Is this legal

[Shyone]

I have created a site, and am wondering if it is legal, or if I need a license or something to operate it. It is a site using google adsense. Below are the details for my site:


Would you like to win cash with out doing any work, or paying any money? Simply by visiting this site, and entering your name and contact information, you will be entered in a draw to win 50 percent of the site's profit for the month. If you put a link, and brief explanation of our site on your webpage, we'll enter your name a total of ten times, so that you'll have an increased chance of winning. A cheque will be mailed to the winner at the end of each month.

Could I get in trouble for doing this?

[JimOfferman]

Ask a lawyer.

[Ceros]

Doesn't sound illegal to me.

After all, all this is is a variation of a standard lottery, with the exception that you actually state how much of a profit you're making to create an illusion of honesty and fairness, which may attract more people into buying it. (And by "buying" I mean "spending their time clicking your ads")

As far as I'm concerned you're not even legally obliged to send out that 50% to anyone in the end. (Unless you think that word of mouth will help you profit).

Just post on the home page that "Joe whats his name from Alabama won five million" and then some 'feedback' from him saying how happy he is and that he's buying a house in Hawaii.

I do wonder how it'll work out for you in the end. Some good marketing can turn this into high profits.

[ScotiaCoast]

This sounds similar to pixelotto.com (from the creator of The Million Dollar Homepage). Basically, you signed up and could visit the site every day (I think) to click on up to 10 advertisements to have your name added to the lotto that many times. I think the lotto lasted a year, and in the end the profits (much lower than expected) were split 50/50 between the owner and the winner of the draw. As far as I know, it was legal, but maybe you could check with the owner about it.

[Elenny]

It doesn't sound illegal, but how are you going to make money off the site? People will be tempted to abuse the AdSense to push up the jackpot, and that might brake Google's rules (I'm not sure of this), or at the very least it seems a little dishonest.

Just my take. Good luck!

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Ceros

Just post on the home page that "Joe whats his name from Alabama won five million" and then some 'feedback' from him saying how happy he is and that he's buying a house in Hawaii.

That would be making a fraudulous claim, which is illegal in many territories. You might get away with it for a while and make a few bucks, though... just be prepared to be sued for all your worth and, possibly, spend some time behind bars. Great business model!

Many countries have stringent laws surrounding gambling, which includes lotteries. If the winnings are significant, you cannot offer your lottery to Dutch visitors, for example. Not unless you somehow secure a license from our government (good luck with that).

Don't get burned, ask a lawyer.

[Shyone]

I would never do that, lol. The wnner would get the money.

[sunj]

Originally Posted by ScotiaCoast

This sounds similar to pixelotto.com (from the creator of The Million Dollar Homepage). Basically, you signed up and could visit the site every day (I think) to click on up to 10 advertisements to have your name added to the lotto that many times. I think the lotto lasted a year, and in the end the profits (much lower than expected) were split 50/50 between the owner and the winner of the draw. As far as I know, it was legal, but maybe you could check with the owner about it.

That goes against the terms and conditions of the advertisers. You cannot "force" the user one way or another click the ads. People used to do that by preventing access to parts of the website and they would have to click like 3 ads to get in. It may also be considered illegal depending on how you force users to click your ads.

[simonsta]

Hey ShyOne if you're asking the question then you must have a doubt not just about it's legality but also it's ethics. You should listen to your inner-self as you have to get to sleep when you put your head on the pillow at night.

To me: It doesn't sound illegal. It does sound unethical. I wouldn't do it.
To you: ? Only you know

Hope that helps