A sweepstakes is a contest where winners are chosen randomly, usually by drawing names or numbers, rather than by skill or competition. When a cereal company runs a sweepstakes, you might enter by mailing in a form or clicking a button online. Then they randomly select winners who receive prizes like trips, money, or products.

In a sweepstakes, many people enter, but only a few randomly chosen people win the prizes.

Sweepstakes differ from contests. In a contest, you win by having the best essay, the fastest time, or the highest score. In a sweepstakes, everyone has an equal chance regardless of talent or effort. You could enter a sweepstakes with millions of other people and win a car, or enter one with just a hundred people and win nothing. That's the nature of random selection.

Companies use sweepstakes to get people excited about their products. Publishers Clearing House became famous for its sweepstakes, sometimes surprising winners at their homes with giant checks. While winning sounds exciting, remember that your chances in a big sweepstakes are usually very small, like trying to find one specific grain of sand on a beach.