A sweepstake is a type of contest in which a prize or prizes are awarded to winners selected by chance rather than skill. Sweepstakes have a long history in many countries, though they are regulated differently depending on jurisdiction. In some countries, such as the United States, sweepstakes must by law be free to enter, while in others, such as Australia, a purchase may be required. In Canada, Australia, and several European countries, entrants may be required to answer a skill testing question to avoid the contest being classified as gambling. Sweepstakes are widely used as marketing promotions to reward existing consumers and draw attention to a product.