Reese’s $25,000 Sweepstakes Might Have Broken The Law

Author Maryann Morgan

October 18th, 2023 8:12 AM

Reese's Rounds are seen in the shop in Milan, Italy on October 6, 2021. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Who doesn’t love the thrill of winning big through contests and sweepstakes? The promise of a cash prize or luxurious vacation can be enticing, making it hard to resist. However, it seems Reese’s, the popular chocolate and peanut butter cup maker, might have taken their sweepstakes promotion a step too far, potentially breaking the law in the process.

According to nasdaq.com , Edgar Dworsky, the vigilant consumer advocate behind the website Consumer World, recently raised concerns about Reese’s latest $25,000 sweepstakes. At first glance, the candy’s packaging boldly declares, “You could win $25,000 – see details inside.” Sounds exciting, right? But the devil, as they say, is in the details.

The catch comes when you eagerly tear open the wrapper to find the fine print, hidden away like a well-kept secret. This fine print reveals that no purchase is necessary to participate and win. In other words, you don’t actually have to buy Reese’s products to enter the sweepstakes – a standard requirement in many legal contests. The problem is, you can’t read this vital piece of information unless you’ve already purchased and unwrapped the candy.

Hershey Co., the parent company of Reese’s, was quick to respond, stating that they ensure their promotions are “compliant with all regulations” and that contest details can be found on their website. While this may be technically accurate, the question remains: is this a deceptive practice?

Legally, sweepstakes and contests are supposed to provide clear and conspicuous rules, including the “no purchase necessary” option. Consumers should be able to easily understand their chances and the requirements for entry, without hidden conditions or obstacles. Concealing this information inside the wrapper could be seen as a sneaky attempt to encourage purchases under the guise of a contest.

The controversy surrounding Reese’s sweepstakes raises concerns about transparency and ethical marketing practices in the age of social media and heightened consumer awareness. It reminds us of the importance of reading the fine print, especially when tantalizing prizes are involved.

So, do you think Reese’s broke the rules? The answer might depend on how strictly one interprets consumer protection laws. While Hershey Co. claims they’ve followed the letter of the law, some consumers might still consider this a deceptive marketing ploy.

Meet Maryann, who has been chasing magic since the early 90s. Back then, she hosted a love and dedication show at nights on Magic. Talk about romantic vibes! Since then, she traded her evening slot for mornings. When she’s not talking to you on the air, she’s living the glamorous life of a chicken, duck, pigeon, and German Short-Haired Pointer mom. Since Joel can never follow what she says, there is an entire feature called " What are you Talking About" at 9:10. Running is her secret to staying out of trouble – or at least staying ahead of the extra pounds. She has a husband named Matt, and a son named Zack, who she says makes her world a little adventure.

Which Halloween Candy You Should Like Based on Your Astrological Sign

Every year our kids dress up and knock on strangers’ doors and ask for candy. Free candy! They just walk up and people they’ve never met before give them sweet treats, it’s arguably the best idea ever. We could complain that they don’t always get the candy we want, and sometimes it’s not even candy! Apples, pretzels, potato chips, and sometimes some loose change they have sitting around the house, what’s wrong with these people?

If you could choose your favorite what would it be?

According to a study by Coventry Direct, New Jersey’s overall favorite is Raisinettes. I always hoped for a Zagnut, but that’s another story. I say Zagnut is my favorite, but according to the New York Post, being a Scorpio the stars say it’s not.

The Zodiac is divided into twelve signs…

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18), PISCES (February 19 to March 20), ARIES (March 21 to April 19), TAURUS (April 20 to May 20), GEMINI (May 21 to June 20), CANCER (June 21 to July 22), LEO (July 23 to August 22), VIRGO (August 23 to September 22), LIBRA (September 23 to October 22), SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21), SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21), and CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19).

Here’s what they say your favorite candy SHOULD be based on your Zodiac sign…

AQUARIUS - M&Ms
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – JUNE 12: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 Twix Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 12, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

“Aquarius is commonly associated with innovation and cosmic exploration. Fittingly, M&Ms were developed as a war ration. Their candy case prevents the chocolate from melting in the pockets of soldiers”
PISCES - NESTLE CRUNCH

Described as the “music to your mouth,” Pisceans are soothed by its sound. It’s like Rice Krispies cereal cemented in a chocolate casing. Snap, crackle, pop, crunch.
ARIES - SNICKERS
Snickers chocolate bars packaging are seen in a shop in Sulkowice, Poland on August 12, 2021. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Snickers bars are made by Mars Inc. and the Mars family named it after their pet horse. Marketing experts would reject that today. You need to research potential names, focus groups and surveys. Not for Snickers.
TAURUS - BUTTERFINGER
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Nestle Butterfinger candy bars are displayed on a shelf at a convenience store on February 18, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Nestle USA announced plans to remove all artificial flavors and FDA-certified colors from its entire line of chocolate candy products, including the popular Butterfinger and Baby Ruth candy bars, by the end of 2015. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Bart and Homer Simpson said, “No one better lay a finger on my Butterfinger.” Tauruses are possessive so it all makes sense. Food that is named after a body part. Finger seems to be a popular name, just ask the chickens and ladies. There’s even a group of eats called “finger food.”
GEMINI - TWIX
KIEV, UKRAINE – 2019/09/02: Twix bars on a store shelf. (Photo by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Gemini is represented by twins, and Twix comes in twos. It’s got a great combo of sweets. Cookies, caramel and chocolate, delicious!
CANCER - 100 GRAND BAR

“The 100 Grand Bar has been the subject of many a radio prank. Announcers offering callers $100,000 and delivering a single bar instead. It has even been plot points in episodes of “The Office” and “Seinfeld.” That product placement sold a lot of candy.
LEO - CANDY APPLE
UNITED STATES – 2020/01/26: Candy apple treats. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)

They’re crunchy and delicious. Leos love their shiny appearance which garners attention which they love. One a day keeps the doctor away unless the doctor is a dentist.
VIRGO - KIT KAT
Kit-Kat candy at Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. Hershey Co. says it has entered into definitive agreements to buy Dots Pretzels and Pretzels Inc.for about $1.2b in total. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Kit Kat was named after a London club with strong literary and political ties. The candy debuted “during Virgo season in 1935.” My dad turns 88 next month and the Kit-Kat has just barely been around his entire life.
LIBRA -REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP

This is the most popular candy in most circles. It allegedly came about by accident when two people, one eating chocolate and one eating peanut butter, bumped into one another causing their snacks to collide. They were about to kill one another when they both realized the discovery they made.
SCORPIO - CANDY CORN
UNITED STATES – Circa 1990s: Halloween Candy Corn. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)

As a lifelong Scorpio, I’m not sure I agree with this. If I haven’t mentioned it, my fave is Zagnut. However, astrologically speaking, I love candy corn.
SAGITTARIUS - MR. GOODBAR

“Sagittarius is the eternal optimist of the zodiac…you can’t keep these people down or out…Mr. Goodbar was… [used]…as a way to keep the company afloat and employees at work during the Great Depression.” The story goes that someone in product development said, “That’s a good bar.” Milton Hershey heard that and decided on the name.
CAPRICORN - TOOTHBRUSH
SCHWELM, GERMANY – JANUARY 10: Water pours onto a toothbrush with toothpaste on January 10, 2007 in Schwelm, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

I’m not sure I completely understand this. Apparently Capricorns hand out toothbrushes at Halloween because they “rule over the teeth.” I think the lesson here is, “Stay away from Capricorns on October 31st.