Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is a direct marketing company that was founded in 1953. They are best known for the sweepstakes they run, with the prize often being a large cash jackpot. PCH promotes their sweepstakes through TV commercials, magazine ads, and mailers. This leads many people to wonder – how exactly does PCH pick the winners for their sweepstakes? There has been some mystery around their process over the years, but PCH insists their contests are legit and winners are selected randomly. Here we will explain the basic process PCH uses to select winners and address some common questions about how real their contests are.
How does PCH run their sweepstakes contests?
PCH runs some type of sweepstakes nearly year-round, with their two biggest being the SuperPrize Giveaway and PCH Sweeps $5,000 A Week For Life Sweepstakes. For the major prize giveaways, there is no purchase required to enter. Consumers can submit entries through the mail using the entry forms PCH widely distributes in magazines and mailers. Many entries come through the mail, but consumers can also enter online through the PCH website or mobile app. Typically there is a deadline to submit entries, after which PCH gathers all of the entries and identifies the winners.
SuperPrize Giveaway
The SuperPrize Giveaway runs annually with a top prize of $5 or $10 million dollars. Entrants can submit up to 10 entries per day for the contest. In 2022, PCH promoted the SuperPrize Giveaway with a $10 million grand prize, paid over time in annual payments of $520,000. The entry deadline was February 22, 2022.
$5,000 A Week For Life Sweepstakes
For the $5,000 a week for life sweepstakes, PCH promises to pay the winner $5,000 every week for the rest of their life. Additional cash prizes are also awarded. In 2022, the entry deadline was January 28. Entrants could submit up to 10 entries per day.
How does PCH select and notify the winners?
After the sweepstakes entry deadline passes, PCH collects all of the entries received by mail and online. The entries are taken to an independent auditing firm to oversee the drawing and selection of the winners.
Computerized Random Drawings
The auditing firm uses automated computerized random drawings to select the winners. The computer system randomly shuffles through all the entries and pulls out the winning names and numbers. Even the PCH staff conducting the sweepstakes do not know who the winners will be until the computerized drawing is complete.
Notified by Prize Patrol
PCH notifies the major prize winners in dramatic fashion – by showing up on their doorstep with balloons, cameras, and a giant check from the “Prize Patrol.” The Prize Patrol captures the winner’s shock and excitement. For smaller prizes, PCH notifies winners by phone and mail.
Are PCH sweepstakes real contests?
With the dramatic Prize Patrol award presentations and promises of life-changing cash prizes, some people have questioned whether PCH contests are real. Could the winners just be actors or PCH employees? Here are the facts around the legitimacy of PCH sweepstakes:
Winners are real people
PCH winners are real people, not actors or PCH staff. Major winners have to participate in publicity activities as part of claiming their prize. This includes being presented with the prize check on camera and participating in media interviews. You can find videos online and news stories interviewing past big winners.
Contests adhere to regulations
State laws prohibit PCH from rigging contests or falsely promoting that people have better odds than they do. PCH’s contests adhere to regulations dictating how sweepstakes must be run to be legitimate. Their contests could not be fake and still operate legally in the U.S.
Scrutinized by authorities
Given public skepticism, PCH’s contests have been scrutinized by media, lawmakers, and legal authorities. Investigations have not found proof that PCH’s contests are illegitimate or fraudulent. While critics remain skeptical, proof has not been found that PCH’s games are rigged or illegal.
Millions of entries
With millions of entries coming in for the major prizes, PCH has no way of predetermining winners even if they wanted to. There are too many entries coming in to manually pick specific individuals as the winners. The automated randomized system ensures PCH staff cannot manipulate outcomes.
What are your odds of winning?
Your odds of winning a major PCH prize are quite small. This is simply because each contest receives millions of entries. However, someone has to win eventually! Here are the odds for some top PCH prizes:
SuperPrize $10 million Giveaway
| Number of entries | 200 million (approx) |
| Odds of winning | 1 in 200 million |
$5,000 A Week For Life Sweepstakes
| Number of entries | 135 million (approx) |
| Odds of winning | 1 in 135 million |
Tips for entering PCH sweepstakes
Your chances of winning may be low, but here are some tips to maximize your odds:
Submit daily entries
Take advantage of the daily entry limits. Submitting the maximum each day gets you more chances to win.
Enter every sweepstakes
Enter a variety of PCH sweepstakes – not just the biggest prizes. Some contests have better odds with fewer entries.
Get bonus entries
Look for ways to get bonus entries, like referring friends or entering through the PCH app. This can dramatically boost the number of entries you submit.
Double check entries
Avoid disqualification by carefully filling out sweepstakes forms and providing accurate contact info. Make sure your entries are valid.
Are there ways to get more entries?
Here are some ways to accumulate more entries beyond just the basic daily limits:
Order magazines
You can get bonus entries for subscribing to magazines through PCH. Magazines are points clubs that give sweepstakes entries as a bonus.
Enter special events
PCH promotes special events throughout the year with contests that have better odds and bonus entries. For example, in 2022 they held a Mother’s Day $2,500 bonus entry event.
Play games
PCH’s free online games can award tokens you exchange for sweepstakes entries. Playing games like Mahjongg Multiplier is a popular way to get entries.
Use the mobile app
PCH’s app has ways to earn daily bonus entries through activities like watching videos or clicking daily rewards buttons.
Refer friends
You can get bonus entries by getting friends and family to sign up for PCH contests using your referral link.
What to do if you win
If you are lucky enough to have your name drawn as a winner, here is what to do:
Review the prize notice
Carefully review the notice sent by PCH to understand the prize details and what you need to do to claim it. Pay close attention to deadlines and requirements.
Claim your winnings
Follow the claim process. For major prizes this includes participating in publicity events and interviews. Make sure to submit required tax forms.
Update personal information
Ensure PCH has your current contact details so you receive important updates about your prize. Notify them if your address changes.
Read the fine print
Review the full rules, restrictions and prize details. Look for any deadlines, appearances, or other obligations you must meet as the winner.
Consult a lawyer
Speaking with legal counsel can help you navigate the claiming process while understanding your full rights and responsibilities.
Taxes on PCH prizes
With PCH giving away millions in prizes, winners have to pay taxes. Here is what you need to know:
Taxed as income
Sweepstakes winnings are considered taxable income by the IRS and state tax agencies. Winners have to pay applicable federal and state taxes.
Withholdings vary
PCH automatically withholds taxes on monetary prizes based on IRS guidelines. The amount varies based on the type of winnings and your residency.
You may owe more
The withholding is considered a pre-payment of estimated taxes, but winners may still owe additional taxes when filing returns. Consulting a tax professional is recommended.
File Form 1099
If your total winnings for the year exceed $600, PCH will issue you an IRS Form 1099 summarizing winnings to report on your tax return.
Gift tax unlikely
For very large prizes, the gift tax may come into play but likely would not apply to normal PCH contest winnings.
Major PCH winners
Here is a look at a few of the biggest PCH winners over the years:
Juan Rodriguez – $427 million
In March 2022, a retired postal worker in New York won PCH’s biggest prize ever – a lump sum payment of $427 million from the SuperPrize Giveaway.
Daniel Miers – $5,000 a week for life
In 2018, Daniel Miers of Kentucky won $5,000 a week for life from the PCH sweepstakes, which has an approximate cash value of $5 million.
Frank Elliott – $3 million
In 2017, Frank Elliott, a retiree in Tennessee, was awarded one of PCH’s guaranteed $3 million prizes along with a new SUV.
Rick Owens – $10 million
Rick Owens, a retired airline employee from Florida, won PCH’s $10 million prize in 2016 with a SuperPrize Giveaway entry.
Dorothy Brown – $5 million
In 2010, Dorothy Brown won $5 million through the PCH Sweeps $5 million Giveaway after entering for over 20 years.
Controversies and investigations
With such valuable prizes, PCH has naturally faced some controversies and questions over the years. Their reputation has been scrutinized by authorities and critics.
Sweepstakes law violations
In the 1990s, PCH settled charges in 34 states that their mailings violated sweepstakes laws by implying people were winners when they were only offering a chance at a prize. PCH paid civil penalties and changed promotional practices.
Misleading mailings
Class action lawsuits have been filed at times accusing PCH mailings of misrepresenting odds, tricking people into orders, or implying they are winners. Most accusations were resolved in settlements.
Investigation by postal inspectors
In 2006, PCH faced a postal inspection probing allegations their prize awards were rigged. The inspection found no evidence of fraud. PCH cited this to defend their integrity.
Criticism of practices
Some consumer advocates criticize PCH for mailings they argue exploit the elderly, use pressure tactics, or otherwise take advantage of people. However, no laws prohibit their practices.
Reputation among contest entrants
Many PCH customers have entered their contests for years with mixed opinions:
Positive
– Enjoy entering even if they never win: For many, entering is entertainment in hopes of a big prize.
– Believe it’s legit: While odds are low, most think real people do win the prizes.
– Like bonus entries: Methods to earn extra entries give more chances to win.
Negative
– Think contests target seniors: Critics feel their mailings prey on older people’s hopes of winning.
– Assume it’s a scam: Some are convinced PCH just pockets entry money.
– Dislike promotion tactics: Aggressive mailings and ads urging buying magazines raise suspicion.
Hopeful skepticism
– Doubt they will win: Entrants are skeptical big prizes will happen to them.
– Think odds seem impossible: The odds feel insurmountable with millions of entries.
– Keep entering anyway: Even skeptics continue entering, hoping to beat the long odds.
Is Publishers Clearing House a scam?
There is no definitive evidence that PCH’s contests themselves are scams. Independent probes into PCH contests have not found proof that outcomes are pre-determined or fraudulent. While their marketing tactics may seem aggressive, the core sweepstakes operate within legal bounds. However, consumers should still enter with realistic expectations given the extremely long odds and legal fine print around prizes. PCH’s reputation also continues to draw skepticism from some doubters. But after nearly 70 years in business, PCH’s sweepstakes continue despite controveries, lawsuits, and investigations over the years.
Conclusion
Publishers Clearing House gives away millions in prizes to lucky winners who beat the incredible odds to win their famous sweepstakes. While some details around their selection process remain secretive, investigations have not revealed definitive evidence that PCH contests are outright scams or fraudulent. However, the odds are overwhelmingly against any one person winning the top prizes. No inside track or system for picking winners exists, as even PCH does not know winners until computer randomized drawings pick the lucky few entries from among millions. While healthy skepticism of PCH’s reputation persists among some Americans, the famous PCH Prize Patrol will likely continue showing up on winners’ doorsteps with jumbo checks for years to come. For those who dream of that moment, entering PCH contests provides legal, regulated fun and hope, despite the reality most entrants will never claim the elusive big-money prizes.