Where It's Prohibited
JURISDICTIONAL DATABASE · UPDATED QUARTERLY
This is the question nobody asks. It's on millions of documents. Everyone writes it. Nobody looks it up. We looked it up.
The answer varies by promotion type. The summary: fewer places than you'd expect. More places than zero.
Common Prohibition Jurisdictions
Quebec, Canada
Contest and lottery regulations are significantly stricter than the rest of Canada. Sweepstakes requiring purchase are prohibited. No-purchase-necessary rules are enforced more rigorously. Most "void where prohibited" clauses were written with Quebec in mind.
Florida, USA (certain prize structures)
Promotions over $5,000 require registration and bonding. The prohibition is on the promotion structure, not the activity generally. Most standard sweepstakes are fine. Bond-required prize pools are the void zone.
New York, USA (certain prize structures)
Similar to Florida. Registration requirements for higher-value promotions. Operator error is common here because the threshold is lower than most people expect.
Various EU member states
Rules vary significantly by country. Germany is notably restrictive. France requires specific disclosures. The phrase "void where prohibited" does not satisfy EU consumer protection requirements on its own — you need the actual country-specific disclosures.
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