Section 6-503 - Required disclosures when awarding prizes. - Maryland Statutes

§ 6-503. Required disclosures when awarding prizes.
 

(a)  Scope of section.- This section does not apply to a raffle or other game of chance that a charitable organization holds in a county under the laws applicable to the county. 

(b)  In general.-  

(1) If a person, in connection with a written charitable solicitation, offers a contest, sweepstakes, or other promotion, the person shall disclose in writing to each offeree: 

(i) the manufacturer's suggested retail price or comparable retail price of each prize offered; 

(ii) the conditions to be met to receive a prize; and 

(iii) that to receive the prize offered in the promotion the offeree may not be required to: 

1. buy goods or services; 

2. pay money; or 

3. submit to a promotion. 

(2) If the contest, sweepstakes, or other promotion involves awarding prizes by chance, the person shall also disclose in writing to each offeree: 

(i) the exact number of prizes offered in each category; 

(ii) how to get a list of winners, if a prize with a retail price or monetary value of more than $100 is offered; 

(iii) whether each prize offered will be awarded; 

(iv) the date when winners will be determined; and 

(v) 1. the odds of winning each prize, if they can be calculated in advance; or 

2. that the odds of winning will be determined by the number of entries, if the odds cannot be calculated in advance. 

(c)  Disclosures to appear on first page.- Each disclosure required under this section shall appear on the first page of the prize notification document. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 41, § 3-212; 1992, ch. 4, § 2.]