Explainer
What 'no purchase necessary' actually means
It reads like fine print. It is closer to a load-bearing wall: remove it and the entire format becomes something else, legally.
It is an obligation, not a courtesy
A promotional sweepstakes must offer a way to enter without paying. That is what separates a sweepstakes from a lottery, and lotteries are restricted to state operators almost everywhere in the US.
So when a platform prints 'no purchase necessary', it is not being generous. It is describing the condition that lets it operate at all — and it commits the platform to a genuinely usable free path, not a technically-present one.
What it should look like in practice
A free entry route that is easy to find. Free entries that work on the same games as purchased ones, not a walled-off demo. And winnings from free entries that are redeemable on the same terms.
On Coverd Arcade, every game can be played free, and the free path is not a lesser version of the product.
What it does not mean
It does not mean everything is free, or that purchasing has no benefit. Coin packages exist and people buy them. It means your ability to play and to win does not depend on having done so.
It also does not remove the age limit or the geographic limits. Those are separate requirements and they still apply.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the free version limited to certain games?
- Not on Coverd. Every game in the arcade can be played free with coins.
- Can I redeem winnings that came from free entries?
- Yes, on the same terms as any other Coverd Cash winnings.
Related
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