helping companies create effective, legal sweepstakes that attract new customers and boost business.

Over a series of three blog posts this week, Compton spoke with Dale Joerling, a St. Louis marketing and promotions attorney and editorial director of the Sweepstakes Law Blog.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Compton details how she arrived at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after serving 15 years as a TV reporter and anchor, the strangest promotion her office has ever encountered, and how her department supports Florida's job market.

"When we license new businesses and renew existing ones, we are supporting job creation in Florida," Compton said.

The Sweepstakes Law Blog's interview with Liz Compton:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

To view the full interview with Liz Compton, visit www.thompsoncoburn.com/SweepstakesLawBlog.

About the Sweepstakes Law Blog
From Facebook to the FTC, the Sweepstakes Law Blog analyzes national and international news about sweepstakes, contests and promotions, and tracks critical legislation and court opinions. Recognized by the ABA Journal's official directory of law blogs, the Sweepstakes Law Blog is an essential resource for any businesses interested in creating, sponsoring, or simply learning more about sweepstakes, contests, and other marketing promotions.

About Dale Joerling
Dale Joerling is the chair of Thompson Coburn's Advertising, Marketing and Promotion Law group. He is editorial director of the Sweepstakes Law Blog and the developer of the Sweepstakes Creator, a speedy online resource that connects businesses with Thompson Coburn attorneys who can help generate official rules for any of their sweepstakes or promotions. He has created hundreds of sweepstakes and contests and regularly advises clients in a diverse range of industries and markets on advertising and promotion issues. 

About Thompson Coburn
Thompson Coburn is a full service law firm with more than 325 attorneys nationwide and offices in Chicago, St. Louis, Southern Illinois and Washington, D.C. We serve a diverse client base and have been rated one of the top law firms in the U.S. for client service. We are also an employer of choice. For five years in a row, our associates have ranked us among the top 10 law firm workplaces in the nation.

SOURCE Sweepstakes Law Blog