Saudi Arabia Bans ‘Lottery’ Retail Prize Draws
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce said that “lottery” prizes, which require the purchase of goods or products to win cash prizes, enter prize drawings, or distribute money within products offered for sale to customers, are prohibited activities in the Kingdom.
The ministry summoned both commercial establishments and individuals who have organized such activities and emphasised that it is working to ensure that regulatory procedures are followed and violators are referred to the Public Prosecution.
According to the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law and its Executive Regulations, it is illegal to require a purchase in commercial competitions as a condition for participation.
Saudi outlaws ‘lottery’ prize draws
The law stipulates that competitions may not include anything that violates Sharia law or customs observed in the Kingdom.
The ministry stressed that it would closely monitor the compliance of commercial establishments and advertisers licensed by the General Authority of Media Regulation with the regulations governing commercial competitions under the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law and its executive regulations, which prohibit the conduct or advertising of commercial competitions without obtaining a license.
